Over the last few years, Harley-Davidson has been on something of a mission to modernize their lineup. With the launch of the LiveWire brand not long after rolling out the Sportster S and Nightster, there were always going to be a few casualties.
One of those is the slightly long in the tooth air-cooled Iron 883. Although you can still buy these bikes brand new, they are all technically old stock now and will no longer be there come 2023. This means there should be a fair few good deals on offer, and with a robust aftermarket, the venerable Sportster certainly deserves a second look.
10 Authentic Cruiser
If you think of a random cruiser, you are likely thinking of a Sportster. The 883 is one prolific motorcycle and is still every bit a classic cruiser.
That authenticity can get a little extreme though, the engine is to say the least, dated, and if you are not accustomed to the Harley-Davidson “quirks,” it might actually be a touch off-putting... especially when you see oil everywhere. But, enthusiasts will quickly point out how reliable the 883 is, you just have to get used to topping it up when necessary.
9 Heritage
An oily engine is part of the air-cooled deal. With push-rods, air fins and a glorious “potato-potato” soundtrack, it is actually hard to believe this was and still is very much an entry level motorcycle.
Entry level it may be for a Harley, but no matter what the marketing will have you believe, this is no beginner bike. It is big and powerful, and most certainly is not a forgiving beginner-friendly kind of motorcycle.
8 Mid-Controls
In recent times, the idea of a cruiser, especially those into custom cruisers, is forward controls. Some love it, some hate it, but the 883 does not have it.
It has more ergonomic mid-controls, this makes for a far more comfortable riding position for most riders. Especially those who are not yet accustomed to cruisers.
7 Low Seat Height
The 883 is a great bike for those who are vertically challenged, pretty much anyone can flat foot the bike as it has a seat height of only 26 inches.
Most cruisers have a low seat height, but only a few have that, and mid-controls. It is pretty clear that the latest 883 set its sights on first time cruiser riders with this model, but were not quite willing to tame the beast within and offer a restricted power version.
6 Air-Cooled Engine
If you want a truly authentic Harley-Davidson experience, you need to own one of their air-cooled bikes.
The beauty of the Sportster, although imperfect, is an otherwise modern motorcycle that passes emissions tests and has all your basic cruiser needs.
5 Simple Mechanicals
That air-cooled engine adds more than character, it also gives the bike an edge in terms of serviceability.
If you are mechanically minded, or just like getting your hands dirty, this is a very easy bike to work on that does not require a lot of skill to work on or modify.
4 Punchy V-Twin
It certainly isn’t the biggest or baddest Harley, but it still has more than enough power for most riders.
With over 50 pound feet of torque you will also have roll-on power in pretty much every gear on the highway or city streets.
3 Endless Aftermarket
Not only can you get pretty much anything you will ever need directly from Harley, there are also several specialized companies that offer a wide selection of aftermarket parts for the bike.
It really is a blank canvas, as it is a very basic sort of package, but with the extensive aftermarket, you will be able to tailor the bike to your specific needs.
2 Urban Rumble
This is one of the best commuters if you live in a city. That might seem counterintuitive, as most cruisers are more about crunching highway miles, but this is not one of those bikes.
The 883 is a loud and proud Harley that is punchy, especially at low speed, has a comfortable riding position and incredible gas mileage (for a Harley). It is the kind of commuter that will put a smile on your face every day.
1 Affordable
This got marketed as the entry level Harley once all the other bikes went by the wayside, and this remains, for now, their most affordable new bike.
It will also die out by next year, and will likely get even more affordable as it is not the most desirable Harley-Davidson. It is the ultimate blank canvas though, far from perfect, but a very affordable starting point for cruiser lovers.