Harley Xl 883r Sportster
HARLEY XL 883R SPORTSTER
Quick Ride
All show and no go?
ADDING AN “R” SUFFIX TO H ; the name of an existing streetbike usually means the manufacturer has incorporated some type of racing-related innovation, such as a special engine kit, exotic chassis components or, when all else fails, a limited-edition paint scheme.
Apparently, all else failed with Harley-Davidson’s new-for-’02 XL 883R. At first glance, the latest addition to the seven-bike Sportster line appears ready for the main at Springfield. But closer inspection reveals it’s really little more than a tarted-up base-model Sporty.
Beyond the obvious dirt-trackstyle handlebar, orange paint, XR750-inspired gas-tank graphics, cast wheels and chrome 2into-1 exhaust, R-spec features are relatively subtle. These include a blacked-out engine, dual front disc brakes, sport seat, and satin-black air cleaner, oil tank and ignition-switch cover.
Don’t look for any magic motor mods, either. The 883’s carbureted, air-cooled, pushrod, 45-degree V-Twin produces only 43 horsepower at the rear wheel-on par with the Custom, Hugger and standard XLH. Still, it’s enough to dust most fourwheeled traffic and post a top speed of 100 mph.
Spend much time above 65 mph, however, and your forearms will look like Popeye’s. Without the benefit of even a modest windbreak, you’re always at war with the elements At least the dished seat provides some low-back support-if not relief from the jolts transmitted through the stiffly sprung, lightly damped dual shocks. The Marquis de Sade effect persists under braking. When our just-out-of-the-box testbike arrived, fully half of the front brake’s lever travel had no discernible effect. As a result, anything less than a four-finger pull painfully trapped all of the remaining digits. A bit perplexing, considering that all other current twin-disc Harleys use an identical set-up, and we’ve never experienced problems with any of those. A lever swap and careful bleeding of the system helped, but didn’t eliminate the problem. The four-piston, single-disc rear performs perfectly.
Those concerns aside, the anvil-simple 883R has a lot going for it. For one, it’s solid and stable, has a flat torque curve and is a fun commuter. It also boasts sufficient cornering clearance and punch to make short work-relatively speakingof zig-zag backroads. And, like all Harleys, it has immense potential. In fact, fitting 1200 cylinders and pistons, an XR750-style tailsection and a high-mount 2-into-2 exhaust, plus the adjustable cartridge fork and shocks from the Sportster Sport would require little more than a weekend’s work. Better yet, the total outlay would be far less than that of the least costly Big Twin. Now, that would be a real 883R...
Matthew Miles
