Harley-Davidson XL883L Superlow

Harley-Davidson XL883L Superlow
Manufacturer	Harley-Davidson
Production	2007 - 08
Engine	Four stroke, 45° V-Twin, OHV, 2 valves per cylinder.
Compression ratio	8.8:1
Ignition	Digital CDI
Transmission	5 Speed
Frame	Mild steel, tubular frame, circular sections, cast junctions Swingarm Mild steel, rectangular tube sections, stamped junctions, MIG welded
Suspension	Front: 39mm Telescopic forks Rear: Coil-over, dual-adjustable preload
Brakes	Front: Single 292mm disc 2 piston calipers Rear: Single 292mm disc 1 piston caliper
Front Tire	D401F 100/90-19 57H
Rear Tire	D401 150/80B16 71H
Wheelbase	1524.0 mm / 60.0 in
Seat Height	Laden2 642.62 mm / 25.3 in Unladen 668.02 mm / 26.3 in
Weight	255 kg / 563 lbs (dry), 264.4 kg / 583 lbs (wet)
Fuel Capacity	12.5 Liters / 3.3 US gal
Manuals	Service Manual

Engine

The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke, 45° V-Twin, OHV, 2 valves per cylinder.. The engine featured a 8.8:1 compression ratio.

Drive

Power was moderated via the Multi-plate clutch with diaphragm spring in oil bath.

Chassis

It came with a D401F 100/90-19 57H front tire and a D401 150/80B16 71H rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Single 292mm disc 2 piston calipers in the front and a Single 292mm disc 1 piston caliper in the rear. The front suspension was a 39mm Telescopic forks while the rear was equipped with a Coil-over, dual-adjustable preload. The XL883L Superlow was fitted with a 12.5 Liters / 3.3 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 255 kg / 563 lbs. The wheelbase was 1524.0 mm / 60.0 in long.

Photos

Overview

Harley Davidson

XL 883L Sportster

The XL Sportster 883L goes even lower for 2007. Now with a seat height of just 25.3 inches, the 883L features new rear shocks, new front fork springs and damper tubes, new side stand and new foot pegs with feelers. These ergonomics provide precise handling for smaller riders or anyone who enjoys a narrow and agile ride. Like all Sportster 883 models, the 883L features ESPFI, new cams, new gauges and reduced clutch and brake lever effort to help inspire a confident ride. Offered in eight solid colors for 2007 with a special tank graphic.

Rubber-mounted XL 883cc Evolution engine Silver powder-coated engine Standard Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) New cams on retuned powertrain for improved performance Lowered front and rear suspension New coil-over, dual-adjustable preload rear shocks New front fork springs and damper tubes New foot pegs with feelers New gauges with odometer clock, low fuel warning light and two trip set odometers New lighter clutch effort New side stand design Silver, 13-spoke Cast Aluminum wheels Wide polished handlebar Low solo seat Special fuel tank graphics Chrome staggered shorty dual exhaust Mid-mount foot controls Classic 3.3-gallon fuel tank

Review THE NEWEST ENTRY in Harley-Davidson’s Sportster lineup is bringing that venerable nameplate down to new heights—seat heights, that is. That’s because The Motor Company’s new 2005 XL Sportster 883L’s seat height reaches a mere 26 inches from the ground…a new low in Sportster seat height history, according to H-D officials.In addition, this new model features other ergonomic tweaking that makes it more comfortable and confidence inspiring for newer, or smaller, or even seasoned riders.The new XL Sportster 883L joins the remainder of H-D’s Sportster lineup, which for 2004 proudly wore the badge “new and improved,” as The Motor Company redesigned its stalwart smaller bike and updated it stylistically and technologically. For 2005, the existing four Sportster models will receive a series of across the platform improvements, including a larger rear axle (increased from .75" to 1"), a new swingarm designed to accommodate the thicker axle and a new rear wheel and rear brake caliper. H-D officials say these changes add up to a 5% increase in total vehicle torsional stiffness, which the rider should feel as more precise, responsive handling.The 2005 Sportsters will also have a new clear-lens, reflector-optic headlight to better light the way, and each headlamp will now have a cloisonne Bar & Shield logo affixed. H-D representatives say the “new” Sportster line has sold so well the company has pushed up production of its 2005 models, shipping them to dealers at June’s end instead of later in the summer with the rest of the 2005 line-up.Regarded by many as the “entry-level” or “beginner” Harley-Davidson, the Sportster line often attracted newer, smaller riders who appreciated its lighter weight…even though those models featured some of the highest seat heights and center of gravity in the HD line-up. And though some of the 2004 models boasted a lower seat, their weight increased over 50 lbs., which still made them challenging for some riders to handle. The XL Sportster 883L aims to address those problems of the vertically-challenged and smaller-framed. The entire motorcycle has downsized—not just the reach to the ground, but the reach to the handlebars and the reach to the controls, as well. For instance, the new solo seat has a lower cushion height, but it also positions the rider further forward on the motorcycle. Newlystyled handlebars reach wider and further back to the rider than those found on the regular 883 model. Mid-mount controls put the rear brake and shifter much closer to the rider and eliminate the fatigue that can set in from keeping legs stretched. The special suspension on the XL Sportster 883L also contributes to its “low-liness.” H-D officials say both the front and rear suspension are lowered, but re-tuned to keep that fun, sporty handling for which Sportsters are known. This change also eliminates the “ugh” sometimes heard from trying to lift a heavy bike off its kickstand—H-D claims the 883L is 40% easier to lift off its sidestand. At first glance, the XL Sportster 883L doesn’t look smaller than the standard 883. It doesn’t appear diminutive or petite, the way one might think a bike for a “smaller rider” would. Sit on it, however, and the difference between it and its larger sibling becomes readily apparent. The 883L weighs the same as the standard 883—555 lbs. dry. But it feels lighter. It is smaller. “Compact” rates as the word best suited to describe the bike’s ergonomics. With a 5' 3" frame, I often feel awkWard on many motorcycles, be they a cruiser or otherwise. Arms stretched too far make turning difficult, legs that can’t touch terra firma mean leaning the bike to one side at a stop, a high center of gravity means a constant vigil when traveling slower speeds. Not a big deal, but annoying, nonetheless.So you alter suspensions, change bars, scoot up in the seat, remove foam from the seat…whatever it takes. You just adapt (smaller motorcycle riders are some of the most adaptable people I know).Riding the motorcycle through and around Nevada’s Red Rock Canyon during its press introduction, I immediately felt the difference that comes from thoughtful ergonomics. The bike felt… “comfortable.” A bike adapted to a smaller rider, rather than vice-versa…what a switch.I swear this Sporty borrowed the adage of “A place for everything and everything in its place.” Arms, hands and feet fell naturally to their desired positions and, voilá—the corresponding controls were there to meet them—no stretching necessary. Speaking of controls, I must not neglect mentioning the smaller diameter grips and easier clutch pull H-D bestowed upon the redesigned Sportster family in 2004. Because of these improvements there is a lot less grunting while shifting, further adding to the enjoyment of riding the 883L. The new pullback handlebars did a great job of providing good leverage for easier steering, and the mid-mount controls provided for a comfortable seating position.While the 883L rode with the feel of a heavier motorcycle, the motorcycle itself did not feel weighty or top-heavy. Spry and nimble was more like it, with plenty of torquey grunt and usable power for a rider with any amount of experience. It behaved well, responding to rider input. It cavorted the dips and tight curves of the canyon highway with the finesse, athleticism and sure-footed lightness of a ballet dancer. Not for beginners only, I mused. The 2005 XL Sportster 883L features all the new changes incorporated in the 2004 Sportster family, including the smoother-running, rubber-mounted XL Evolution V-Twin motor that boasted improved cooling, high-flow cylinder heads, lighter pistons and connecting rods. Its familiar-profiled peanut-shaped fuel tank holds 3.3 gallons. It will be offered in five colors and retails for $6895 in Vivid Black paint, more for colors. H-D unveiled the new Sporty at a gathering of women moto-journalists, perhaps figuring that we could better appreciate the motorcycle’s unique selling points. However, during my years of grousing and complaining about too-big motorcycles, I’ve come to learn it’s not just a “woman” thing. Short-stature problems are not gender specific. But in addition to the comfort it provides to smaller riders, the lower, lighter-feeling 883L should also provide a great comfort-level to newer riders, allowing them to fret less about ergonomics and heavy handling and concentrate more on riding skills. With this Sportster, Harley has finally engineered a motorcycle that is suitable for new riders, as well as those not-so-new. —Pamela Collins{| class="wikitable" |- !Make Model |Harley Davidson XL 883L Sportster |- !Year |2007 - 08 |- !Engine Type |Four stroke, 45° V-Twin, OHV, 2 valves per cylinder. |- !Displacement |883 cc / 53.9 cub in. |- !Bore X Stroke |76.2 x 96.8 mm |- !Cooling System |Air cooled |- !Compression |8.8:1 |- !Induction |Electronic Sequential Pot Fuel Injection |- !Ignition |Digital CDI |- !Starting |Electric |- !Max Power |68 hp / 50.2 kW @ 4400 rpm |- !Max Torque |74.5 Nm / 55 lb-ft @ 3500 rpm |- !Clutch |Multi-plate clutch with diaphragm spring in oil bath |- !Transmission |5 Speed |- !Final Drive |Belt |- !Gear Ratio |1st 10.782 2nd 7.702 3rd 5.728 4th 4.748 5th 4.071 |- !Frame |Mild steel, tubular frame, circular sections, cast junctions Swingarm Mild steel, rectangular tube sections, stamped junctions, MIG welded |- !Front Suspension |39mm Telescopic forks |- !Rear Suspension |Coil-over, dual-adjustable preload |- !Front Brakes |Single 292mm disc 2 piston calipers |- !Rear Brakes |Single 292mm disc 1 piston caliper |- !Front Tire |D401F 100/90-19 57H |- !Rear Tire |D401 150/80B16 71H |- !Rake |29.6° |- !Trail |117 mm / 4.6 in |- !Dimensions |Length 2263.14 mm / 89.10 in Width 894.08 mm / 35.2 in Height 1160.78 mm /45.7 in |- !Wheelbase |1524.0 mm / 60.0 in |- !Seat Height |Laden2 642.62 mm / 25.3 in Unladen 668.02 mm / 26.3 in |- !Dry Weight |255 kg / 563 lbs |- !Wet Weight |264.4 kg / 583 lbs |- !Fuel Capacity |12.5 Liters / 3.3 US gal

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