HD 883 Iron - The Nightster Mini-Me

[atadaskew]

OK, just made my way through all 5 pages of this Nighttrain wreck of a thread ...

Hey, the Nighttrain is a softail!
http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/2009_Motorcycles/2009_Motorcycles.jsp?locale=en_US#/model/fxstb

[Nodaclu]

How the hell did I miss this thread?

The Iron is a beautiful bike, and HD is the smartest and best marketing company in the world.

Why?

They took my previous bike - a Standard 883 - MSRP for the last year in 2008 was $6795.



Then they:

1. Degraded the suspension by lowering the bike, removing travel
2. Replaced pricer chrome bits with their cheaper black (powdercoated) counterparts
3. Took away all color options and pretty much went the Model T route "You can have any color you want, as long as its black".

And increased the price by $1,100.

So ultimately, HD took their entry-level model, made it slightly cheaper to produce, increased the MSRP to increase their margins, and changed how they marketed the bike.

They will sell far more of these then the previous standard 883, and they will make more money on each bike in the process.

That, ladies and gentleman, is how HD is so successful with what so many consider to be an inferior product.

I'm not bashing here. I've owned one and loved it. I "get it". But never forget the HD is a marketing machine first, and a motorcycle manufacturer second.

[Motophoria]

Nice bike Nodaclu!
And you describe HD's methodology to a T.

They are so skilled in fact that I am considering buying my first HD (883 Iron) after owning about 20 different bikes from offroad singles to RC51's and SV650's, GSXR, ST1100 and even a Goldwing over the last 40 years...I just sold my 1150GS which was a blast, but now I'm looking to experience something different...(of course I'm keeping my GSXR 750...) but I'd like to try em all

[Motophoria]

OK
So I went to my local HD dealer all excited about the 883 Iron...
They had one left on the floor, sale was pending, so no test rides on that one.
The salesman was very nice, no pressure, and I did ride my second choice, a new Nightster (essentially a 1200cc version of the Iron) about 15 miles of interstate and 2 lane back roads.

Although I loved the look and sound of it, all black and thumpy, and I did like my reflection riding it past some plate glass windows,
I just did not enjoy riding it as the rock hard seat was lower than my knees, which were just hanging out there away from the bike on the left and up against the air cleaner on the right (not comfortable...) essentially the classic "sit up and beg" riding position.  I didn't feel "one with the bike" as I do on my sport bike...and to me that was a bit unnerving...I like to feel more "in control" when I ride.

I clearly felt every small bump as a jolt to my spine because the shocks have very little travel.

The transmission was very smooth (with only about 66 miles on the bike), clutch effort not bad.

The brakes didn't have much feel or stopping power.  No gear indicator or tach, just a speedo.

Rode back to the dealership and tried a beautiful used 09 Sportster 1200 Custom with forward foot controls and stock handlebars which are higher and pulled back a bit...with only 95 miles on it.

That bike had a stage 1 jet kit and aftermarket LOUD pipes which are obnoxious sounding when the bike is started...but  once I was on it, the pipes actually really sounded good...although I'd probably put the stockers back on just so I wouldn't annoy other people...the motor ran noticeably better than the Nightster since it had been modified...lots of torque and very smooth.

However, with the 21 inch front wheel, the bike just wouldn't turn corners as quickly as I would like...

Craigslist is loaded to the gills with newer used ones, with low mileage and reasonable prices...I could buy one there and still have money left over for a 250 dual sport...

But after giving HD a fair chance, I've decided against one and am looking more toward a new Concours (in black of course)  .

That's a totally different bike, I know, but the test rides just reinforced what it is I like in my motorcycles...power, handling and current technology.

However, I do understand why some people like Harleys...they are pretty cool after all, kind of like going back to the 60's...but hey, I already experienced that about 45 years ago...(I really enjoyed my 63 Impala SS 327 when I had it, but I wouldn't buy one again...)
So I guess they are just not my cup of tea.

Remember I made all of the comparisons above with my most current/recent bikes in mind... an 07 GSXR 750 and
01 BMW 1150GS.

Ride Safely!

[chornbe]

FWIW, I don't know anyone who feels "one with the bike" after only 15 miles on a new bike they've never ridden before, of a style you've never ridden before.

[Motophoria]

I know it's not alot of miles, but with my GSXR, RC51, ST1100 and several others over 40 years of riding, the bike just "felt right" as soon as I sat on it or rode it a few miles.  With the Harley, it never felt "right"...some bikes fit and some don't, it's that simple for me.
I really "wanted" to  like the HD and I had the cash to buy it, but I just couldn't...
YMMV 

[atadaskew]

It's fair enough not liking the bike.   But some bikes take longer to get used to and enjoy if they are so very different from the bikes that you usually ride.
Before I bought my Dyna, I rented one for a day.  I absolutely hated it for the first 45 minutes or so, just could not get used to it's weird feel compared to my Ducati.  But then after about an hour it all clicked.  By the time I had to return the bike I did not want to stop riding it, and so I bought one.

Your experience could have been the opposite even after renting!  But at least there is the opportunity to rent and so go on a 'real' test ride.

FYI, renting the Street Glide made me NOT want to buy one.   I loved the idea of the bike until then, so that rental worked out the opposite of the Dyna rental for me.

[Playinthestreet]

Any H-D is to some degree quite different than the bikes most of us on STN ride.  When I ride the Dyna it takes a different mindset and some "getting used to".  It's a lot more enjoyable to ride than my Tiger when it's a "see the scenery, smell the roses" kinda day.  I wouldn't, however, take it on a ride with DogBoy and Heinee, et al....

[BobW]

I wear socks and boots so now I know why Harley guys and gals talk to me when I meet them along the road. Must have kept them busy looking at my feet so they never mentioned nor appeared to care I was on a Triumph, BMW or, or, or, at the time. Too flippin funny. Y'all got way too much mileage out of poor SV.

Chornbe, it really is ok if everyone doesn't want to buy a HD. Your defending every sigh a poster makes will give ya a heart attack buddy. Relax and enjoy, life's too short and you know the old saying about arguing with fools.  


Cheers all.

[Tar Snake]

FWIW, I don't know anyone who feels "one with the bike" after only 15 miles on a new bike they've never ridden before, of a style you've never ridden before.

Eons ago I rode a bunch of H-D's at a demo when the EVO motors came out. I rode an 883 and it felt a lot like the experience Motophoria had; basically just not my cup of tea.

The same day I rode a big twin, Low Rider, and clicked immediately with that bike, the ergos, the feel, it all worked for me. Going in it was a bike I thought wasn't me at all, a long chopperish cruiser. If I had been 45 instead of 25 like I was at the time, I might have had the ability to actually buy one and would have seriously considered it.

Some bikes you do just click with immediately. The 1st time I rode a Sprint RS (about a year before I bought mine) I knew from crowded, rush hour, city streets test ride I was going to end up with one sooner or later and I did.

...but your point is valid too, the 1st K75 I rode I hated, weird switches, jacking shaft drive, who would buy one of these? Me and I've had it for 20 years now First ride out of town and into the hills and we clicked.

[st ryder]

...The same day I rode a big twin, Low Rider, and clicked immediately with that bike, the ergos, the feel, it all worked for me....

HD's best, non-bagger bike IMO.  

[Rabon1]

HI Guys, new here.
BTW I like the looks of the 883 Iron.