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Harley says that they’ve “really changed the Harley Davidson 883 inner workings.” – not just cosmetics. Is it just another marketing scheme? In a word, “no.” Before the launch, HD wanted to create a Sportster that you could buy to keep rather than using it as a stepping stone to the bigger Harleys. Our weekend aboard the XL 883 & XL 1200C certainly proved that point. The most significant difference on all 2004+ Sportster models is the new rubber mounted engine that required a complete reworking of the frame. These changes resulted in a stiffer chassis and smoothed out the...

Is the Harley Sportster a good beginners bike? This is a question we get asked a lot and something I see all over the web.  I guess it's a favourite question because undoubtedly among the learner legal bikes the Harley Sportster looks pretty cool and 883ccs of capacity sounds like a lot of motor for the money. As a 'smaller' Harley, the Sportster has earned, somewhat unfairly, the reputation of girls bike or in some cases a 'starter Harley'. Absolutely not right, many riders get on bigger Harleys, other bikes and they come back to them for their own particular appeal....

Some may argue that this is a bizarre comparison, but these machines are similar in as many ways as they differ. Both come from two of the most authentic brands steeped in legacy with both cracking the 100-year vintage with HD slightly edging BMW by a few years. Both bikes are air-cooled, twin-cylinder engines boasting approx. Each run 1200cc engines that have had plenty of years running their respective unit. RRP for these bikes is quite close. Here in Australia The top-spec BMW R Nine T is around $1000 more than the HD, while the ‘pure’ model can be had...

The story of how I went looking for an 883 sporter and ended up riding into the sunset on a Harley Low Rider. Me and my bro-in-law collecting the low rider. He looks happier than I do. Coming across the Harley Low Rider was a coincidence. I've owned a Harley Sportster 883 Iron before, which I sold in frustration but consequently ended up missing it badly. In my nostalgia, I found myself at the local Harley dealer with the intent of getting back the old 883 in some form. There are some new glossy versions, flaked and even the old matt-black that I...

R1200r vs FXDL Low Rider, really? What a strange comparison. This article is a quick comparison of the two bikes, not an in-depth review of each one. For full details, please refer to each bike's full review in a separate article. Similarities: The same year (2016) Similar price: ~24k (AUD) retail Same target age group Twin Cylinder I've had both of these bikes in my garage for a longer-term so have had a lot of time to reflect! I like them both so I'm not biased to one in particular. Age group: Teenagers are not likely to buy these bikes, neither...

It was very possibly somewhat un-Australian to be riding a Harley on Australia day, but hey we don’t make any bikes here! Not anything worthwhile anyway. I had the choice of sitting in a park all day or getting on board a Harley Davidson Dyna Super Glide 35th anniversary edition. I was up at the crack of dawn to pick it up. There is something about the simplicity of the Dyna family that appeals to me. To me, they represent the quintessential Harley with the timeless styling and more on the bike than necessary. This particular model was the 2006...

This review is still relevant, while the Iron 883 came out in 2010 - the Sportster hasn't changed much since 2007. Significant changes were 2004: Rubber-mounted engine, 2007 all Sportster Harley models went to electronic fuel injection. Unless you like vibration or mucking about with carbies - you want both of these upgrades. The day had come where looking at the pictures of the Sportster Harley Iron 883 were traded for the real thing.  How did I come across the Iron 883? I have liked the Sportster for many years now, and not because it is the cheapest Harley -...

Buell XB12S - To an uneducated non-rider, many bikes can look the same. The “inspired” can usually spot a Harley, but can’t tell it from a Japanese cruiser. Same goes for Sportbikes. The XB series from Buell makes it a lot easier for this lot, as it is about as subtle as a flaming brick through a window. Yep, the Buell XBs certainly does it differently and have a 1200cc for 2004. The XB12S is a variation on the Previous years XB9S with larger capacity through a longer stroke. This all-Buell built engine cranks out bucket-loads of torque, with even...

Performance, agility and sport-like riding are not what most people associate with Harley Davidson. Classic styling, heavy metal and laid back cruising are more likely to click with the legendary name even though this hardly describes the new Harley Davidson V Rod. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. It’s perfectly normal for any given manufacturer to slap on a new set of mirrors, rims, and a paint job to justify a new model. The Street Rod is anything but a minor automotive “nip and tuck”. At first glance, the Street rod might look like a customised V-Rod to some who...

Harley says that they’ve “really changed the Harley Davidson 883 inner workings.” – not just cosmetics.  Is it just another marketing scheme? In a word, “no.” Before the launch, HD wanted to create a Sportster that you could buy to keep rather than using it as a stepping stone to the bigger Harleys. Our weekend aboard the XL 883 & XL 1200C certainly proved that point. The most significant difference on all 2004+ Sportster models is the new rubber mounted engine that required a complete reworking of the frame. These changes resulted in a stiffer chassis and smoothed out the...