You said in your first video that you were absolutely sure you wanted the Iron 883. Surely you watched a lot of RUclips videos on it before you bought one, and new what it was. I bought a new Sportster 1200L back in 2006, it was my first Harley, and 32,000 miles later, I am still completely happy with it. I have not done anything that would be considered an "upgrade". Just added slip ons, a few accessories, and some extra chrome. It still has the stock air cleaner. It still has the stock suspension and seat. It does not have a windshield. I have tried windshields in the past, and they caused extreme helmet buffeting. I just wear a full face helmet. I have a set of hard leather saddlebags attached to the rear fender rails with Easy Brackets. You can remove them in less than a minute, and they have a key lock. Unless you plan on doing long distance two up touring on interstate highways, that Sportster will be just fine. You will lose a fortune if you trade it. And guess what? If you do buy an expensive new bike, with super high payments and interest and insurance, you will very quickly want to upgrade that or trade it too. People told me that when I bought my '06 Sportster. But in my case it didn't turn out to be true. Check out a channel called Great Egret. He did some long distance touring on a Sportster 883 with no problems. There are a lot of people out there riding Sportsters across the country. Back in 1999, I rode from Phoenix, AZ to Richmond, VA with a group of seven other people on 49cc MOPEDS. It took 2 1/2 weeks, but we made it just fine. People ride bicycles across the country all the time. Either keep what you have and just ride it, or buy the biggest most expensive Harley there is. As long as there is anything bigger and faster, you are going to want it. At age 64, I would be very happy with an 883 Sportster. It will do anything I want to do. My long distance days are over, and I have never carried a passenger, even on a Goldwing. It would have to be an older model though. I want bright shiny paint, polished aluminum, and LOTS of chrome. The all blacked out look is just a cost cutting thing. Oh, and if you like the way the Sportster feels, the big bikes no longer have that feel. The M8 engine is every bit as smooth as a Honda Goldwing. H-D put a balancer in it. If you are going to spend $20K, just buy a Honda Goldwing and be done with it. It already comes with everything. ANY Harley will be a money pit if you are never satisfied with anything. A Goldwing is the best touring motorcycle ever made. But it's a handful in town. The 1000 mile service is something you can do for $50-$60, and it won't void your warranty. Get a service manual and start learning how to work on your bike. Wind is part of the fun of riding a motorcycle. If you don't like being in the wind, get a car.
Great video. I advise you to NOT sell or trade-in your 883. They don't make them anymore and will hold their value well. I have a 2022 883 and a 2023 Low Rider S and even though my low rider is my main ride, I love my 883 as it truly is a unique design that will pay dividends in the future, so I'll keep it as long as I can. That said, you have a great investment in that 883, absolutely. And even though I love my Low Rider S, sometimes I go the garage just to look at my 883. Light, super fun, easy to ride. And sexy AF!
FYI - Harley recently had a program for sportsters, where they would give you your full purchase price as a trade in value when you traded up to a bigger Harley within 2 years. Might be worth making some calls - but not to those two local dealers - they seem pretty slimey.
What on earth, why does the first service cost that much? Isn't it basically just an oil and filter swap, taking out the break-in oils and put fresh ones in?
@@RustedKCmoto I still call it a rip off. Sure they will also check few bolts and such, making sure nothing is loosa, but still it is just a routine check up plus the said oil change.
A sportster was never meant to be anything more than a sporty "bar hopper". If you want a comfortable bike, fast bike, or want to do alot of upgrades, youre better to look to the softail or dyna lineup
Some people are that way. I've had mine for 18 years, never upgraded anything (except for slip ons, which I did from the very beginning. why have a Harley if it doesn't sound like a Harley?) and am still perfectly happy with it. As expensive as they are, a Harley can be a good deal, IF you just buy it and ride it. If you want performance, as in power and speed, you don't want a Harley. Get a Japanese crotch rocket. A Harley is all about the riding experience. The sound and feel.
You said in your first video that you were absolutely sure you wanted the Iron 883. Surely you watched a lot of RUclips videos on it before you bought one, and new what it was. I bought a new Sportster 1200L back in 2006, it was my first Harley, and 32,000 miles later, I am still completely happy with it. I have not done anything that would be considered an "upgrade". Just added slip ons, a few accessories, and some extra chrome. It still has the stock air cleaner. It still has the stock suspension and seat. It does not have a windshield. I have tried windshields in the past, and they caused extreme helmet buffeting. I just wear a full face helmet. I have a set of hard leather saddlebags attached to the rear fender rails with Easy Brackets. You can remove them in less than a minute, and they have a key lock. Unless you plan on doing long distance two up touring on interstate highways, that Sportster will be just fine. You will lose a fortune if you trade it. And guess what? If you do buy an expensive new bike, with super high payments and interest and insurance, you will very quickly want to upgrade that or trade it too. People told me that when I bought my '06 Sportster. But in my case it didn't turn out to be true.
Check out a channel called Great Egret. He did some long distance touring on a Sportster 883 with no problems. There are a lot of people out there riding Sportsters across the country. Back in 1999, I rode from Phoenix, AZ to Richmond, VA with a group of seven other people on 49cc MOPEDS. It took 2 1/2 weeks, but we made it just fine. People ride bicycles across the country all the time. Either keep what you have and just ride it, or buy the biggest most expensive Harley there is. As long as there is anything bigger and faster, you are going to want it. At age 64, I would be very happy with an 883 Sportster. It will do anything I want to do. My long distance days are over, and I have never carried a passenger, even on a Goldwing. It would have to be an older model though. I want bright shiny paint, polished aluminum, and LOTS of chrome. The all blacked out look is just a cost cutting thing.
Oh, and if you like the way the Sportster feels, the big bikes no longer have that feel. The M8 engine is every bit as smooth as a Honda Goldwing. H-D put a balancer in it. If you are going to spend $20K, just buy a Honda Goldwing and be done with it. It already comes with everything. ANY Harley will be a money pit if you are never satisfied with anything. A Goldwing is the best touring motorcycle ever made. But it's a handful in town.
The 1000 mile service is something you can do for $50-$60, and it won't void your warranty. Get a service manual and start learning how to work on your bike.
Wind is part of the fun of riding a motorcycle. If you don't like being in the wind, get a car.
Great video. I advise you to NOT sell or trade-in your 883. They don't make them anymore and will hold their value well. I have a 2022 883 and a 2023 Low Rider S and even though my low rider is my main ride, I love my 883 as it truly is a unique design that will pay dividends in the future, so I'll keep it as long as I can. That said, you have a great investment in that 883, absolutely. And even though I love my Low Rider S, sometimes I go the garage just to look at my 883. Light, super fun, easy to ride. And sexy AF!
Progressive 412 shocks + a Saddlemen seat. So much better. Also, put some mini apes on and you’ll be way more comfortable.
FYI - Harley recently had a program for sportsters, where they would give you your full purchase price as a trade in value when you traded up to a bigger Harley within 2 years. Might be worth making some calls - but not to those two local dealers - they seem pretty slimey.
What on earth, why does the first service cost that much? Isn't it basically just an oil and filter swap, taking out the break-in oils and put fresh ones in?
Harley prices. Nothing is cheap with the dealership and unfortunately there is no other bike shop nearby.
@@RustedKCmoto I still call it a rip off. Sure they will also check few bolts and such, making sure nothing is loosa, but still it is just a routine check up plus the said oil change.
It’s criminal what they charge.
A sportster was never meant to be anything more than a sporty "bar hopper". If you want a comfortable bike, fast bike, or want to do alot of upgrades, youre better to look to the softail or dyna lineup
The issue with all harleys is that no matter what bike you get your gonna want to upgrade different stuff anyway. They're all expensive. Lol
Some people are that way. I've had mine for 18 years, never upgraded anything (except for slip ons, which I did from the very beginning. why have a Harley if it doesn't sound like a Harley?) and am still perfectly happy with it. As expensive as they are, a Harley can be a good deal, IF you just buy it and ride it. If you want performance, as in power and speed, you don't want a Harley. Get a Japanese crotch rocket. A Harley is all about the riding experience. The sound and feel.
I think you will upgrade that bike 🤔.
Ended up trading for the Low Rider ST 🤣
@@RustedKCmoto 👍🏻👍🏻I saw the videos after I commented ..🙂