Matt great video; Sportsters are one if not the most reliable bikes you can buy. It's also the most affordable bikes to own and maintain with endless customizable options making it a great value bike regardless if it's your first HD or an addition to your collections.
I had an 07 sportster 1200c. I let it warm up and rode it like it is meant to. It never let me down besides a dead battery. The only issue I ever had was when the rear brake line leaked and needed to be replaced. I had a honda manga that gave me more problems then my sportster did. I have met a lot of people with sportsters that have never had engine issues.
@ William Only problem customizing is that it aint cheap can add a ton of money to your bike and if you buy new from the dealer you get stuck with a lot of dealer costs and the bike, forget selling it for what you have into it. Sorry I've owned ten bikes from 1969-2018 the later yrs were much more expensive,especially Harley and hard to sell for your purchase price. On the upside if you can hold on to them(rich man) they are always a blast to ride and customize.
I really like that although you represent a Harley Davidson dealership, your reviews seem honest and balanced. You point out both good and bad in your reviews.
Matt, I am showing this video to a coworker looking at his first Harley Davidson motorcycle! I’m an avid motorcycle rider for over four decades now, and I have to say the videos that you have been producing provide very clear, concise, and extremely educational non-biased information! Thank you for providing such wonderful videos for new and seasoned riders in the Harley Davidson world. Please keep keep producing these wonderful videos! Thank you Matt!
No other brand can build emotion, character, and attitude on a bike like Harley Davidson, no matter which model, from the least expensive, to top of the line. Great video friend !👍
Just had the stage 1 modification with my iron883 2018. You really can feel the difference. Now it sounds like a real HD, super loud but not irritating. On the contrary, it's music to the ear. It's more responsive now with the fp3 and open airflow..
I totally agree on a secondary bike. I have a 2018 heritage 114 and I bought the sportster 883 also same year just to have one for local. it is terrific. does all I want. I have since just a month ago upgraded it to 1200 with the SE kit. that is the beautify of it. when you feel good with and comfortable with the bike or when you get some spare cash upgrade it. you will never regret and and you maintain all the money in all the other modifications that you did. it is a win win in my opinion.
It’s one of the best looking Harleys No matter what people say that this bike is for girls and all but it is hands down one of the baddest and one of the longest running models of Harley Davidson. love this bike
Just bout a 2019 iron 883 from laidlaw Harley Davidson. By far best experience making a purchase. The process was so smooth and easy. Well worth the 2.5 hour drive to get there. Definitely recommend this place to anyone interested.
Man one of the smallest bikes in the line up but looks as good as the other bikes. Actually i love the look of the sportsters especially the iron. The peanut tank is also my favorite look out of all the tanks. Reminds me of when i was a kid again when i look at this bike. I've been pushing my daughter to buy one for a year now, if she don't soon get her ass in to the dealership i'll have to do it for her.
I get the niche this bike fills and appreciate it for what it is. Not great for 70mph+, but great for back road, twisties and swoops. One other point- it is REALLY handsome. Thank you Mr. Laidlaw for going over the upgrade specs- helps to know the top end capability as well as stock. Great video as always.
Thanks for the great reviews Matt. Spent the better part of a week going thru all of your reviews primarily for the Iron 883. With you and your employees comments I am excited to have bought a 2020 Silver Barracuda Iron 883 in the Des Moines area in the last few days. Really appreciate your honest reviews and thoughts regarding “who is this bike good for”. I am a new rider and your reviews gave me confidence this is the bike for me. Thank you tons!!!
Hi there Matt. I at a tall rider like you (6,4) What I miss in your videos are shots of you in a 3rd person view on every model you test. That way taller guys can have an idea on how a certain model fits them.
I like the look of the iorn An the 48. Since it’s not ideal for long trips, what are some other bikes that has simlar looks, An have that long duration riding where you don’t have to keep stoping to fill up.
One of my favourite HD bikes, like the style very much. I only dislike the very visible cabling. Adding the usual harley tax for proper sound, the bike is quite expensive.
I own a 2016. It feels like a real Harley and you get what you paid for. For me, the engine sound at 2,300 RPM is music and relaxing. Plus the weight is very well low balanced. It has a very good price for what you get. It was my second bike and I regret that it was not the first - easier and more comfy to drive and handle than the Suzuki bandit I had (even though heavier). The 750 does not feel like a Harley.
I want one of these so badly! They're gorgeous motorcycles! I've been riding for 15yrs and own other "better and faster" bikes but damn, I lust after these! Thank you for the fantastic review, Matt.
It's odd seeing someone ride a bike that I have. You make it look tiny riding it. Flip the mirrors (all you see are your shoulders with them that way), buy a decent seat (tuck & roll may look good, but it's not comfortable), and do a stage one with Vance & Hines to open it up and make it sound the way it should.
Moto Danny Completely agree. I put a V&H Big Radius exhaust and a Joker Machine air cleaner on my 2017. After using the Fuel Pak 3 it was a completely different bike with sound and power. Really necessary upgrade.
It's a great bike and if you want you can touring with it. I did a 3400km tour in one week. I only changed the riding position (handlebar & risers) and add a sissybar for the luggage.
I've owned a 96Ci, 103 CI and a 114CI and have ridden 883's and do not think they are under powered. The Big Twins weight a lot more, even the Softails. The lighter weight of the Sportster with the 883 engine is fun to ride. An 883 Iron is not just for beginners, I'm almost 70 and have ridden motorcycles since 1964 and still love the Sportster. I think the Sportsters are for anyone who likes a motorcycle that is just plain fun to ride. Personally, I prefer the 883 over the 1200. Long Live the Sportster.
Been a fan of harley bikes since i was a kid, finally turned 18 and got enough to buy a "car" hope my mom understands that a harley is a dream to me lmfao
Matt, it is always good to see a Sportster on your reviews. I ride a 1200XL because I am disabled, later in time I will just have it in my collection when I strengthen, but as a stepping stone to recovery they are amazing tools. Truly iconic and something to never get rid of, I have a box of Sporty parts I may need another one to dress up. Thanks again.
Nice Matt! Great first bike. I put 10k on my 17 iron in under 7 months. Was my first bike. I put the Thrashin 2 into 1 and rsd slant intake and she looked like a little bad ass! I kept her tached-out and she loved the abuse! INVEST IN BETTER REAR SHOCKS OR SHE WILL GET SQUIRRELLY IN THE CORNERS!!!
I think HD should also do an Iron 1200 variant to look exactly like the Iron 883. I think that matte grey with the low bars looks sick, I mean if it’s a top selling bike why not make this just in the 1200
seat looks comfortable. different from previous models. my 96 sporter 1200 is very primitve next to this new models. but it is the best model for commuting and for us short guys, 5ft7. and they get all the classic looks, as you stated, that made Harley famous.
I demoed the Iron, the 48, The 1200 Custom, the Roadster, and the XG750A Street Rod at the same time, and I found that even though it was cramped, the Street Rod was way more fun to ride than the Sportsters in terms of maneuverability, and responsiveness of the motor. If I twisted the throttle while sitting, the motor on the Street Rod was much more willing to rev and responsive. Kind of expensive for the horsepower, torque? Fz-09, Z900, etc also less than $10,000. Although I do like the torquey low end grunt and sound you mention. I like the bike but just very expensive for what it is. And it is heavy. Correct? The most comfortable was the 1200 Custom. Good and helpful review.
I'm still not sure on the Indian scout , the rear fender reminds me of a v star and the handle bars are funky , is have to go with drag bars and a modified rear fender . I seen a video of one converted to a cafe racer , that was bad
Bernard Rodriguez I already sold the bike to someone for $7,000. It was a great bike, but a bit on the slow side. Search Craigslist and keep looking until you find one for low miles for $5,000. I wouldn't pay more than that for this bike. Definitely a starter bike, not much speed but has a bit of torque to it.
I think this will be my first bike cause I wanna have the sportster 883 for just a hobby bike you know, take it around town and not really take it above 50.
Stuck between getting a 48 or a 883 and later on converting to a 1275. I’m just stuck cause the 48 has better gear ratio for highway and I heard better suspension
Love my 883 iron, as a shorter, older, returning rider after 30 years it has all the power I need and IMHO looks just great. I read somewhere that I can go to a 31 tooth front pulley on the final drive for a smoother 60 plus freeway speed and perhaps a wider front tire. Any thoughts on that?
Did you ever swap out to a 31 tooth, considering my budget and skill level, I'd like to hop onto an Iron 883 as the 2nd bike. But would like to get a bit more highway miles under my belt since I'm currently on a 250cc, not very highway friendly
These aren't bad bikes and can be fun to ride. I had one in the stable for a while that my father rode before he got the 2017 Heritage. Thanks for another great video Matt!!
Cool bike, for beginners like me. Never been on a high performance bike before. I love to own one but I can't cos I cannot afford one. I am thankful cos I can enjoy every videos of the Iron 883 on RU-vid. Thanks.
I got a iron 883 2017 model, I'm 6ft plus..I'm thinking of putting forward controls. Is it a good idea or not?? Cause I feel cramped when I sit on the stalk seat with mid settings.
If you Stage a Sportster being it an 883 or a 1200 it becomes quite decent for what I would say solo long distance high way travelling. Also an 883 can be turned into a 1200/1300 in Stage three and then in HP terms it is superior to a standard TC103. The customization of a Sportster is endless since the model has been into a slow Evolution since it got the Evo engine in 1986. The Iron tank (still not as bad as the 2.1 gallon of the 48) is a question mark but you can still fit a 4.5 gallon standard Sportster Custom-Superlow tank in it very easy, and there is also a couple five gallon aftermarket tank available if you want to be more original.
Matt u know I'm an HD guy, and I've ridden and love the 2018's. But HD is still not addressing the younger riders. When Triumph released the Bobber it became there number 1 selling bike in all their history, and to up the ante they released the black. Indian is kicking butt with their Bobber, BMW, DUCATI and Triumph all have Scramblers. And 10% of BMW sales are to new riders. Just sayin....
I know Harley gets a lot of sht from people but I don’t care what anyone says, this is a really beautiful bike. And regardless of how anyone feels about HD, NO motorcycle manufacturer or bike on the road today would be where it is without Harley Davidson. I currently ride an Italian Harley (Moto Guzzi) but hope one day to be able to have an HD.
IMO, I would look at this bike then consider stepping up to a Sportster 48. I mean if you're going to invest this much in a new bike then the difference in price and performance would push me more toward the 48 for the long haul.
Matt I think your talking down a really great motorcycle, people do long distances on scooters! My Iron 883 gives me all I ask and its so cool. This has got to be the best selling motorcycle in the Harley Davidson line up, yet you don't mention that fact? I live in the uk maybe the sportster is more suited to narrower roads.
Great review, very detailed. I saw someone ride and pull up next to me and had to compliment how gorgeous that bike was, i have always wanted a bike just to cruise and this looks perfect for me. I hope to get one this year.
Matt. Thanks for the content. Newer rider and owner of a 16' 883- want a touch more power as far as upgrades is there a stage 3? Only finding stage 4-dont ride in the high rpms
Thinking of getting back into motorcycling after a seven year hiatus..don't want a big heavy ponderous motorcycle (last bike I had was a Yamaha XS1100G..which was a bit much motorcycle and I want something lower to ground and just not as much bike to horse around). Stopped by local Harley dealer and they have a used 2019 Iron 883 'Sport' with just 3000 miles on the odometer at a very attractive price. The bike is essentially like new was a trade-up to a bigger model. The Harley Sportster line is very attractive to get back into motorcycling for me. I don't want a bike with a lot of 'bells and whistles' just a plain solid bike to toot around town and the country roads where I live. I have to ask though..is is really smart to be splitting lanes on a motorcycle? I was always taught not to do that.
I live in Thailand and the price of a Harley Davidson Iron 883 costs 20,1085 $ in 2018. Now in 2019, it costs 15.77 $. Now I can afford to buy a Harley Davidson Iron 883. It's good that thai people can also get workplaces
I think i can afford the Iron 883 it's beautiful!!! Probably get a old honda bike to start, living in Vegas is crazy, drivers. I will use bike for sole transportation, starting off in the grided streets with stop lights every half mile. At 45 im midlifing, and wont do huge trips, Iron might be perfect for 6foot 230 pound guy?
man you make me deessy when you enter between 2 cars. I bought this iron last summer in 2007 , and I love it . the only think I don't like , the mirrors. only one inch of mirror view you have , the most you see is your shoulders. Im going to replace by longer stems.
Bob Job I had one. I can’t say enough about how good and enjoyable it was. It is one of the best bikes I have owned. I only got rid of it because my wife started riding a lot with me and we needed something physically bigger. Go buy it, enjoy it, and put lots of miles on it.
Stop calling it an entry level bike or new rider. I had a woman customer that used to ride a 160 Honda cross country on Route 66, 4 to 6 times a year from Florida to Berkeley Ca. all by herself. Lots of bikers in the 50's and 60's including myself ride throughout the country on 650cc and smaller crossing many different states, I did mostly all the western states. I today own a 68 hardtail iron head And I still cruise it from Redding Ca. to San Francisco with a 3 gallon tank. Only have to stop once in Williams to top off. Also own a 650cc Ural with side car if I take my woman to San Francisco she likes ridding in that. And a couple times a year I drive either machine from Redding to Los Angeles in one day 10 plus hours on I-5 or Old H-99. And if I have time Highway 1-101...
