Harley-Davidson XL 883L Sportster 883 Low vs Harley-Davidson XL 883R Sportster 883R (2011)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson XL 883L Sportster 883 Lowstacks up against the Harley-Davidson XL 883R Sportster 883R. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Harley-Davidson XL 883L Sportster 883 Low | Harley-Davidson XL 883R Sportster 883R |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2010 | 2011 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 883 cc | 883 cc |
| Torque | 70 Nm | 66 Nm |
| Weight | 251 kg | 243 kg |
| Seat height | 26 mm | 30 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 3.3 L | 3.3 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 5-speed | 6-speed |
| Front brakes | Single disc. Dual Piston | Single disc. Patented, uniform expansion rotors. Dual-piston. |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. Single piston | Single disc. Patented, uniform expansion rotors. Single-piston. |
| Tires | 100/90-19 / 150/80-16 | 100/90-19 / 100/90-19 |
Harley-Davidson XL 883L Sportster 883 Low vs Harley-Davidson XL 883R Sportster 883R — which should you buy?
Picking between the Harley-Davidson XL 883L Sportster 883 Low and the Harley-Davidson XL 883R Sportster 883R usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson XL 883L Sportster 883 Low brings its published horsepower in a 251 kg package, while the Harley-Davidson XL 883R Sportster 883R counters with its own power figure at 243 kg.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: