I am thinking about buying an XL 883C as a second bike. I currently have a 2005 FLHTI, and want another bike for local riding. I used to own (and love) an XL 1200C, and know that it was powerful enough for riding with a passenger, but am not sure about the smaller engine. I am interested in the smaller engine because I want to save a couple of thousand dollars on the purchase, if I can. Any input from XL 883 riders would be appreciated. Thanks.
My Fiance and I ride two-up all the time. We went to Austin for ROT Rally last year and this Sunday we went from Ft. Worth as far as Temple, TX (past 1/2 way to Austin)up to Dallas and back into Ft. Worth, at least 320 miles. That wasn't all freeway either, 51 S. is a nice windy road between Tolar and Glen Rose. I tell you what thaough, she wouldn't do it without the Harley pillow style touring seat. Also it can be a little bit of work keepin' it up while we're goin' slow, parking lots and what not. As far as the power goes my bike's Stage 1, meaning a jetted carb and upgraded exhaust, makes all the difference. I've never riden anything else so I can't say if it's any more difficult to ride two-up on the sporty but I suspect that once we get a big bike it'll be easier to go long distances.
I had a 2001 XL883C and put 15,000 miles on it. About half of that was two up. Combined weight of both being just about 300 pounds. I upgraded the mufflers, air cleaner, and jetted the carb. I have to say it pulled my wife and I just fine, even in the Black Hills. You are going to have to get used to the different shift points to keep your revs up on hills and such but otherwise it was great. Longer rides were a little rough requiring more breaks to stretch but the bike pulled nice. I actually miss riding it.
Here's food for thought! I've got an ole 59 ironhead rated 900 cc's. I live in new england and have been to laconia more times than I can count! With my wife and without,I've had this bike for over 30 yrs, traveled the white mountains nooo problem, So in answer to your question the 883 or the ole 900 or whatever harley wants to call em these days, will do the job in my humble opinion, no problem.
My 883 has been pulling my wife and I around for years with no problem. Am I going to pull a hole-shot with us both loaded on? No. But it's more than capable of getting us where we want to go with no whining and in good time.
There's a reason the Sportster's been around for a half century. Riding tandem on an 883 may not be the fastest or most plush way to get from A to B, but there's enough Sportster aficionados who've been doing it now for five decades.
You know, all these guys are correct but by the same token you can build a house with a tack hammer, you can plow a field with a pony, you can barbecue with lotsa lotsa lotsa matches, you can sleep three in a single bed(3 stooges did it all the time), you can write a book with a feather pen, you can even eat peas with a knife if you're determined to do so..!!
Yup, Frisco is right. You can also swat flies with a ball bat, dig splinters out of your finger with a bowie knife, knock a square peg in a round hole with a big sledgehammer and on and on. Its all personal preference. Myself, I like a smaller bike for around town and a big bike for the road. Everything has a specific value and use which it excells at. It all boils down to whatcha want and how you're gonna use it. You guys have a great one and ride safe Clif
XL 883- Enough engine for two-up riding? 
Clif
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