I think I am ready for Harley Davidson having turned certain age recently. always liked the look of 883 but just been reading up on them and apparently it’s bottom entry level model? I know nothing about HD’s Any opinions? Don’t want huge one, something smaller and not with massive front fairing .
If you want to buy a model of bike which was already obsolete 60 years ago ... there are still better options than a Sportster.
I owned a 883 a few years ago, a 2004 first year of the rubber mounted engine and last of the carburettor models. They're a great entry level Harley and not to be overlooked as a purchase. It really depends what your budget is doesn't it? I'm not much of a fan of the post 04 models as I prefer the simplicity of the carb. They're infinitely personlisable with there being a vast supply of aftermarket parts. Upgrading to a 1200 Sportster is a route a lot of owners take but I didn't ever feel I needed more horsepower. I'm still in touch with the owner of my old one and have asked for first refusal should he decide to sell.
I thought it was Hardly Dangerous; unless you are referring to the brakes, which make a Ducati rear brake appear effective.
Hardly Worthitson is my usual comment. I did ride one, only once, and only about 5 miles, when I did a bike swap with a mate. It was a 1200 sportster, probably about 25 years ago. The power and brakes were adequate but the suspension was woefully inadequate for my 12 stone! I did go touring in France with 2 mates on 883 sportsters 30+ years ago and they seemed to manage ok. One day myself and the mate who had his missus on the back, we were both loaded with camping gear as well, did 3 consecutive 1 hour stints on the autoroute at 100mph, with a fuel stop for him after each one. The one who was riding solo was getting worse mpg than our two-up mate and when the three of us were on a particularly long riding day, he ran out twice. Luckily my tank was only held on by a couple of rubber loops and the fuel pipe so the Moto Martin doubled as a mobile fuel station until he worked out his tank range. So they have good and bad points like any other make, and if it makes you smile then why not? But you won't see me on one
I wouldn't pick an 883 myself. Since they discontinued the air-cooled Sportsters they're holding their value so if you want a Sportster I'd go for a 1200. They've got a certain amount of retro charm but unlike Bonnevilles, which are modern retros, Sportsters are just retro. It's an American Enfield Bullet. If I wanted that sort of retro vibe, personally I'd buy a 1200 Bonnie. Don't rule out the bigger Harleys. I know everyone loves to sneer but the modern M8 big twins are good bikes. I had a 117" Low Rider S. No fairing, USD forks, excellent brakes, and while it wasn't blistering fast it wasn't slow either. 125 ft/lb of torque virtually off tickover is noticeable. And they're heavily restricted out of the crate. If you uncork them properly with pipe, air breather, hotter cam and remap with all restrictions removed, you're looking at 140-ish rw-bhp and 140+ ft/lb of torque. Trouble is, that'll cost you 5 grand on top of the bike. If you go with a big inch conversion you'll be in Rocket 3 territory but it'll cost 10 grand. At least... I didn't buy mine because I was becoming an old fart and felt it was time. I wasn't interested in the fingerless gloves and pirate fancy dress badass rubbish either. I'd wanted a cruiser for a while (in addition to my Ducatis and KTM, not instead of) because I was fed up of going touring to beautiful places - or just sunny weekend breaks - and coming back with shredded tyres and no memories or photos of the places I'd been. I wanted to enjoy where I was riding as much as what I was riding. A big gutsy cruiser that feels like it's been machined form a solid piece of billet with hardly any plastic in sight, a truck-sized engine and a paint finish you can see your face in is just a very nice place to be, and it's true what they say, every ride is an event. But my LRS had to go because it was murder on my back. Stupid riding position. Felt fine on the test ride, after a full day in the saddle I was needing Neproxen and a chiropractor. IMO the best everyday usable big Harley if you don't want a massive full-dress bagger is a Sport Glide. Comes with hard cases and a bat-wing fairing but it's just a wind deflector, not a car dashboard with built-in sound system, and both are designed to be easily removed in about 30 seconds and the bike underneath looks great without them. They don't feel huge,they're quite agile and ride like a "normal" bike and they're arm chair comfortable. Just take a test ride and see if it's for you. Takes a while to tune in to the very different dynamic though. You won't be able to find the foot pegs at first and you're sat low so you lose the commanding riding position and feeling of road presence you get with an adventure bike or big naked.
Back in the late 80s I had a 1982 1340cc Shovelhead for about 3 months, brought from a local specialist, It was a good one I think, well looked after, and didn't break down or fall to pieces, but that was the time it took for me to go from realising a dream and feeling like 'The Man', to utter disappointment and frustration. It looked great, in my opinion at the time, but did nothing very well, and some things very badly, like steer and stop.
I've read all the negative comments and I just want to say that I think you're very brave. Many older men who have been in the closet all their lives find it very difficult to come out to their friends and family in later life. You slay queen! Btw, I got the BBC to edit your post.
