Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 and 1200 (2004-2020) - Review & Buying Guide

If you are after an entry point into the Harley-Davidson family, the Sportster 883 and 1200 models provide the perfect solution. Fabulous machines that were produced from 1957 (they really only gained popularity in the UK in the 1980s) until emissions regulations (and some very poor decisions by Harley...) killed them off in 2020, the Sportster model range (pre-fix XL) are impossible to beat. Powered by an air-cooled motor that is about as traditional as it gets in sound, looks and feel, they come in a range of shapes and sizes with lots of choice of styles. Incredibly popular in the used market, Sportsters hold their value very well (even more so since they were discontinued) and have a good reputation for reliability and finish. Light, fun to ride and with that all-important Harley-Davidson name on the tank, everyone loves a Sportster. Although older models are available, we would recommend the 2004-onwards ‘rubber mounted engine’ generation as they are the most refined of the bunch, which we will cover in this guide.

Pros & Cons

2004-2020 Harley-Davidson 883/1200 Sportster - Prices

Sportsters are odd models because once sold new, they tend to hold very static when it comes to their used prices. With this in mind, generally price is far more determined by mileage and accessories rather than year – although a full Harley service history also adds to a bike’s used value. Some model variants are also more desirable than others. Naturally the smaller-capacity 883 will set you back less than the 1200 but actually there isn’t a huge difference between them aside from cylinder bore and brakes. Traditionally the vast majority of used bikes were sold via the Harley dealer network (a factor that helped keep their used prices high) but as the bike is getting pretty old now, more and more are cropping up in private sales. The major benefit in buying from a dealer is the fact used bikes can come with a manufacturer-backed H-D Certified warranty (T&Cs apply, the bike can be up to 15 years old), which is always reassuring, although spare parts are generally fairly cheap on a Sportster and there isn’t much to go wrong!

2004-2020 Harley-Davidson 883/1200 Sportster - Engine & Performance

The 45-degree V-twin motor is (visually at least...) a very basic and traditional power unit, which is a major part of the Sportster’s appeal. Air-cooled and with push-roads and hydraulic tappets (which is great news as they never need their valve clearances adjusted), they run a two-valve head and are pretty much identical between 883 and 1200 specifications. In fact, Harley sell an upgrade kit that allows 883 owners to convert their bike to 1200-spec and many feel a big-bored 883 is actually a better bike than a dedicated 1200 as it has lower gearing. Pretty much unchanged over the years, the only major engine difference to note from 2004-2020 is the arrival of fuel-injection (alongside a lighter clutch action), which replaced the older motor’s carbs in 2007. The engine is effectively identical in all Sportster models and makes the same power and torque, irrespective of styling. So what makes this engine so appealing?

Harley tend not to quote power figures (the 883 makes 53bhp, the 1200 produced 70bhp), instead they focus on torque. In standard guise the 883 makes a claimed 69Nm of torque while the 1200 produced 93Nm, which is achieved through a capacity increase via a bigger bore with the same stroke as the 883. Happy to lollop along, the Sportsters are low-revving and relaxed and while they are a touch agricultural (especially the clunky gearbox) they deliver on heritage and feel (despite its rubber-mounting the engine still vibrates quite a lot) and that’s what owners love so much about them.

When buying a used Sportster of any size, service history is the key factor. The Sportster requires fairly basic maintenance with 5000-mile intervals (and no valve-clearance check remember) but due to the vibrations, lots of areas need their torque settings checking every year and these shouldn’t be missed. Also, the engine and gearbox use different specs of oil and that is easily over-looked if you aren’t used to working on Harleys (the engine oil is changed every 5000-miles, gearbox’s every 10,000). A Harley specialist will also check the drivebelt’s condition, check its tension, adjust the primary chain, inspect the spoke’ tension (if it is a spoke wheeled model) and complete lots of other small but important jobs that they know to perform and shouldn’t be overlooked.

Away from service history, the reg/rec is very exposed on a Sportster and often corrodes and fails (new units are about £80 and easy to replace) and you need to ask if the bike has any engine mods such as a Stage 1 tune (very common) and been adjusted to suit. Stage 1 kits give it a bit more grunt and don’t affect reliability so you can still get a Harley warranty on a bike with one fitted.

2004-2020 Harley-Davidson 883/1200 Sportster - Handling & Suspension (inc. Weight)

To be brutally honest, handling isn’t one of the Sportsters’ strong points. Not the kind of bike you aim to fire down a B-road on, the Harley’s chassis is set for cruising and its suspension targeted at making sure the ride quality is soft and relaxed. Also, low pegs give minimal ground clearance when pushed and the single front disc and two-piston sliding caliper (some models have twin discs) is pretty under-performing. If you want ABS, that arrived in 2014. Does all this matter? Not really.

Owners are perfectly happy to accept that the Sportsters’ suspension is sub-standard when pushed hard and while you can upgrade, most don’t bother. A bit of preload adjustment on the shocks to compensate for your weight and then just get out and enjoy the ride.

When it comes to chassis checks, there are two major areas of concern – wheels and belt drive. If the bike has spoke wheels, inspect them very carefully not only for damaged or loose spokes but also rust. Generally on a Sportster it sets in around the area the spoke meets the rim as owners wash their bikes but fail to dry the wheels properly, leading to water pooling at the lowest point and corrosion forming. It’s a common issue. Bikes with cast wheels can suffer from peeling lacquer.

The belt drive also needs very careful inspection as while the belt seldom requires replacing (some are designed to last 100,000 miles), if a stone gets trapped between it and the pulley (technically they aren’t sprockets) it can damage the structure of the belt. While Harley do fit belt guards to help prevent this happening, some owners remove them to clean up the look of the bike, meaning the chances of it occurring are increased. New belts are fairly cheap (the pulleys are more costly if damaged) and replacing them isn’t too tricky aside from removing the right-hand shock and tensioning the belt up correctly. Theft isn’t a huge issue but always check a Sportster’s steering lock just to ensure there are no signs of it being forced.

2004-2020 Harley-Davidson 883/1200 Sportster - Comfort & Economy

Comfort isn’t great on Sportster models as the vibrations are quite intrusive and the seats generally not overly forgiving – even more so for pillions. That said, as many have very small tank sizes (the range form 17L to 12.5L with the Forty-Eight having just 7.9L of fuel), comfort isn’t such an issue and to be honest, owners of the Forty-Eight will be delighted to see the fuel light illuminate after about 90 miles as it is horribly uncomfortable to ride...

In terms of economy, you are looking at about 50mpg on all Sportster models, which isn’t bad.

2004-2020 Harley-Davidson 883/1200 Sportster- Equipment

Tech-wise the Sportsters have always been stripped-back and minimal and that extends to the tech. None have fuel gauges (later bikes have a gear indicator) but keyless ignition and ABS arrived in 2014, which is handy.

When it comes to accessories, it is hard to know where to start or stop. Harley have built a huge business based around accessorising their bikes and it is fair to say no two Sportsters are the same. Screens, sissy bars, loud pipes, mirrors, everything can be changed (and probably has been...) and there is also a wide variety of models to choose from such as the C (cruiser), Forty-Eight, Iron (N), R, Nightster, L (low) and more. Do your research, talk to a Harley dealer (they are always very knowledgeable) and pick the Sportster that suits you.

When buying used, be wary of just what has been changed from standard. Tastes vary and returning a bike to standard (or at least stripping off any gaudy extras) can prove surprisingly costly. Also, not all extras actually improve the ride quality – some make the bike handle worse! We would also recommend trying non-Harley-branded tyres as they aren’t the best in the world, go for a known brand in the same size just without ‘Harley’ written on the sidewall!

2004-2020 Harley-Davidson 883/1200 Sportster - Rivals

Generally those looking at buying a Sportster want a Harley and while there are cruiser rivals from Japan as well as America, they don’t quite cut it when it comes to kerb appeal...

Yamaha XV950 (2013-2021) | Price: £2500-5999

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Power/Torque

51bhp / 59lb-ft

Weight

247kg

Kawasaki Vulcan S 650 (2015-current) | Price: £3500-£6000

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Power/Torque

60bhp / 46lb-ft

Weight

228kg

Indian Scout (2014-2024) | Price: £6000-£15,000

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Power/Torque

100bhp / 72lb-ft

Weight

246kg

2004-2020 Harley-Davidson 883/1200 Sportster - Verdict

It is almost inconceivable that Harley dropped the air-cooled Sportster range from its lineup – but they did and their water-cooled replacements have failed to capture anything like the love and affection that the Sportsters still enjoy. If you are after an entry point into the Harley brand, the Sportster models are unbeatable. Looking, feeling and (most importantly...) sounding like a Harley should, they deliver on all levels. Yes, their handling isn’t great and they are pretty raw to ride with few refinements, but that’s not an issue to most owners, what matters most is the look and that iconic American name on the tank.

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2004-2020 Harley-Davidson 883/1200 Sportster - Technical Specification

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