Suzuki M50 vs Harley 883 Iron

**Crasherfromwayback** · 24th May 2012, 09:47

Originally Posted by GrayWolf

Just make sure they are BOTH ridden by Race riders, or by 'joe public' rider... Fair??

I think the OP was busy saying he'd take on any 883 at Manfield. I happily accept.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 24th May 2012, 09:55

Originally Posted by GrayWolf

And there's the 'rub'.... buying the bike and then spending another 2k to get it where it should be from the start. I've ridden big block and sporty's. I'lll still admit the only one I can honestly say I'd own would be the XR1200... that's the 'gem' in the HD range. I just dont like the V rods look. but then I am not fussed on the M109 either.

You kind of have to do that with any bike though. Or at least I do.

**HenryDorsetCase** · 24th May 2012, 09:58

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

I think the OP was busy saying he'd take on any 883 at Manfield. I happily accept.

you used to race an 883, right? what happened to that? What was done to the motor? How did you lighten it? How did you upgrade the suspenders, give it ground clearance and brakes? Presumably jacking the back up with +150mm longer shocks would do that a bit? Did you dyno it? What did it end up with HP and torque wise? Was it a belt drive one or converted to chain?

Enquiring minds....

**Crasherfromwayback** · 24th May 2012, 10:19

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

you used to race an 883, right? what happened to that? What was done to the motor? How did you lighten it? How did you upgrade the suspenders, give it ground clearance and brakes? Presumably jacking the back up with +150mm longer shocks would do that a bit? Did you dyno it? What did it end up with HP and torque wise? Was it a belt drive one or converted to chain?

Enquiring minds....

My old race bike is still floating round. I saw it came up on TM a while ago once more. We weren'y allowed to do a lot to them. I used piggy back Ohlins shocks, around 4" longer than stock. The bike came to me with clip ons, I went back to bigger bars for more leverage. It had Stortz rearsets. The only lightening you were allowed to do was removing the road gear and what you saved with the exhaust etc. Motor was on last oversize (883, not 1200). high flow aircleaner, ign with ab higer rev limit. Chain was used for the fact that you had a greater choice of sprockets, as gearing was really important. Brakes were std. Slowest thing I've ever road raced, but the most fun by far.

**Flip** · 24th May 2012, 12:34

If you buy a 883 or M50 and are worried about the performance, man you have brought the wrong bike.

Both these bikes are cruiser "lifestyle" bikes. Sure you get more bike for your money with the Suzuki, but you dont get the custom choices. The HD will last a lot longer and is a much higher quality product.

I would be hard to make any meaningful comparison between these two bikes. They are so much the same but in other aspects they are so different eg push rod vs ohc. Harley keep making the old push rod twins because the market has dictated that they do so. Keep in mind you are comparing a mid-market level Suzuki with the entry level HD, I wonder how the Suzuki M50 would go against a Vrod? I bet the Vrod would clean its chronometer.

**munster** · 24th May 2012, 12:44

Originally Posted by Flip

Sure you get more bike for your money with the Suzuki, but you dont get the custom choices

Even as a proud M50 owner / rider, I'm not entering this better / worse argument, other than to say that there's plenty of aftermarket customising options for the M50. I've done forward controls, risers, seat and hope to do the exhaust as soon as finances allow.

**Crasherfromwayback** · 24th May 2012, 12:46

Originally Posted by munster

Even as a proud M50 owner / rider, I'm not entering this better / worse argument, other than to say that there's plenty of aftermarket customising options for the M50. I've done forward controls, risers, seat and hope to do the exhaust as soon as finances allow.

Yeah the aftermarket is full of good bits for M50's. Just harder to get here at a decent cost. And gen Suzuki bits are silly dear here.

**actungbaby** · 24th May 2012, 13:29

Originally Posted by 888

You are absolutely bang on with your comment; Harley does not try and compare with other brands. They sell the image, not the performance- and that is an excellent marketing ploy. I was wrong in my initial assumptions that the 883 would impress me and it very well might of done so, if I had not ridden "other" motorcycle brands (that focus on performance at an affordable cost). While the Suzuki M90 looks awesome and I'd love to have one, Triumph have some amazing cruisers that I would seriously consider as well...but lets get back to my original purpose in posting the thread: the 883 iron is a wildly overpriced and under performing cruiser. Don't forget the Royal Enfield if you want true class at a low cost......

well thats cool thing its something diffrent like duke is diffrent to ktm gee like one those 690 ktms oh mummy

Though the other day did stand next to harley owner and his machine ,man was it lound and got distinkive exhust chuff chuff have to say was impressed with the bike ,i always owned hondas but haventl tryed a harley
I always oh there yuk but you know seeing one in metal and hearing it , i have to say if you liked it ,you whould
Fall in love with one over time , one thing you choudint say that lacked charcter. or was boring

I always liked the 883 sporters a buell probley be what i go for if won lotto

But for me dream bikes whould be

1. trumph 675

2 suzuki gsx 1000 r

3. cbr 1000 r

4. truimph 900cc tripple

5.ktm 590

6. early moto mori 500cc vtwin 80s they looked nice read great things about them

I see they have new bike on market to so many good bikes to chosse from

oh trow in honda firestorm , or sv 650 suzuki nice..

7 kawaski 1400 oh lord thats scary bike lastest model

**Flip** · 24th May 2012, 14:43

Originally Posted by munster

Even as a proud M50 owner / rider, I'm not entering this better / worse argument, other than to say that there's plenty of aftermarket customising options for the M50. I've done forward controls, risers, seat and hope to do the exhaust as soon as finances allow.

The custom parts you can get for HD simply defies belief. Just the factory custom parts book in the size of a phone book and they are just one supplier, the custom chrome one is even bigger.

**Maha** · 24th May 2012, 15:20

Without the 883, Pinkhoggirl would just be..........Girl

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/me...80-pinkhoggirl

**The Lone Rider** · 24th May 2012, 18:04

Originally Posted by HenryDorsetCase

Only in a lame blue colour in NZ

Heard a rumor and joke that this was because Honda NZ got a sweet deal buying up all the blue ones that no one else wanted to order. Wouldn't mind trying one though!

All the other stuff

...can't be bothered.

**98tls** · 24th May 2012, 19:38

Originally Posted by Flip

The custom parts you can get for HD simply defies belief. Just the factory custom parts book in the size of a phone book and they are just one supplier, the custom chrome one is even bigger.

Chrome?whats this chrome thing you speak of?Looked ok on the bar-end mirror of an 850 Commando but thats about it.

**GrayWolf** · 24th May 2012, 20:46

Originally Posted by Crasherfromwayback

I think the OP was busy saying he'd take on any 883 at Manfield. I happily accept.

Hardly a realistic test then is it? But maybe that would suit you. He isnt a race rider, you are/were on an 883... We both know substantial amounts of time can be gained over faster bikes by a rider with race experience on a track.. so no, if its is to be a valid performance 'test' both need to be ridden under the same conditions...