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Harley Davidson XL 883L Sportster

The XL Sportster 883L features ergonomics designed specifically to fit smaller riders, and that make it easier to lift off its sidestand. A seat height of just 26 inches makes the 883L the lowest Sportster ever. A new solo seat has a lower cushion height than the seat on the XL Sportster 883, and the seat is also positioned further forward. New handlebars are pulled further back and are wider than those on the XL Sportster 883. Mid-mount foot controls will fit a wide variety of riders. Front and rear suspension is lowered and re-tuned to maintain precise handling while making it 40 percent easier to lift off its sidestand. The Sportster 883L will be offered in five colors, with a special tank graphic that differentiates it from other Sportster models.

Sportster 883 Low features:

Rubber-mounted XL 883cc Evolution engine
Silver powder-coated engine with polished treatment
Lowered front and rear suspension
Silver 13-spoke Cast Aluminum wheels, 19-inch front / 16-inch rear
New low profile front fender
Wide reduced-reach polished handlebar
Reduced-reach solo seat
Chrome Staggered Shorty Dual exhaust
Mid-mount foot controls
Lowest-Profile rear shocks
Lowest-Profile front forks
Easy Reach sidestand
Classic 3.3-gallon fuel tank
Optional Chrome Laced Steel wheels
Optional Smart Security System

Review

THE NEWEST ENTRY in Harley-Davidson’s Sportster lineup is bringing that venerable nameplate down to new heights—seat heights, that is.
That’s because The Motor Company’s new 2005 XL Sportster 883L’s seat height reaches a mere 26 inches from the ground…a new low in Sportster seat height history, according to H-D officials.

In addition, this new model features other ergonomic tweaking that makes it more comfortable and confidence inspiring for newer, or smaller, or even seasoned riders.

The new XL Sportster 883L joins the remainder of H-D’s Sportster lineup, which for 2004 proudly wore the badge “new and improved,” as The Motor Company redesigned its stalwart smaller bike and updated it stylistically and technologically. For 2005, the existing four Sportster models will receive a series of across the platform improvements, including a larger rear axle (increased from .75" to 1"), a new swingarm designed to accommodate the thicker axle and a new rear wheel and rear brake caliper. H-D officials say these changes add up to a 5% increase in total vehicle torsional stiffness, which the rider should feel as more precise, responsive handling.

The 2005 Sportsters will also have a new clear-lens, reflector-optic headlight to better light the way, and each headlamp will now have a cloisonne Bar & Shield logo affixed.

H-D representatives say the “new” Sportster line has sold so well the company has pushed up production of its 2005 models, shipping them to dealers at June’s end instead of later in the summer with the rest of the 2005 line-up.

Regarded by many as the “entry-level” or “beginner” Harley-Davidson, the Sportster line often attracted newer, smaller riders who appreciated its lighter weight…even though those models featured some of the highest seat heights and center of gravity in the HD line-up. And though some of the 2004 models boasted a lower seat, their weight increased over 50 lbs., which still made them challenging for some riders to handle.
The XL Sportster 883L aims to address those problems of the vertically-challenged and smaller-framed. The entire motorcycle has downsized—not just the reach to the ground, but the reach to the  handlebars and the reach to the controls, as well. For instance, the new solo seat has a lower cushion height, but it
also positions the rider further forward on the motorcycle. Newlystyled handlebars reach wider and further back to the rider than those found on the regular 883 model. Mid-mount controls put the rear brake and shifter much closer to the rider and eliminate the fatigue that can set in from keeping legs stretched.
The special suspension on the XL Sportster 883L also contributes to its “low-liness.” H-D officials say both the front and rear suspension are lowered, but re-tuned to keep that fun, sporty handling for which Sportsters are known. This change also eliminates the “ugh” sometimes heard from trying to lift a heavy bike off its kickstand—H-D claims the 883L is 40% easier to lift off its sidestand.

At first glance, the XL Sportster 883L doesn’t look smaller than the standard 883. It doesn’t appear diminutive or petite, the way one might think a bike for a “smaller rider” would. Sit on it, however, and the difference between it and its larger sibling becomes readily apparent. The 883L weighs the same as the standard 883—555 lbs. dry. But it feels lighter. It is smaller. “Compact” rates as the word best suited to describe the bike’s ergonomics.
With a 5' 3" frame, I often feel awkward on many motorcycles, be they a cruiser or otherwise. Arms stretched too far make turning difficult, legs that can’t touch terra firma mean leaning the bike to one side at a stop, a high center of gravity means a constant vigil when traveling slower speeds. Not a big deal, but annoying, nonetheless.

So you alter suspensions, change bars, scoot up in the seat, remove foam from the seat…whatever it takes. You just adapt (smaller motorcycle riders are some of the most adaptable people I know).

Riding the motorcycle through and around Nevada’s Red Rock Canyon during its press introduction, I immediately felt the difference that comes from thoughtful ergonomics. The bike felt… “comfortable.” A bike adapted to a smaller rider, rather than vice-versa…what
a switch.

I swear this Sporty borrowed the adage of “A place for everything and everything in its place.” Arms, hands and feet fell naturally to their desired positions and, voilá—the corresponding controls were there to meet them—no stretching necessary. Speaking of controls, I must not neglect mentioning the smaller diameter grips and easier clutch pull H-D bestowed upon the redesigned Sportster family in 2004. Because of these improvements there is a lot less grunting while shifting, further adding to the enjoyment of riding the 883L. The new pullback handlebars did a great job of providing good leverage for easier steering, and the mid-mount controls provided for a comfortable seating position.

While the 883L rode with the feel of a heavier motorcycle, the motorcycle itself did not feel weighty or top-heavy. Spry and nimble was more like it, with plenty of torquey grunt and usable power for a rider with any amount of experience. It behaved well, responding to rider input. It cavorted the dips and tight curves of the canyon highway with the finesse, athleticism and sure-footed lightness of a ballet dancer. Not for beginners only, I mused. The 2005 XL Sportster 883L features all the new changes incorporated in the 2004 Sportster family, including the smoother-running, rubber-mounted XL Evolution V-Twin motor that boasted improved cooling, high-flow cylinder heads, lighter pistons and connecting rods. Its familiar-profiled peanut-shaped fuel tank holds 3.3 gallons. It will be offered in five colors and retails for $6895 in Vivid Black paint, more for colors. H-D unveiled the new Sporty at a gathering of women moto-journalists, perhaps figuring that we could better appreciate the motorcycle’s unique selling points. However, during my years of grousing and complaining about too-big motorcycles, I’ve come to learn it’s
not just a “woman” thing. Short-stature problems are not gender specific.

 But in addition to the comfort it provides to smaller riders, the lower, lighter-feeling 883L should also provide a great comfort-level to newer riders, allowing them to fret less about ergonomics and heavy handling and concentrate more on riding skills. With this Sportster, Harley has finally engineered a motorcycle that is suitable for new riders, as well as those not-so-new.
—Pamela Collins