To me the Nghster was very torquey, but not the kind of torque that comes out of nowhere/gets you in trouble. Very smooth linear power delivery. I didn't ride an 883 so I can't comment, but my main gripe with the ergos on the Nightster was that the air cleaner sticks way out and basically is where where your right calf should be. Just intensifies the (IMO) slightly cramped ergos.

I can honestly say that after riding a Softail, I decided I would never own a Sportster. The saying goes something like "Sportsters you sit on, Softails you sit in". Perfect way to describe it.