A friend of mine rented an 883 for a day to go riding with me on my XR1200 and another friend on his Guzzi 750, and I had a chance to ride it. It doesn't accelerate (or vibrate) as hard as the 1200, but it handles very similarly. The speed limit on the highways here is 130 km/hr, so naturally everybody drives at 150. The 883 is smooth and stable at that speed. The 883 and the Guzzi 750 are comparable in performance; the 883 is heavier so it's a bit more solid-feeling at highway speeds.

If you do get it, whatever you do DO NOT LOWER IT. A friend has a lowered one that I refuse to ride because every time I do it tries to throw me off by dragging hard parts at very very modest lean angles.

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Have owned - 2001 Suzuki Volusia
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha