My first bike was the Iron 883, I’ve had it from new and 4 years later I’ve still got it and will never get rid of it. I did stage 1 it and changed the pipes from new. Perfect amount of power for me and don’t feel I need more. I absolutely love the look of the bike.
@@campodz Been riding for 30 years . I've had japanese , german and italian bikes . The lil iron is by far my favourite and i use it daily (except cold north of England winter months ) to commute to work and long rides around Europe in summer . Great bike
The "you're going to outgrow this and want a bigger thing in no time" is such a weird argument. So like... you're saying that you're going to turn down two sales in exchange for just one sale, with me buying the bigger bike now? Sell the guy the small bike. Make him happy. If that's the case, he will remember you, and will come back to you next year to buy the bigger bikes. People are loyal when you make them happy.
@@methamphetasaur I don't understand the "you're going to outgrow this" argument at all. Does the Porsche dealer say, "you're going to outgrow this 911 so get a Lamborghini instead. It's a great, super fun bike. Period.
In July of 2023 I bought my first Harley. I was 70 and hadn't been riding for 35 years! I got a 2010 Sportster 883L. I relearned to ride and haven't looked back! I think I could easily ride a bigger bike. (Softail Standard!) But I just don't think I could get rid of my little Sportster! I love it's looks and sound. It's a pure joy when I'm on it!
I'm 73, been riding continuously since 1967. I've owned nearly everykind of bike. My last one was a road King that I rode for 13 years. It got to be a bit too much as I was aging, so now I have an 883 (my 3rd one) and I am impressed with it, and did not outgrow it! They were the badass bike in the 60's and 79's and they still are, the only difference from then to now, is that the 55ci Sportster is refined
Greetings from Oz....Interesting, I'm 64 & I'm considering a used 2019 Sportster 883 Iron, with just a few kms on it, as a 2nd Harley, just as a local runabout with that Evo engine. It's roughly half the displacement of my 2014 Dyna FXDBB.....& I got to try one new at a dealership back in 2017, & was quite smitten with it. I also tried the 1200 Roadster, the 1200 Custom & the 48.....& I just preferred the Iron 883. Go figure. All the air-cooled Evo based Sportsters are out of production now, so time to strike I reckon. Really looking forward to it. 😉
You made a wise choice. My wife took the Harley course, bought the 883. Rode it for a year, then bought a Heritage. She was very happy she spent her year on the Iron before she moved on.
Congratulations on buying your first Sportster. Welcome to the club! You made a good choice. I'm sure you've already discovered that Sportsters are...different...from most other motorcycles. Some of this is deliberate - Sportster pre-dates most every other bike on the market, if not all of them (other Harleys excepted, of course). Harley did things their way back in the 1950's. Other manufacturers came up with different ways (which became the "standard") in the 1970s and onward while H-D stayed the same. Personally, I think that they're terrific bikes...basic, light, good-handling, fun to ride, easy to work on, easy (and cheap) to customize... And they're great-looking. I've owned *four* of them so far. The third and fourth are in my garage as we speak. People often put the Sportster down due to its "faults." We prefer to call them "personality quirks." That said, there are some things people need to know about the Sportster. 1. Sportster is not a touring bike. It's an old school naked street bike. All bikes used to be like that "back in the day." You want a windscreen? There are a million to choose from. Knock yourself out. Unless the majority of your riding is on the Interstate at 70 mph, you really don't need one. 2. Sportster 883 is not a performance bike, just as the Mazda Miata is not a performance car. Sportster has "sufficient" power for all the street riding situations that any adult would find himself in. The engine is literally bulletproof. Even an 883 will truck along at 80 mph ALL DAY LONG. And it will give you 55-60 mpg while doing it. Name one other bike that will do that! 3. You don't need a gas gauge. Just stop and get gas every 100 miles. Or get the 3.3 gallon gas tank and go 120-150 miles between stops. It ain't rocket science. 4. Sportster is just not a good two-person motorcycle. Passenger accommodations are horrible. Trouble is, good, comfortable two-up seats look goofy and spoil the barebones look of the bike. You want/need to frequently carry a passenger, don't buy a Sportster...get something with a decent seat and some actual rear suspension. 5. Sportster transmissions *CLUNK!* loudly going into first gear. It's unavoidable. They don't do it - or don't have to do it shifting up or down through the gears when you learn the technique. You don't need to slam the throttle all the way closed when shifting. Just back off a little on the gas and squeeze in a 'little' clutch (don't pull it in fully). Match your RPM to the next gear. When you get slick, you can shift up and down without even using the clutch. 6. Sportsters vibrate, no doubt about it. It's not objectionable. It's just there. If you want to ride a sewing machine, buy a Harley Live Wire. Or a 6-cylinder Gold Wing. That said, the Sportster really could use a sixth gear. 7. Sportster has a throttle friction lock which functions as a crude cruise-control. You don't have to lock it, just use enough friction to put some drag on the throttle and keep it from backing off while still being able to manipulate it. Experiment and you'll find the sweet spot. Sportster side-stand (H-D calls it a "jiffy stand") has a lock when it's extended and the weight of the bike is on it. This keeps the bike from rolling if you, say, park on a slight nose-down incline. WARNING! If you take off with it extended, it WILL cause you to crash. 8. Sportster has self-cancelling turn signals. It also has a rev-limiter, so don't be afraid to rev that b*tch if you need or want to. It also has a tip-over feature that will kill the engine if you fall down. 9. Enjoy owning and riding a bike that's been (well...was) in continuous production longer than any other motorcycle! (That may be hyperbole - I'd have to check that.)
Much of the above does not apply to the Sportster 1200. I got my first street bike in 1975 at age 16. It was a 1972 Suzuki GT380 2 stroke triple. I've had around 50 bikes since then. In 2006 I bought a brand new Harley 1200L. The 1200C looked better, but I absolutely had to have tubeless tires. I could write a book on all the problems and near death experiences I've had with tube type tires. I'm the type that does like bright shiny paint , polished aluminum, and lots of chrome. I put Cobra chrome slip ons, a backrest, hard leather saddlebags attached with locking Easy Brackets, a turn signal relocation kit, an oil dipstick with a thermometer in it, and retuned the carburetor for the slip ons. Other than that the bike is completely stock except for some additional chrome replacements for stock parts. It has a stock 4.5 gallon tank. I have ridden it coast to coast with no problems. It was my first Harley. A couple years ago I bought a used 2002 Sportster 883, in bright yellow, with lots of chrome and aluminum, when I realized that H-D really was going to cancel the EVO Sportster. There is a huge difference in power between the 883 and 1200. The 1200 will easily keep up with anything on the freeway, the 883 will too, but it's pretty much maxed out. I've had a couple of Japanese 450s that felt just as fast as the 883. But it's still a really nice bike. I love the Harley shake and sound. It's all very mechanical.
@@geraldscott4302 - Like you, I've been riding since the mid-1970's, starting with a Honda CB350. Not sure what you mean by "keep up with" traffic on the highway. I've taken my '05 883 from Florida to Washington State (2,700 miles one way) **twice**. On the way up I did 70-75 and it was fine. I was a little more pressed for time on the way back, and so I ran at 80 mph all day long for 3.5 days. Wasn't using full throttle, never missed a beat, gave me 55-60 mpg the entire trip. Yes, my 1200 has more power, and that's fun. We all love fast, powerful bikes, and the 883 is neither of those. But the 883 has "sufficient" power to do pretty much anything a rider asks of it, as long as you're not trying to drag-race anybody. A Mazda Miata is no Ferrari either, but I'd love to own one ;-)
17 year 1st motorcycle was a Suzuki GT550 1974. I bought it with the Milwaukee journal paper route $. At 19 I had a brand new 1980 GSX 750 From wisdom Suzuki in Ogden Kansas I rode it to fort ord California. I saw the beautiful monterey bay and said I never going back to Milwaukee. I live in Seaside next to laguna saka and ride my 883 all year round. Live to Ride Ride to live.
I've had my Evo 883 since 1986, model year 1987. I've upgraded fuel tanks twice, put a full fairing on the front, crash bars, highway bars, p-pad, and sissy bar. I added saddle bags, and throw saddle bags over them. I also added a handlebar attached tool bag. It still runs great, plenty of power, and I can go 200 miles now on a fill. It doesn't bang out until 96 mph, and I've ridden it across the US twice in all weathers. The seat isn't ripped, but it has gotten stiff, and needs replaced. The fuel gage is giving the bike a shake at a stop light. If you can hear it sloshing around, your good.
It's funny how folks say this is a "beginner bike". Let me just say, I've been riding for 25 years and have had many big bikes. I ride a 2023 Low Rider S and love it. That said, the Iron 883 has always been my favorite bike for aesthetics and for how easy it is to ride. Beginner-Shmeginner; it's a crazy fun bike, lightweight, easy to ride and maintain, and is an absolute keeper for any rider. I'll never get rid of my Low Rider S, and I'll never get rid of my 2022 Iron 883 either. Love your video; And you bike!!!
Awesome insight there. I'm getting my first bike, and I have been looking at the Iron 883. The only problem is that the bike has to have a sissy bar for my wife. What do you recommend? Perhaps the XL883N Iron ?
@@LINKINPERRY There are so many back rest / sissybar options out there for the Iron883. Also, so many 2-up seat options as well. Try searching Dennis Kirk, J&P Cycles, Revzilla, and Amazon for a rider-friendly seat and back rest!
yeah - i just booked a test ride for the day after tomorrow. looking for a cool looking bike to commute and ride around the city for everyday stuff. i don't consider myself a beginner :D Ive been riding for over 15 Years and my current bike is a 2023 BMW S1000R :D But thats just too much for commutes/riding around the city. And i dont always wanna suit up for getting a slice of pizza in the city or riding to the gym. :D
I ride an 03 883 that I converted to hammer1275. It was fun, now it's a blast to ride. It's been two years since I installed the upgrade and I love it. I've done suspension work and I think I'll keep it atleast a few more years, maybe forever. enjoy yours until you don't enjoy it anymore
I love my 2012 iron. I have a Superglide as well, but most of the time I ride the little one. Power is sufficient around town and it looks pretty cool. Riding for 46 years now it still brings a smile on my face.🙂
I was actually interested into getting an Iron 883, but as a new rider I don’t wanna get a bike too new or too old. Somewhere in the middle, what year would you recommend since the 12’ is doing you good
@@sebastian-jg5yv Hi Sebastian I would go for an early to mid2010th model with abs. As a new rider play it as safe as possible. This ca. 10 year old bikes are not too expensive and indestructible. Cheers Gis
I got my first bike ever in April and I'm 2,000 miles in and looking for something bigger for next season. But I don't regret getting my rebel 500 for my first bike. It's just a great, small, practical bike for what I need, and I can upgrade whenever I want.
BEAUTIFUL bike! You made a great choice. My son just bought a 2023 Nightster Special. There is nothing wrong with the smaller Harley's. Mine is a 2001 Sportster 883 Custom and I love it still to this day.
Be careful when you buy a new bike, and you don't like the quiet exhaust. When you take a day trip, you might be thankful you have a quiet exhaust. When I ride down the road, all I want to hear is a pleasant drone from the motor and not a loud one either.
Same as you, bought my first Harley 883 in 1995, had others that came and gone, but but always kept the Sporster that had the 1200 Wiseco mod since then. Still going strong and had seen more miles than many so call week end tourers. Once I had a softail Heritage, and my girlfriend complaint on a long roadtrip that my ride seems more confortable on my Softail than her on the Sporster. We switched, and she went back on the Sporster to never complaint again, and then the Softail left and I stayed happy with my Sporster.
My first bike at 52 years of age was a Sportster 2009' XL12OO C. I love that bike. I still miss that bike even though I just bought a 2024 Roadglide. Sportsters rock.
Hey man! Loved your video. I bought a 2022 883 the moment I heard it was the last year they were making it. I always loved the look of the bike so it was a no brainer. I’ve pour thousands of dollars into it now making it into my own sporty. This summer I’m finally going to convert it into a screaming eagle 1200. Stay safe and have fun.
I bought my 2022 883 for the exact same reason little did I know what a joy it is to zip around on. I LOVE it and it will be in my garage forever. I also have a 2023 Low Rider S that I love as well. But nothing looks like an 883. I could just stare at that bike all day long.
You have a great voice for this. I hope your viewer reach expands for you. Awesome delivery and solid review. I have been riding for just over 45 years and it is always nice to see someone new join the ranks. I currently own TWO Sportsters, one of them a 2013 Iron 883, the third is a Triumph Sprint ST1050. I may have an obsession lol Keep up the great work and stay safe.
Customer service at Harley Dealerships is very little lack luster. I say this as this is my 3rd Harley and bought a 2024 Fatboy. I am doing most of the service on it myself and put the accessories on myself. I am going to get a 883 for my daughter next year after her motorcycle class.
I bought my first motorcycle (Harley) dealer told me the same thing. I ended up getting a Softail Standard with forward controls.. def is a little more torque but I'm glad i went with the slightly bigger motorcycle..
Perfect starter bike for most anyone.. forgiving handling, and enough power and customization to keep you from getting bored; and not so much power that a beginner will get hurt. It MIGHT be too much bike for a teenager though, depending on their maturity level.
Hey bro I got me a 2022 Iron 883… just hit my 1,000 miles. I also have a leak on my bike- base gasket. This is crazy and it sucks!!! I love my bike, it’s my 1st bike, I also did the class w/ Harley. Glad I did it!! I recommend that class for ALL new riders. Enjoy the wind therapy bro and keep it rollin!!
Man my 883 springer has by far been my favorite bike. Literally bullet proof bike. Blew a rocker gasket and road 100+ miles home still flying 90 on the interstate. And there’s so many things you can do to them to. And super super simple to work on. Iv put down thousands of miles on it. Never will sell her. Matter fact ima grab my key😂
I wanted a 883 but got the 69 cubic inch Indian scout for my second bike and I'm very happy with the scout. A few people tried telling me 100 horsepower was to much but it wasn't. I learned on a little Honda monkey 125 CC. I will say though Going from the monkey to the scout was like going from a horse to a rocket. Lol
My first "real" bike was a (then) brand new 1996 Kawa VN 800A (Vulcan in the US, IIRC). Because I wanted to look "cool", I managed to make it as beginner-unfriendly as I could by ordering it with dealer-installed mods (super-flat seat and way-too-wide dragbar among other things), but it still worked great as a first bike. Just like the Sporty would, IMO. In fact: I remember getting on my best buddy's 1995 stock Fat Boy and feeling totally insecure on that thing - way too heavy, not very responsive to any rider input, no brakes (or horsepower) to speak of and a strange sensation of not being truly connected to or fully in control of the bike. The Kawa (and some Sporties I test-rode during the period) felt almost like zippy little mopeds compared to the Fat Boy. My advice would be to go neither too heavy/big nor too sporty/powerful on your first bike. H-D Softails/E-Glides, Honda Goldwings, Yamaha V-Max and anything "Supersports" is probably not what you want if you're a beginner.
Great video. I just subscribed cause I fucking love this bike. I enjoyed your experiences as a first time Iron 883 owner and new rider. Hope you grow as a channel!
As with a lot of first time Harley riders I went with the Iron. Got to be the coolest looking bike ever! Sadly I did not get on with it, legs too short and top heavy. Exchanged it for a Superlow. Good review.
Bet you 1,000$ they took the piston off one of their used models and when the piston got their they put it in the used one, used to be a GM for a power sports dealer and this is exactly what I would’ve done!
great video, after doing lots of research yesterday I bought a 22 enthusiast edition pan America and I'm so excited to start riding. it'll actually be my first bike as well
For upset customers waiting on parts, one of the things I’ve seen done is take parts off another one of the same model. They have one in pieces waiting for your parts while you’re fixed up and able to leave. That really depends on what parts and how hard or long it takes to get to that part.
I had a honda rebel 500 and it can go toe to toe with the Sportster Iron 883 lol. Anyways i bought my Iron 883 and i loved it, i traded in my honda to a harley sportglide but i kept the sportster because it just looks how i imagine a street motorcycle should. Especially when i replaced the handlebar to mini apes, legend arc suspension, changed to led headlight and turn signals, le pera seats, arlen ness air cleaner, vance and hines exhaust, forward controls it now is my favorite all around motorcycle
I had an 883… not my first bike. My first street bike was a ZX-7R. I went through all the sport bikes. Then I got a V-Rod. That thing blew up and I sold it to a mechanic. When I was leaving I saw a sporty in the corner with no wheels. I asked the story and he told me he was going to turn it into a chopper but lost interest. Got to talking about it and he sold it to me for $2000. He put the bike back together and I picked it up the next morning. Favorite bike I ever owned. I put 45,000 miles on the thing and sold it to buy a BMW. I've regretted in since. I'm strongly considering buying an Iron 883 now.
I had the Iron 1200 and kept it for a year. Great bike, it had stage one though and far too loud for me. Sounds great at first but after an hour or two it was like riding a machine gun. I would have to make sure my ear plugs were down my ear canal correctly ( I see so many with earplugs half out of the ears) otherwise I would not enjoy the ride. I would be in bed at night with the whistling ears, that's Tinnitus and eventually after years of noise is doesn't go away gets worse and I believe from statistics many suicide victims have tinnitus but it isn't necessarily what leads to this so take that with a pinch of salt as they say. Younger folks...it may put a smile on your face at first but your hearing may be wrecked by the time you are 50 or 60. I miss the bike for sure it was a great fun ride, but I couldn't cope with the loud pipes. I now ride a Triumph Speedmaster, sounds great but not loud. Great review really enjoyed your story. Thanks.
I have a 2006 883R roadster model with 80,000 plus miles. The roadster sits a little higher than the other models. It has the forward controls that I find comfortable, the reach is not as far as on the larger bikes (I'm 5-10). Equipped with a mustang seat, on a reasonably smooth road you can ride for hours and not get that burning butt feeling. The sportster likes to rev, I shift up at 4000 rpm in normal driving, and wind up to redline when needing more. It has the screaming eagle air cleaner, exhaust, and larger carb jets, and will pull hard from idle right to the rev limiter. Those changes really woke the thing up. There is vibration above 5000 rpm, but not much time is spent there. Is it a sport bike, no. Is it a turnpike cruiser, no. Is it real fast, no. A lot of power, no. However it will do all things, it will cruise down the pike at 85-90 mph, will keep up or pass most any other vehicle, and handles with a solid feel on winding roads. Sometimes I wish it had a little more power, but I think the same thing in my 454 ci Chevelle. The frigging thing is just plain fun to ride. It has the Harley racing orange fleck paint, the rest is blacked out except for the exhaust which is chrome. Have gotten many comments on how nice it looks. I've had more than one 'big twin' rider say it's f.....n gorgeous!
I noticed you're sitting at the stoplight holding the clutch, if you're waiting for more than a few seconds you should shift to neutral and release the clutch just like when driving a car so you aren't putting unnecessary wear on the clutch throwout bearing.
The squeak is from no lube on the backing plate sometimes they put it some ties they don't... if you do your own maintenance you can pull the pads and put a very thin coat of copper grease on the backing plate as well as the pins and slide them back together.
I'm getting a 17 883 superlow tomorrow. I was beginning to ride on a v45 magna, but it ended up being an electrical nitemare, in 450 miles lol. Already has a bit of stuff done.
new rider here. my first bike will also be a 883 sportster. its the 883 from my father in law he has giving it to me for free (just wanna see his grand daughter more). 2003 100th anniversary sportster 883 custom is the model. and she has 23500 km on the clock. in september will be the first time i'll ride the bike. im interested in your journey and the mods you'll do on the bike. so ill follow you
My daughter has an iron 883 with s&s 2 into 1. I like it and I had a street bob 114. 0 to 60 3.5 sec. Definitely not for beginners. My daughter does fine, not stupid. I would be satisfied with one and I started 52 years ago. Watch ride like a pro and moto jutsu Also air cooled not good long idle time. DK custom products work and will solve a lot of issues.
Hey Rusty, My Bolt makes that " Clack" sound too, good to hear, lets you know you're where you want to be. Ohh yea, the loose bolts thingy, etc. ... Loc-tite the non-critical ones with Blue Loc-tite and the critical ones like Brake calipers, use Permatex Orange, 4 times stronger than Blue, but removable. I don't think Loc-tite makes an orange version yet, hence the brand change. Just Blue, Red and Then some stuff for bearing outer-race locking etc..
Very, very informative video. I am really considering getting this as my first bike in Poland. Let's see how it goes (but first I need to pass the exams).
If you have the throttle pegged, something is wrong. It should pull harder than that and be revving higher. To me, feeling the wind is a big part of the motorcycle experience. I've always liked that. A little bothersome on long rides though.
I have a 883 low 2013 and I love that bike i don't want to get rid of it but I gave it to my son and he loves it and I gave my other son a 1200 low 2006but i have a soft tail but I do miss my sportsters nice bike to play with fast and handling it is awesome anyway i think the sportster is a very well built bike and I'll probably go get another one just for around town
You're riding that thing like a pro. I've heard of some Harley motors that went bad, but I never heard of a Sportster motor go bad. Maybe it's just that there are fewer Sportsters around I don't know, but did Harley ever make a bad Sportster motor? I don't think so. Not that I know of. Well, this is the first time for me. A cracked piston? I bet that is unusual. Be sure you are not getting air leaks from the manifold to the motor. As it is idling, spray some carb cleaner or something that will burn around the area where the intake manifold meets the motor. If the rpms increase you have an air leak and if you have a leak there, the bike can run lean, and hot. So, keep an eye on that.
honestly i had the same shit with the dealership, bike came in for one problem, said it would take a week, kept making more excuses and eventually they had it for 2 months so i said just put the bike together, I'm taking it somewhere else, they said "sorry, the pipes on this bike are aftermarket, we cant put them on legally" i bought the bike from them like that, i said "no, you took them off so you'll put them back on as well. the bike is stock" from then on i refuse to take any bike to a Harley repair service.
Hey man, great video thanks for a good beginners review. I used to ride dirtbikes back in the day and have road a couple crotch rockets, didn't really care for crotch rockets. Been looking into something like this to just cruise around. Out of curiosity, how tall are you and how much do you weigh? Thanks in advance.
I'd rather have a 883 than any other bike. I got a 883 that will bust those big bikes a-ss for them. Put you a 1275 kit in it then change sprockets to get better top end speed then put a new clutch in it so you don't bust it. Then you'll roll easy at 135 mph with torque still available. Then get you a Task turbo kit and that'll even increase it to 60 to 80 horsepower. Trust me those 883 bikes are bad to the bone to build. Keep the Iron 883.
549 lbs on an 883 iron is probably the max weight you would want for your first bike. I have the FLSB sport glide with the 107 engine and it weighs in just under 700 lbs. but is lighter w/o the faring and saddle bags and not topping the gas tank to 5 gall. But the 107 engine is the minimum for interstate or touring.
Congratulations - It looks like you have been riding for years. That bike should be accelerating much harder than you are experiencing. My 2004 pulls much harder - like yours isn’t even at half throttle. Also, it’s an air cooled motor. You don’t want to be sitting in a parking lot idling. If the bike is not moving, the motor is not being cooled.
Cracked piston was probably just a factory assembly defect of too little gap on the rings, it can crack the ring lands on the piston. Coupled with the bad gasket it definitely sounds like an assembly issue and they definitely needed to swap out the engines. Nothing wrong with having the local dealership swap out for a new motor and it's a good thing they made it right instead of trying to fuck the customer.
2 things I'd like to mention. It seems like you stop very close to the car in front and square to the center of the car, give yourself some space and stop off to the side so the idiot behind you doesn't squish you. Gives you somewhere to go to get out of the way. Regarding finding neutral: Go to 2nd and gently tap it down into neutral with your heel.
Is the leak a common issue with these models? I want this as my first bike too, but Ive been reading jokes for years about harleys in general leaking oil.
Of course it was the dealership! Is that the same dealership that sent you away when you wanted an 883? How stupid was that? 883 Iron is an awesome bike! Interstate riding is no fun, it's work. 883 on the back roads is wonderful.
Yep, the salesman upselling. "You are too big for that bike." Then you buy a "big boy's bike" and you are at a stop light and a Sportster leaves you in the dust because it's a lighter bike. So, what do you do? Well, you say to yourself, "Those Sportsters are not a real Harley." And then when they downsized the Sportster to 883, it became a girl's bike. My idea of a bike is, light, narrow, low seat, and fast. Harley is killing itself by ending the XL line. It's not supposed to be a short stroke motor making Japanese competition motorcycle company, is it? That's not the Harley I once knew. So, are Harley's slow? No, they are the fastest, faster than anything size for size, from idle to about 3000 rpm, and that's where I like to ride. Let somebody else get to the end of a 1/4 first if they think they need to. I don't need to do my riding at high rpm, and just because I don't, that doesn't mean I can't go fast. I would like to see some roll-on tests between a Sportster and other bikes, from 500 rpm to 3000, in each of the gears. I've been riding old Classic K BMW bikes for nearly 40 years, but still miss my Sportster of '79. It never leaked. Nothing ever shook loose. All that was either myths, or maybe it was only the big bikes that did that. I'm getting older now, and am looking at downsizing, like from a 31.8" seat height to about 26" or something. So, if I want a new Sportster (a real one) I better do it now, I guess.
My first bike was the Iron 883, I’ve had it from new and 4 years later I’ve still got it and will never get rid of it. I did stage 1 it and changed the pipes from new. Perfect amount of power for me and don’t feel I need more. I absolutely love the look of the bike.
Absolutely agree!
@@campodz Been riding for 30 years . I've had japanese , german and italian bikes . The lil iron is by far my favourite and i use it daily (except cold north of England winter months ) to commute to work and long rides around Europe in summer . Great bike
how much does the stage 1 affect the performance?
I'm embarrassed for you, there is absolutely no reason for anyone to ever buy a Harley. They are awful bikes for awful people.
@@trevorD1156 😂tf
salesmen that say that a bike isnt enough for you are terrible salesmen. only you know what is right for you, no one else. great choice
Well… I ended up trading it in for a Low Rider St 🤣. Quickly outgrew the sportster. But I am still glad I started out on it.
that salesman might be more experienced than you and might save your ass from serious injury or maybe death.
The "you're going to outgrow this and want a bigger thing in no time" is such a weird argument. So like... you're saying that you're going to turn down two sales in exchange for just one sale, with me buying the bigger bike now?
Sell the guy the small bike. Make him happy. If that's the case, he will remember you, and will come back to you next year to buy the bigger bikes. People are loyal when you make them happy.
@@methamphetasaur I don't understand the "you're going to outgrow this" argument at all. Does the Porsche dealer say, "you're going to outgrow this 911 so get a Lamborghini instead. It's a great, super fun bike. Period.
In July of 2023 I bought my first Harley. I was 70 and hadn't been riding for 35 years! I got a 2010 Sportster 883L. I relearned to ride and haven't looked back! I think I could easily ride a bigger bike. (Softail Standard!) But I just don't think I could get rid of my little Sportster! I love it's looks and sound. It's a pure joy when I'm on it!
Sportsters are an awesome bike no doubt, very nimble and can be froggy if you want them to be. Ride safe and God bless
I'm 73, been riding continuously since 1967. I've owned nearly everykind of bike. My last one was a road King that I rode for 13 years. It got to be a bit too much as I was aging, so now I have an 883 (my 3rd one) and I am impressed with it, and did not outgrow it! They were the badass bike in the 60's and 79's and they still are, the only difference from then to now, is that the 55ci Sportster is refined
Greetings from Oz....Interesting, I'm 64 & I'm considering a used 2019 Sportster 883 Iron, with just a few kms on it, as a 2nd Harley, just as a local runabout with that Evo engine. It's roughly half the displacement of my 2014 Dyna FXDBB.....& I got to try one new at a dealership back in 2017, & was quite smitten with it.
I also tried the 1200 Roadster, the 1200 Custom & the 48.....& I just preferred the Iron 883. Go figure.
All the air-cooled Evo based Sportsters are out of production now, so time to strike I reckon. Really looking forward to it. 😉
Just got a used not running 30:16 883. I’m 69 and haven’t ridden since early seventies. I’m hoping it all comes back.
You made a wise choice. My wife took the Harley course, bought the 883. Rode it for a year, then bought a Heritage. She was very happy she spent her year on the Iron before she moved on.
Congratulations on buying your first Sportster. Welcome to the club! You made a good choice. I'm sure you've already discovered that Sportsters are...different...from most other motorcycles. Some of this is deliberate - Sportster pre-dates most every other bike on the market, if not all of them (other Harleys excepted, of course). Harley did things their way back in the 1950's. Other manufacturers came up with different ways (which became the "standard") in the 1970s and onward while H-D stayed the same. Personally, I think that they're terrific bikes...basic, light, good-handling, fun to ride, easy to work on, easy (and cheap) to customize... And they're great-looking. I've owned *four* of them so far. The third and fourth are in my garage as we speak. People often put the Sportster down due to its "faults." We prefer to call them "personality quirks." That said, there are some things people need to know about the Sportster.
1. Sportster is not a touring bike. It's an old school naked street bike. All bikes used to be like that "back in the day." You want a windscreen? There are a million to choose from. Knock yourself out. Unless the majority of your riding is on the Interstate at 70 mph, you really don't need one.
2. Sportster 883 is not a performance bike, just as the Mazda Miata is not a performance car. Sportster has "sufficient" power for all the street riding situations that any adult would find himself in. The engine is literally bulletproof. Even an 883 will truck along at 80 mph ALL DAY LONG. And it will give you 55-60 mpg while doing it. Name one other bike that will do that!
3. You don't need a gas gauge. Just stop and get gas every 100 miles. Or get the 3.3 gallon gas tank and go 120-150 miles between stops. It ain't rocket science.
4. Sportster is just not a good two-person motorcycle. Passenger accommodations are horrible. Trouble is, good, comfortable two-up seats look goofy and spoil the barebones look of the bike. You want/need to frequently carry a passenger, don't buy a Sportster...get something with a decent seat and some actual rear suspension.
5. Sportster transmissions *CLUNK!* loudly going into first gear. It's unavoidable. They don't do it - or don't have to do it shifting up or down through the gears when you learn the technique. You don't need to slam the throttle all the way closed when shifting. Just back off a little on the gas and squeeze in a 'little' clutch (don't pull it in fully). Match your RPM to the next gear. When you get slick, you can shift up and down without even using the clutch.
6. Sportsters vibrate, no doubt about it. It's not objectionable. It's just there. If you want to ride a sewing machine, buy a Harley Live Wire. Or a 6-cylinder Gold Wing. That said, the Sportster really could use a sixth gear.
7. Sportster has a throttle friction lock which functions as a crude cruise-control. You don't have to lock it, just use enough friction to put some drag on the throttle and keep it from backing off while still being able to manipulate it. Experiment and you'll find the sweet spot. Sportster side-stand (H-D calls it a "jiffy stand") has a lock when it's extended and the weight of the bike is on it. This keeps the bike from rolling if you, say, park on a slight nose-down incline. WARNING! If you take off with it extended, it WILL cause you to crash.
8. Sportster has self-cancelling turn signals. It also has a rev-limiter, so don't be afraid to rev that b*tch if you need or want to. It also has a tip-over feature that will kill the engine if you fall down.
9. Enjoy owning and riding a bike that's been (well...was) in continuous production longer than any other motorcycle! (That may be hyperbole - I'd have to check that.)
Well said.
Much of the above does not apply to the Sportster 1200. I got my first street bike in 1975 at age 16. It was a 1972 Suzuki GT380 2 stroke triple. I've had around 50 bikes since then. In 2006 I bought a brand new Harley 1200L. The 1200C looked better, but I absolutely had to have tubeless tires. I could write a book on all the problems and near death experiences I've had with tube type tires. I'm the type that does like bright shiny paint , polished aluminum, and lots of chrome. I put Cobra chrome slip ons, a backrest, hard leather saddlebags attached with locking Easy Brackets, a turn signal relocation kit, an oil dipstick with a thermometer in it, and retuned the carburetor for the slip ons. Other than that the bike is completely stock except for some additional chrome replacements for stock parts. It has a stock 4.5 gallon tank. I have ridden it coast to coast with no problems. It was my first Harley. A couple years ago I bought a used 2002 Sportster 883, in bright yellow, with lots of chrome and aluminum, when I realized that H-D really was going to cancel the EVO Sportster. There is a huge difference in power between the 883 and 1200. The 1200 will easily keep up with anything on the freeway, the 883 will too, but it's pretty much maxed out. I've had a couple of Japanese 450s that felt just as fast as the 883. But it's still a really nice bike. I love the Harley shake and sound. It's all very mechanical.
@@geraldscott4302 - Like you, I've been riding since the mid-1970's, starting with a Honda CB350. Not sure what you mean by "keep up with" traffic on the highway. I've taken my '05 883 from Florida to Washington State (2,700 miles one way) **twice**. On the way up I did 70-75 and it was fine. I was a little more pressed for time on the way back, and so I ran at 80 mph all day long for 3.5 days. Wasn't using full throttle, never missed a beat, gave me 55-60 mpg the entire trip. Yes, my 1200 has more power, and that's fun. We all love fast, powerful bikes, and the 883 is neither of those. But the 883 has "sufficient" power to do pretty much anything a rider asks of it, as long as you're not trying to drag-race anybody. A Mazda Miata is no Ferrari either, but I'd love to own one ;-)
17 year 1st motorcycle was a Suzuki GT550 1974. I bought it with the Milwaukee journal paper route $. At 19 I had a brand new 1980 GSX 750
From wisdom Suzuki in Ogden Kansas I rode it to fort ord California. I saw the beautiful monterey bay and said I never going back to Milwaukee. I live in Seaside next to laguna saka and ride my 883 all year round. Live to Ride
Ride to live.
Beautifully written, I appreciate this educated response Bob :)
I've had my Evo 883 since 1986, model year 1987. I've upgraded fuel tanks twice, put a full fairing on the front, crash bars, highway bars, p-pad, and sissy bar. I added saddle bags, and throw saddle bags over them. I also added a handlebar attached tool bag. It still runs great, plenty of power, and I can go 200 miles now on a fill. It doesn't bang out until 96 mph, and I've ridden it across the US twice in all weathers. The seat isn't ripped, but it has gotten stiff, and needs replaced. The fuel gage is giving the bike a shake at a stop light. If you can hear it sloshing around, your good.
It's funny how folks say this is a "beginner bike". Let me just say, I've been riding for 25 years and have had many big bikes. I ride a 2023 Low Rider S and love it. That said, the Iron 883 has always been my favorite bike for aesthetics and for how easy it is to ride. Beginner-Shmeginner; it's a crazy fun bike, lightweight, easy to ride and maintain, and is an absolute keeper for any rider. I'll never get rid of my Low Rider S, and I'll never get rid of my 2022 Iron 883 either. Love your video; And you bike!!!
Awesome insight there. I'm getting my first bike, and I have been looking at the Iron 883. The only problem is that the bike has to have a sissy bar for my wife. What do you recommend?
Perhaps the XL883N Iron ?
@@LINKINPERRY There are so many back rest / sissybar options out there for the Iron883. Also, so many 2-up seat options as well. Try searching Dennis Kirk, J&P Cycles, Revzilla, and Amazon for a rider-friendly seat and back rest!
yeah - i just booked a test ride for the day after tomorrow. looking for a cool looking bike to commute and ride around the city for everyday stuff. i don't consider myself a beginner :D
Ive been riding for over 15 Years and my current bike is a 2023 BMW S1000R :D
But thats just too much for commutes/riding around the city. And i dont always wanna suit up for getting a slice of pizza in the city or riding to the gym. :D
Thoughts on the 2013?
I've been riding since I was 9 I'm 71 now have the same 883 you have love it has 10,000 mile now
I am 70 and have been on big twin Harleys for 52 years.I no longer tour so I traded my ULTA CVO for a 2020 1200 Roadster. Wow I love it!
I ride an 03 883 that I converted to hammer1275. It was fun, now it's a blast to ride. It's been two years since I installed the upgrade and I love it. I've done suspension work and I think I'll keep it atleast a few more years, maybe forever. enjoy yours until you don't enjoy it anymore
I love my 2012 iron. I have a Superglide as well, but most of the time I ride the little one. Power is sufficient around town and it looks pretty cool. Riding for 46 years now it still brings a smile on my face.🙂
I was actually interested into getting an Iron 883, but as a new rider I don’t wanna get a bike too new or too old. Somewhere in the middle, what year would you recommend since the 12’ is doing you good
@@sebastian-jg5yv
Hi Sebastian
I would go for an early to mid2010th model with abs. As a new rider play it as safe as possible. This ca. 10 year old bikes are not too expensive and indestructible. Cheers Gis
I got my first bike ever in April and I'm 2,000 miles in and looking for something bigger for next season. But I don't regret getting my rebel 500 for my first bike. It's just a great, small, practical bike for what I need, and I can upgrade whenever I want.
still have my 2014 iron 883.. after all these years i still enjoy it!
Any issues?
@chadillac171 still running strong!
Keep it never trade it
BEAUTIFUL bike! You made a great choice. My son just bought a 2023 Nightster Special. There is nothing wrong with the smaller Harley's. Mine is a 2001 Sportster 883 Custom and I love it still to this day.
Be careful when you buy a new bike, and you don't like the quiet exhaust. When you take a day trip, you might be thankful you have a quiet exhaust. When I ride down the road, all I want to hear is a pleasant drone from the motor and not a loud one either.
"If im gonna by a bike, im buying a harley" thats one of my reasons too to get 883 for starter besides other stuff
Same as you, bought my first Harley 883 in 1995, had others that came and gone, but but always kept the Sporster that had the 1200 Wiseco mod since then. Still going strong and had seen more miles than many so call week end tourers. Once I had a softail Heritage, and my girlfriend complaint on a long roadtrip that my ride seems more confortable on my Softail than her on the Sporster. We switched, and she went back on the Sporster to never complaint again, and then the Softail left and I stayed happy with my Sporster.
I absolutely love my 2021 883, never getting rid of it.
My first bike at 52 years of age was a Sportster 2009' XL12OO C. I love that bike. I still miss that bike even though I just bought a 2024 Roadglide. Sportsters rock.
Hey man! Loved your video. I bought a 2022 883 the moment I heard it was the last year they were making it. I always loved the look of the bike so it was a no brainer. I’ve pour thousands of dollars into it now making it into my own sporty. This summer I’m finally going to convert it into a screaming eagle 1200. Stay safe and have fun.
I bought my 2022 883 for the exact same reason little did I know what a joy it is to zip around on. I LOVE it and it will be in my garage forever. I also have a 2023 Low Rider S that I love as well. But nothing looks like an 883. I could just stare at that bike all day long.
You have a great voice for this. I hope your viewer reach expands for you. Awesome delivery and solid review. I have been riding for just over 45 years and it is always nice to see someone new join the ranks. I currently own TWO Sportsters, one of them a 2013 Iron 883, the third is a Triumph Sprint ST1050. I may have an obsession lol Keep up the great work and stay safe.
Thank you!
Customer service at Harley Dealerships is very little lack luster. I say this as this is my 3rd Harley and bought a 2024 Fatboy. I am doing most of the service on it myself and put the accessories on myself. I am going to get a 883 for my daughter next year after her motorcycle class.
I bought my first motorcycle (Harley) dealer told me the same thing. I ended up getting a Softail Standard with forward controls.. def is a little more torque but I'm glad i went with the slightly bigger motorcycle..
Just got mine! First time rider too. I got a 2022 883 with 100 miles
How is it going?
I’m loving it!!! Already put 1k miles
Thinking of buying one for my first bike..is it easy to handle?
I love it for my first bike. I might be selling it soon because I got so comfortable fast.
Perfect starter bike for most anyone.. forgiving handling, and enough power and customization to keep you from getting bored; and not so much power that a beginner will get hurt. It MIGHT be too much bike for a teenager though, depending on their maturity level.
Hey bro I got me a 2022 Iron 883… just hit my 1,000 miles. I also have a leak on my bike- base gasket. This is crazy and it sucks!!! I love my bike, it’s my 1st bike, I also did the class w/ Harley. Glad I did it!! I recommend that class for ALL new riders. Enjoy the wind therapy bro and keep it rollin!!
Man my 883 springer has by far been my favorite bike. Literally bullet proof bike. Blew a rocker gasket and road 100+ miles home still flying 90 on the interstate. And there’s so many things you can do to them to. And super super simple to work on. Iv put down thousands of miles on it. Never will sell her. Matter fact ima grab my key😂
I wanted a 883 but got the 69 cubic inch Indian scout for my second bike and I'm very happy with the scout. A few people tried telling me 100 horsepower was to much but it wasn't. I learned on a little Honda monkey 125 CC. I will say though Going from the monkey to the scout was like going from a horse to a rocket. Lol
Great bike for anyone, I have one and love it, I have 13 bikes but love the sportster, if you upgrade the suspension it’s like a new world
I loved the sportster but ended up trading it in for the Low Rider St.
My first "real" bike was a (then) brand new 1996 Kawa VN 800A (Vulcan in the US, IIRC). Because I wanted to look "cool", I managed to make it as beginner-unfriendly as I could by ordering it with dealer-installed mods (super-flat seat and way-too-wide dragbar among other things), but it still worked great as a first bike. Just like the Sporty would, IMO.
In fact: I remember getting on my best buddy's 1995 stock Fat Boy and feeling totally insecure on that thing - way too heavy, not very responsive to any rider input, no brakes (or horsepower) to speak of and a strange sensation of not being truly connected to or fully in control of the bike. The Kawa (and some Sporties I test-rode during the period) felt almost like zippy little mopeds compared to the Fat Boy.
My advice would be to go neither too heavy/big nor too sporty/powerful on your first bike. H-D Softails/E-Glides, Honda Goldwings, Yamaha V-Max and anything "Supersports" is probably not what you want if you're a beginner.
Still riding and loving my 09 (10 model year) xl883n, added another bike to the garage but will never get rid of my iron.
Great video. I just subscribed cause I fucking love this bike. I enjoyed your experiences as a first time Iron 883 owner and new rider. Hope you grow as a channel!
As with a lot of first time Harley riders I went with the Iron. Got to be the coolest looking bike ever! Sadly I did not get on with it, legs too short and top heavy. Exchanged it for a Superlow. Good review.
Bet you 1,000$ they took the piston off one of their used models and when the piston got their they put it in the used one, used to be a GM for a power sports dealer and this is exactly what I would’ve done!
great video, after doing lots of research yesterday I bought a 22 enthusiast edition pan America and I'm so excited to start riding. it'll actually be my first bike as well
having a cracked piston on a new bike is crazy. that dealership is shady man.
just got my first harley after 20+ years of riding,only regrets is that i didnt got one sooner.nice bike,
For upset customers waiting on parts, one of the things I’ve seen done is take parts off another one of the same model. They have one in pieces waiting for your parts while you’re fixed up and able to leave. That really depends on what parts and how hard or long it takes to get to that part.
I too have experienced the pain not riding the motorcycle before having the drivers license
I had a honda rebel 500 and it can go toe to toe with the Sportster Iron 883 lol. Anyways i bought my Iron 883 and i loved it, i traded in my honda to a harley sportglide but i kept the sportster because it just looks how i imagine a street motorcycle should. Especially when i replaced the handlebar to mini apes, legend arc suspension, changed to led headlight and turn signals, le pera seats, arlen ness air cleaner, vance and hines exhaust, forward controls it now is my favorite all around motorcycle
I own a 2016 iron 883 I enjoy it cruising around the town. I have done modifications to stage 1 I’m thinking of doing the 1200 kit to it.
I had an 883… not my first bike. My first street bike was a ZX-7R. I went through all the sport bikes. Then I got a V-Rod. That thing blew up and I sold it to a mechanic. When I was leaving I saw a sporty in the corner with no wheels. I asked the story and he told me he was going to turn it into a chopper but lost interest. Got to talking about it and he sold it to me for $2000. He put the bike back together and I picked it up the next morning. Favorite bike I ever owned. I put 45,000 miles on the thing and sold it to buy a BMW. I've regretted in since. I'm strongly considering buying an Iron 883 now.
I had the Iron 1200 and kept it for a year. Great bike, it had stage one though and far too loud for me. Sounds great at first but after an hour or two it was like riding a machine gun. I would have to make sure my ear plugs were down my ear canal correctly ( I see so many with earplugs half out of the ears) otherwise I would not enjoy the ride. I would be in bed at night with the whistling ears, that's Tinnitus and eventually after years of noise is doesn't go away gets worse and I believe from statistics many suicide victims have tinnitus but it isn't necessarily what leads to this so take that with a pinch of salt as they say. Younger folks...it may put a smile on your face at first but your hearing may be wrecked by the time you are 50 or 60. I miss the bike for sure it was a great fun ride, but I couldn't cope with the loud pipes. I now ride a Triumph Speedmaster, sounds great but not loud. Great review really enjoyed your story. Thanks.
I brought this bike before I took the class, I traded it in for a 2015 fatbob, I still wish I kept this bike because the fatbob is a BEAST
I have a 2006 883R roadster model with 80,000 plus miles. The roadster sits a little higher than the other models. It has the forward controls that I find comfortable, the reach is not as far as on the larger bikes (I'm 5-10). Equipped with a mustang seat, on a reasonably smooth road you can ride for hours and not get that burning butt feeling. The sportster likes to rev, I shift up at 4000 rpm in normal driving, and wind up to redline when needing more. It has the screaming eagle air cleaner, exhaust, and larger carb jets, and will pull hard from idle right to the rev limiter. Those changes really woke the thing up. There is vibration above 5000 rpm, but not much time is spent there. Is it a sport bike, no. Is it a turnpike cruiser, no. Is it real fast, no. A lot of power, no. However it will do all things, it will cruise down the pike at 85-90 mph, will keep up or pass most any other vehicle, and handles with a solid feel on winding roads. Sometimes I wish it had a little more power, but I think the same thing in my 454 ci Chevelle. The frigging thing is just plain fun to ride. It has the Harley racing orange fleck paint, the rest is blacked out except for the exhaust which is chrome. Have gotten many comments on how nice it looks. I've had more than one 'big twin' rider say it's f.....n gorgeous!
I have the same bike but a fuel injected 2007, bought it new and I’m never gonna give it up.
I just want to say thank you for your video. Real interesting content - like having a conversation with a friend.
Safe riding!
I noticed you're sitting at the stoplight holding the clutch, if you're waiting for more than a few seconds you should shift to neutral and release the clutch just like when driving a car so you aren't putting unnecessary wear on the clutch throwout bearing.
The squeak is from no lube on the backing plate sometimes they put it some ties they don't... if you do your own maintenance you can pull the pads and put a very thin coat of copper grease on the backing plate as well as the pins and slide them back together.
I'm getting a 17 883 superlow tomorrow. I was beginning to ride on a v45 magna, but it ended up being an electrical nitemare, in 450 miles lol. Already has a bit of stuff done.
Just got mine this year new rider as well happy with it so far, no problems got a list of up grades I want to do
There is a cruise control knob under the right side throttle. But understand it holds the throttle🤠
new rider here. my first bike will also be a 883 sportster. its the 883 from my father in law he has giving it to me for free (just wanna see his grand daughter more). 2003 100th anniversary sportster 883 custom is the model. and she has 23500 km on the clock. in september will be the first time i'll ride the bike. im interested in your journey and the mods you'll do on the bike. so ill follow you
My daughter has an iron 883 with s&s 2 into 1. I like it and I had a street bob 114. 0 to 60 3.5 sec. Definitely not for beginners. My daughter does fine, not stupid. I would be satisfied with one and I started 52 years ago. Watch ride like a pro and moto jutsu
Also air cooled not good long idle time. DK custom products work and will solve a lot of issues.
I am a new rider . I got a 2009 Harley davidson sportster custom 883 . You can get a gas gage for the bike. I am from Canada BC
usually if you take the MSF through HD, they will then offer you deals/discounts toward your first bike. So, you did it backwards.
Good work you knew what you wanted & your limitations and stuck to your guns good on you.
Hey Rusty, My Bolt makes that " Clack" sound too, good to hear, lets you know you're where you want to be. Ohh yea, the loose bolts thingy, etc. ... Loc-tite the non-critical ones with Blue Loc-tite and the critical ones like Brake calipers, use Permatex Orange, 4 times stronger than Blue, but removable. I don't think Loc-tite makes an orange version yet, hence the brand change. Just Blue, Red and Then some stuff for bearing outer-race locking etc..
Very, very informative video. I am really considering getting this as my first bike in Poland. Let's see how it goes (but first I need to pass the exams).
If you have the throttle pegged, something is wrong. It should pull harder than that and be revving higher. To me, feeling the wind is a big part of the motorcycle experience. I've always liked that. A little bothersome on long rides though.
I have a 883 low 2013 and I love that bike i don't want to get rid of it but I gave it to my son and he loves it and I gave my other son a 1200 low 2006but i have a soft tail but I do miss my sportsters nice bike to play with fast and handling it is awesome anyway i think the sportster is a very well built bike and I'll probably go get another one just for around town
Thank you for your input I do want an 883 for my first bike to learn on
You're riding that thing like a pro. I've heard of some Harley motors that went bad, but I never heard of a Sportster motor go bad. Maybe it's just that there are fewer Sportsters around I don't know, but did Harley ever make a bad Sportster motor? I don't think so. Not that I know of. Well, this is the first time for me. A cracked piston? I bet that is unusual. Be sure you are not getting air leaks from the manifold to the motor. As it is idling, spray some carb cleaner or something that will burn around the area where the intake manifold meets the motor. If the rpms increase you have an air leak and if you have a leak there, the bike can run lean, and hot. So, keep an eye on that.
The sportster is a great project bike. You increase performance and there’s a ton of aftermarket parts.
Ya had the same experience when i was looking at a can am 570. The dealer wanted me to get a 1000, but i told him i had a sport quad.
honestly i had the same shit with the dealership, bike came in for one problem, said it would take a week, kept making more excuses and eventually they had it for 2 months so i said just put the bike together, I'm taking it somewhere else, they said "sorry, the pipes on this bike are aftermarket, we cant put them on legally" i bought the bike from them like that, i said "no, you took them off so you'll put them back on as well. the bike is stock" from then on i refuse to take any bike to a Harley repair service.
It’s an air cooled motor… don’t leave it idling unnecessarily while stationary … nice bike !
Hey man, great video thanks for a good beginners review. I used to ride dirtbikes back in the day and have road a couple crotch rockets, didn't really care for crotch rockets. Been looking into something like this to just cruise around. Out of curiosity, how tall are you and how much do you weigh? Thanks in advance.
5’-10” 195
Good choice, luv my 01 883 , had big twins, give me my sporty
Hey man I’m new new I plan on doing the class and getting a sportster can you do a black out guide?
I'd rather have a 883 than any other bike. I got a 883 that will bust those big bikes a-ss for them.
Put you a 1275 kit in it then change sprockets to get better top end speed then put a new clutch in it so you don't bust it.
Then you'll roll easy at 135 mph with torque still available.
Then get you a Task turbo kit and that'll even increase it to 60 to 80 horsepower.
Trust me those 883 bikes are bad to the bone to build. Keep the Iron 883.
549 lbs on an 883 iron is probably the max weight you would want for your first bike. I have the FLSB sport glide with the 107 engine and it weighs in just under 700 lbs. but is lighter w/o the faring and saddle bags and not topping the gas tank to 5 gall. But the 107 engine is the minimum for interstate or touring.
Really good video. Informative and enjoyable. GJ 👍🏻
70k miles, 2 countries and 42 states on my 2012 iron. Now i have a 48 😃
My first bike is iron 883.
U can get saddle bags from Viking bags
Congratulations - It looks like you have been riding for years. That bike should be accelerating much harder than you are experiencing. My 2004 pulls much harder - like yours isn’t even at half throttle. Also, it’s an air cooled motor. You don’t want to be sitting in a parking lot idling. If the bike is not moving, the motor is not being cooled.
She sounds awesome
This is my dream bike
This is very inspirational
Cracked piston was probably just a factory assembly defect of too little gap on the rings, it can crack the ring lands on the piston. Coupled with the bad gasket it definitely sounds like an assembly issue and they definitely needed to swap out the engines. Nothing wrong with having the local dealership swap out for a new motor and it's a good thing they made it right instead of trying to fuck the customer.
2 things I'd like to mention. It seems like you stop very close to the car in front and square to the center of the car, give yourself some space and stop off to the side so the idiot behind you doesn't squish you. Gives you somewhere to go to get out of the way. Regarding finding neutral: Go to 2nd and gently tap it down into neutral with your heel.
I have a 2017 love it!
Is the leak a common issue with these models? I want this as my first bike too, but Ive been reading jokes for years about harleys in general leaking oil.
Is "air cleaner" Harley for air filter?
Nice bike. I have an 883 my. Self.Godbless enjoy it.
is 19k OTD too much for a harley 883 2022 with 200 miles?
You could always hone the cylinders to 1200
What windshield do you recommend for highway use?
Thx so much great job
Cracked piston and bad main seal, good luck with it.
Obviously just because you like the looks of something doesn’t mean you should buy it! It is a Harley after all
Did they give you the course or free since you bought a bike? Most Harley dealerships do.
Sure didn’t. They said I was getting “too good” of a deal for them to add that in.
Great motorcycles igot 2006 1200 up grate to 1200 u will LOVEIT
can i ask how tall you are? im 5"11' and im looking into getting a bike for the first time. was curious if i would be a tad too big
5’10. You can always get forward controls too.
6'2 iron rider here, 5'11 is actually perfect for the iron.
not to be weird and idk if i missed you saying this, but how tall are you? because just trying to gauge if id fit on this bike lol.
5’-10”
Of course it was the dealership! Is that the same dealership that sent you away when you wanted an 883? How stupid was that? 883 Iron is an awesome bike! Interstate riding is no fun, it's work. 883 on the back roads is wonderful.
How was your endorsement test with this bike? any issues?
I took the course through Harley, so I actually took it on a street 500.
@@RustedKCmoto thanks, I'm taking their training as well, cheers!
Guys had a quick question. Does the stage 1 upgrade inculde a fuelpak as well?
If you change the full exhaust and or air cleaner, you’ll want a tuner.
@@RustedKCmoto Full exhaust as in a full system exhaust or slip ons?
Full exhaust system. No tune needed with just slip ons
It soundsGood. Good video.
Wthhh mee tooo they wanted me to get a street bob when i was looking for a 48 though.
Yep, the salesman upselling. "You are too big for that bike." Then you buy a "big boy's bike" and you are at a stop light and a Sportster leaves you in the dust because it's a lighter bike. So, what do you do? Well, you say to yourself, "Those Sportsters are not a real Harley." And then when they downsized the Sportster to 883, it became a girl's bike. My idea of a bike is, light, narrow, low seat, and fast. Harley is killing itself by ending the XL line. It's not supposed to be a short stroke motor making Japanese competition motorcycle company, is it? That's not the Harley I once knew. So, are Harley's slow? No, they are the fastest, faster than anything size for size, from idle to about 3000 rpm, and that's where I like to ride. Let somebody else get to the end of a 1/4 first if they think they need to. I don't need to do my riding at high rpm, and just because I don't, that doesn't mean I can't go fast. I would like to see some roll-on tests between a Sportster and other bikes, from 500 rpm to 3000, in each of the gears. I've been riding old Classic K BMW bikes for nearly 40 years, but still miss my Sportster of '79. It never leaked. Nothing ever shook loose. All that was either myths, or maybe it was only the big bikes that did that. I'm getting older now, and am looking at downsizing, like from a 31.8" seat height to about 26" or something. So, if I want a new Sportster (a real one) I better do it now, I guess.