The Harley-Davidson Sportster is one of the best Harley-Davidson motorcycles ever. Not only does it have a long tradition, where we have seen the Sportster grow and develop, but it has also proven to be one solid performer. From the early days of the Sportster XL until now, we have witnessed the evolution of a champion. Some of these bikes were even built with racing in mind.

The Sportster tradition has certainly produced some awesome bikes. For example, the 1969 XLH Sportster was one of a kind, while the later Harley-Davidson Seventy-Two exudes the style and attitude of a chopper. But then peruse the latest Harley-Davidson Nightster and you witness the next chapter of the Sportster tradition. Let's take a closer look at the Harley-Davidson Sportster.

RELATED: The 10 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever Made

10 Harley-Davidson Sportster And The K Model

1952 Harley Davidson K Model
Via: Mecum Auctions

The Model K came along in 1952. We had celebrated the innovation of the EL Knucklehead, but now we were getting excited about this new design. Harley was now taking on the competition with a lighter motorcycle, powered by a 45 cu in side valve engine. But we wanted more.

1957 Harley Davidson Sportster XL
Via: Mecum Auctions

The Sportster XL entered the scene in 1957. It had the sporty look we loved about the Model K, but over time, it was going to deliver much more.

9 1957 Sportster XL

1957 Harley Davidson Sportster XL
Via: Mecum Auctions

The 1957 Sportster XL was advertised as having a mix of beauty, power, and adventure. It would become one of the most important Harley-Davidson motorcycles in history. The 750 flathead engine of the K Model was not performing like expected. A revamp was needed.

1957 Harley Davidson Sportster XL
Via: Mecum Auctions

Harley introduced its 1957 Sportster XL with a 55 cu in overhead-valve engine. The Sportster XL looked sporty like the Model K. However, the previous KHK model had been given a high-performance upgrade, with its improved headwork and high-lift cams. The KHK was churning out 50-plus horsepower, while the 1957 Sportster XL model was lagging at 40 horsepower.

RELATED: 10 Old Harley-Davidsons Every Biker Should Ride

8 The XLCH - The Peanut Tank

1958 Harley Davidson XLCH Sportster
Via: Mecum Auctions

The 1958 Harley-Davidson XLCH was ready to race. There is some speculation about what the CH stands for. Some say 'Competition Hot'. Others say the C stands for 'California'. And yes, it is only speculation. But whatever the case, the XLCH was designed for dirt-track racing, scrambling, and for leaving the competition in its wake.

1958 Harley Davidson XLCH Sportster
Via: Mecum Auctions

The XLCH came with the 2.25-gallon "peanut" tank. The original XLCH had no lights but featured a bobbed rear fender, straight pipes, and magneto ignition.

RELATED: 10 Things You Should Know About Flat Track Racing

7 The XLH Gets An Electric Starter

1967 Harley Davidson XLH Sportster
Via: Mecum Auctions

In 1967, an electric starter was fitted to the Harley-Davidson XLH. We saw the electric starter come into play with the Electra Glide.

1967 Harley Davidson XLH Sportster
Via: Mecum Auctions

Like the Electra Glide, the oil tank was moved to the right to fit the new battery. The XLCH model continued to use the kickstart.

RELATED: 10 Things Only Real Bikers Know About The Harley-Davidson Electra-Glide

6 A New Evolution For The Sportster

1987 Harley-Davidson XLH
Via: Mecum Auctions

The eighties were here. The Sportster's old Ironhead engine was about to be replaced. The 1986 Sportster was going to be powered by a new Evolution (or Evo) engine.

1987 Harley-Davidson XLH
Via: Mecum Auctions

The '86 Sportster was offered as an 883 cc and a 1,100 cc engine. But the Sportster engine was soon going to be upgraded.

5 New Era Of The 1200cc Sportster

1989 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200cc
Via: Mecum Auctions

1988 saw the introduction of the 1200cc Sportster. The bore was increased from 3.35 inches of the 1100 cc to now 3.5 inches.

1993 Harley Davidson Sportster 1200
Via: Mecum Auctions

Changes would continue through the nineties. For example, in 1991, we were seeing a new five-speed transmission.

4 Harley-Davidson XR1200

2009 Harley Davidson XR1200
Via: Mecum Auctions

Released in 2008, the Harley-Davidson XR1200 would not hit the U.S. market until 2009. Its performance was praised. It was given an enhanced suspension for better handling.

2009 Harley Davidson XR1200
Via: Mecum Auctions

The XR1200 was one Sportster with a flat track racing style, with echoes of the XR-750 dirt track racer, from where it took its inspiration.

3 Harley-Davidson 72 - Chopper In Attitude

2015 Harley Davidson Sportster 72
Via: YouTube

The Harley-Davidson Seventy-Two evokes a chopper-style bike. Just need to check out the 30.1-degree rake with the front forks, but then there is that prominent 21-inch front wheel.

2017 Harley Davidson Seventy Two
Via: Riverside Harley-Davidson

The "Seventy-Two" name derives from Route 72, or Whittier Boulevard, a popular L.A. cruising spot. It was inspired by the 70s-era of choppers.

2 Harley-Davidson Sportster S

Harley-Davidson Sportster S 2021 On The Road
via Harley-Davidson

We love the Harley-Davidson Sportster S, not only because of its aggressive design but also because of how it performs with its Revolution Max 1250T powerplant.

Harley Davidson Sportster S 2021 design
www.harley-davidson.com

The Harley-Davidson Sportster S is a giant leap forward in the exciting Sportster history. It brings the technological sweeteners we love, like the high mount exhaust, while still retaining the heart of the old-school Sportster.

RELATED: Roadster Showdown: 2021 Harley-Davidson Sportster S Vs 2021 Indian Scout

1 Harley-Davidson Nightster

2022-Harley-Davidson-Nightster
Via: Harley-Davidson

We love the Sportster S, but there are some very good reasons why we'd rather ride the Nightster. The Nightster is powered by the Revolution Max 975T, giving awesome acceleration and the handling we crave.

2022-Harley-Davidson-Nightster
Via: Harley-Davidson

The Harley-Davidson Nightster stands on a rich Sportster tradition. From the early days of the XL until now, we have seen the Sportster mature. Now we wait for the exciting next chapter.

Sources: Rafferty, T. (1997), The Complete Harley-Davidson. MBI Publishing Company; Youngblood, E. (2003). Heroes Of Harley-Davidson. Motorbooks International.