The Harley-Davidson XL Sportster motorcycle specifications include a 883 cc (53.88 cu in) engine and a 4-speed gearbox.
Key specifications
1957-1959Model years
883 ccDisplacement
Model years covered
195719581959
Year-specific specification changes
No material specification changes from the 1957 baseline were found in the available data.
How the Harley-Davidson XL Sportster compares
This compares the motorcycle with all Harley-Davidson models in this specifications database. The blue marker is this model and the grey line is the Harley-Davidson database average.
Displacement883 cc
Low 165 ccAverage 1,275 ccHigh 1,868 cc
About 31% lower than the Harley-Davidson database average. Around the 20th percentile across Harley-Davidson models.
This model Harley-Davidson database average
Harley-Davidson database percentile rankings
Percentiles show where this motorcycle sits across the Harley-Davidson specifications database. They are descriptive database rankings, not performance ratings.
Displacement20th
883 cc — larger displacement than about 20% of Harley-Davidson models.
Mechanical overview
Engine layout snapshot
V2, four-stroke • 883 cc
Chassis snapshot
4-speed • Chain (final drive) • 3.50-18 front / 3.50-18 rear
Additional useful specifications
| Front tire size |
3.50-18 |
| Rear tire size |
3.50-18 |
| Bore/stroke ratio |
0.75:1 (Undersquare) |
Engine specifications
| Engine type |
V2, four-stroke |
| Displacement |
883 cc (53.88 cu in) |
| Bore × stroke |
72.8 x 96.8 mm (2.9 x 3.8 inches) |
| Fuel system |
Carburettor. Linkert |
| Fuel control |
Overhead Valves (OHV) |
Transmission and drivetrain
| Gearbox |
4-speed |
| Final drive |
Chain (final drive) |
Brakes, wheels and tires
| Front brakes |
Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Rear brakes |
Expanding brake (drum brake) |
| Front tire |
3.50-18 |
| Rear tire |
3.50-18 |
| Wheels |
Spoked |
Performance
| Top speed |
162.0 km/h (100.7 mph) |
Other specifications
| Seat |
Single spring-mounted |
| Price as new |
US$ 1103. MSRP depends on country, taxes, accessories, etc. |
Disclaimer: Specifications may vary by market, trim, production date and optional equipment, and scraped or historical data can contain errors. Comparison and percentile values are calculated from Harley-Davidson models in this specifications database. Always double-check important specifications against the motorcycle owner’s/service manual and official Harley-Davidson information before relying on them. Visit the official Harley-Davidson website.