Harley-Davidson XL883R Sportster: We still have, at the time of writing, about 70 shopping days to Christmas and yet already we are getting news of next year's models. In the next few weeks, especially at the Intermot show in Cologne, we will see many more.
The first of next year's crop that we have already ridden is the 2007 Harley-Davidson XL883R Sportster. Readers of this column might recall we last reported on an 883 Sportster in November, 2003. Simply in terms of looks, even a quite close glance might suggest that nothing had changed.
Indeed, with the exception of the new generation V-Rods, it is pretty much a fact of the Harley-Davidson way of doing things that "everything changes, yet everything looks the same".
The 2007 Sportster is a worthwhile development on its predecessors. The Sportster was first introduced in 1957 as a replacement for the agile 'K' model, a high-performance machine which gained a reputation for bringing on-track performance to the highways and byways of America.
Nowadays the Sportster is more viewed as Harley-Davidson's entry-level model, on the grounds that it is the cheapest, or shall we say the least expensive of a 31 model range, and has the smallest capacity engine.
That might make it sound like the baby of them all, but viewed in its own right there is nothing babyish about it. It is a thoroughly good machine of its type.
The improvements for 2007 include the introduction of Harley-Davidson's Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) which, in our view and when compared with the earlier carburettor versions, is nothing short of a transformation.
In this alone the good just got a whole lot better. Both the clutch, still cable operated, and the front brake are now lighter and much easier to operate. The instruments have been improved and the Evolution engine re-tuned to give more torque at lower rpm: 74.6Nm @ 3,000rpm compared with 69Nm @ 4,200rpm for the previous model. Even at 2,500rpm torque is 15 per cent more.
Minor details include amber reflectors, speedometer in kilometres, an optional security system module and high-performance carbon fibre belts.
There are four versions of the Sportster: the R as tested, the 883 Low, the Classic and the Custom. The actual, visual differences are slight. The 883R we tested is the only one in the line-up with the powder-coated, Wrinkle Black engine finish - the others are chrome or polished alloy.
If we have a significant criticism of the 883R it is that the peanut fuel tank as it is referred to with its 12.5 litre capacity is too small. In theory, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, this would give a range of from 239 to 317kms (148 to 197 miles), not that I, or anyone else I know of, has actually achieved the EPA levels of economy.
If one is into some serious out-of-town riding, cross-country trips or touring holidays, the peanut tank really isn't good enough. Happily if you buy the XL883 Custom you can have a larger 4.5 gallon tank.
Indeed with this Harley-Davidson, as with the entire range, you can turn your machine into pretty much whatever you want it to be. There is a vast range of manufacturer's accessories and an even larger range from a plethora of other manufacturers.
If you want, there is absolutely no reason for your bike to be like any other. And therein lies a large part of the Harley magic. Motorcyclists are, after all, individualists. They do not follow the mainstream. For some, customising is almost as relevant as riding.
Years ago I hired a Harley-Davidson Sportster in the US. It was, compared with almost anything else of the same vintage available in Europe, an excruciatingly disappointing experience. Amongst much else it vibrated like a road roller and had the performance of a geriatric. Understandably Harley-Davidsons did not feature on my must-have list for a long while afterwards. In more recent years, certainly over the last five or so, whilst still retaining their timeless looks, they have improved almost beyond measure.
The use of fuel injection is a real leap forward. It makes this bike even more civilised and pleasing to ride and now, with its also much improved brakes - who would ever have thought they would see twin front disks on a Harley? - it handles in a thoroughly European fashion. If space permitted I would be happy to add one to the collection.
Price-wise it is distinctly competitive and, no less importantly, simply by being a Harley, which by definition is a bike that is "made to be re-made" and not like so much else to be junked when worn out, it should hold its value long after most others have been melted down.
Tech Spec
ENGINE: 883cc (ESPFI) Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection, air-cooled, V-twin, 'Evolution' OHV, 2 valves per cylinder. 8.9:1 compression. Torque: 74.6Nm @ 3000rpm. Belt drive, 5-speed
CHASSIS: Mild steel tubular frame. 39mm telescopic forks, 141mm travel. Rear: swinging arm with coil-over dual adjustable rear shocks 104mm travel. Brakes: Front, dual 282mm disks, dual piston. Rear, single 292mm disk, single piston, Wheels, 13 spoke cast alloy,19" front, 16" rear
DIMENSIONS: Seat height: 714-760mm. Wheelbase:1,524mm.Weight: 267kg. Fuel: 12.5 litres
PRICE: €10,399.00 solid colours, €10,560.00 pearl