Table of contents

• Second-hand advice: Second-hand Harley Harley-Davidson Sportster
• sightseeing
• Technical data: HD XL 1200 R model year 2004
• Further information
• Market situation
• Facelift 1985 to 2009

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Second-hand advice: Harley-Davidson Sportster

Second-hand advice: Second-hand Harley
Harley-Davidson Sportster

Come on, do it at last: buy your first Harley! The Sportster range is plentiful and the prices are moderate. And forget the talk of women on motorcycles.

Klaus Herder

05/11/2009

Which Harley does your owner enjoy most? Clear answer: always the very first. Used or new purchase, Sportster or Big Twin – it doesn’t matter, that big grin, that I-finally-have-a feeling is only available at the premiere. It doesn’t have to remain a pipe dream, because the range of high-quality second-hand Harleys has never been better or cheaper than today.

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 Two decades of fat new business with high numbers of registrations are now having a consumer-friendly effect. The Sportster, which was presented in its original form in 1957, is traditionally the entry-level Harley.

Until 1985, it was originally intended to compete with English sports machines “Sporty” rather a case for tolerant lovers with screwdriver skills. But when the old Shovelhead gray cast iron engine was replaced by the Evolution Twin (short “Evo”) was replaced, the American original gained a lot of suitability for everyday use.

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Youngest generation: from 2004 technically much better, but 30 kilograms heavier

With the exception of a brief 1100 series, the Evo-Sporty, which is interesting for used buyers, was always available in two displacement variants: as an 883 and as a 1200. The small Sportster is a case for rather quieter characters and / or chopper fans. The Hugger, XL 53 C or 883 Custom models take this into account. The 1200er lives up to its name – at least under the standard that was considered sporty in 1957. The Harleys are only allowed to take off from the depths of the engine speed range with the 1200. Up to and including 2003, the Sportster (by Harley standards) was a real lightweight, which is more fun to swing on lively country roads than some Big Twin. Especially as the XL 1200 R, the Sporty is anything but a women’s motorcycle.

sightseeing

The younger the better: The Sportster history is filled to the brim with more or less extensive model maintenance measures that made the machine technically better from year to year. Those who are interested in fighting weight even with a Harley should look around for one that was built before the late summer of 2003. The 2004 model year brought a lot of useful technical improvements, but unfortunately also 30 kilograms more on the ribs.

Sportys are mostly first-time Harleys and often serve their inexperienced owners as a field of experimentation for conversions. The worst are tuning measures by backyard screwdrivers or self-made upgrades from 883 to 1200 cm². Apart from the often lousy quality of work, such actions are often not entered in the papers – which will be revenged at the latest during the next general inspection. As boring as it sounds: As a used buyer, it is best to pick up a first-hand Sportster in its original condition. And then rebuild it yourself.

Technical data: HD XL 1200 R model year 2004

Engine:
Air-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 45-degree V-engine, four underlying, gear-driven camshafts, two valves per cylinder, hydraulic valve lifters, bumpers, rocker arms, dry sump lubrication, constant pressure carburetor, Ø 40 mm, no exhaust gas cleaning, multi-disc oil bath clutch, five-speed gearbox, toothed belt.
Bore x stroke 88.8 x 96.8 mm
Cubic capacity 1199 cm3
Rated output 49 kW (67 hp) at 5900 rpm
Max. Torque 93 Nm at 3300 rpm

 Landing gear:
Double loop frame made of tubular steel, telescopic fork, Ø 39 mm, two-arm swing arm made of steel profiles, two spring struts, adjustable spring base, front disc brake, Ø 292 mm, double-piston calipers, rear disc brake, Ø 292 mm, single-piston caliper.
Cast aluminum wheels 2.15 x 19; 3.00 x 16
Tires 100/90 H 19; 150/80 HB 16

 Dimensions + weights:
Suspension travel f / h 141/104 mm, seat height * 750 mm, weight with a full tank * 267 kg, tank capacity 12.9 liters.

Measurements (MOTORRAD 26/2003):
Top speed ** 190 km / h
Acceleration 0-100 km / h 5.0 sec
Pulling speed 60 ?? 140 km / h 12.6 sec
Consumption 5.4 l / 100 km, super

* MOTORCYCLE measurements
** Manufacturer information

Further information

Fansites:
www.sportyforum.de (only after registration); www.motor-talk.de/forum/harley-davidson-b34.html (Harley in general; read along even without registration)

Tests in MOTORCYCLE:

To the 883:
22/85 (T), 26/86 (T), 8/92 (VT), 19/93 (VT), 1/94 (T), 14/96 (VT), 17/00 (VT), 10 / 01 (VT), 25/01 (VT), 5/03 (VT), 11/03 (VT); 1100: 7/86 (T), 19/87 (VT);

At 1200:
7/91 (T), 1/94 (T), 23/95 (T), 18/98 (LT), 20/03 (VT), 26/03 (T), 4/04 (VT), 3 / 07 (VT), 23/07 (T)

T = test, VT = comparison test, LT = long distance test

Market situation

Drawing: archive

Gone are the days when Harleys were distributed and not sold. After a relatively short period of time, some of the Sportster buyers want more – especially more image in the Harley scene – and grab the Big Twin. This gives the used market many relatively young sporties with modest mileage. The supply currently exceeds the demand. Since a brand new basic 883 is available for less than 8,000 euros, the loss in value by Harley standards is relatively high in the first few years. Good 1200s (for which the above price table applies) are available from 5000 euros, top models from 7000 euros.

• Availability on the market: high

Facelift 1985 to 2009

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The 883 Hugger from 1987

1985
Market launch of the Sportster 883, base price 13,630 marks (6969 euros).

1986
Launch of the Sportster 1100, base price 16,670 marks (8,523 euros).

1987
the Sportster 1200 replaces the 1100, base price 15215 marks (7779 euros); Market launch 883 Hugger; Extended shock absorber and swing arm, stronger fork tubes with chrome caps, new carburetor.

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From 1993 all Sporsters are equipped with toothed belts.

1991
Toothed belt drive for XL 1200 and Deluxe; Engine and transmission revised; all models with five instead of four-speed gearbox.

1992
New brakes and brake discs; improved painting process for clearcoat; Ignition lock relocated on the 1200s; Standard and Hugger with O-ring instead of single chain; Hugger with a lower seat height; new seat and buckhorn handlebar for deluxe models.

1993
Toothed belt drive on all Sportstern.

1994
Wiring harness and rear frame revised; Ignition lock and primary cover new; Rubber mounted fender.

1995
Electronic speedometer.

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The Harley-Davidson XL 1200 Sport

1996
Market launch of the XL 1200 C (Custom) and XL 1200 S (Sport); Revise handlebar fittings; 12.3 liter tank for 1200s.

1998
New oil pump; Electrics partially relocated; new ignition; new electronic speedometer for XLH 883; fundamental revision of the XL 1200 S: new bench seat; revised engine (camshafts, cylinder heads). new ignition.

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Harley-Davidson Custom 53

1999
Custom 53 and 1200 Custom with narrower dragbar handlebars and forward footpegs; Speedometer modified.

2000
New fixed-calliper disc brakes for front and rear wheels; new sealed wheel bearings; new maintenance-free battery; larger tank XL 52 C and XL 1200 C..

2001
All models ex works with Harley-Davidson tires (Dunlop); 883 with modified intake and more power (53 hp); Camshaft gears revised; Modified oil pump and lubrication system; 1200 with optimized cylinder liners.

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The XL 883 R will be on the market from 2002.

2002
New Bullet Style Turn Signals; new gasoline spout; Launch of the XL 883 R; 883 Hugger with lower seat height and revised spring elements.

2003
All models with 100 years logos

2004
Launch of the new Sportster series; Engine completely revised and with more power (54/67 hp); new lubrication system; Ignition and exhaust system revised; smoother clutch; new frame; new braking system; 150 mm instead of 130 mm rear tire; Immobilizer and alarm system as standard; Custom models with 17 liter tanks; Handlebars and footrests partially repositioned; thinner handlebar grips; Service intervals extended to 8,000 kilometers.

2005
Clear glass headlights; better chrome plating of the spoked wheels; stiffer rear swing arm with stronger rear axle.

2006
Transmission, clutch and brake light switch new; longer side stand for 883, 883 R and 1200 R; modified immobilizer.

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In 2007 the engine of the XL 883 was retuned and equipped with new camshafts.

2007
Injection system instead of carburettor; new alarm system; Clutch and brake smooth-running; new instruments, new engine setup and new camshafts for the XL 883.

2008
Introduction of the XL 1200 Nightster; Side stand switch instead of folding safeguard; improved head gaskets; 1200 Roadster with 17 instead of 12.5 liter tank.

2009
Frame reinforced on all sports stars; Chassis revised (except 883 Low and 1200 Nightster); Changed front fender, clutch cable, shift mechanism, manifold seals, battery holder and left side cover; new disc rear wheel for custom models.

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