The Harley-Davidson XL 883 Sportster motorcycle specifications include a 883 cc (53.88 cu in) engine, a 5-speed gearbox, and a listed weight of 263 kg (579.8 lb).
Key specifications
The 2004 model is treated as the standard specification. Only later model years with a different supplied value are shown below.
How the Harley-Davidson XL 883 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.
About 31% lower than the Harley-Davidson database average. Around the 20th percentile across Harley-Davidson models.
About 16% lighter than the Harley-Davidson database average. Around the 24th percentile across Harley-Davidson models.
Very close to the Harley-Davidson database average. Around the 64th percentile across Harley-Davidson models.
About 24% smaller than the Harley-Davidson database average. Around the 20th percentile across Harley-Davidson models.
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.
883 cc — larger displacement than about 20% of Harley-Davidson models.
263 kg — heavier than about 24% of Harley-Davidson models, or lighter than about 76%.
693 mm — taller than about 64% of Harley-Davidson models.
12.9 L — larger than about 20% of Harley-Davidson fuel tanks in this database.
Dimensions compared with Harley-Davidson average
Each measurement is compared with the average value across Harley-Davidson models where that dimension is available.
2,260
2,376
5% below average.
1,520
1,599
5% below average.
693
689
Close to average.
141
128
10% above average.
Mechanical overview
Additional useful specifications
| Front tire size | 100/90-19 |
|---|---|
| Rear tire size | 150/80-B16 |
| Front tire width | 100 mm |
| Front tire aspect ratio | 90% |
| Front rim diameter | 19 in |
| Engine oil | SAE 20W-50 |
| Engine oil capacity | 2.80 L (2.96 US qt) |
| Oil filter | K & N KN-170C |
| Spark plug | NGK DCPR7E, NGK DCPR7EIX |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 0.79:1 (Undersquare) |
Model information
| Category | Custom / cruiser |
|---|
Engine specifications
| Engine type | V2, four-stroke |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 883 cc (53.88 cu in) |
| Torque | 69.0 Nm (7.0 kgf-m or 50.9 ft.lbs) @ 4,200 rpm |
| Bore × stroke | 76.2 x 96.8 mm (3.0 x 3.8 inches) |
| Compression ratio | 9.0:1 |
| Valves per cylinder | 2.0 |
| Cooling system | Air |
| Fuel system | Carburettor |
| Fuel control | Overhead Valves (OHV) |
| Ignition | Digital CDI |
| Starter | Electric |
| Engine oil | SAE 20W-50 |
| Oil capacity | 2.80 L (2.96 US qt) |
| Oil filter | K & N KN-170C |
| Spark plugs | NGK DCPR7E, NGK DCPR7EIX |
Transmission and drivetrain
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
|---|---|
| Final drive | Belt (final drive) |
| Clutch | Multi-plate clutch with diaphragm spring in oil bath |
Chassis and suspension
| Front suspension | 39mm Conventional cartridge forks |
|---|---|
| Rear suspension | Dual shocks coil over, adjustable |
| Rake | 29.6° |
| Trail | 117 mm (4.6 inches) |
| Fork tube size | 39 mm (1.5 inches) |
Brakes, wheels and tires
| Front brakes | Single disc. Two-piston calipers. |
|---|---|
| Rear brakes | Single disc. Single-piston caliper. |
| Front tire | 100/90-19 |
| Rear tire | 150/80-B16 |
Dimensions and weight
| Wet weight | 263 kg (579.8 lb) |
|---|---|
| Dry weight | 251 kg (553.4 lb) |
| Seat height | 693 mm (27.3 inches) |
| Overall length | 2,260 mm (89.0 inches) |
| Wheelbase | 1,520 mm (59.8 inches) |
| Ground clearance | 141 mm (5.6 inches) |
Fuel and emissions
| Fuel capacity | 12.90 L (3.41 US gal) |
|---|
Performance
| Power/weight ratio | 0.2110 hp/kg |
|---|
Electrical and instruments
| Battery | YTX14L-BS |
|---|
Other specifications
| Color options | Vivid black, Brilliant silver, Sierra red, Impact blue |
|---|---|
| Comments | Silver powder-coated engine with polished covers; significantly reduced clutch lever effort; classic solo seat; mid-mount foot controls; low-rise handlebar |
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.