Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Review and Specs

Harley-Davidson Iron 883

The Iron 883 is a budget-minded Harley-Davidson motorcycle. It is powered by a liquid-cooled, 60 cubic inch, V-twin engine. This engine has air cooling for the heads and components around it to help keep the cost down.

The Iron 883 does not have many bells and whistles like some of its more expensive counterparts, but it makes up for that in performance. The throttle is responsive and the bike can reach top speeds of over 90 mph.

For a bike that is as affordable as the Iron 883, you would expect that it would be outfitted with low-quality parts, but this is not the case. The brakes are just as good as many higher-priced bikes and the overall quality of construction is very high.

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The Iron 883 does have a few downsides. It comes with ABS brakes and it has an automatic transmission. Both of these features can be added to the bike at additional cost if you choose to do so. The distance between the back tire and saddle seat on this model could also stand to be a bit further apart.

Pros of the Harley Iron 883

• Aesthetically Pleasing: The Iron 883 looks like a lot of other Harley-Davidson models. It has the same familiar ‘H’ on the gas tank and it comes in the same two color options: black and orange. The black version has a little chrome here and there, but overall, it is quite plain. There is little that makes this model stand out from similar bikes in its price range. It has an understated look that most people seem to like.
• Good Performance: Many people buy or choose to ride Harleys because they want a bike that can tow them through traffic at high speeds with ease, while still being able to stop quickly when necessary. The Iron 883 is not quite up to that task, but it can perform well on the highway and it can accelerate quickly if you need to get back in the lanes.
• Compact and Sturdy: This is a bike that can handle crashes very well. The Iron 883 does not have the suspension to take a sharp corner, but even the most high-speed crashes will not break it. It can handle everything that is thrown at it except the most unexpected and likely to happen, such as getting stuck in sand or underpasses.
• Low Maintenance Costs: This model has a lot of important features like an automatic transmission, ABS brakes, and air conditioning. These features all add up to more costs for maintenance and upkeep. However, Harley-Davidson takes care of its customers by offering routine maintenance for this bike for only about $75 per year.
• A reliable ride for beginners: This bike is a great option for beginning riders. It has enough horsepower to keep up with other bikes, but it only weighs around 500 pounds. A 20-mile commute can be handled on this bike in an hour and a half or less and the rider will feel energized and ready to continue the day after they arrive at their destination.

Cons of the Harley Iron 883

• Less speed at 80 mph on the highway: The Iron 883 has the potential to go very fast on the highway. Its top speed is 90 mph and it handles well at speeds between 55 mph and 75 mph. Once you get up to 80 mph, however, you will notice that the bike tends to slow down quickly. If you want a bike that can keep up with traffic at 80 mph, then this may not be the right bike for you.
• A little more expensive: The Iron 883 is a little more expensive than some of its competitors, but it is valued by many people because of its good performance, low maintenance costs, and good appearance. Others that are priced similarly to the Iron 883, may not have everything that it does and is also of lower quality. You could be spending a little more money and time on your rides, but you will get more than what you pay for with the Iron 883.
• Low seat separation: The distance between the back tire and seat of this bike is closer than it needs to be. This might prove to be uncomfortable for some riders. However, the Iron 883 is still a decent enough bike that many people buy into it based solely on its appearance alone.

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2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 Specs

• Engine Air-cooled, Evolution®
• Displacement 883 CC (53.9 cu. in.)
• Bore x Stroke 96.8 mm x 76.2 mm
• Engine Torque 53.8 ft. lbs. @ 3750 RPM
• Fuel system Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
• Cooling Air
• Compression ratio 9:1
• Transmission Five-speed
• Length 85.8 in.
• Seat height 28.9 in
• Wheelbase 59.6 in
• Front brake Dual-piston
• Rear brake Dual-piston
• Front tire 100/90B19 57H
• Rear tire 150/80B16 77H
• Fuel capacity 3.3 gal
• Dry weight 562 lbs (as claimed by the manufacturer)

Conclusion

The Sportster Iron 883 is very popular with the Harley-Davidson community. It has good performance and it has a classic, yet updated look that many people love. It is also made out of reliable parts and it can take a beating.

When you are looking for a motorcycle that looks nice, handles well, and performs at high speed without costing too much money, then you should consider buying the 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883.