Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 Dark Custom vs Harley-Davidson XL883R Sportster 883 R Roadster (2018)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 Dark Customstacks up against the Harley-Davidson XL883R Sportster 883 R Roadster. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 Dark Custom
Harley-Davidson XL883R Sportster 883 R Roadster
Spec comparison
| Spec | Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 Dark Custom | Harley-Davidson XL883R Sportster 883 R Roadster |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2018 | 2012 |
| Price | $8,949 | — |
| Engine | 883 cc | 883 cc |
| Horsepower | 51 hp | — |
| Torque | 68 Nm | 70 Nm |
| Weight | 247 kg | 251 kg |
| Seat height | 26 mm | 30 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 3.3 L | 3.3 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 6-speed | 5-speed |
| Front brakes | Single disc. Optional ABS, dual piston | Single disc. Dual-piston |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. Optional ABS, dual piston | Single disc. Single-piston |
| Tires | 100/90-B19 / 150/80-B16 | 100/90-19 / 150/80-16 |
Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 Dark Custom vs Harley-Davidson XL883R Sportster 883 R Roadster — which should you buy?
Picking between the Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 Dark Custom and the Harley-Davidson XL883R Sportster 883 R Roadster usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 Dark Custom brings 51 hp in a 247 kg package, while the Harley-Davidson XL883R Sportster 883 R Roadster counters with its own power figure at 251 kg.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: