Cruisers
1986Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 Evolution De Luxe
19 fields on record
The 1986 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 Evolution De Luxe suits riders seeking an accessible, nimble cruiser with authentic V-twin character. Its lightweight 883cc engine delivers reliable performance for both city commuting and highway cruising. Known for establishing the modern Sportster platform, it remains the ideal entry point to Harley ownership.
- Capacity
- 883.0 ccm
- Engine
- V-Twin
- Gearbox
- 4-speed
- Wet weight
- 222.0 kg
- Seat height
- Not on record
Know it? Add it → - Power
- 46.0 HP (33.8 kW) @ 6000 RPM
How it rides
Editorial estimate from the spec sheet - not lab tested- Best for
- Built for relaxed, low-speed cruising and short rides rather than outright performance or long-distance touring.
- Built for
- A classic air-cooled Harley V-twin experience defined by torquey low-end grunt, laid-back styling, and traditional cruiser handling rather than sharp cornering ability.
- Not ideal for
- Not suited to riders seeking high-speed touring capability, aggressive cornering performance, or any off-road use.
Scores are derived from the spec sheet using the same model across every bike, so they compare like for like.
Engine
- Capacity
- 883.0 ccm
- Power
- 46.0 HP (33.8 kW) @ 6000 RPM
- Engine type
- V-Twin
- Power/weight ratio
- 0.2072 HP/kg (wet)
- Bore x stroke
- 76.2 x 96.8 mm
- Compression
- 9.0:1
- Cooling system
- Air
- Valves per cylinder
- 2
- Torque
- Not on record - add it
Transmission
- Gearbox
- 4-speed
- Transmission type
- Manual
- Final drive
- Chain
Performance
- Top speed
- 149.0 km/h (92.6 mph)
Dimensions & weight
Brakes & wheels
- Front brakes
- Single disc
- Rear brakes
- Single disc
- Front tyre
- MJ 90-19
- Rear tyre
- MT 90-16
Compiled from manufacturer documentation and user contributions, corrected on an ongoing basis. Spotted something wrong? Tell us.
What changed, year to year
Differences highlighted| Specification | 1986 | 1987 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 883 cc | 883 cc |
| Fuel capacity | 8.5 L | 8.5 L |
Illustrative - generated automatically by diffing the year records already on file, not a manufacturer-published changelog.
Rider Reviews
Common questions
What is the engine size of the Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 Evolution De Luxe?
The 1986 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 Evolution De Luxe has a Capacity of 883.0 ccm (53.88 cubic inches).
What engine power does the Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 Evolution De Luxe have?
The 1986 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 Evolution De Luxe has a Power of 46.0 HP (33.8 kW) @ 6000 RPM.
How many gears does the Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 Evolution De Luxe have?
The 1986 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 Evolution De Luxe has a Gearbox of 4-speed.
How much does the Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 Evolution De Luxe weigh?
The 1986 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 Evolution De Luxe has a Wet weight of 222.0 kg (489.4 pounds).
Shop this bike
Affiliate linksWe may earn a commission from qualifying eBay or Amazon purchases made through these links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Similar bikes
Same category, weighted similarity
More Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
1986 Harley-Davidson FLTC 1340 (with Sidecar)
2026 Harley-Davidson Street Bob 117
2026 Harley-Davidson Sportster S
2026 Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra
2025 Harley-Davidson CVO Street Glide
2026 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST
1987 Harley-Davidson FLHTC 1340 (with Sidecar)
2026 Harley-Davidson Road King Special
Please log in or register if you'd like to leave a comment.