Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Any owners of this model out there? Would love to hear your story about the bike. Also comparisons to HD Sportster 1200C.

Thanks
Paddlepro

Can't help with the S83, but I own an 05 S50 and my brother-in-law owns an 05 HD 1200. Hands down his bike is more comfortable to ride. The extra weight and length give it a better feel on the long haul. However, his bike isn't quite as fast as my S50 (close but not quite). His cornering and handling ability isn't as forgiving. His pegs scrape a bit before mine do in the turns. At a constant 75 mph the S50 gets a consistant 55mpg to his 46mpg. In low speed manuvers and just moving it in the garage the weight and length of the HD can be a handfull (at least compared to the S50). I think there is close to 150lbs difference in weight and that means alot at low speed. It also means alot in comfort so it's a trade off. I've got about $7000 in my bike including accessories he has about $12,000 in his and we have all the same stuff ecept for the tach (not sure if he added it or it came with it). If you have to have an HD (which is understandable) it's a nice bike, but dollar for dollar I'd buy mine again before I'd buy his. Really just personal preference. I've got about 10,000 miles on mine and he has 6000 on his neither of us have had any issues. My bike is kinda squeaky and not just the front brakes (which is common with the S50 not sure about the S83) I just use more spray lub then I ever have and it keeps it under control. Hope this helps a bit.

Thanks for the comments. I have considered the S50 but at 6'2" and 200# i found it a little small.

paddlepro

Check out Intruderalert. Plenty of people who can probably help you there.

I currently own an S83 since September 2005. Purchased new and have put on 11k. It's a good running bike with massive amounts of torque. You need to consider a few basic mods right off the bat - a new seat is necessary if you plan on taking long rides or riding 2 up. A new set of pipes and a jet kit go a long way to unleashing the bikes full potential. If there is one weak link on this bike it’s the brakes – they suck, plain and simple. Generally it a good reliable bike that handles very predictably. I do enjoy mine very much. I have no experience with riding HD’s.

Thanks for all the tips, but I found and fell in love with a 2002 Honda Magna
V4. It is fast for 750 and purrs like a kitten.

paddlepro

Magna is a good choice. My friends 85 has 40,000 miles on it and it still runs great.

Yes go to www.itruderalert.com. they are experts on the Intruder1400 and the S83, im a member of that forum.

paddlepro wrote:Thanks for the comments. I have considered the S50 but at 6'2" and 200# i found it a little small.

paddlepro

Interesting..... I'm also 6' 2" and weigh 195 - 200 lbs. I too looked at the S50 very seriously, and then changed my mind at the last minute and bought an M50. I'm glad I did. The S50 would have been just too small, but for my first bike I did'nt want to get an S83.

I noticed almost all the motorcycle dealers in my area have many used S83's for sale, to me thats a bad sign meaning nobody gets rid of a bike they love, the really good bikes are the ones you never see used for sale.