2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Low Reviews

2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Low

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First Reviewed August 9, 2009 Found in Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Reviews, Sportster

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The 2009 883 Low continues the Sportster tradition of combining economic value with 100% pure Harley-Davidson spirit and soul. Sent to dealers from the factory with an MSRP of only $6,999 for the black version, this lowered Sportster is the H-D response to the economic slump America has found itself in during the 2009 riding year.

Featuring low profile ergonomics with a saddle height of just 25.3", the Sportster 883 Low offers an exciting mixture of precise handling and stunning style, including a new front fender that hugs the silver cast aluminum wheel. The 883 Low inspires confident riding for those who appreciate a lighter, nimble bike with signature Evolution V-Twin performance.

When it debuted in 1957, the original Sportster emanated a tough and rebellious attitude that was birthed on the rough dirt tracks and drag strips that dominated the motorcycle scene of the day. That initial spirit still lives in every new Sportster model including the 883 Low.

Most Harley-Davidson Sportster models rolled into 2009 on a retuned suspension system and this includes the 883 Low as well as the 883 Custom, 1200 Low and 1200 Custom. Springs and dampening rates have been recalibrated and new damping devices have been installed to provide superior ride quality. These bikes retain the raw, soulful styling that represents the uninhibited essence of motorcycling. Responsive handling, smooth torque delivery, and distinctive sound of an American V-Twin engine as well as classic styling cues which make the 2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Low a motorcycle that just keeps getting better.

As with the other iterations of the 2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster lineup, the 883 Low gets a new low-profile front fender. This small aesthetic change goes a long way in communicating a streamlined, custom look to the street-side viewer.

The 883cc power plant of the 2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Low is built on the Evolution design, receives a silver powder-coated engine polish treatment and comes rubber-mounted to the frame of the motorcycle.

As is common to most Harley engines the Evolution engine is a mixture of old and new technology. While the motor remains air-cooled and the valves (two per cylinder) are of the traditional overhead pushrod-operated, they also feature self-adjusting lifters and are fed fuel through the more advanced and efficient Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) system.

The '09 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Low still features a 5-speed transmission. This current setup does a good job of transferring the 55 ft/lbs of torque to the ground and, truth be told, there is not now a hue-and-cry being lifted up by riders for a 6-speed version on this bike (though that doesn't preclude H-D from integrating one in the future).

Available colors include Vivid Black, Pewter Pearl, Dark Blue Pearl, and the new-for-2009 Red Hot Sunglo.

Reviews of the 2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 Low (Model XL883L) can be found below. Please write a review of your own if you've had the chance to ride one of these bikes yourself. Be sure to match your review to the proper bike as the 2009 Sportster 1200 Low, 2009 Sportster 1200 Custom, 2009 Sportster 883 Custom all have their own respective review sets. If you would like to have a picture of your own bike included here, please email a photo to pictures@hdreviewspot.net and we'll include it in the 2009 Harley-Davidson 883 Low Gallery. Be sure to include the Make/Model/Year in the subject line so we add your picture to the proper Harley-Davidson review set.

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