Kenn – Since you usually see cruisers tested by cruiser guys and sportbikes tested by sportbike guys we decided to do something different. We decided to have a sportbike guy, Bryan (aka: Mirage), test a cruiser….not just any cruiser though as he’s ridden a couple Victory’s and a V-Rod before. No, we wanted to see how a rider who’s been riding for a while on a 180 HP liter class sportbike would do testing a bike that was not only a cruiser but an entry-level cruiser at that.

To really mix it up I stepped in to play the devil’s advocate. Having both ridden and sold Harley’s for a few years I have an understanding of the bikes and the mentality behind them that many others lack. So I decided to put my $.02 in and do our best “tag-team movie critic” impersonation.

Bryan: First, some history. The 883’s roots can be traced back to 1957 when HD introduced the Sportster. Harley Davidson has evolved the Sportster lineup with many improvements over its lifetime; fuel injection, better brakes, rubber mounted motors (starting in 2004), belt final drive, etc. all in the interest of keeping the Sportster family current while still referencing its long history.

The Iron 883 fits in line with HD’s Dark Custom family since you won’t find HD’s customary chrome anywhere but the straight-cut shorty exhaust with dual mufflers. The rest of the Iron 883 is blacked out – the handlebars, hand controls, foot pegs, headlamp body/visor, front fork gaiters, rear fender supports and side-mounted license plate bracket. Combine that with the black denim color option (as opposed to brilliant silver) and you’ll have yourself one stealthy machine.

The minimalist theme is carried over to the dash where only the necessities are included and displayed: Handlebar-mounted electronic speedometer with odometer, time-of-day clock on odometer, dual tripmeters, low fuel warning light, low oil pressure light, engine diagnostics readout and LED indicator lights. The self cancelling turn signals which the 883 has should be a feature every motorcycle leaves the factory with. While I understand that the designers were trying to keep the dash to the bare essentials I would’ve liked a dual set of gauges so that a tachometer could’ve been added.

Kenn: I’d like to add one thing about the tachometer or the lack thereof. In all my time selling Harley’s I can’t recall one person who was buying a model that didn’t have a tachometer, which a large number of Harley’s don’t have, lamenting the fact that there wasn’t one. Would I like a tach? Sure, but the truth is that most people shopping for a bike in this category don’t care about having a tach. Now this of course could be a “which came first” scenario but that’s an argument for another time.

Bryan: OK fine but I’d still like a tachometer. Moving on. The black, drag-style handlebars and black finish hand controls contribute to the low-profile look as well as the chopped rear fender. This look isn’t just because of the black paint and powder coating but more importantly due to the 883’s low front and rear suspension. The 883 has a seating position of just 25.3 in. from the ground which should provide the smallest of riders the ability to flat foot at a stop. With just 3.9 in. of ground clearance the 883 looks low, mean and hardcore. I myself being a 6 plus footer felt cramped and with the mid mounted foot pegs found my knees level with my hips so after riding for a few hours, a leg stretch was long overdue.

Another contributing factor to my fatigue was that the footpegs aren’t long enough to accommodate riders who wear large shoe sizes. I wear a size 14 and with the short pegs I had to bring my left foot out an inch or so and then lift it over and under the shifter. I had the same issue with my right foot concerning the rear brake lever so if you have big feet you’ve been warned.

Kenn: OK I can’t argue too much with anything Bryan said as the Iron 883, like the rest of the Sportster line-up, isn’t built for giants. They are built to be an entry level Harley for those of normal to smaller stature and appendage size and length. I’m an even 6ft tall and I fit on an 883 just fine…..alright I’m lying; they’re a tight fit for me too. But if you’re, say, 5-5 to 5-9/10 you should be fine.

Truth be told I’m surprised that Bryan, with his freakishly large size (I’m just kidding here), can fit on his R1. I’m shorter than he is and I feel like I’m being folded in half on any sportbike.

Bryan: I’ll grant you that the seating position on “The One” is not for everyone but for me the rider triangle fits my height perfectly and I've rode hundreds of miles without a backache. Alas, as I grow older and begin to shrink I to may have to find a new steed to ride. Damn old age! But I digress…

Since the Iron 883 is so low to the ground it’s very easy to bottom out the suspension as well as touch the feelers of the foot pegs to the asphalt while going around a corner. Unfortunately with only the ability to adjust the rear preload this is an occurrence that is more than likely to occur than not. (Kenn: Yeah if you weigh more than the bike does) (Ignoring Kenn) Obviously there’s a balance between HD offering a fully adjustable suspension package at a price that won’t shock us as riders as well as staying competitive alongside their competition but sadly, this balance is unequal in this case.

Kenn: I’m not sure that it is a cost issue at all, really. Once again it goes back to building a motorcycle for your customers and meeting their needs. Most Sportster buyers (cruiser buyers in general, actually) don’t want or care about fully adjustable suspension. They want a bike that looks a certain way and that’s about it. In this case the look is “low”. As an example I give you the Sportster 1200 Sport. Hotter cams, different heads with dual plugs, dual front disc brakes, tachometer, a fully adjustable suspension, and, outside of a few riders that wanted a Harley and cared more for performance than image, a sales flop. I’m not saying that the Iron 883 couldn’t use help in the suspension department, I’m just saying that a fully adjustable suspension probably isn’t the answer.

Bryan: I’ll concede to the fact that perhaps a fully adjustable suspension package for the 883 might be overkill but the base setup could be better.

The Iron 883 comes standard with a solo seat so if you’re looking to take your significant other for a ride that’s just not going to happen without some modifications being performed, either to you, your significant other, or the bike. Two-up rides are best left for HD’s Electra Glide, Fat Boy/Bob or any of their other large models.