Test Road an Iron 883

[VAbikeguy]

I have a seller committed to buy my KLR650, so I'm in full swing to get something else.  My only real requirements are that it is powerful enough for my commute on the freeway, as well as comfortable enough at those speeds.  Ease of maintenance needs to be tagged onto those.  This last requirement is what made me consider Harley as a viable option.  What's not to love about an 883's great gas mileage, hydraulic lifters, belt drive and no plastic to take off?

I've been to the Harley showroom before and always thought the sportsters were uncomfortable so I went into this with the idea that the 883 would be down on power and not a fit for me ergonomically.  Demo's are free though.  What the heck.  I went online and requested to ride what I personally believe to be the best looking sportster in the line up, the Iron 883.  After a prompt email exchange and phone call, my demo was scheduled.  The Harley sales staff was great! (unlike the Suzuki dealership that has yet to call me back because I've requested a quote on a 2012 DL650)  The paperwork was painless and quick.  After a brief explanation of how the bike worked, I was off.

"This thing is a pig, but I like it," was my very first thought.

The bar on the Iron is not as wide as my KLR650 and Goldwing.  Also, the weight didn't necessarily feel down low like a bike with a boxer engine.  It just felt heavy and not as easy to maneuver.  I feel as if this is more a matter of me learning the bike because it is a departure from the kind of machine I've been riding the past 3 years.  The weight was an advantage in so far as I felt very planted in corners.

The stock rear view mirrors were useless.  Extensions would be needed.

The bike definitely let's you know it is on and running.  The Iron really begins to vibrate down low when revved out on the freeway.  At 70 mph, the pegs were shaking significantly.  I'm not sure if I'd be able to ride more than 20 minutes at speeds over 70 mph without my feet falling asleep.  Strangely enough, my hands felt fine.

The bike reaches 70 mph easily and I suspect it is capable of running at 75-80 mph all day.  However, I don't think I would be on the bike to enjoy it.  The wind blast above 65 mph is significant.  I'm used to riding through some crazy high winds, but nothing prepared me for feeling as if I was going to be blown right off the back of the Iron.  If I were to own this bike for commuting, I would have to get a wind screen.

Another thing that I'd have to get the hang of are the turn signals.  I kept accelerating slightly when reaching a thumb over for the right turn signal.

The bike seemed like to stop just fine for its weight.  However, I may be a poor judge.  My '81 Goldwing and '09 KLR both are not known for stellar brakes.

Surprisingly, the little seat and pegs (below 65 mph) were really comfortable for me.  I completely did not expect to be comfortable on the Iron at any speed.

I can see why people buy new suspension for the Iron (or Low).  The thing notified you of every nook, cranny and bump in the road.

The bottom line:
As a serious commuter for the distances and speeds that I need to go, the Iron doesn't make sense.  It would need way too much to work.  However, if I had money for a commuter and back road bomber/street cruiser, I'd snatch this thing.  It is a great looking bike and is fun to ride.  I'm really disappointed that I'm so damn practical.

[retro]

Thanks for the review. If I had the spare cash for a boulevard cruiser I'd grab one; I think they look cool as hell. But for all the things I ask of my bike, daily commuter, day tripper, and occasional long ride it wouldn't work. Still love the blacked out look though....

[Kneescrubber]

I must be on the wrong forum. I didn't realize this was the Sport Commuting website.





















I almost forgot. Where does the sport part come in on a Sportster?

[sfalexi]

I must be on the wrong forum. I didn't realize this was the sport-COMMUTING website.

Fixed it for you.

[Kneescrubber]

Fixed it for you.

You are correct. I will accept 20 lashes from Jeri Ryan.

[VAbikeguy]

Hmmm....I'll own that one.  I swear the label for this portion of the forum used to be General Discussion.

Mods, feel free to move, delete or whatever.

[nomadmax]

How were the BREAKS?
 

[Papa Lazarou]

Try the XR1200-you might find it fits the bill.

[Rincewind]

I did some touring on a 883 Sportster back when I was a young buck.  That is truly a bare bones way to do things.  It takes tenacity.  I'd do it again, who says it has to make sense.  The naked bikes from England, Europe and Japan are much more refined and easy to ride, but also are not as raw as the Sportster.  The limited cornering clearance was my biggest gripe - it seemed to scrape everywhere.

[Rattlehead]

How were the BREAKS?
 

I'm sure the BREAKS were nice and relaxing. The BRAKES on a Sportster though, are just adequate.  

I used to own a Sportster and as-delivered, the only thing that was truely horrendous was the suspension, everything else was "adequate". If Harley would put even the tiniest bit of effort into the Sportster it could be an absolutely great bike. As it comes off the line though it needs about $1-2000 worth of upgrades to take care of some glaring faults.

To the OP: If you liked the Sportster you may want to try riding a 1200. The 883's have shorter gearing wich does make them spin pretty high at highway speeds. A 1200 may be less "vibe-y" on the road for you.

[wibornz]

The only real problem is it is an 883.  AKA girls bike.  In the HD world, you would get the same respect as a woman rider on the 883.  One of the guys that work for me bought a night train 883.  He was teasted so much for having a girls bike, he traded it in after three months and bought a crossbones.  

Admittedly, I am not an HD kinda guy, but his crossbones bike is cool.

[Rattlehead]

The only real problem is it is an 883.  AKA girls bike.  In the HD world, you would get the same respect as a woman rider on the 883.  One of the guys that work for me bought a night train 883.  He was teasted so much for having a girls bike, he traded it in after three months and bought a crossbones.  

Admittedly, I am not an HD kinda guy, but his crossbones bike is cool.

Me thinks you're a bit confused.
The Nightrain is a "big twin" model. The only bike offered in an 883 is the Sportster.

I always got a chuckle out of the “girls bike” comments. The Sportster is probably the “manliest” bike in Harley’s lineup; it’s rough, it’s crude and riding any kind of distance on it has about the same effect on your body as an all-day cage fight. Any powder-puff can ride a big cushy softail or Road King, it takes a man to endure a Sportster.

Sounds like your employee has some self confidence issues.

[dan88z]

I'm sure the BREAKS were nice and relaxing. The BRAKES on a Sportster though, are just adequate.  

I used to own a Sportster and as-delivered, the only thing that was truely horrendous was the suspension, everything else was "adequate". If Harley would put even the tiniest bit of effort into the Sportster it could be an absolutely great bike. As it comes off the line though it needs about $1-2000 worth of upgrades to take care of some glaring faults.

To the OP: If you liked the Sportster you may want to try riding a 1200. The 883's have shorter gearing wich does make them spin pretty high at highway speeds. A 1200 may be less "vibe-y" on the road for you.

I think every HD needs a couple grand in work right off the showroom floor. They sell you all the aftermarket Screaming Eagle crap to get it up to 60 hp.

I never understood the "girls bike" deal with the Sportie. A guy I work with had a 1200 and someone told him it was a girl's bike, so he went out and bought this pig of a Fat Boy that the 1200 could run circles around.

[Rincewind]

I always got a chuckle out of the “girls bike” comments. The Sportster is probably the “manliest” bike in Harley’s lineup; it’s rough, it’s crude and riding any kind of distance on it has about the same effect on your body as an all-day cage fight. Any powder-puff can ride a big cushy softail or Road King, it takes a man to endure a Sportster.

Ain't that the truth!   


I really like the Roland Sands cafe conversion pieces for the Sporty.  http://www.rolandsands.com/topics/sportsters/

[rgbeard]

How were the BREAKS?
 

I hope the BREAKS were as nice as the TEST ROAD you did.

[Kneescrubber]

Thank goodness for the open-minded folks among us.  

At your service, as always.  

[TBone]

Ain't that the truth!   


I really like the Roland Sands cafe conversion pieces for the Sporty.  http://www.rolandsands.com/topics/sportsters/

    What a great looking bike!

(yeah, I know - what bike? )

[ToadRide]

With no front fender, those "frontal parts" are going to fill up pretty fast.

[VAbikeguy]

I move fast so the point is now moot. I just put down a deposit on a 2012 Vstrom 650 Adventure onto to which I added heated grips, hand guards and an outlet. My OTD price will be less than a new Harley 1200 Sportster.

[stromgal]

Congrats on the new Wee. I really want to test-ride the re-design, as I see a smaller bike in my future.

A Sportster note:  I had a Sportster Sport, the only Sporty that came with good, adjustable suspension. I did some hot-rodding of the engine, and it was a fun ride. Just always felt like it was beating itself to death at 75mph on long trips, which is why I finally sold it.