When Harley-Davidson makes changes to the Iron 883, they stay faithful to at least one important aspect – performance. While XL models have never been known as 'fast' bikes, they certainly have a well-deserved reputation as 'quick' bikes. Nothing in the Harley world comes out of the hole like a Sporty, or handles the corners like one, and the Iron 883 maintains that tradition with aplomb. Bikes like this show how the XL line has not only survived, but also thrived in the entry-level and sport-minded American markets.

2016 - 2022 Harley-Davidson Iron 883

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 - 2022 Harley-Davidson Iron 883
  • Engine/Motor: V-twin
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Design

- Drag-centric styling - LED lighting - Generous blackout

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When the folks at Harley-Davidson introduced the K-model (direct ancestor of the XL, or Sportster line) back in 1952, I doubt they could have known they were birthing a genre that would still be thriving over half a century later. Yet, here we are with the 2022 Sportster Iron 883 that pays tribute not so much to the factory, but to the custom touches added by owners over the ages.

Overall, the Iron 883 has a drag-centric vibe that is hard to ignore. The drag bars and mid-mount controls form an aggressive rider triangle that puts the rider into a slightly forward-leaning stance – a perfect cornering position if you like -- to take your curves with a little mustard on them.

Typical of the Sportster family, the lines are rather bunched up to fit within the 85.8-inch total length. The fuel tank emulates the classic look of the Sporty peanut-tank while squeezing another gallon or so in there for a total of 3.3 gallons. Let's face it, peanut tanks are cool to look at, but they just don't carry enough fuel.

The upper lines manage a little flow down the tank and across the rolled-leather that sort of pimps out the otherwise-mundane stock Sportster seat, which is more comfortable than the smooth Sporty seat. The chopped rear fender adds to the dragster vibe while leaving a good view of the rear tire.

Turn signals -- front and rear -- use LEDs to keep the units as small and unobtrusive as possible. The taillight is so low-profile it looks more like a strut reflector, or it does when it isn't lit, anyway. A sideways license-plate holder mounted on the left side keeps the fender clean and the top line unobstructed at the rear end – plus it makes the Iron 883 look like a worked-over custom bike right off the showroom floor.

Harley took the blacked-out look to the Nth degree. Even the shock springs and turn-signal housings got the treatment, leaving only the pushrod tubes, fork tubes (but not lowers), wheel-spoke tips, and engine-cover fasteners as the only bright spots on the bike. This also plays into the custom look, and ironically, this seeming lack of frills is actually a frill all its own.

If you're one of those unfortunate folks that have to put your bike into storage for a few months of the year, you'll appreciate the addition of the battery tender harness as standard equipment in 2017.

Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Chassis

- Low center of gravity - Quick reversals - Crisp steering response - Optional ABS

As I mentioned before, the Iron 883 is a short bike no matter how you measure it. The wheelbase is a mere 59.6 inches, even with the relatively long, 30 degree rake. Steering geometry winds up giving you 4.6 inches of trail for crisp response to steering pressure, and even though the maximum lean angle is only 27 degrees to the right and 28 degrees to the left, you will be able to quickly traverse the bike from one max to the other.

Harley keeps the Iron 883 low with a slammed rear suspension, 16-inch tire in back and 19-inch hoop in front. Sportsters traditionally have tall seats, but this one comes with a saddle height just a hair under 30 inches high, unladen, sure to appeal to the vertically challenged crowd. Ground clearance is a bit low at 5.5 inches, but you aren't going off-road with this bike and the low center-of-gravity is a nice bonus.

The Iron 883 weighs in at 564 pounds soaking wet, so the lack of dual front brakes isn't that big a deal. Both ends of the bike get strong, honest braking from the dual-cylinder calipers, and you have the choice of going “old-school” with non-augmented brakes or going for the safety net offered by the optional ABS package.

Frame:

Mild steel, tubular frame; circular sections; cast junctions

Swingarm:

Mild steel, rectangular tube section, stamped junctions; MIG welded

Front Forks:

39 mm

Rear Shocks:

Coil-over; Preload Dual-adjustable

Suspension Travel, Front/Rear:

3.6 in / 1.6 in

Rake (steering head):

30°

Trail:

4.6 inches

Lean Angle, Right/Left:

27 degrees/ 28 degrees

Wheels:

Black Nine-Spoke with Machined Highlights

Wheel, Front:

19 in. x 2.15 in. (483 mm x 55 mm)

Wheel, Rear:

16 in. x 3 in. (406 mm x 76 mm)

Tire, Front:

100/90B19 57H

Tire, Rear:

150/80B16 77H

Brakes, Front:

300 mm disc, dual-piston caliper

Brakes, Rear:

260 mm disc, dual-piston caliper

ABS:

optional


Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Drivetrain

- 883 cc Evolution engine - 53.8 lb-ft of torque - Rubber-mounted engine for reduced vibration - Lively performance

When the first Evo Sporty came out, I really didn't like the engine. Personally, I didn't see anything wrong with my old Ironhead. But history is a great teacher, and the Evo has had plenty of time to prove its toughness and longevity. I would go so far as to say it's one of the best engines Harley ever made, and they've had 30 years to perfect it. The new Milwaukee-Eight engines have so far proved promising, but they haven't been out long enough to know if they'll match the Evo's reliability and longevity.

In keeping with Harley tradition, the mill is an air-cooled, 45-degree V-twin. The 3-inch bore and 3.811-inch stroke give the engine a total displacement of 53.9 cubic-inches (883 cc -- hence the devilishly clever name), and a throttle body with electronic fuel injection helps it crank out 53.8 pound-feet of torque at 3,750 rpm. This is plenty of power for zipping around town, and it comes economically at 51 mpg.

A five-speed transmission and reinforced-belt final drive connect the engine to the drive wheel, and while it doesn't have the sixth gear of its Big-Twin cousins, you really won't miss it much. Unlike Sporties from the past, this engine has rubber mounts that isolate the frame and rider from engine vibration. So take that, Harley haters! Sportsters no longer come with a leather-bound bottle of Loctite!

Engine :

Air-cooled, Evolution®

Bore x Stroke:

3 inches x 3.811 inches

Displacement:

53.9 cubic inches (883 cc)

Compression Ratio:

9:1

Engine Torque (J1349):

53.8 pound-feet at 3,750 rpm

Fuel System:

Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)

Exhaust:

Black exhaust headers and black mufflers

Primary Drive Chain:

34/57 ratio

Final Drive:

Belt, 29/68 ratio

Clutch:

multi-plate, wet

Transmission:

5 speed

Gear Ratios (overall):

1st: 10.41, 2nd: 7.436, 3rd: 5.531, 4th: 4.584, 5th: 3.931


Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Price

Get your 2022 Iron 883 in a choice of colors for $11,249. ABS will set you back $819, and the security option adds another $415 to the ticket. Sorry California residents, your emissions package will cost another bill.

Warranty:

24-month unlimited mileage

Model ID:

XL 883N

Colors:

└ 2016:

Olive Gold, Charcoal Denim, Black Denim, Hard Candy Gold Flake

└ 2017:

Black Denim, Charcoal Denim, Olive Gold, Red Iron Denim, Hard Candy Hot Rod Red Flake

└ 2018:

Black Denim, Industrial Gray Denim, Wicked Red, Bonneville Salt Denim, Hard Candy Chameleon Flake

└ 2019:

Black Denim, Industrial Gray, Wicked Red, Rawhide Denim, Rugged Gold Denim, Silver Flux/Black Fuse

└ 2020:

Black Denim, Barracuda Silver Denim, River Rock Gray, Scorched Orange/Silver Flux

└ 2021:

Black Denim, River Rock Gray Denim, Deadwood Green, Snake Venom

└ 2022:

Black Denim, Gunship Gray, White Sand Pearl

Pricing:

Pricing:

└ 2016:

Color: $8,849, Hard Candy Color: $9,299

└ 2017:

Color: $8,949, Hard Candy Color: $9,399

└ 2018:

Color: $8,999, Hard Candy Color: $9,449

└ 2019, 2020:

Color: $8,999, Two-Tone Custom Color: $9,899

└ 2021:

Color: $9,499, Custom Color:$10,199

└ 2022:

$11,249


Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Competitors

So far, the closest bike to the Iron 883 would have to be the Bolt from the Star cruiser lineup at Yamaha. Both bikes follow a similar low-and-compact design, with minimal sheet metal and plenty of entry-level appeal.

Yamaha Bolt

The Bolt comes out on top of the displacement category with 58 cubic-inches (942 cc) versus 53.9 cubic-inches from the Harley. Both engines are air-cooled V-twins, and really, the biggest difference in the engines is the angle of the dangle – Harley runs its customary 45-degree engine while the Bolt uses a 60-degree mill. What does that mean other than aesthetics? Since neither are off-roaders or flat trackers, it may only come down to a difference in the exhaust note.

At $7,999, the Bolt comes in a bit under the Sporty's $11,249 price tag, and the difference is even bigger if you start looking at the custom colors available from Harley. While the price difference is not that big, I would point out that every dollar counts in an entry-level budget, and the Bolt looks to give the Iron 883 some serious competition in the domestic market.

Read our full review of theYamaha Bolt.

He Said

“I have always been a Sporty fan, and the Iron 883 is no exception. Barring long trips on the highway, I have more fun with my 883C than I ever did on the 80 cubic-inch FXRP, especially when coming out of the hole at every stop sign and traffic light. This sled will make an ideal bar-hopper and around-town bike.”

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says "My husband's Sportster 883 has been so good to us. It's not the bike I want to ride pillion on, but for a little around-town ride, it's pretty awesome. New in 2016, Harley added the bobber-style tuck-n-roll seat. Originally called "Blacksmith" during the concept and design phase, Harley Senior Designer, Dais Nagao, wanted the Iron 883 to be a factory bobber and incorporate elements that he would put on his own bike, such as raised-fin air cleaner cover, the eagle tank emblem, bullet-hole design features, and machine-cut-edge spokes for a new identity and to reduce weight. How can you not love a bike that was designed by a man who eats, sleeps, lives, and dreams bikes and has since he was a little kid?"

Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Specifications

Engine & Drivetrain:

Engine :

Air-cooled, Evolution®

Bore x Stroke:

3 inches x 3.811 inches

Displacement:

53.9 cubic inches (883 cc)

Compression Ratio:

9:1

Engine Torque (J1349):

53.8 pound-feet at 3,750 rpm

Fuel System:

Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)

Exhaust:

Black exhaust headers and black mufflers

Primary Drive Chain:

34/57 ratio

Final Drive:

Belt, 29/68 ratio

Clutch:

multi-plate, wet

Transmission:

5 speed

Gear Ratios (overall):

1st: 10.41, 2nd: 7.436, 3rd: 5.531, 4th: 4.584, 5th: 3.931

Chassis:

Frame:

Mild steel, tubular frame; circular sections; cast junctions

Swingarm:

Mild steel, rectangular tube section, stamped junctions; MIG welded

Front Forks:

39 mm

Rear Shocks:

Coil-over; Preload Dual-adjustable

Suspension Travel, Front/Rear:

3.6 in / 1.6 in

Rake (steering head):

30°

Trail:

4.6 inches

Lean Angle, Right/Left:

27 degrees/ 28 degrees

Wheels:

Black Nine-Spoke with Machined Highlights

Wheel, Front:

19 in. x 2.15 in. (483 mm x 55 mm)

Wheel, Rear:

16 in. x 3 in. (406 mm x 76 mm)

Tire, Front:

100/90B19 57H

Tire, Rear:

150/80B16 77H

Brakes, Front:

300 mm disc, dual-piston caliper

Brakes, Rear:

260 mm disc, dual-piston caliper

ABS:

optional

Dimensions & Capacities:

Length:

85.8 in

Seat Height, Laden:

25.7 in

Seat Height, Unladen:

29.9 in

Ground Clearanc:

5.5 in

Wheelbase:

59.6 in

Fuel Capacity:

3.3 gals

Fuel Economy: Combined City/Hwy:

51 mpg

Oil Capacity (w/filter) :

2.8 qts

Weight, As Shipped:

545 lb

Weight, In Running Order:

564 lbs

Gross Vehile Weight Rating:

1000 lbs

Gross Axle Weight Rating, Front/Rear:

335 lb / 665 lb)

Electric:

Battery (per Battery Council International Rating):

Sealed lead acid, maintenance-free, 12V, 12 amp/hour, 200 cca

Charging:

Single-phase, 30-amp system (375W @ 13.5V, 2000 rpm, 405W max power @ 13.5V)

Starting:

1.2 kW electric with solenoid shift starter motor engagement

Lights (as per country regulation):

└ Headlamp:

Quartz Halogen, 55-watt low beam, 60-watt high beam

└ Indicator Lamps:

High beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals, engine diagnostics, low fuel warning, low battery, security system (if equipped), ABS (if equipped)

Gauges:

Handlebar-mounted electronic speedometer with odometer, time-of-day clock, dual

tripmeter, low fuel warning light, low oil pressure light, engine diagnostics readout, LED indicator lights

Details:

Warranty:

24-month unlimited mileage

Model ID:

XL 883N

Colors:

└ 2016:

Olive Gold, Charcoal Denim, Black Denim, Hard Candy Gold Flake

└ 2017:

Black Denim, Charcoal Denim, Olive Gold, Red Iron Denim, Hard Candy Hot Rod Red Flake

└ 2018:

Black Denim, Industrial Gray Denim, Wicked Red, Bonneville Salt Denim, Hard Candy Chameleon Flake

└ 2019:

Black Denim, Industrial Gray, Wicked Red, Rawhide Denim, Rugged Gold Denim, Silver Flux/Black Fuse

└ 2020:

Black Denim, Barracuda Silver Denim, River Rock Gray, Scorched Orange/Silver Flux

└ 2021:

Black Denim, River Rock Gray Denim, Deadwood Green, Snake Venom

└ 2022:

Black Denim, Gunship Gray, White Sand Pearl

Pricing:

└ 2016:

Color: $8,849, Hard Candy Color: $9,299

└ 2017:

Color: $8,949, Hard Candy Color: $9,399

└ 2018:

Color: $8,999, Hard Candy Color: $9,449

└ 2019, 2020:

Color: $8,999, Two-Tone Custom Color: $9,899

└ 2021:

Color: $9,499, Custom Color:$10,199

└ 2022:

$11,249


Further Reading

Harley-Davidson

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