Found this link to a 1973 Cycle Magazine article. It's a multi bike comparison test that included the 1973 XLCH Sportster

http://www.kawtriple.com/mraxl/artic...uperbikes1.htm

 

Groovy read man, thanks for the link!

Very technical, but it's amazing how much other bikes have changed, but how
much the sportster has stayed the same. Kind of embarassing to see how it
stacked up in the end.

"And last is the Sportster... shoving forth its image and hiding its
Performance figures."

Indeed....

 

 

Cool!

Thanks for the link.

...

 

This comparison shows the sportster as a little better competitor.

http://www.kawtriple.com/mraxl/articles/big7/big7.htm

 

That's a great link too! I'm lucky enough to own a copy of that magazine. It's a cool bit of history. Another article in that magazine talks about the then new XR-750. Both superbike tests (70 and 73) provide an interesting comparison between the 69 XLCH (883cc) and the heavier EPA restrcted 73 model (1000cc).
By 1973 the XLCH Sportster was at the end of it's days as a "superbike" but if you notice it did run a slightly quicker 1/4 mile then the 750 Honda. For that matter if you search newer road tests you'll find that the 73 XLCH ran a 1/4 time equal to a 2010 Wide Glide (TC96) and newer 1200 EVO sportsters.

 

Cool find man. Cool think is the Sporty is still going strong, but I don't see it as a performance bike.

 

Still have mine and loving it.

 

Brings Back memories It did,,

 

cool article ... I read in the most recent edition of HOG magizine that Harley out sells all other motorcyle companys in the 18-35 demographic, didn't expect it, kind of thought I was one of the few guys in his 20's riding one but depending on how accurate their stats were thats good to kno! and that is all power levels over 645cc their gap of outselling other companies is even higher