Harley-Davidson Sportster
Last updated
via Wikipedia: Harley-Davidson · see source
The first Sportster in 1957 used an 883cc air-cooled OHV 45-degree V-twin engine and had a claimed power of 40hp at 5,500rpm.[1] Harley-Davidson has been manufacturing the Sportster motorcycle line without interruption since 1957.[2] The product code for Sportster models always starts with the letters "XL".[2]
Last updated 2026-10-08 from the source article.
How it changed
In 1954, Harley stroked the K model to 883cc and renamed it the KH.[1] A higher-compression XLH and the scrambles-oriented XLCH appeared in 1958.[1] In 1986, the Evolution engine was introduced, and in 1988 the 1100cc option was increased to 1200cc.[3] The frame was completely redesigned with a rubber mounting system for the engine in 2004.[3]
The Model K Sport and Sport Solo, which came before the Sportster, first appeared in 1952 and were equipped with a sidevalve engine.[2] Chain drive was swapped for belt drive on the 883 Deluxe and every 1200 model in 1991.[3] By 2007, every Sportster came with fuel injection as standard equipment.[3] Because its engine could not comply with Euro 5 emissions regulations, the original Sportster line stopped being sold in Europe in 2020.[4]
What the maker and period sources say
Margie Siegal's 2011 article states the 1957 Sportster had iron barrels and heads, a 7.5:1 compression ratio, and made 40 horsepower at 5,500rpm.[1] The same source notes that the first Sportster was not particularly speedy, as a good KHK would outperform it.[1] Richard Backus's 2009 article describes the XR1200 as a Sportster-based hot rod drawing styling from the XR750, with claimed power of 90hp at 7,000rpm.[5] The Silodrome buying guide notes the 1957 Sportster used the Ironhead overhead-valve engine and had twin-spring rear suspension.[3]
Sood's 2024 article states the Nightster has a 975cc Revolution Max 975T engine producing 90 HP and 70 LB-FT of torque.[6]
References
- Margie Siegal, "1957 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL", Motorcycle Classics, May–June 2011. facts only, no text reused. motorcycleclassics.com
- Wikipedia, "Harley-Davidson Sportster" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Margie Siegal, "1957 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL", Motorcycle Classics, May–June 2011 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- "The Essential Free Buying Guide - Harley-Davidson Sportster", Silodrome, 2013-10-05. facts only, no text reused. silodrome.com
- Wikipedia, "Harley-Davidson Sportster" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Purvis, "Harley-Davidson Looks to Revive the Nightster Nameplate", Cycle World, 9 March 2021 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Richard Backus, "2009 Harley-Davidson XR1200", Motorcycle Classics, September–October 2009. facts only, no text reused. motorcycleclassics.com
- Sood, "Why The Nightster Is The Perfect Harley-Davidson For Beginners", January 26, 2024. facts only, no text reused. topspeed.com
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Harley-Davidson Sportster (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Harley-Davidson Sportster (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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