Sportser 883 vs. 1200 - Which Is The Better Beginner Bike?
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- Опубліковано 20 вер 2024
- Follow me on Instagram: @jackiesmotogarage
Today I'm doing a side by side comparison of the Harley Davidson Sportster 883 and 1200. These are both great options and each has their pros and cons. This is my beginner perspective and take. Stay tuned to see which bike I like more.
tags: 883 vs 1200 harley davidson sportster which is better for beginners
Wow! A real review without all the loud fakey misic and quick cuts! She explains things as they come. That smacks of honesty. She explained that her feet wanted to slide off the forward controls. That I understand because, with a 28-inch inseam, the mid controls are too far out for me, too. She started out thinking the mini ape hangars were weird and then, as she rode, she got it. They make the bike easier to control. And she explained the extra power of the 1200 in an understandable way. This review helped me a lot and I thank Jackie's Moto Garage for putting it up.
Thank you so much for watching and for leaving a wonderful comment! I try to be as authentic as I can with my videos and thoughts on the motorcycles I try! Ride safe!
Simping
I'm 5'9" and have owned about 15 bikes in my 48 years of riding and nothing fits me better than a Sportster. I have a '96 1200 S with highway pegs with mid controls. I can change my riding position from highway pegs to mid controls to passenger pegs!
I just bought a 2009 Sport 1200 custom, only 3.5K miles on it. I am ecstatic over this bike ~ it is everything I expected and more!
5'2" tall, bought a 1" lowering bracket and my feet are planted. Love this bike ~
Here in the UK, it seems strange to hear someone talking about a Harley as a "beginner's bike". Most riders here have to start out on a 125cc machine, and work their way through a series of driving tests on progressively bigger bikes, over an extended period of time, before they qualify for a licence to ride something of that size. Even then, because of the cost of Harleys over here, it's mostly middle-aged businessmen or professionals who buy the newer models. I passed my test around 50 years ago, when it wasn't as complicated, and I've been riding my current bike, a 78 Triumph Bonneville, for nearly 30 years.
I have been riding for almost 30 years and I have never once and definitely would not recommend any newbie to consider a Harley, no matter which Harley it is, I would not recommend a newbie to consider it, on the contrary, many of Triumph's bikes are very suitable for newbies.
God bless America
@@dan1769 poon
Sorry about it, “Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness”.
The same bike for 30 years? Holy moly
I never rode a motorcycle before. I knew I wanted a Harley. I decided on the 883 already with custom stuff. I negotiated a price I could live with. I dropped the bike the very first time I took off by grabbing the front brake in gravel. I wanted the 1200 but knew dang well I would crash or drop the bike. No damage was done. 6 months later I have been on 3 or 4 hour hour trips around the state. Arizona has some great places to visit. I totally love the 883 as a beginner bike. The seat must be changed out if you plan on spending more than an hour on it
As a beginner I LOVE this channel. Seeing you do it and having the confidence to try so many different bikes is awesome
I liked my 883 super low, but after I put the S&S1200 kit on it I fell in love with it, it now has plenty of power to keep up with big twin bikes and it’s still my same great bike :)
Thats the only way I would ever get another 883 is if it had the 1200 conversion kit :)
@@Zer0Mood If you are going to put the 1200 conversion kit on it, what would be the point of getting the 883 still? Serious question because i am considering getting the 883 so i want to understand this mod.
@@DailYxDosE seem my response above
@@DailYxDosE been doing my comparisons and research I think the 883 has a bigger tank and something to do with the gearing ratios it's a little faster than a 1200 when you've a 1200 kit on it, probably why some would consider the 883 more maybe
@@DailYxDosE I got a 2019 883 for 5k my friend didn’t want the bike anymore so I paid off the loan and kept the bike but I’m going with the s&s kit heard it’s faster due to shorter gears, I’m going chain drive bs belt so I can pop wheelies trying ti make a stunt bike
Buy a 883 and bore it out to a 1250, reason being insurance is cheaper for a 883 than a 1200.
How muxh😊
She gives good input thanks for not ruining it with music. Weight is too much for the 1200 for me to be interested in it. It’s too heavy.
Thank you ☺️
I've had everything from Honda shadow to 1450 soft tale deluxe now a sporster which is my favorite,there's no such thing as beginner cars but people say beginner motorcycle.maybe new riders need smaller bikes but there is no such thing as beginner motorcycles
uh i would respectfully disagree. i wouldnt give a 16 year old a 1200 hp drag car and i wouldnt give a brand new rider a liter sportsbike...
@@stufoo I would recommend something under 500cc and much lighter than a 500lb bike to a young rider a sportster is fine for an adult that has some common sense but it's still a heavy bike and really its as fast as most of Harley's bigger bikes.
Nice to see a notification from Jackies Moto Garage again !
Thanks for the support!! It's good to be back
Glad you are back! That 1200 looked sweet! I would love to upgrade to the 1200 some day when I feel comfortable riding because of the ABS. I started on my dirt bike with mid controls and then I moved to the 883 with forward controls and mini ape hangers, so it was weird at first to get used to it. I’m still working on the turns too ;)
Welcome back! We've missed your videos! Sadly where I live, we have snow in the winter months and no more riding for me until late winter/spring next year :(
Great to have you back! Thanks for the comparison video. I frequently wonder about how big of a difference the displacement really makes between similar models.
Jackie's still alive! Hooray!!! 😉 Loved watching this video as a family on Christmas Eve. Early Christmas present. Merry Christmas to you and your entire Moto Garage family!
❤ -David, Elizabeth, and little Jessica
Glad you’re back Jackie. Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Thank you! So glad I'm back! Merry Christmas!
L
I toured 23 states on an 883 and never felt it wasn't enough. One trip was 2-up from Philly to Texas with a small trailer behind us. Another trip was a solo round trip from Texas to Key West.
You just have to let it beathe. Drop a gear and twist it.
I’ve heard they like to rev, what would it pull up to in the rev range?
@@jimstenlund6017 I don't know the actual RPMs because I didn't have a tachometer. Going by sound it was spirited but not struggling.
@@jimstenlund6017 When it seemed like it needed some extra power, like on a steep hill with the trailer, I would just downshift and let it breathe.
@@jamessouthworth1699 I forgot most didn’t come with a tach.
833 stock red line is 6200 rpm it the limiter set too.
So 5700 prob be red lining itt
Made the move from a 650 seca turbo to a sportster 1200 custom and was amazed with the difference in power from a 650 turbo . Love my sporty already want a new Harley but ill be keeping my sporty too
Great to see you back. Love the sound of that 1200. Not a fan of ape hangers at all. Or forward controls. I prefer mid to midish controls for my short legs.
I love the paintjob on the tank of that 1200. Also like how the exhaust is set up.
Marie likes her forward controls on her Sporty 1200 low. Good to see you climbing on the bike.
I've owned both the 883 Iron and 1200 Sportster 72. Both fun bikes, will fit shorter riders very well but the mid-controls on the Iron made it a more comfortable bike for me. Of course neither are touring bikes but after an hour the 72 with forward controls got uncomfortable while I could easily ride the Iron for two hours with no issues. The styling of these bikes were quite different but I got compliments on both. I think it's important to test ride a bike for at least an hour before making a decision. Throwing your leg over a static bike at a dealership isn't going to prove it's a good fit. This is where it helps to have friends who also ride :).
U have perfect ride style...back straight...arms straight....lets see u back on ur 883
Thank you! Can't wait to get back on it. All I do right now is go start it up every couple of days. 😅
Welcome back Jackie, and Merry Christmas!
Thanks for the comparison!
I just got a Sportster XL1200R as second bike after my Honda CMX 500 Rebel and since I "skipped" the 883 I was wondering if I made the right choice.
Thank you and Merry Christmas!! You made the right choice!
apes help bikes with forward controls because they allow you to pull yourself up over bumps and such. it would be much harder to do that without them because your legs aren't planted below you to stand as they are with mid controls. It would also explain the Bouncy feeling because your legs are absorbing any residual shock . Plus the shocks themselves are probably set lighter from the previous owner or they are old.
Welcome back! It is a bit weird switching from forward controls to mid controls. I have two bikes and make the switch between them. I do think both bikes have their place but I do prefer the 1200 but I’m also a big dude.
Great comparison and Merry Christmas!!
*Nice* comparison video! If you prefer the power of the 1200, you can have the H-D 1200 kit installed on your bike and it will be a little quicker in acceleration than a factory 1200! The best of all possible worlds! Another idea: when traversing speed bumps, you might wish to stand on the footpegs to allow the bike to teeter-totter beneath you; it's lots smoother, and there won't be the tendency to have the bike try to toss you off of it.
Thanks for the tips and thanks for watching!! Ride safe!
If youre gonna put the kit on it why not get the 1200? Honest question. im between these two bikes right now
@@DailYxDosE a conversion Sportster (883 to 1202) is quicker because the drive pulley has two fewer teeth, hence it provides slightly lower gearing and therefore, brisker acceleration. The top speeds of both are roughly the same.
@@Boysenberr how do you get same top speed with shorter gear? I get the quicker accelaration, but I suppose longer gear shud have higher top speed?
@@stevetenggala2834 good question, and the short answer is, "if you want top speed, do not buy a Sportster." Remember that torque = acceleration and horsepower = top speed. H-Ds are not high horsepower machines; upright seating plus low horsepower means a top speed of, maybe, 100 mph max.
The first bike that I rode was a 1950 FL Panhead with a rocker (foot) clutch and a hand shift (on the left gas tank). It took only a few minutes for me to get accustomed to the clutch/shift setup. I was a big for a kid of twelve years. I didn't drop that bike. I stashed away that bike for a good long time. Eventually, I chopped it in Mid-1960s fashion. I rode it to high school. A 1200 cc bike is just right for a novice rider. Just take it easy with the loud handle. Build right. Ride safe.
There is really hardly no difference between a 883 and a 1200 Sportster by weight... it's just a little more of a power thing. But you really don't want to ride any Sportster over 105 mph for long. Just because of vibration.
Can never go wrong with 883 always can do 1200 kit down the line.
I normally answer 1200 because that is what i started with, but now I say start with the 883, then upgrade it to a 1250/1275 kit when you are ready. You will get even more power than a 1200 but because the VIN is an 883 you will have way cheaper insurance and a better gearing. I love my stage iv 1200, but at this point the 883 to 1275 would have been cheaper.
How much would one expect to spend to do the upgrade?
Missed you!!! My mom's 1200 sportster 48 was the second bike I EVER rode. It was SO different than my somewhat chopped Shadow 750. It was smooth but like pulling into the gas station I couldn't handle the lope while coasting slowly
I ride motorcycles since 1986, and i like the sportster 1200 more than the big softail models. I can handle both , but the the lighter sporty is more fun and ist feels not slow. I like forward controls.
PLEASE!!! What's the brand and model of the 1200's pipe??? So beautiful!!
I love listening to Millennials speak. They're like children in adult bodies. Love the vid.
Just got my first bike a week ago.I ended up with a 95 Sportster 883 that is beautiful and it was love on first sight lol.i think the 883's are perfect for beginners and will be a nice bike to grab and not be out growing in 6 months.im not sure if anything is done to mine but she has ton of pick up and is very snappy lol.shes perfect for me and I have no complaints!!lol
My wife has a 95 883 bulletproof bike
A Sportster is not a beginners bike. It's heavy, it's powerful and must be respected. In an emergency, a beginner will screw up.
America is a very unusual place, with a lot of easy freeways, not twisting narrow streets in hills and lots of traffic like in other countries.
Anyone can ride on a straight flat wide road but most would crash in one week in a city like São Paulo.
Beginners should start with small Japanese bikes and climb up.
In America leave my subdivision i am on 45 MPH streets and some at 50 mph.. On my way to work we have 70 mph speed limits…. Yeah an air cooled 883 is a beginners bike here. The 125 will just get you run over. My Himalayan has been on a 570+ Mile trip in a day and sent quite a bit of time at 70 MPH but not uphill and to bad the speed limit was 75…… It is a small bike for a big guy like me but my first bike… The 1200 Sportster would be fine choice recognizing that you have more than you need and you will need to respect it.
From living in Spain growing up and my trips back to Italy and Spain once I was in the Navy my Himalayan makes more sense for distance, the 125s in and around town…. Would be fantastic.
But lets be real an air cooled Sportster 883 is not even a strong water cooled 500… which are quintessential starter bikes around here just because of our roadways. You need enough to not get run over around here and just around town near me the 125 will get ya run over….
The environments of São Paulo or Europe are so different that from my house I can not even perform the break in rides according to the owners manual as I would be a road hazard. So what would be ideal to learn on over their are simply dangerous here. I agree we should probably do more than the MSF course I took. But common sense and patience got me home and to work and back and now venturing around Texas. Now am I as competent as some of those guys on the small bikes running hilly corners all their life on there bike NOPE but that small bike would make them have heart palpitations looking at our expressways.
I have a iron 2020 1200 my first bike ever. I love it so much
Great first bike!!! Thanks for watching!
You had no previous motorcycle experience before that?
@@Juan-sg4ev none what so ever
@@mazda3jdm because I want to get a 48 as my first bike but idk if it has too much power for me, The only experience I have is the msf course
@@Juan-sg4ev nah don’t worry about it, Harley’s don’t make much power and they’re heavy, you’ll be good
I'm curious as to what city you live in, I lived it Las Vegas, Nevada 35 years and most of the scenery looks so much like Las Vegas. I moved from there in 2005. Anyway, for what it's worth, I'm leaving a thumbs up, a tap on the bell and I subscribed too. I have a 2004 XL1200R Sportster and I'm looking forward to getting it out next month when things start thawing here in Michigan. Thanks for sharing.
If you can't see using the mirrors on your 883, try putting them back up on top where they belong!
Yeah I know right, so many people do this and think it's cool but it is silly AF.
I have an 883 with mid apes and I love how she feels..
I got a 600 honda shadow and jumping to a 1200 sportster and i felt a biiiig difference loln
Ha ha!! Love your commentary! I just got a 48 exactly like that one. Mine has a tank lift, 14” apes and exhaust. Very fun bike! My first Harley, actually. My last bike was a bobbed 81 Honda CB900C. This one’s a bit different for sure!
Nice job! If you are going to take a trip .... a Harley Sportster may be about the last bike you want to take. You explained it very well, when you were talking about the 883 being a fine bike ... unless you rode the 1200. The same is true if you have ridden a Harley Sportster on a trip and not a BMW or Yamaha. Honest. So celebrate variety! Get a 1200 Sportster (I have an 883) AND get a lowered BMW 1200. Good video!
Wow small world, you’re driving around in my neighborhood!
I thought it looked too familiar but when I saw Driftwood I knew lol
Haha that's so crazy!! Thanks for watching!!
I'm 5'8" and I ride a '99 Sportster 883, solo seat, mid controls..............no need for more power, suits me fine, better MPG and less vibration than the 1200.
You should try drag bars. I didn’t like normal handle bars but ape hangars put my arms hair too high, and the drag bars were the perfect happy medium. Easier to turn, have your arms hanging a little lower than hangars but not reaching down like normal old school bars. Great video
Im a new rider as well, looking in to the Iron. Curious to how tall you are? I'm 5'2'' and about 115 lbs.
They make "further forward" mid controls for the 883 if your interested.
Great seeing you back out and I must admit that your reaction to the bug made me laugh. Your garage makes me think that I do not have enough motorcycles. Ride safe and Merry Christmas to you and the family.
A very merry christmas to you Jackie and all my fellow biker sisters and brothers.
When you say beginner do you mean first bike ever ridden or up grading to a bigger bike ? To me a beginner bike is a 250 or a 500 cc.
It kind of depends on your stature. The Harley is heavier but the only problem is lifting it to the straight up position when it is on the side stand. Once it is perpendicular to the ground, it isn't much different than a small bike. The Sportster is a very MELLOW motorcycle. Nothing happens fast on a 250 or a Sportster. But the Sportster is a lot more versatile than any 250.
I’ve had so many people tell me to get a 1200 but I love the 883 I’m just worried it won’t be enough power but then I’m also worried the 1200 is gonna be to much power 😂
I got an Iron 883 with stage 1 tune exhaust and air filter and shes got plenty of power. I will say the Iron 883 is much better an funner on back roads and country main roads with speed limits of 55 and 45. But she can do 70-80 no problem but because it's only 5 gears you will run at about 3500 rpm to maintain 70 mph in fifth gear but with a stage 1 your rev limiter is 7000 rpm instead of 6000. So is it the best for long highway trips? No but can it ride highway? Yes no problem. But if you can find back road routes it will be much funner better and more comfortable. The vibration is very minimal and just enough that you feel feedback of what you're doing but never too much where it hurts you. It's actually my favorite part of riding the Iron. I love it and I recommend it. You can do so much customization to it too and always do a stage 2 or 3 or 4 to add nore power if wanted. I would say it's most comfortable from 0-65 but can maintain higher speeds no problem and be tolerable.
@@CantTreadOnMe I appreciate the feedback bro Thankyou 💯💯
@@SerBarristanSelmy1 No problem brother. I wouldn't fear jumping straight into a 1200 sportster over an 883 as your 1st bike especially if you need to be on highways. Same weight as 883 but a good amount more top end power. Only thing I'd recommend is strongly considering mid controls on your 1st bike especially if you're under 6 feet tall. Im exactly 6 foot and forward controls make you feel less in control of the bike and can be awkward. My experience at least but everyone is different so try it for yourself 1st. Good luck and be well.
@@CantTreadOnMe 💯💯
I’ve already got a nice softail and am inheriting an 883 from 2003. For around town and to work I don’t know if I’ll make it a 1200. With 200 pounds less than my Softail the 883 Sportster just feels so light and agile. Lol. Sure it’s nickname in the family is “the gutless wonder” but it’s fine unless your trying to hang with the sport bike crowd
Jackie looks great on that 48
Good to see upload again. 300+ cc s makes a big difference. I've had both forward and mid controls. Every mid control Harley I've had I changed to forward controls. If you remount the mirrors on the top of bars you'll be able to see better in them. If it hadn't already sold I'd say just swap the wheels and tires and keep the 1200. Merry Christmas Jackie to you and yours.
You could always turn your mirrors up the proper way, then you'd be able to see in them.
thats why people turn them to the underside , because when they are upright some people just see a mirror full their own shoulder.
Like this review. Thanks Jackie👍🏻
Could you list the differences, side by side, of the 883,48, and the 1200?
iam in love with the sound
You look really good on that motorcycle how did you learn how to ride I motorcycles I want one but I'm scared to drop my bike any advice
Guess who's back back again jackies back tell a friend
Great content, really enjoyed it
This might end up beng my first bike when i get my license in a year :) Good "review"
I support this decision!! That’s awesome! Thanks for watching.
An 883 won't stop you from doing silly things. Might as well buy the 1200. Same size, weight, and feel.
I found I had MORE control with ape-hangers on my fat boy, but it improved my rider triangle too. Right now I'm Bike-less though :(
Uhhhh… if you couldn’t see anything with your mirrors you should put them back in the stock location so you can see
how tall are you? i'm getting my daughter one next week. going back and forth on the two. the forward controls have me a bit worried for her
I really want an Iron 883 as my first bike, I'm just hesitant because I'm a short dude, 5ft3, do you think i can handle it?
Yes!! I can ride it at 5'5 without tippy toes! I think that would be awesome.
Get the Sportster Hugger or Sportster Low. You would do fine on those.
Merry Christmas 🎄 didn’t think you’d like that 1200 but you missed it pretty quickly LOL.
there are differences in sizes in this two bikes? or they are just the "same" bike with different engines? thanks
Awesome video. May I ask your height?
The Indian Scout.60, the Scout and the upcoming Rebel 1100. Might not be the answer you're looking for but the Sportier cannot compare.
And the Yamaha bolt, and also the Triumph Bobber (the prettiest of the lot imho)
Both are good for beginner 👍👍👍
i think 883 and 1200 weigh the same ?
this is why royal enfield is making big gains in the american market.
1st gear is only to get the bike moving!
looks like your in Phx. I'm up here in Prescott area.
Almost a year...i been ride since 1976
Does anyone know how tall Jackie is? I'm interested in buying a 48 but worried that being 5' 5" tall will prevent me being ok with forward controls. What do you all think?
Jackie is about the same height. I think you'll fit ok. - Jon
Here for the Raw dirty details and did not leave disappointed 😊
Nice video, thanks
Can you do a flip like jon?
Put your mirrors on top of the bars. On your 883 you will see better
How many sizes?
Handlebar
What happens with the bonneville?
Still have it!! It needs a small repair before it's running again though.
@@JackiesMotoGarage good to see you back can’t wait to see your view for the time you had it... happy holidays
Your are still a new rider averted
After a year . We all gotta start somewhere
I've heard a lot of different things about the sportster. Not sure I'll ever get one. I really like the Softail Standard and Fat Boy.
Are you more into cruisers, or do you prefer performance bikes like your husband?
Sportsters are very reliable solid built bikes. And you'd have to try real hard to kill a evo engine
*No U-turns?*
I have a Honda cg125 1977 and a Harley road king, on our twisty roads in UK the Honda takes more skill to ride than the Harley at 50+ it is scary😆
I freaking love sportys!
You need higher risers on your 883
try a scout or scout 60 next
Get the 1200, you'll be bored with the 883 in a couple of months and won't get your money back. Only reason to get an 883 is if you planned on a big bore kit anyway and plan to do the work yourself.
Use neutral then you can take your hand off the clutch.... Your feet are too small for the brake set up.
i am glades i got the 1200 and not the 883
Yooooooooo where you been!?
Ofcourse 1200!!!! 😁😁😁
Those are standard bars and you just need more practice
How tall are you?
I'm 5'5
Thanks for watching!