10 Best Harley-Davidson Sportster Models of All Times
Many bikers refer to it as a ladies' bike, but at less than 600lbs and plenty of displacement, if you gas the throttle you'd better hang on for the ride. Since its introduction the Sportster has usually been the quickest bike in their lineup. Here's a look back at some of the most important variations on the model.
1. 1957 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL
The Harley-Davidson Sportster is an icon of American motorcycling, and this is the original "Sporty". Introduced in 1957 the 883cc XL was a smaller, sportier bike at the time when the big 1200cc v-twin was the engine installed on the larger machines. This original gem had a 4-speed transmission, and enough power and handling to take on the popular bikes from Triumph and Norton at the time.
2. 1967 Harley-Davidson Sportster XLH
For the next decade after the introduction, if you wanted to ride a Sportster, you had to kick-start it. Finally in 1967, the Harley Sportster XLH got the option of an electric starter. For 12 more years, Harley offered both electric and kickstart models, until 1979 on the XLCH, but from 1980 onward everything was electric.
3. 1970 Harley-Davidson Sportster XLH "boat tail"
In late 1969, Harley-Davidson was trying to keep its 12 year old Sportster still relevant, without putting a lot of money into more performance. The idea was hatched to try to give it more modern styling, what with the 1970s about to dawn and all. An integrated seat/fender until was designed to give the bike a more continuous, modern look, with a smooth line stretching from the tank, all the way to the taillight. The 1970 boat tail was so successful it was cancelled after two years, and has never been tried again, or even talked about in front of Willie G. in mixed company. It is important though, because they were trying something new.
4. 1972 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1000
Things changed for the better in 1971, with the electric starter, better ignition system, and new engine cases which integrated a wet clutch. But in 1972, the boring bar came out and the Sportster was boosted up to a full 1000cc, with a nice bump in power to go with it. Top speed was now nearly 120mph for the XLCH, right out of the shop. This was also the last year before the disc brake replaced the old school drum.
5. 1977 Harley-Davidson Sportster XLCR
In 1977 Willie G. tried again with bold styling and an increase in performance, dubbed the XLCR or Cafe Racer. This bike was a sale flop, unfortunately, but some of its features later found their way onto the rest of the Sportster line. Things like the cast aluminum wheels, dual front disc brakes, and Siamese exhaust (though styled differently) became fixtures. The Cafe Racer attempted to take on the sportier bikes from Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki, and it came close, but no electric start, almost 600lbs weight and a 6,000rpm redline were not competitive.
6. 1983 Harley-Davidson Sportster XR1000
The 1983-84 XR1000 Sportster was yet another daring attempt to make a sportier Harley-Davidson, this time by copying the XR750 flat track racer. New cylinder heads were used with both intakes at he back, so dual carbs could be used. Dual high mounted exhaust pipes were both routed on the left side of the bike, just like on the racer. The rest of the bike was stripped bare, and the whole thing weighed less than 500lbs ready to ride, with 10 extra horses over the other Sportsters. Less than 2000 of these were sold, but they are one of the best performing Sportsters in the entire history of the model.
7. 1994 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200
In looking at the Sportster history, the modern era pretty much begins with the 1994 model year. That was the year that all the little changes came together and the 1200cc Evolution motor combined with the 5 speed transmission, belt drive, and a host of other improvements to get the model ready for the 21st century. It was also about this time that Harley's styling department was really coming into their own as well, so every Sportster, in 883 or 1200 looks killer.
8. 1998-2003 Harley-Davidson Sporster XL1200S
In 1998, Harley borrowed some of what it had learned from Eric Buell and made the Sportster sporty again. New dual plug heads were added with more compression, and hotter cams gave it a bump in power. New brakes, shocks and fork were added, so it could turn and stop as well as it went. Make no mistake, this wasn't a sport bike like a Kawasaki Ninja, but it was the sportiest thing to come out of the Harley plant in many years.
9. 2006-2012 Harley-Davidson Sportster XR1200
Next, enter the Harley XR1200, the sportiest Sportster ever created, and a bike straight out of left field. The XR1200 was a street tracker styled sport bike, with radical tings like downdraft fuel injection, aluminum swingarm, and upside down forks. While maintaining the American legendary design, the wider aluminum tank and flat-track inspired design looked like nothing else on the road, or ever sold by Harley. American riders would have to wait a few years to get one, as European buyers were the only ones to get the XR1200 for the first 2 years. The 2011 and 2012 XR1200X is even better, with further improved brakes and suspension.
10. 2016-2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Roadster
Right now, at your local Harley dealer, is one of the best Sportsters ever created is waiting for you. The new for 2016 Roadster took much of the sporting nature of the XR1200, and mixed back in a bunch of the traditional style Harley is known for. If you are looking for a simple standard bike with a nice amount of power and a ton of torque, you ought to take this for a spin.
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