I know this is random, but who better to ask!!

[Z4_marin]

sorry BigLeo, I am going to have to respectfully disagree with you. It sounds like the jgormans first bike (I could be wrong here); yes the Sportster can be seen as a chic's bike BUT the Iron 883 it would make a GREAT city bike.

jgorman - buy the Iron 883, don't be a chromosexual and takes those freaking chrome pipes off ASAP. Don't let any one tell you that is a chic's bike. I once ordered a hot chocolate in front of some friends, one of which was a Navy Seal. They all laughed except the seal who said, "That's a man's drink.... a man can drink whatever the Fu$k he wants." Luckily, the same holds true for bikes. It doesn't really matter what you drive, just that your on one. (especially in the fu$king city)

[BZZZE]

Yeah, the 883 is grossly under powered but throw a 1200 kit on it and it is a great little bike for what it is. All Harleys are chick bikes...best reason to get one! lol

[BigLeo48]

Aside from the chick bike thing, where will you be driving it?

I have owned many bikes over the years, including a Harley. If t's mostly city driving, around traffic, I would pass on the whole bike thing. As a motorcycle driver, you have to almost be paranoid driving in traffic (we know how many idiots and elderly drivers are out there). In heavy traffic it's difficult (and certainly not enjoyable) to keep track of what everyone is doing around you. So you're "exposure" is much higher and so is the risk. Heard the old saying "you may be dead right, but your still dead".

I now live in a small city and drive mostly country roads. Last year I was driving down the main drag and I say an older guy (late 50s) on an old but very nice early 80s KZ1000. I thought to myself "Maybe I should get another bike, it's safe if you know what your doing and he looks like an experienced guy". One intersection later he drove right in the back of the truck ahead of him, dropped the bike and then made the rest of the trip in an ambulance. I got a Z4MC.

BigLeo

[bkz4mc]

I've heard Sportster's been referred to as Skirtster's several times.... Don't do it !!!!!

[jgorman13]

Wow, so much criticism around here.

1. It is my first bike.
2. Cost of ownership is very low.
3. The Sportster is not the 1-series or chick bike of H-D. I've driven many different types of harleys and to be honest, at 5'-8", the larger ones do not feel right and also, are not as nimble. The 883cc displacement is still larger than every other japanese cruiser in its size class. I like the styling of it, and it is an educated decision on my part to get this bike.
4. "jgorman - buy the Iron 883, don't be a chromosexual and takes those freaking chrome pipes off ASAP" - Z4marin. I could not agree with you more.
I've decided to go with the Iron. Upon delivery, I'm going to be purchasing the vance&hines matte black custom exhaust to match the rest of the bike.
5. I did look back into the sport bike category one last time, and to be honest, in NYC, as a driver under 25, the insurance along with a balloon interest rate was not feasible.

Thanks for all your opinions, good and bad

[Hawkeye]

You WANT to get an underpowered bike as your first one, trust me. Don't listen to any of these asshats.

I see a harley and I could care less what it is, it is a Harley and a motorcycle. I see someone riding a Ninja 250 (way underpowered sport bike) and I think, I could take him... sure... but also it is another riding enthusiast.... as long as you aren't riding a moped you are a-ok.

p.s. Matte Black pipes will look wicked on that!

[jgorman13]

best pic i could get, but on a different bike. those are the exact pipes.

[Hawkeye]

Just make sure you have a BRIGHT riding jacket or don't ride at night! I have all black gear but with some reflective stripping, and some white on my helmet as well. :tup:

[bkz4mc]

I was just givin' ya crap....

Personally I like sport bikes more than Harley's, but that's me. If I HAD to get a Harley tho, it would have to be Rat Rod style... I love that stuff.

That said, as far as your choice...with your options, I'm with you 110%.

[wasupdu]

I'm a sportbike guy myself. Here's mine:

I have added a few more mods since this pic was taken, but IMHO the R1 is one of the best bikes you can buy for the $$.

[nadaclue]

You may want to visit a HD dealer and sit on each if you haven't already. The 883 Low looks like more of an upright riding position while the 883 Iron looks like you'd be a little more hunched over, cafe racer style. Personally I like the looks of the Iron and for city driving (stop and go where you can sit up and stretch) a more stretched out riding position would be fine. But for longer rides it looks like it could be uncomfortable. Then again, they may have the same handlebar/rake and be equal. It's tough to tell from the pics.

And F' the naysayers, ride what you want and be happy. Hell, I drive a green BMW.

[jgorman13]

Originally Posted by nadaclue

You may want to visit a HD dealer and sit on each if you haven't already. The 883 Low looks like more of an upright riding position while the 883 Iron looks like you'd be a little more hunched over, cafe racer style. Personally I like the looks of the Iron and for city driving (stop and go where you can sit up and stretch) a more stretched out riding position would be fine. But for longer rides it looks like it could be uncomfortable. Then again, they may have the same handlebar/rake and be equal. It's tough to tell from the pics.

And F' the naysayers, ride what you want and be happy. Hell, I drive a green BMW.

Haha yes. You're exactly right. one of the reasons i chose the iron is because of the sporty riding stance.


btw, nice yamaha R1. yamahas are easily my favorite sport bikes.

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by jgorman13

Haha yes. You're exactly right. one of the reasons i chose the iron is because of the sporty riding stance.


btw, nice yamaha R1. yamahas are easily my favorite sport bikes.

Well as long as we are posting pics... here is my baby. I really need the turn signal and license plate deletes for this season...