Harley-Davidson Sportster 883
Harley-Davidson Sportster 883
THERE WAS A TIME, THANKS TO Hollywood, when anyone riding a Harley was considered an outlaw. Thankfully, times have changed. Harley-Davidson riders are no longer bad guys. During our time with this test 883 Sportster, people at traffic signals—and even an elderly woman in a shopping-center parking lot—commented on “that nice Harley” and asked about its price and how it compared to Japanese motorcycles.
Motorcycle enthusiasts showed a similar interest, and many were quick to say that they were going to buy a Harley, someday, when they got enough money. Often, these riders were astride Japanese motorcycles that cost more than the Sportster 883.
Despite magazine tests and a fairly extensive advertising program, most people think that a Harley, any Harley, costs at least $10,000. But Harley’s baseline Sportster retails for $4250, putting it in the middle ground, price-wise, of our 10 standards.
SPECIFICATIONS
Harley-Davidson Sportster 883
$4250
Besides price, the Sportster has its looks going for it. As it has done since its inception in l 957, the Sporty displays the classic Harley image of a simple motorcycle with a large, welldetailed V-Twin engine dominating the proceedings. To many people, the Sportster is just what a^motorcycle should look like.
But there are detractions. On the road, even at normal highway speeds, the Harley’s booming, shaking, solidly mounted engine sends its power impulses into the rider’s body and soul. Its rear view mirrors keep time with the engine’s power cycles, turning reflected images into a blur. The bike’s fork does a fair job of smoothing out rough roads, but the rear suspension isn’t much better than a hardtail-bumps are transmitted directly to the rider’s spine. Furthermore, the seat’s padding (our test bike was fitted with an optional dual seat) is thin and quickly packs into a useless butt punisher. Fuel range, topped-up to bone-dry, is less than 100 miles, and the bike’s forwardmounted footpegs didn’t make too many friends among our test riders.
A touring mount the 883 isn’t. But it is a great in-town bike for checking out the local hot spots, or for errandrunning and short commutes to work. The 883 is easily recognized as a Harley, and it feels like a Harley. That, plus its relatively affordable price, makes it all the motorcycle some people will ever want.
