Should I but the buell big bore kit on my 883 and do some custom work on the sporty, like chroming frame, and other show bike stuff or should I just wait till spring and upgrade to a Dyna? I commute a lot and 70% is highway travel. I get a lot of wind gust in the open midwest highways. Besides wanting more ponies, I want to know if the heavier bike will highway travel better. A veterans opinion would be appreciated...
2007-11-02 17:18:50 · 11 answers · asked by a2z_alterego 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Buy the larger bike if you plan to log lots of highway miles. sportys are great bikes, but no amount of modification will make it a highway cruiser. the dyna is much smoother and more comfortable for highway travel. ultimately, the roadking or any of the flh series would be even better than the dyna, but each to his own.
2007-11-02 18:06:09 · answer #1 · answered by bikermog 6 · 0⤊ 3⤋
u wont get much resale value out of a sporty, the paper/swap sheets basically has a sporty as a 'dime a dozen'. chrome wont get u home, and hp can only get u into trouble, rarely will it seriously help u, and for more hp, the price is a thirstier bike.
the only add-on's i have on my bike are a wind sheild, engine guard with highway pegs, sissy bar, and a sundowner seat. we get some pretty stiff winds up here in northeast ohio, and i have no problems handling the bike at legal interstate speeds in strong winds. a wind sheild will help in this area i've found. i've also taken a couple of 500 mile rides this season, and when it came to range, i was getting about 56 mpg. my bike is 100% stock engine wise.
an 883 can be turned into a very potent little hot rod, but it all comes down to $$. besides, as stock, u'll get the best mileage of any harley. if u do sell it, those looking to buy wont put nearly as much stock into all the chrome add-on's as u will, and they wont put much weight into a stage 2 engine upgrade either. the older tc88's are slowly becoming 'relic' status since the tc96's came out. u wont get nearly as much out of ur bike on trade in or private sale like u would have about 15 years ago.
if u want to turn this into a cheap and decent touring bike, the stock seat is the first to go, then swap the handlebars to either the type that's on the wide glide, or buckhorn bars. then add a wind sheild. those are the 3 most critical things to change on a sportster. some might decide to also change the rear shocks. progressive 412's (or equivalent) are 1 of the more popular choices.
there is alot of idiots that have no idea the hidden potential of a sportster cause they wont bother to even try to ride 1 properly set up. their loss. i actually prefer a sportster over a bigger bike.
2007-11-03 10:40:57 · answer #2 · answered by forktail_devil 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been riding Harleys since 1965. At my age I ride an Ultra now days. I've done it all, from Sportsters to choppers, to baggers. From panheads to my blockhead. I would hold out for the Dyna. Go take one for a ride. The 883 is a cool bike. And it's cheap. But I think once you ride the Dyna, you will never go back. Especially on the highway and in the wind. Ride one and then decide for yourself.
2007-11-03 10:58:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you love the Sporty enough to keep it ,then do the mods,but don't expect to recover that kind of money on resale.
Plated frame ( $1500.00) Big Bore (2-$2500.00) If you are going to keep the Sporty and get a Dyna too, then the money spent will not be lost, but if you sell the Sportster with a lot of trick stuff, you"ll get 10 cents on the dollar for your investment in custom work.
Aside from the additional weight, the Big Twins have a noticeably lower center of gravity making them far more relaxing to ride , The Sportster is fun ,but they almost feel like a dirt bike to me.
For long rides ,the Big Twins are the way to go.
2007-11-02 18:06:29 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Heavier bikes get blown less.
I can't compare to a Sportster, I haven't ridden one yet.
My Dyna is more stable on the highway than any other bike I had, including the Honda with a full Windjammer fairing and lowers.
PS the Windjammer is very aerodynamic, in all directions. Gusts from the rear at 45 degree angle will not blow it around.
2007-11-03 06:08:14 · answer #5 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in New Mexico and we get EXTREME winds in the spring. You won't see much difference in handling in the wind with a dyna. But, if you want to upgrade HP, there are more options with a big twin. If you're going to spend the bucks, forget about chrome etc. find a good independent shop that knows horsepower and go for it. Stay away from the Harley dealerships. All they care about is making a buck, plus most of them are too afraid of the EPA to do any quality performance work.
2007-11-02 18:04:25 · answer #6 · answered by jrrysimmons 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Test ride a dyna you will kick the 883 to the curb
2007-11-03 12:35:38 · answer #7 · answered by Charles C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Sportster will fly in a cross wind. Can't say the dyna will help much. I'm pretty solid on my ultra when it comes to wind.
Thats about 200-300 more pounds without lookin at specs.
Believe it or not it may look like a tank but it handles better. Nothing like the Sportster for slappin leather and riding hell bent though.
2007-11-02 19:23:05 · answer #8 · answered by vladoviking 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Im 42 years old started riding and wrenching when I was 17 years old. sporties suck on the highway, damb things will shake your teeth out!!!! get a big twin. Also you wont get your money back out of a sporty.
2007-11-02 18:10:10 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
sell or trade in the 883 on a Japanese sport bike with the wind fairing and windshield and you will not be affected by the wind, plus a sports bike would be more comfortable to ride and handle at long, high speed highway travel, plus you will get double the gas mileage, and with gasoline going past $3 a gallon, it will make a big difference, besides, the 883 is a girls bike anyhow
2007-11-02 22:13:15 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 9⤋