Early Evolution Harley-Davidson Sportster

EARLY EVOLUTION HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER

SERVICE

BEST USED BIKES

YEARS SOLD: 1986—2003

MSRP NEW: $3995 (’86 XLH) to $9595 (’03 1200C)

BLUE BOOK RETAIL VALUE: $2975 (’86) to $3940 (’03)

BASIC SPECS: Begin with the best of both worlds. The ridged-mount Evo Sportster was lighter, faster, and more reliable than the very first XLs,

the iron-top version. On the other side of this era, the rubber-mount XLs are less nimble, more expensive, and no faster than the first alloy-top versions. That said, we begin with the very basic. That first Evo model was the XLX, a loss-leading stripper: solo seat, black only, 883cc, one front disc, no tach, etc. It was offered for $3,995, and, as you’d guess and the factory hoped, they sold all they could make. Then in normal Harley fashion, following that was an 1,100cc option with paint schemes, dual seat, and so forth then a 1,200cc option. In 1988 The Motor Company improved the front suspension. The early ’90s brought belt drive along with a five-speed gearbox in place of the former four-speed unit. In ’96 came a Sport option with more ride height for greater lean angle, increased suspension travel, and a larger fuel tank. The 1200 Custom with disc rear wheel and spoke 21-inch front wheel was another new addition.

WHY IT’S DESIRABLE: First, because these early bikes sold by the thousands and as many of the buyers moved up to bigger Harleys, there are literally thousands of used XLs near wherever

you are. Next, you can find every part or extra you need or want. Most dealers have or can get all parts, and, failing that, there’s a huge aftermarket. As a clincher, these are basic aircooled motorcycles with gravity feed from tank to screwdriver-friendly carburetor. Fewer parts means fewer things to go wrong, and if there is a breakdown, you can likely fix it at curbside with hand tools.

THE COMPETITION: No offense intended, but recall the words of President and General U.S. Grant. He could recognize two tunes, he said.

One of them was “Yankee Doodle” and the other wasn’t. With that in mind, for the enthusiast in search of a Big Twin with traditional looks and specs that is as reliable and fast as a new bike, the only competition has to be the revived Triumph Bonneville. It’s a shade newer and more expensive but also based on now-vintage machinery replaced by newer and bigger versions. Even so, odds are that anyone whose search begins with looking for a sound used Sportster likely knows there are two brands of motorcycle: One’s a Harley and the other isn’t.