Harley-Davidson XL 883R Sportster 883R vs Harley-Davidson XL 53C Sportster Custom 53 (2011)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson XL 883R Sportster 883Rstacks up against the Harley-Davidson XL 53C Sportster Custom 53. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Harley-Davidson XL 883R Sportster 883R | Harley-Davidson XL 53C Sportster Custom 53 |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2011 | 2003 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 883 cc | 883 cc |
| Torque | 66 Nm | 67 Nm |
| Weight | 243 kg | 245 kg |
| Seat height | 30 mm | 28 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 3.3 L | 3.3 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 6-speed | — |
| Front brakes | Single disc. Patented, uniform expansion rotors. Dual-piston. | — |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. Patented, uniform expansion rotors. Single-piston. | — |
| Tires | 100/90-19 / 100/90-19 | — |
Harley-Davidson XL 883R Sportster 883R vs Harley-Davidson XL 53C Sportster Custom 53 — which should you buy?
Picking between the Harley-Davidson XL 883R Sportster 883R and the Harley-Davidson XL 53C Sportster Custom 53 usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson XL 883R Sportster 883R brings its published horsepower in a 243 kg package, while the Harley-Davidson XL 53C Sportster Custom 53 counters with its own power figure at 245 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: