The Sportster Motorcycles from Harley Davidson are synonymous to the qualities that make up the Harley motorcycles – tradition, power and stunning looks. The Sportster motorcycle range was introduced in the year 1957. Even today, the old models are still in demand and available by way of online deals.

The Sportster motorcycles engines are fuelled by 45 degree, V-twin engines whose connecting rods share a common crank pin.  The Sportster motorcycles transmission unit and the motor together share the same casing. Until the year 2004, the engine of the motorcycle was mounted directly to the frame, which enabled the bike to appear lighter with precise handling. A disadvantage however was the vibrational energy that was directly transmitted to the rider. This was rectified by the use of rubber isolation mounts and tie links to restrict the movement of the engine along a single plane, thereby reducing the vibration.

The Sportster motorcycle range consists of 7 types of models. They are all labelled with the name of the model beginning with XL. The entry level Sportster motorcycle is XL 883, named after its 883cc engine. The Sportster motorcycle boasts of extremely good agility. The appearance of the XL 883 is denotive of its foot pedals, which are located at the middle level, and the solo riding seat, that is a classic pleasing detail for the eye.  Additional enhancements that could be done to the XL 883 are the stylish aluminium spoke wheels, a passenger seat to complement the solo riding seat and foot pedals that are mounted in the front.

The XL Sportster 883L is synonymous of an ergonomical design that is especially suitable for small riders. The seat height is 26 inches. The handle bars are situated farther and are wider than those on the XL Sportster 883. Some of the traits of the XL Sportster 883L that makes it different from other Sportster motorcycles are

-          Rubber mounted evolution engine

-          Thickness of the rear axle and stiffness of the swingarm

-          Lowered front and rear suspension

-          Middle mounted foot controls

-          A 3.3 gallon fuel tank

After the XL 883L, the next model is the XL 1200L Low, which has a 1200 cc evolution engine and the solo riding seat arranged to be closer to the handlebars to make riding easier. The XL 1200L also has the front and rear, lower suspension. In this series is also the XL 1200N Nightster, with its unique virile design, as the latest addition to the Sportster motorcycle range.

There is the XL 1200 C Custom, the most expensive of the Sportster motorcycle with black styling and a variety of other features like aluminium rear wheels, chrome bullet style headlight, and forward located foot controls. Additional storage cases and saddle bags could be attached to all the models of Sportster motorcycles, instead of attaching a Tourer.  Some of the custom features of the XL 1200 C are

-          XL Evolution 1200 engine

-          High performance cams

-          21 inch front wheel that is laced

-          4.5 gallon fuel tank

-          Chrome bullet headlight and pull-back handlebar riser.

The Sportster motorcycles are easily identifiable by the three general stages that the engine model had been updated on.