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Hello im a new rider who is in limbo with perchassing a hd sportster 883 my debate is is it big enuf for me im 225lbs 510" and also whats the diference between the custom 883 and how much dif in price is there alot. Choosing is so hard also was looking at the special edition 2005 shadow spirit with the flames very nice hard to choose please help. Also will my insurance go up because its a harley vs the shadow.

I'm 5'10-1/2" and 220lbs with a 32" inseam and I find the Sportster too small for me. It's also pretty asthmatic, at least in 883 form (haven't ridden a 1200). My buddy has a 1998 Sportster 883 with a Screamin' Eagle carb, intake, and pipes - and none of it helps. My recommendation is to go with the Spirit. It's $2k more than the 883, but you could spend that much on the 883's engine and still not match the performance of the Spirit's 1100.

Flame on...

ZooTech wrote:Flame on...

Don't worry, you're not worth the effort anymore.

I have a 1200C. (226, 5'10") and it is perfect for me.

During H-D demo days I rode an 883 and the 1200C.

Originally, I thought I wanted the 883R or maybe a 1200R. When I rode the 883, everything was wrong for me - the bars, the mid-mount controls, and the seat. The engine was OK. Not terrific, but OK.

Then I rode the 1200C. Five times. I was in love.
The forward controls fit like a glove. The bars were right and the stock seat was decent. The power was more than I needed.

I later bought a 1200C, added a Sundowner Seat and QD windshield and backrest for the wife to lean on.

Moral of the story - find out when the dealers are doing demo days and try them out. Both the H-D and the Honda. DO NOT BUY, until you ride the bike(s).

I did it the right way.

A guy at work did it the wrong way. He bought one bike, traded it in on another 2 weeks later, then traded that on another a month later. He likes his current bike but owes more than 150% of its value new.


EDIT: the 883C and 1200C are physically the same dimensions. The difference is the engine displacement.
The 883R and 1200R are the same diemsions as well (I think).
I am not sure if the 883 and 883R are the same dimensions....

Gummiente wrote:

ZooTech wrote:Flame on...

Don't worry, you're not worth the effort anymore.

Awww...and here I was on the edge of my seat waiting to hear how my opinion was wrong...

To each his own.

ZooTech wrote:

Gummiente wrote:

ZooTech wrote:Flame on...

Don't worry, you're not worth the effort anymore.

Awww...and here I was on the edge of my seat waiting to hear how my opinion was wrong...

To each his own.

did anyone say it wasnt wrong? just not worth the effort.

iwannadie wrote:did anyone say it wasnt wrong? just not worth the effort.

Yet it was worth the effort of posting a snide remark...

Look, it's my opinion based on my actual experience riding the bike. If all you want is a forum that blows fluffy sunshine up your arse all day, foresaking all honest opinion for the purpose of making everyone feel good about everything, I have a few forums I could recommend to you. Until that social infection makes its way here I will continue to offer my opinion when it's clearly been asked for, despite the fact that one or more fellow forum members might take exception to my comments. My only motive here is to steer people (especially those of similar build) away from bikes I feel are inferior to the competition. For me, when deciding between an 883 and a Spirit (and I haven't even ridden the Spirit) the choice is very clear.

ocelot wrote: Also will my insurance go up because its a harley vs the shadow.

I don't think so.
My insurance on my 1200C is less than that on my Buell Blast.
I have no idea what the shadow would cost in insurance, but I would guess they would be the same.

I am just wondering how the bike will perform lets say going 110 km per hour for trips other than that its my first bike so i dont want a rocket. Also I live in Alberta and a 1200cc bike would double my insurance anything over 1000cc you get nailed .

ZooTech wrote:

iwannadie wrote:did anyone say it wasnt wrong? just not worth the effort.

Yet it was worth the effort of posting a snide remark...

Look, it's my opinion based on my actual experience riding the bike. If all you want is a forum that blows fluffy sunshine up your arse all day, foresaking all honest opinion for the purpose of making everyone feel good about everything, I have a few forums I could recommend to you. Until that social infection makes its way here I will continue to offer my opinion when it's clearly been asked for, despite the fact that one or more fellow forum members might take exception to my comments. My only motive here is to steer people (especially those of similar build) away from bikes I feel are inferior to the competition. For me, when deciding between an 883 and a Spirit (and I haven't even ridden the Spirit) the choice is very clear.

i just thought id be fun to get you started on another rant, especially when HD is involved. i dont care bout hd but certainly if you like it thats fine with me.