Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Custom XL883C 2009
The evolution of the Harley-Davidson hot rod continues as most Sportster models roll into the new year on retuned suspension. Five Sportster models retain the raw, soulful styling that represents the uninhibited essence of motorcycling. Responsive handling, the flat torque delivery and distinctive sound of an American V-Twin engine, and classic styling cues make Harley-Davidson Sportster a motorcycle that just keeps getting better.
When it debuted in 1957, the original Sportster projected a tough and rebellious attitude that was born on the gritty dirt tracks and drag strips of that era. That spirit lingers in every new Sportster model, from the retro-bobber Nightster to the glittering chrome of the long 1200 Custom.
The sportster models are powered by the Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) XL Evolution V-Twin powertrain, rubber-mounted in the frame to reduce vibration and tuned to deliver a flat torque curve for responsive performance. Among the most-affordable Harley-Davidson models, Sportster motorcycles offer a low, comfortable seat, smooth clutch effort, and a durable carbon fiber reinforced final drive belt.
The New Front Fenders: All Sportster models get a new low-profile front fender that hugs the tire for a streamlined, custom look.
When it debuted in 1957, the original Sportster projected a tough and rebellious attitude that was born on the gritty dirt tracks and drag strips of that era. That spirit lingers in every new Sportster model, from the retro-bobber Nightster to the glittering chrome of the long 1200 Custom.
The sportster models are powered by the Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) XL Evolution V-Twin powertrain, rubber-mounted in the frame to reduce vibration and tuned to deliver a flat torque curve for responsive performance. Among the most-affordable Harley-Davidson models, Sportster motorcycles offer a low, comfortable seat, smooth clutch effort, and a durable carbon fiber reinforced final drive belt.
The New Front Fenders: All Sportster models get a new low-profile front fender that hugs the tire for a streamlined, custom look.Sportster 883 Custom features:
Rubber-mounted XL Evolution 883cc engine
Silver powder-coated engine and with polished rocker boxes
New lighter Silver Solid Disc Cast Aluminum 16-inch rear wheel
Chrome Laced Steel 21-inch front wheel
New recalibrated suspension
New low profile front fender
Chrome low-rise handlebar on pullback riser
One-piece, two-up Sportster Classic seat
Chrome Staggered Shorty Dual exhaust
Low-Profile rear shocks
Forward foot controls
4.5-gallon fuel tank
Optional Smart Security System
The Dimensions
Length 90.30 in. (2293.62 mm)
Overall Width 32.70 in. (830.58 mm)
Overall Height 45.70 in. (1160.78 mm)
Seat Height:
• Laden2 - 26.50 in. (673.10 mm)
• Unladen - 28 in. (711.20 mm)
Ground Clearance 4.40 in. (111.76 mm)
Rake (steering head) 30.1°
Fork Angle 30.1°
Trail 4.70 in. (119.38 mm)
Wheelbase 60.40 in. (1534.16 mm)
Tires (Dunlop® Harley-Davidson Series, blackwall):
• Front – D402F MH90-21 54H
• Rear – D401 150/80B16 71H
Fuel Capacity 4.50 gal. (17.03 L)
(warning light at approximately 1 gal.)
Oil Capacity (w/filter) 2.80 qts. (2.65 L)
Transmission Capacity 1 qts. (0.95 L)
The Weight:
• As Shipped 565 lbs. (256.28 kg)
• In Running Order 591 lbs. (268.07 kg)
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 1000 lbs. (453.59 kg)
• Gross Axle Weight Rating
• Front 335 lbs. (151.95 kg)
• Rear 665 lbs. (301.64 kg)
The Engine
Engine3 Air-cooled, Evolution®
Valves Pushrod-operated, overhead valves with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters; two valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke 3 in. x 3.81 in. (76.20 mm x 96.77 mm)
Displacement3 53.86 cu. in. (883 cu. cm)
Compression Ratio 8.9:1
Fuel System9 Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection
(ESPFI)
Air Cleaner Paper cartridge type
Lubrication System Dry-sump
The Drivetrain
Primary Drive Chain, 57/34 ratio
Final Drive Belt, 68/28 ratio
Clutch 9-plate, wet
Transmission 5-speed
Gear Ratios (overall): U.S. HDI JPN
• 1st 10.782 10.782 10.782
• 2nd 7.702 7.702 7.702
• 3rd 5.728 5.728 5.728
• 4th 4.748 4.748 4.748
• 5th 4.071 4.071 4.071
The Chassis
Frame Mild steel, tubular frame; circularsections; cast junctions
Swingarm Mild steel, rectangular tube sections, stamped junctions; MIG welded
Front Forks 39 mm
Rear Shocks Coil-over; preload dual-adjustable
Wheels4: Chrome, Laced Steel
• Front
21 in. x 2.15 in. (533.40 mm x 54.61 mm)
Silver, Slotted Disc Cast Aluminum
• Rear
16 in. x 3 in. (406.40 mm x 76.20 mm)
Brakes:
• Caliper Type Dual-piston front, single-piston rear
• Rotor Type Patented, uniform expansion rotors
(diameter x width):
• Front 11.50 in. x .20 in. (292.10 mm x 5.08 mm)
• Rear 11.50 in. x .23 in. (292.10 mm x 5.84 mm)
The Suspension Travel:
• Front Wheel 5.69 in. (144.53 mm)
• Rear Wheel 2.12 in. (53.85 mm)
The Performance
Engine Torque5 (per SAE J1349):
• North America 55 ft. lbs. @ 3500 rpm (74.58 NM @ 3500 rpm)
• World 51.29 ft. lbs. @ 3750 rpm (69.55 NM @ 3750 rpm)
• Japan 49.07 ft. lbs. @ 3500 rpm (66.54 NM @ 3500 rpm)
Lean Angle (per SAE J1168):
• Right 29°
• Left 31°
Fuel Economy7
(EPA urban/highway test) 45/60 mpg (5.23/3.92 L/100 km)
The Electric
Battery (per Battery Council International Rating) Sealed, maintenance-free, 12V, 12-amp/hour, 200 cca
Charging Single-phase, 30-amp system (357W @ 13.5V, 2000 rpm, 405W max power @ 13.5V)
Starting 1.2 kW electric with solenoid shift starter motor engagement
Lights (as per country regulation):
• Headlamp (quartz halogen) 55-watt low beam, 60-watt high beam
• Tail/Stop Lights 8W/28W (5W/21W)
• Turn Signal Lights 28W (21W) self-canceling
• Indicator Lamps: High beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals, engine diagnositcs, low fuel warning, low battery, security system6
Rubber-mounted XL Evolution 883cc engine
Silver powder-coated engine and with polished rocker boxes
New lighter Silver Solid Disc Cast Aluminum 16-inch rear wheel
Chrome Laced Steel 21-inch front wheel
New recalibrated suspension
New low profile front fender
Chrome low-rise handlebar on pullback riser
One-piece, two-up Sportster Classic seat
Chrome Staggered Shorty Dual exhaust
Low-Profile rear shocks
Forward foot controls
4.5-gallon fuel tank
Optional Smart Security System
The Dimensions
Length 90.30 in. (2293.62 mm)
Overall Width 32.70 in. (830.58 mm)
Overall Height 45.70 in. (1160.78 mm)
Seat Height:
• Laden2 - 26.50 in. (673.10 mm)
• Unladen - 28 in. (711.20 mm)
Ground Clearance 4.40 in. (111.76 mm)
Rake (steering head) 30.1°
Fork Angle 30.1°
Trail 4.70 in. (119.38 mm)
Wheelbase 60.40 in. (1534.16 mm)
Tires (Dunlop® Harley-Davidson Series, blackwall):
• Front – D402F MH90-21 54H
• Rear – D401 150/80B16 71H
Fuel Capacity 4.50 gal. (17.03 L)
(warning light at approximately 1 gal.)
Oil Capacity (w/filter) 2.80 qts. (2.65 L)
Transmission Capacity 1 qts. (0.95 L)
The Weight:
• As Shipped 565 lbs. (256.28 kg)
• In Running Order 591 lbs. (268.07 kg)
• Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 1000 lbs. (453.59 kg)
• Gross Axle Weight Rating
• Front 335 lbs. (151.95 kg)
• Rear 665 lbs. (301.64 kg)
The Engine
Engine3 Air-cooled, Evolution®
Valves Pushrod-operated, overhead valves with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters; two valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke 3 in. x 3.81 in. (76.20 mm x 96.77 mm)
Displacement3 53.86 cu. in. (883 cu. cm)
Compression Ratio 8.9:1
Fuel System9 Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection
(ESPFI)
Air Cleaner Paper cartridge type
Lubrication System Dry-sump
The Drivetrain
Primary Drive Chain, 57/34 ratio
Final Drive Belt, 68/28 ratio
Clutch 9-plate, wet
Transmission 5-speed
Gear Ratios (overall): U.S. HDI JPN
• 1st 10.782 10.782 10.782
• 2nd 7.702 7.702 7.702
• 3rd 5.728 5.728 5.728
• 4th 4.748 4.748 4.748
• 5th 4.071 4.071 4.071
The ChassisFrame Mild steel, tubular frame; circularsections; cast junctions
Swingarm Mild steel, rectangular tube sections, stamped junctions; MIG welded
Front Forks 39 mm
Rear Shocks Coil-over; preload dual-adjustable
Wheels4: Chrome, Laced Steel
• Front
21 in. x 2.15 in. (533.40 mm x 54.61 mm)
Silver, Slotted Disc Cast Aluminum
• Rear
16 in. x 3 in. (406.40 mm x 76.20 mm)
Brakes:
• Caliper Type Dual-piston front, single-piston rear
• Rotor Type Patented, uniform expansion rotors
(diameter x width):
• Front 11.50 in. x .20 in. (292.10 mm x 5.08 mm)
• Rear 11.50 in. x .23 in. (292.10 mm x 5.84 mm)
The Suspension Travel:
• Front Wheel 5.69 in. (144.53 mm)
• Rear Wheel 2.12 in. (53.85 mm)
The Performance
Engine Torque5 (per SAE J1349):
• North America 55 ft. lbs. @ 3500 rpm (74.58 NM @ 3500 rpm)
• World 51.29 ft. lbs. @ 3750 rpm (69.55 NM @ 3750 rpm)
• Japan 49.07 ft. lbs. @ 3500 rpm (66.54 NM @ 3500 rpm)
Lean Angle (per SAE J1168):
• Right 29°
• Left 31°
Fuel Economy7
(EPA urban/highway test) 45/60 mpg (5.23/3.92 L/100 km)
The Electric
Battery (per Battery Council International Rating) Sealed, maintenance-free, 12V, 12-amp/hour, 200 cca
Charging Single-phase, 30-amp system (357W @ 13.5V, 2000 rpm, 405W max power @ 13.5V)
Starting 1.2 kW electric with solenoid shift starter motor engagement
Lights (as per country regulation):
• Headlamp (quartz halogen) 55-watt low beam, 60-watt high beam
• Tail/Stop Lights 8W/28W (5W/21W)
• Turn Signal Lights 28W (21W) self-canceling
• Indicator Lamps: High beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals, engine diagnositcs, low fuel warning, low battery, security system6