Front brake master cylinder required rebuilding at 2500 miles, and was recalled by the factory.
Diaphragm in carburetor became torn and required replacing at 4200 miles.
I bought an 883R brand new in 2005.
This is my first Harley after several Japanese bikes. It's no crotch rocket that's for sure, but that's not why I bought it.
It's as if it comes with a built in people magnet. At stop signs and convenience stores, people stop to comment all the time. That in itself makes this a fun bike to ride.
New from the factory, the exhaust is way too quiet. In fact embarrassingly so. And it had the notorious "carb farts". That is, when accelerating from a stop, the carb would backfire for a moment. Beyond annoying, this was dangerous if you were pulling out in traffic and the bike would hesitate until the carb cleared.
I purchased Harley slip ons, a Kuryakyn Hyper Charger air cleaner and jets. I installed them myself and was very pleased with the result. No more carb farts, increased power and a more "Harley" sounding Harley. Not loud during normal operation, but when I get on it, it screams.
Gas mileage was about 45 MPG from the factory, and dropped to about 42 MPG with the changes.
The air cleaner does weep a little oil from the crankcase ventilation, but it's more of an annoyance then a problem.
With the rubber mounted engine, vibration is almost unnoticeable until you get above 75 MPH or so.
I have a hard time keeping myself from smiling every time I ride it, almost to the point of looking like an idiot riding it.
I have heard stories that beer gutted, grizzled Harley riders would give me a hard time about riding a "girls" bike. It hasn't happen. In fact one day while at a stop light. I hear someone yelling "hey". I look over and it's a hard core looking guy on an old Harley. He wanted to know what the "R" in 883R stood for. (It stands for Roadster). I took that as a compliment that he was interested enough in my bike to even ask.
Probably about the only complaint that I have with it, is that it is cold blooded when it's first started up in the cold weather (I ride all winter long as long as there is snow or ice on the streets).
I have an update on mileage this weekend. With my girlfriend on the back, I got 55 MPG on the highway!
R stands for Racing.
Sorry chief. The 883R was inspired by the XR flat track racers, but R stands for Roadster. Look it up.
Hey there...
I have a 2006 883r.
I agree with everything you said here... down to the detail of the carb fart. I had a crank position sensor replaced and it helped a lot, though it still happens time to time... again... usually in first gear off a light or intersection.
Cold blooded... yup... exactly.
Girl bike.. I laugh because I bought mine from a female rider, and when the people in my office found that out... they never let up. (also... FYI... none of them ride.)
And yes. the R stands for Roadster... 2007 (I think) is the last year they made that model in 883 size to boot...
And as a last bit of info... I have been looking at new machines (just looking... not buying) but they all seem so low to the ground... I checked it out and a salesman said that the R in the older "dirt track" looking bikes make them much easier to lay on to turn a corner, because it has more clearance.
Anyway... take care...
Wondering if anyone could tell me why my 94 Sportster 883 is backfiring and hesitating?
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