As concisely as possible can someone give a clear answer why HD originally marketed the XL (or KH?) Sportster? Looks to me like a response to the Triumphs & Nortons that were flooding the US market. I've read it was designed to be a HD factory flat track racer but I ain't buying that. I think HD might've used FT'ing to advertise it but not a a sole purpose...not at 500lbs+?
I believe the KH was a flathead 750 which still fit the rules for racing (whatever class) and the XL was just an overhead valve configuration of the old flathead motor. I think the overhead valve Brit bikes were limited to 500cc.
There's probably more that I don't know than I do.
Like many of us, the Sportster has certainly got heavier over the years, the original 1957 Sportster weighed 491 lbs (224.5 kg) the last of the line in 2022 weighed 544.5 lbs (247 kg)
As concisely as possible can someone give a clear answer why HD originally marketed the XL (or KH?) Sportster? Looks to me like a response to the Triumphs & Nortons that were flooding the US market.
Yes the K model and then the XL were exactly that,unit construction like the lighter Brits and they even shifted on the right side braked on the left like the Brits.
The XL was a 900 and a street going machine,even after the OHV Sportster arrived the K model race bike was still being produced as a 750.
The racing version of the K model was the KR750. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley-Davidson_KR
I don’t know the true answer but HD saw a need to make a smaller, more performance oriented bike at the time. Could very of been due to the Brit bikes. K model came out in ‘52 which evolved to the Sportster in ‘57. I’ve read the right side shift was for flat track but I don’t know. There were some really cool K model and Sportster race bikes that were raced in various capacities like flat track, drag, etc. My personal favorite are the XLR / XLRTT bikes. Have a lead on one, hopefully will pan out one of these days or years.
The original 1957 Sportster weighed 491 lbs (224.5 kg) the last of the line in 2022 weighed 544.5 lbs (247 kg)
Wow, factory weight on my 1991 listed as 472. I guess aluminum top end versus iron, and lightweight alternator versus generator make a big difference. Just goes to show how overweight the post 2003 bikes really are. Mine's probably down to under 460 now with lithium battery, smog can, and various tiny **** gone.
John
Last edited by John Harper; 05-10-2023 at 07:34 PM.
Like many of us, the Sportster has certainly got heavier over the years, the original 1957 Sportster weighed 491 lbs (224.5 kg) the last of the line in 2022 weighed 544.5 lbs (247 kg)
I didn't sell a CBR1000RR & buy an HD XL883 because I think its a sport bike. HD's original goal w/ the XL platform was a sporty version of a HD to compete w/ the TR6 which weighed around 425lbs wet. I think the new version of the Sportster weighs around 500lbs so its a loooong way from a 398lb rice rocket but that wasn't HD's goal.
*edit*
I don't pretend by ANY stretch of the imagination to be close to most here's level of HD knowledge. Just passing on what I've read over the years and assume to be fact. I'm here to learn & contribute because after owning (3) Sportsters & (3) rice rockets I know now the stripped down, basic, simple, caveman HD XL 883 is the epitome of what a motorcycle should be. I know now there's nothing to be experienced past 72mph...at the most. You only learn from making mistakes & thankfully I learned w/out becoming a stupid statistic. I only wish I would have bought an 883 in the summer of 1988 & saved myself tens of thousands of dollars (w/ NO exaggeration) and several near death experiences.
It was competitive for many years, until the CB750 washed ashore. But, the market for 1911 style pistols is still strong after 112 years. And both Sportster and 1911 are still completely adequate for the job.
From a blog on Lowbrow Customs site located here. Pretty good read on the history of the sportster.
"The model was created in part to provide some real competition to the best british triumphs, BSAs and Nortons that were becoming increasingly popular with American riders."
Last edited by OCSpringer; 05-10-2023 at 08:25 PM.
05-10-2023, 05:01 PM
XL origin?
