whatchu think? maybe a used vulcan 500 would probably be a good suggestion. similar riding position, much lower price, less weight, and a lot less power.
Posted on 05/12/2009 11:01:39 AM PDT by brwnsuga
it’s not a good choice for a beginner
....:-( please don’t destroy my dreams....
No. They are junk. Too small. They run rough, bust your butt. Nobody who has one likes them. People look silly on them.
About all they do right is sound nice.
They will break your back in 45 minutes.
funny you should ask...
...and yes, this is a serious reply...
Personally, I wouldn’t recommend the 883.
Yes, it is a fine starter bike.
If you are tall...say, over 5’10”, you might feel that the bike is a bit too small. You can extend the foot controls forward for more money.
Additionally, many 883 owners I’ve spoken with say they wish they got a bigger v-twin, when they ride with others.
Sure, opinions are mixed on the issue, but I’m simply sharing what I’ve heard.
Now for the good news...
I’m putting my HD Deuce up or sale...
2006, stage two upgrade with screamin eagle exhaust. HD chrome controls and levers, headlight bezel, Corbin Gunfighter seat (VERY confy!), Kury foot pegs, Kury run/turn/brake controller (makes the rear turn signals into running and brake lights as well as signals, for more visibility and safety), with a beafy 180 x 18” rear tire (these wheels are nto seen around and NOBODY in SOuth Florida has ‘em (get ooohs and aaaahs all the time...really!), lowered 1.5 inches for excellent handling.
But wait..there’s more!...
Also comes with a
+pair of FoxCreek leather fatboy throwover saddle bags with paint protector(look them up...high quality leather!)
+HD clamp on windshield (leaves no hardware behind, and great for road trips!),
+helmet, large riding gloves
+fingerless riding glasses (size large)
+Carlini streetsweeper handlebars (never installed, new and VERY high quality new bars...look them up too!)
+...and, as an option, for a bit more money (heck they were $1500 new!) I have a new, never installed, set of Harley Davidson radical paint tins (tank, front and rear fender) number 4 of 200. The design is radical feathers...gold and slver on black base paint. Very cool! Which means that you’l probably ride that paint set around for as long as you like and will not see another bike painted like it!
All for the low low price of much less than you’ll pay to equip that 833 nearly as fancy.
Something to keep in mind when buying though...
You WILL be spending much more than you anticipate, as you customize your ride to your preference. Things like a good leather jacket can run $500, windshield...$400, saddle bags...$200 minimum for a decent set, glasses...day and night needed, gloves for Ilinois weather...$40, a new seat, as HD seats are not known for long-ride comnfort...$200 minimum (mine was $450) chrome upgrades...$don’t ask...we’ll just call it the $100/month club, new wheels?...don’t even ask!...$3000 for the set I have new. You see where I’m going.
Whatever you chose, let us know!
...yes, my bike is for sale as described (at a great price), as I want to buy a center console fishing boat for all the Florida fish calling my name.
See the bottom of my “about’ page at FR...
ride safe!
If I might make a suggestion...
Before buying any bike, take a MSF beginners course. They have small bikes to use (the beginners course doesn’t allow the rider’s bike), and will often have a helmet you can borrow. I know of people who have taken the course, then decided that owning a motorcycle just wasn’t for them. But most people come out of the class wanting MORE! In fact, as I recall, my favorite part was the rear wheel lockup practice. FUN!!!
The instructor will be very knowledgeable and be a good source of information.
Mark
Again, take the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s beginners course. Always ride with full gear (Helmet, gloves, books, long pants). Learn TCLOKS and use it BEFORE each ride. Double check the tire pressure. Ride like they will get extra points if they hit you! And practice panic stops in a quiet parking lot.
I just upgraded to a Honda Goldwing (wow!) and started with a used Buell Blast (Half a Sportster engine, none of the charisma!).
BTW, I buy gear from http://newenough.com and love their service.
I don’t know about the current models, in ‘91 both the 883 and 1200 weren’t that much different, the 1200 just had a bigger bore and the tranny and final drive belt, had a little different ratio.
I’m bald, bearded old curmudgeon; are you sure want to be like when you grow up? >:-}
You’re doing great brwnsuga, live in the moment!
Be Ever Vigilant!
Get a 250cc dual purpose bike and ride the wheels off of it. After you get a couple years experience then decide what you want. You may decide you want something else entirely. Myself, I detest both cruisers and sport bikes for the most part.
Get a Hyosung GV-650.
I may have misread your reply... Regarding "not buying a 'new one,'" the poster was talking about the bike, NOT the helmet! Believe it or not, helmets DO have a shelf-life. After about 5 or 6 years, the protective material eventually begins to dry out, and should be sent back to the manufacturer to be checked out, or the helmet should just be replaced.
And never leave the helmet dangling from a handlebar - a single drop onto the pavement can damage the helmet to the point where it may not offer full protection, but show no damage. Again, the only way to tell for sure would be to ship it back to the manufacturer.
Mark
Maybe not bald or bearded, as I am a female, but everything else seems great!
Friends don’t let friends ride Hyosongs.
Melas knows his Sporties.
HD isn’t going anyplace, they will be there when you get some experience. Get a used, cheap bike you won’t be afraid to drop at a stoplight. Ride the snot out of it, sell it for about what you paid for it, and then get your Sporty or whatever other Harley you want.
Some “artists” don’t care about details like that. They just want to deliver their messages ... even if no one else is interested.
“fingerless riding glasses”
LMAO
..and see-through chaps! /s
Put some miles on a lighter bike before you go to the Sporty. Walk before you run, so to speak.
Yeah, I checked your profile page... I knew your gender. >:-}
I changed my profile page a while back and removed pix of my Bushmaster, Suzuki and Ford F150 SVT Lightning.
Buy the Hugger then. And take an MSF rider’s course, often taught at your local Community College (if not there, then they’re on the web @ http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?state=VA for your state). Have fun, but remember: Every time you get on your bike cars are your enemy. Avoid them, even it means the ditch. The biggest bike can’t win a fight with the smallest car.
Your bike is bee- yoo- tee- full!
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