Harley-Davidson is one of the most controversial brands on earth. The Iron 883 is the company’s entry-level Sportster and a controversial bike in its own right.
Harley has enjoyed decades of American-flag-waving riders and has become a somewhat old-hat brand in many people’s eyes, but is the Iron 883 one of those bikes? Is it a good bike? Will it attract the kinds of riders Harley needs?
These are the questions I wanted to answer for myself.
Younger folks seem to have little interest in the brand, especially after they see the price tag of Harley’s bikes. HD is doing things to turn that around, but at the moment, it’s looking like a long climb back to the top.
I recently needed to rent a bike for a story I wrote for Web Bike World. I rented an Iron 883 Sportster from Harley-Davidson of Indianapolis through Eagle Rider (I don’t recommend this, Eagle Rider was a nightmare), and was excited to have a chance to ride the bike. I’d never ridden it before, and I’d always wanted to toss a leg over the Iron 883.
So, I went to my local Harley dealer, signed the necessary paperwork, and off I went. I had the bike for two days, and I found out pretty quickly that this model comes with some serious shortcomings.
What Is the Harley-Davidson Iron 883?
The Iron 883 is the bike that sits at the bottom of Harley-Davidson’s Sportster line.
It features a 53.9 cubic inch (883 cubic centimeters, hence the name) air-cooled v-twin engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The engine makes 53.8 lb-ft of torque.
The Iron 883 has a low seat height of 25.7 inches when laden. It has an overall length of 86 inches.
Overall, the machine is pretty stripped down as Harley’s go. It does have some fancy things like keyless ignition and optional ABS. However, it’s not anywhere as nearly as advanced as Harley’s other motorcycles.
The Iron 883 is a Sportster model that many people buy and then upgrade or customize. It makes for a good base for a custom build. I actually included it in my list of bikes that are good to customize.
A Beautiful-Looking Motorcycle
One of the Iron 883’s highlights is that it looks really cool. It looks great stock, and the fact that you know there’s plenty of parts out there that will allow you to customize the bike means you can make it look even more badass.
I’d always thought this bike looks good from the moment it came out, and I still do today.
Everywhere I parked, I found myself looking back at the bike, and that’s something you want from any motorcycle. So, Harley got the styling right, and it’s an entry-level motorcycle that still manages to turn some heads.
A Good Sounding Engine That’s Underwhelming
I found the Iron 883’s v-twin engine sounded pretty good right off the showroom floor. It’s not wildly loud and many guys would put on some new exhausts, which I’m all for.
Once you get past the sound of the engine, you start thinking about performance. This is where I find the Iron 883 a little lacking. I don’t think the v-twin engine feels very peppy.
I wanted more power from the mill. It’s not horrible and you’ll have no trouble keeping up with traffic, but it’s not going to give you goosebumps. I’ve ridden many motorcycles with smaller displacement engines that feel just as quick or quicker than the Iron 883.
One thing I did like is that the 5-speed transmission clicks into gear with a healthy “thunk.” It’s not as refined as many other transmissions, but it is satisfying. Overall, the engine and transmission feel good from a build quality standpoint, but I’d love to see Harley up the performance ante here.
Agile, Good Handling, and Okay Brakes
I found the Harley Iron 883 to handle well both on the highway and around town.
I didn’t do much highway travel, to be honest, but the short stint I did do, I found it to be a fine machine for the job. I wouldn’t want to ride cross country on the bike, but it’s fine for short highway runs.
The bike feels nimble and honestly pretty lightweight in traffic. You can maneuver around easily. No complaints there. Some folks will want more lean-angle and the thought did cross my mind, but for the most part, it was fine.
The brakes on the bike were fine. They offer good feel but could be stronger. Both the rotor and caliper could use an upgrade.
Poor Ergonomics, Built to Be Customized
My main complaint with the Iron 883 is one that Harley guys are going to take issue with. It’s wildly uncomfortable in stock form.
I know, I know. You can easily customize or adjust the Sportster and make a bike that fits your needs. I get that, and I think there’s a place for a bike like that, but I would want to start from a platform I was really impressed with, and the Iron 883 ain’t it.
I found my hips cramping up with my feet on the footpegs. My lower back hurt from the slight lean forward I had to do to get to the bars, and my wrists hurt after a while due to the pressure of my weight leaning forward.
I know some of you are going to call me a wuss, but the simple fact of the matter is that after only an hour or so of riding I was uncomfortable. And that’s something I’ve never felt on the Honda or Kawasaki bikes I’ve owned.
For some folks, this wouldn’t be a dealbreaker, but for me it is. There are better more comfortable bikes out there for less or comparable money. My thoughts turn to the Indian Scout or the Yamaha Bolt. Both are nice machines and more comfortable.
A Good Harley For Some, Maybe?
If you want a bike to customize, then the Iron 883 might be a smart bike to buy. There’s a huge list of aftermarket parts available for this bike. Pretty much anything you want, you can get.
That means you can easily make it your own. However, if you want a motorcycle you can just hop on and ride, then you’ll need to look elsewhere.
As I said, I found it utterly uncomfortable. It would take some fine-tuning before I was comfortable riding this bike for long periods of time. If you want that, great. If not, look to another manufacturer.
Harley Is Still Missing the Mark
As much as I hate to admit it, Harley is missing the mark here. My experience with the Iron 883 wasn’t a super enjoyable one. The motorcycle performed fine in the couple of days that I rode it, but I came away wanting a lot more from it.
I want a Sportster that’s truly sporty. The Iron 883 doesn’t feel it. The bike was enjoyable in short stints, but the ergonomics were a nightmare for someone of my height and build, and I honestly wanted more power and more lean-angle.
I think the Iron 883 could be good. It could be a seriously wonderful bike, but it will take a lot of massaging to get it there. I wish the bike was more enjoyable off the showroom floor.
If you want a bike you can ride stock, this isn’t it. If you want something you can really customize, this might not be a terrible choice.
Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Image Gallery
