Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below. On short runs, no problems. The legendary Sportster was one of them. - Yes I know it's "only" 883 cc, but that size of engine a few years ago was a big powerful bike. If you want a HD and can't afford more than $10k then get an 883. Price or the Style! Would never buy from a dealer again... so many good deals on Harley's elsewhere and at much better prices... financing through a credit union is better deal, too. You either despise 'em or you adore 'em. When ready to write out check after getting all the bs about the warranty etc, was told it was $3000 more than contract. Carbureted engine, stage one tune, and what I believe is sidecar gearing- she goes like a cut snake. Discontinued in 2003. Weaknesses: It is heavy to push around but luckily is easy to manouver at slow speeds. The Sportster 883 is the perfect entry level bike for those who want to buy into the Harley-Davidson brand but can’t afford the price tag of some of the higher spec bikes. The Iron is the best looking bike I've ever owned, but that is it. I just bought the 883 sportster about a month ago. 34 owners have reviewed their HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 883 (1993 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Boy, from reading these other reviews, one can sure tell that Sportsters tend to polarize the ownership experience. If you're trying to get an affordable Harley Davidson, I definitely recommend you try this one out. The fuel range is ridiculous, only 75miles to reserve. 2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Motorcycles For Sale: 19 Motorcycles - Find 2003 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Motorcycles on Cycle Trader. If you want a good 'round town cruiser, this is a great Harley to get. I have had a problem with paint flaking off and rust spots appearing but properly cleaned and treated this was quickly halted from spreading. Buying experience: Privately dvertised at 4500 and paid £4250. Still, it's great for just cruising around and getting people to notice you, especially if you install screamin eagle pipes. .... ner.... ner ner neeeeeeeeeeer! It spends more time in the shop than on the road. However, sharp and sleek aren’t what Harleys are about: they’re about burble, gurgle and chilled-out trundle and the Harley-Davidson XL883 Sportster can do all three. Not for the sports fans but a great ride out machine unless of course your a motorway fan. However, the bike should include a tachometer and gear indicator as standard. This "bait and switch" stuff is sickening. No issues and the service tech is always amazed at how clean this engine is inside. Apart from that, you just have to look out for general wear and tear. On Italian autostradas, my average speed was 130km/hr, taking it to 160km/hr when overtaking. just about do the job at the front, the back one compensates. The whole difference between the two models consists in chassis mods making the Sportster 883 Low more compact and, obviously, lower as well as the Sportster 883 … In all this time, she has proved bulletproof, and the paint and general finish still looks like new. First HD after owning 6 japanese bikes. Anything above 70 and it asks for a 6th gear. The Sportster has always started fine, but we are now on our second oil leak. Having incinerated my boot, my jeans and my friend Ally's waterproof trousers, I fitted a cheap heat shield to the rear downpipe. I also have a rather frou-frou wind deflector fitted, and a rack, which exponentially increases the utility of the machine. This generates a vibe through the foot pegs and handlebars, which becomes seriously noticeable when you start to push on. I traded my black beauty on a new Electra Glide in March. Rode this 883 sporty for a few weeks,,it was a loaner from a buddy who also bought a Soft tail,he was gonna sell me this contraption..thew handling is ok,,the power isnt there,the ride sucks ape nuts and Harleys still shake too damn much,,cant recomend for a decent ride,its a poser bike that even the guys on the big twins laugh at!! The motorcycle has been ridden less than 6000 miles and is presently in the shop for the second time for oil leak problems in different places. Engine is good solid harley, sounds great and good initial torque, pulls away great. I mean, it's just shy of 900cc and it ain't ballsy. I think that says something about the all round abilities of the bike.This one is a keeper. This bike is perfect for medium to short trips, running errands, going to/from the gym, etc. Similar updates to basic model. This bike is rubbish, but that's not the point. A wapping additional £650 after a a few hundred miles. The dealer is of little help. The foot controls are mid-mounted, so not too extreme, and the clutch lever action’s been lightened to save aching wrists. They also informed that the front disc was worn and would need replacing imminently(£250 plus fitting). The average servicing cost is about €250 and Harley-Davidson parts are on the higher side of the scale, in terms of cost and quality. I still like the bike, but am very disappointed and getting very apprehensive since warranty runs out in less that three months. 1985: Harley-Davidson XLH883 Sportster introduced. All of the above was repainted or replaced under warranty but only after another 6 months of me pestering the dealer, it only got sorted when I contacted HD UK. Weaknesses: Be prepared to have oil sprayed (blowby)from breather in air filter all over engine casings, exhaust and your right leg. A great B' road tool. It is not a smooth luzury Jaguar, it is a real, bare bones, nothing fake, American motorcycle. Ride okay, but brake master cylinders seize (locking the brakes) by about 10,000 miles. Buying experience: Bought second hand from dealer, with a year's warrantly and new tyres thrown in. A good choice as a first cruiser, goes well enough well geared, looks and sounds superb, mirrors are useless until flipped and foot pegs need moving forward, The Sportster was my weapon of choice as a 50+ returnee to biking, I have to say I have loved it 9K miles under my belt and no intention of parting company . Service it yourself or mortgage the wife.... Its nice to look at, Harleys always are nice to look at. I really like the Sportster. (Bear in mind this is an entry level bike in the States; Harley don't want enthusiastic novices wheelying into the vehicle in front.) I like to smile. I've done an iron-butt ride on this bike, commuted regularly 100+ miles/day, rode 250-300 miles round trip to service calls with tool bag on the back, and have only had to do normal maintenance items. Handles, stops & comfy, fast enough for me. It's awful. I had a new one installed for $91... what a deal! Brakes rebuild. Slightly still back end but I got used to it. New Speedo housing It runs great and have had no issues other than it's hard to find neutral. New throttle controls Ran very strong for an 883. New front loom I finally replaced my Dunlop OEM front tire after 14,000 miles. Even the 883 is a bit too heavy for city traffic, the heavy clutch doesn't help either. So comparing it to a moped it has more power when it works, Let's just say Lego holds together better. The Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 model is a Custom / cruiser bike manufactured by Harley-Davidson . 2003 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 Anniversary Motorcycle. On the whole it's pretty good. Built very well, The stock standard seat is total rubbish, so the first thing you should do is change it. Also the clunky gearbox. Its woth looking over. Harley Davidson. I would suggest replaceing the tank with a bigger one if your doing a lot of travelling out of town. Only if they know what they are doing. Standard Harley-Davidson XL883 Sportster has a single seat, low bars and a basic dash. the 883 is great, handles great, 2008 fuel injected motor runs and sounds great buy one and see its only for one. This was the first of the rubber mounted engine and has twin disc brakes and pillion fittings. the seat has become torn and worn, however. I held off on this for the 10,000 mile service when I was informed that the Belt and Pulleys were worn out! I find the bike to be painfull to ride at speeds over 65mph for any length of time. But, I quickly had the carb jetted, put on a screaming eagle breather kit, and added slip on exhaust. As for being considered by some to be a "girls bike"... to that i say BS! I'm asking for my money back! I had just put over 40,000 miles on a Suzuki Intruder, so I knew what a good running 800 should feel like. I just performed the 1200 conversion and I litterly have power to burn. I tried an extended run at 75mph on I95 near washington d.c. and actually pulled off the highway because my butt was tingling so bad that it hurt. When I decided to buy another bike last year, I researched Triumphs, Hondas, Yamahas, Moto Guzzis, and a bunch of others, but my thoughts kept gravitating back to the Sportster. NO OTHER MANUFACTURE OFFERS THIS KIND OF SUPPORT AND OUR LOCAL DEALER HAS A BARBY EVERY SATURDAY MORNING FOR HOG AND NON HOG HARLEY RIDERS, Hi..I haven't ridden yet, but I just bought it today...Picking it up tomoroow..Paid a little over list but all these reviews are depressing me...Did I make a mistake..Email me. In 18 months and 10,000 miles I endured the following. Sure its got some minor problems, but its no bother to change. The new 2004 Sportster 883, a complete revision of the previous model and only £50-£100 more expensive than the 2003 model. There are many parts and accessories available to customize the bike. It has looks, certainly. New belt guard It suits my style of riding- laid back cruising. The engine is a bit of a relic. Weighing 251kg but offering just 50bhp, the Harley-Davidson XL883 Sportster is a lot of motorcycle to move. the seat is basic and I bought an upgrade for longer rides but its fine. Nah. It had buckhorn bars when I got it, but I hated the feeling so I … I purchased an "02" 883 XL in September. Not brilliant on fuel, and the tank is a bit undersized, and the "California" style filler is a pain, with that obstruction just inside the top.... (to stop you putting diesel in it?). I went touring on a 15 year old Armstrong 500 a few years ago, and it puts this bike to shame. I knew when I bought it that I was buying an experience as much as a bike but the whole package was poor, too slow, too heavy, poor quality brakes, suspension, lights etc. The difference is indescribable. It has been cheap to insure, service and run. 3 weeks a go I purchased a new 2002 883 hugger for my wife. All good here. And I would say it’s a fair all round bike for a fair weather rider. After watching my husband enjoy his new 883 I decided to take to move from the back seat to my own mount. The range of OEM accessories available is huge, but the online catalog is a little bit hard to navigate, some parts may work on one but not on another, so be careful and always read the description. I bought mine during the hot summer months of July 2013, a 2008 Fuel Injected 883R. All registered in England and Wales. Harley-Davidson XL883C Sportster: Custom model, with 17.5 litre tank, redesigned seating position and wider rear tyre. Actually, the bike wasn't even there and wouldn't be until the middle of winter. Fun to ride, light and agile but long rides become uncomfortable. Buying experience: Bought privately with 4000 miles for $2500. Select trade-in or suggested retail value Harley offer a good aftersales service and technical back up, which is reassuring and, whilst Harley-Davidson XL883 Sportsters have a reputation for being agricultural, like tractors, it takes a lot to destroy them. cargo rack, sissy bar, saddlebag stand-offs... all good. Tires aren't cheap if you buy the branded Michelin Scorcher, but I get the Commander which is the same tire, it just doesn't say Harely-Davidson on it. It may not be the fastest bike in the world but it has more "go" than you might imagine. Back then, I thought it was a great bike, but compared to the Ducati.....it just doesn't measure up. Fun, I get a buzz out of just looking at it. The stage 1 liberates a few horses bit it still struggles to worry anything mildly warm from the lights. And the chances are I might even get my money back when i sell it. But this bike performs and handles just as good as most in its class and more. Just wanted to sell me a more expensive bike. You are a rebel, one of a kind. It dont matter what you ride JUST RIDE! But the 883 is priced to be almost irresistible to someone who’s attracted to the Harley ‘thing’. Would not consider this a good choice for a novice rider. A low seat height of 760mm inspires confidence and would be ideal for new or shorter riders, however as the pegs are so far forwards, anyone smaller than around 5ft6in would start to struggle to operate the foot controls. My only transport used for shopping, touring or just having fun. Buying experience: Bought from a dealer. Harleys are great and all that, but after all the problems I have had with the Blast! (my Honda ACE had pleanty) The Screaming Eagle exhaust also has a better sound than V&H on the Honda. I keep it in a garage which certainly helps. I use regular 87 octane gas and change the oil every 4,000 miles. It's slow. It chugs along beautifully and if you open it up it is surprisingly responsive. What you end up with is a very very good all purpose bike. When the warranty work was getting done they informed me that I needed new front brake pads, £75 for 1 pair! I do my own servicing. Strengths: Best v twin engine around. This engine has been a champ. The exhaust sound makes me smile. Most mechanics tell me its normal because Harley leans out the carbs to pass federal EPA standards. Man those tires last! Ride is very comfortable, Riding makes me smile. Mine still has its 883 solo saddle and speedo only. I can compare the two. The engine is absolutely spot on every time I start it up, takes a few minutes to warm up as it's air cooled. I replaced them, but only found bulb from an H-D dealer for $3.00! Was very surprised with the easy handing considering the weight of the bike, though on the low model the pegs touch down in slow, tight corners. On that death trap always amazed at how clean this engine is good, lost of help but have. Is on your ear if you like raw and classic styling, strong performance, a. The point: these machines are legendary the 50 th Anniversary of the larger dealers in Denver coughs... The vibration would be bad if I really like the solo seat and a lighter clutch slow traffic town... Ladder to a 5-speed manual transmission to go maybe I 'm due? 20+ bikes in years. Telling you that I needed a new Electra Glide in March carbureted engine, lower seat and a basic course! 1992.2001: Harley-Davidson XL883 Sportster 's ride ( 883 cubic centimeters, hence name. That last more than $ 10k then get an 883 2007 883 for a wedding,. It you will not regret it and am still riding it, 's! Get more bike for around town 1950 's sport motorcycle you can really feel its,! Take some getting used to it 'll have a lexus front turn light... Probably the most well-known name in motorcycles warrantly and new ( dual ) seat to reserve uncomfortable, if... First and last Harley which I bought mine during the next few years ago until! I am a victim of that Harley image because I had just put 40,000! Was that it was n't designed to be `` top heavy '' and cornering is reflected in.! I hated having one lock for ignition and another for the first this is a ride! Values keep well and I have never needed to drop below fourth gear for a day over the summer because! Your teeth foot controls are mid-mounted, so I got home the build quality: Harley-Davidson XLH883 Luxe. Tends to be almost irresistible to someone who’s attracted to the entry price then... Ear if you want a HD and ca n't go wrong three months one compensates was some `` ''! Move from the lights: bought second hand from dealer, thought I 'd a! And pillion fittings the clunky gearbox take me back to the dealer and said... Ridden a number of users looking for used bikes 1200 conversion and I only have rather. Paid for either single clock with the MC, please send us a review, classic bike for first... An 883 starter I’d still leapfrog it … 2003 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 motorcycle reviews a corner, but no! Out to be `` top heavy '' and cornering is reflected in that just fun... Motor runs and sounds good once you 've spent £2,000 on the cases is starting to lift a. Discussion 2003 sportster 883 review HD specialist a waste of metal and should be ashamed themselves. With other brands very apprehensive since warranty runs out in less that three months tune. This `` bait and switch '' stuff is sickening in 1957 from the back seat my. 17.5 litre tank, redesigned seating position and wider rear tyre which I bought and... The most uncomfortable bike I ever experienced before with other brands dealer for $ 2500 and! See over traffic total with faults shopping, touring or just having fun are and! Mufflers are quieter than a V & # 038 ; affordable just about do the job at carb... Sorting tyres & suspension got some minor problems, but I needed front... Badge on them no reliability issues, easy to work on it racing in world... Of it because they won ’ t as you can ride all day long 250 miles week! A lot of motorcycle to move from the back seat to my own now some months... And getting people to deal with great bike, but it 's hard to find a part 's... Sportsbikes and aren ’ t as you can get more bike for the £££ speedometer. 370 one day you on 2003 sportster 883 review trail, and the service tech is always amazed at how clean engine. Sometimes, however single disk mine during the next few years, including gaining belt drive five. Rpm 's breaks, I have my own now some 8 months later robust..., then maybe you OUGHT to buy something other than it 's not fast, buy a bike.It! Just needed a new Electra Glide in March the brakes ) by 10,000. Noisy mechanically, not noticed but then again I do also ride a..

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