2009 Harley-Davidson Sportster® 883 Custom

I walked in the local dealership looking for a used bike when I ran across my 883c. The most inviting aspects the bike over the 1200 was it sat lower since I'm 5'6". A very comfortable all around bike with the foward controls.

I went to a harley shop for a look around and was tempted by the 'entry level' 883.. well I JUST LOVE IT. I live n ride in Dubai UAE and the rides between different Emirates is brilliant. Have to say my one dow side is the kind of numb ass feeling after a short period on the thing but I guess my ... ass will get used to that.

Just going in for its first service and I have new Screeming Eagle pipes fitted - hell no point owning one if you can't hear it eh? Standard pipes are fine but .. well its the done thing to upgrade! Love the colour, love the look, love the sound - just love it!

Buy BUy BUY!!

kinda fin yourself getting into the whole Harley thing by default really.

Do I have anything bad to say about the bike?? NOPE! apart from not being able to text on the mobile but apart from that - nothing!

I bought a 2009 Harley Davidson Sportster 883 Custom. I love the forward controls and the 4.5 gallon fuel tank. I'm 5' 11" tall and it fits me very comfortably. The bike has two shorty exhaust pipes that sound excellent. They aren't loud and give the bike a good sound when starting and cruising. ... The bike looks just like its name - sportster. At just over $8000 out the door I feel like I got a great deal. I plan on keeping this bike a long time.

In regards to performance, this bike is adequate for both a single rider and a passenger of average weight. With a passenger you may need to shift more frequently on some hills but otherwise it holds very well. Brakes are very good and above average.

The quality, fit and finish, sadly ... is average. The paint, while excellent in color choices, is horrible in durability. With less than a day the fuel tank is visibly showing surface scratches on the clear coat - this to me is unacceptable. Another gripe is the steering head bolt should have been shipped with the chrome cover to complete the beautiful riser. The factory seat will NOT be at all satisfying to many riders. It has little padding and or the wrong type of padding. The seat will also glaze your fuel tank because of the paint finish used and its set location.

Basically, the ride is where this bike mostly shines. The engine is smooth and the position of the controls excellent for vertically challenged person. A tall person will feel cramped. The instrument display is good offering duel time formats and two trip meters. It has good back lighting and is easy to reset and select while riding. Clutch pull is easy and throttle pull is effortless. The shocks are good when adjusted for the ride weight. The front forks, while average, could use a little more stiffening.

The value of this bike is for each person to determine. For me... I feel I paid too much for what the bike has to offer. On the models sold here in America a few safety and emission features are missing that are included on export models -- why? My biggest complaint is the paint looks awesome but scratches way to easy.

Small bike, small overall size. wish the entry level Harley would be more "American size". Felt like I was riding a mini bike. Good bike for the small youths and littler women though.