Harley-Davidson XL883N Sportster Iron 883 vs Harley-Davidson XL 883C Sportster 883 Custom (2012)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson XL883N Sportster Iron 883stacks up against the Harley-Davidson XL 883C Sportster 883 Custom. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Harley-Davidson XL883N Sportster Iron 883 | Harley-Davidson XL 883C Sportster 883 Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2012 | 2010 |
| Price | $7,999 | — |
| Engine | 883 cc | 883 cc |
| Torque | 75 Nm | 70 Nm |
| Weight | 249 kg | 255 kg |
| Seat height | 26 mm | 28 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 3.3 L | 3.3 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 5-speed | 5-speed |
| Front brakes | Single disc. Dual-piston | Single disc. Dual Piston |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. Single-piston | Single disc. Single piston |
| Tires | 100/90-B19 / 150/80-B16 | 402/90-21 / 150/80-16 |
Harley-Davidson XL883N Sportster Iron 883 vs Harley-Davidson XL 883C Sportster 883 Custom — which should you buy?
Picking between the Harley-Davidson XL883N Sportster Iron 883 and the Harley-Davidson XL 883C Sportster 883 Custom usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson XL883N Sportster Iron 883 brings its published horsepower in a 249 kg package, while the Harley-Davidson XL 883C Sportster 883 Custom counters with its own power figure at 255 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: