Well SmokeStack
Did you notice how quiet the motor was ? The sportsters have Hydraulic lifters and pushrods to lift the valves up . No more adjusting or noisy valves
There are a couple of other things that matter .
The Pre-2004 sportsters are not rubber mounted motors and you don't want on of them. You really don't .
The standard Sportsters are to high off the ground and are "Top Heavy" feeling, the "Low" or lower shocks on the reg. model is what your after.
The basic sportster 883 has a well balanced motor and in 07 had a HP increase (fuel-injected) over the older model . Weight/HP ratio very similar to a hoped-up S-40.
The 1200 model is exactly a 883 with bigger piston (same stroke) , taller primary gear and is no longer a well balanced engine (I've had both). The 1200 is quicker than a S-40 ever can be. I'm talking 50+ in first , 75+ in second , and geared to top out about 145-150 ish. It will go through 1st and 2nd just as fast as a standard geared savage/S-40 will but be going a lot faster when it does (High test gas required).
So to recap:
Lower the center of gravity enough to loose the "top heavy" feel
Get the Fuel-injected (07 or newer/50mpg) for the HP increase or go with the 04-06 model for best fuel millage .
Stay with the 883 for smooth or if your "power hungry" get ya a 1200 model
and "Hang-On"
I keep my S-40 , and plan on Keeping it ---but the Sportster does the Interstate trips very well (883 with the 1200 primary gearing) best of both Sportster wrapped up in one package (smooth and long legged).
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