Harley-Davidson Sportster SuperLow

Fun bikes – I bought this entry level XL883L Superlow Harley for riding around our property with the kids, I didn't want an expensive bike like my other Harley's so this bike has been perfect. This is only an entry level bike which I thought would be great for my sons at this stage.We ride it daily and have had it for 9 months now and like the mid mount controls for the open road

Superlow, supervalue, superfun – For an entry level Harley the XL883L Superlow has to be the best of the range. Alloy rims & radial tyres give you stable handling and great road feel & feedback. The 883 engine is grunty enough for almost any solo rider, smooth power delivery and enough torque to get over hills easily. With the 17L tank (vs 12.5 in the Iron etc.) it has significantly more range per fill, and IMO a sleeker more appealing style to the bike.

I have genuine lockable hard-bags fitted, same H-D quality you'd expect but a little odd in the internal sizing. Can be tricky loading them, but the Superlow carries them with ease.

Of course, the overall quality and finish is to the high standard you'd expect. The standard solo seat is a lot more comfortable than it looks, vibration is quite minimal and standard accessories are good, self cancelling turn signals, immobiliser, hazard lights. I prefer the black-out look of the XL883N Iron or XL1200CB, but the chrome on the XL883L isn't too overdone for my taste, unlike the Custom XL883C which is the model you'd get if you like shiny objects and laced chrome wheels with tubed tyres.

As with most bikes, suspension can't be 1 size fits all and is definitely something I'll be investing in later. That's my only negative, but given that it is an entry level bike, it does deliver that Harley Davidson quality in an affordable package, albeit with only 70Nm torque.

Highly recommended for anyone wanting to join the Harley family on a budget. I went with 4stars only because I need about $800 worth of suspension upgrades to improve the ride for regional QLD roads with a heavier rider, I'd like to say 4.7stars as there really is nothing else about the stock bike that I can fault. (Personally I don't like the mid-mount controls, but as with all Harleys, options to move, adjust, customise or accessorise are endless. In the case of foot controls on the XL883L, just in genuine H-D I believe there are 5 mounting position options plus highway pegs, plus aftermarket)

UPDATE - 6 months and over 7000km later...

Suspension upgraded to Progressive 412 rear & Progressive h/duty front (recommended on almost any bike) Stage 1 Screamin Eagle intake and Dyno-tuned with a Screamin Eagle supertuner to 56hp(41.7kW)@6200rpm & 53ft-lb(72Nm)@4800rpm, fuel economy took a hit and now averages ~18km/L or ~5.5L/100km. Upgraded to a HD Sundowner solo seat and some various, less relevant bolt-ons. VERY happy with it, ride almost every day, been on a number of longer trips. Of course if I had the money I'd buy a Dyna, but I can't think of any reason why I might have a different bike at this point. Services are simple, very reliable and even loaded with swag & camp gear I barely notice the extra load.

The Superlow 883 is a great bike.