Harley Davidson Sportster Iron 883 ONE YEAR LATER Review! (The affordable Harley?)

The Harley Davidson Sportster—a motorcycle with over six decades of history, dripping with classic style, and packed with the unmistakable character of a Harley. But does it hold up in the modern era?

In this video, I share my honest thoughts after daily riding my own Sportster for over a year. From its iconic air-cooled V-twin engine to its vintage styling and customizable nature, we’ll explore what makes this bike a legend and whether it’s actually any good.

We’ll dive into the Sportster's strengths:
✔️ Timeless design
✔️ Fuel injection and keyless ignition for modern convenience
✔️ Endless aftermarket possibilities

And its quirks:
❌ Mediocre suspension and brakes
❌ Limited comfort for long rides
❌ Power that’s more about fun than fire

Whether you're a new rider, a Harley enthusiast, or just curious about this iconic motorcycle, this review will give you the full picture. It’s not the fastest or the most practical, but the Sportster captures the essence of motorcycling like few others.

Join me as I break down why the Harley Sportster has endured for more than half a century and what it’s really like to own and ride one.

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🎥 Gear I Use
🛡️ Roadskin Easyrider 2 Armoured Hoodie →
🦅 Sons of Anarchy-Style Leather Vest →
🪖 Ruroc Atlas 4.0 + EOX Helmets →

🎬 Camera & Recording Gear
📸 GoPro Hero 10 (My main camera) →
🦸‍♂️ DJI Mini 4 Pro (For those cinematic shots) →
🤳 DJI OM 5 Gimbal (Smooth shots, every time) →
🎤 Wireless Mic Set (Clear audio, always) →

👊 Thanks for watching — see you on the next ride.

[OnTourYoutube]

Appreciate all the support on this video you LEGENDS

I’m working on a follow-up video about the things I’m actually changing after owning the Iron 883 for a year. That’ll be up soon.

Also — I’ve got something bigger lined up:
Next week I’m reviewing the Harley-Davidson Low Rider S… and let’s just say, things are about to get interesting.

Drop your questions or anything you want me to cover in the next video below. I’ll reply to everyone.

[XFile]

The look, the sound and the feel. I completely agree. I have a 2007 Sportster 883 and it has been such a joy to own and ride.

[nielidun]

It doesn't matter what anyone says, if it makes you smile - it's the right bike!

[seabee]

I have a 2012 Iron, but it's got 1200 cc now. It was my first new bike ever, and my first Harley. Still love it and ride it regularly

[Ragnar]

Thank you finally a video where someone’s not trash talking it while making a review it does what it does and I can always do more depending on what you want to do with it. It’s a great bike my friends 883 and they upgraded to bigger bikes they never use.😊

[jakobwilson]

The 883 sportster has been one of my dream motorcycles now and absolutely give anything to own one

[BilfCushion]

I was looking at this black model this morning and it is beautiful

[fudgeknuckle]

Today I test drove a 1200, 883, and a Classic 350. Classic first. "This is super fun! I don't need more power than this. It's beautiful too!" I said. How could the 883 - at twice the price - possibly be worth the money.

Then they started it up.

Oh.

Then I rode it.

Then I signed!

[theodavies]

I started with an 883 in 1988.
I couldn't live with the tank range on a Sunday, back then places shut.
4 speed, chain drive, solid motor mount and a carb.
No rev counter.
Loved it for being the opposite of my RD500lc and FZR1000 genesis.
Was tempted by 2016 FXDL s but they are very spendy.
Good straight up review.

[swdevbali]

Just got mine! And .. is this the most beautiful bike ever? Love it!

[Simon-RucknRideAUD]

I am on my 2nd 883, I currently own a 2017 Iron, I quickly replaced the original seat, with a gel touring seat, Forward controls, heated grips, and a new day maker head light, I still have the stock suspension as I never got around to getting replacements. The exhaust is a full V&H like the ones you showed with the EFI controller. While not perfect is still a great bike and better then the current Rev max version they seem to be running with at the moment.

[opinionmaximus]

Bought my first Harley in June ‘22 a BRAND NEW 883, had it for 4 months and someone pulled out in front of me and it was totaled! OF COURSE they fled the scene as well. I was DEVASTATED, but walked away with only a couple of scratches on me. One thing I did notice in the short time that I did have it was the seat is UNBEARABLE after about an hour unfortunately, I didn’t get time to change that 😂. Fast forward to October of ‘24 I picked up a 2007 1200 Nightster with only 1027 miles on it for under 4k American and I LOVE IT.

[REAPER-XR]

The sportster is not only a fun bike, but easy to customize and make your own. It is not likely to see a stock one on the road other than coming home from purchase. A lot of hate out there for such a sexy bike. This bike can pull off just about any look, chopper, cafe racer, adventure... I love mine, you'd love yours too if you had one.

[mikeogden]

Nothing to regret….. ❤I’ve never had a bad day on any of My Sportster ❤😊😊😊😊😊

[lonerider]

I have the 2021 iron. Love what u said about the bike. Not perfect, not fast but it's still a great bike.

[Nikolai]

I have a 2012 883 Superlow. I love it, sounds amazing, plenty of torque, not too heavy, looks beautiful, nimble to ride.

I don’t weigh a lot so perhaps that’s why the suspension doesn’t feel too bad to me, and the superlow has an 18L tank so I could ride around 180 miles on it which is great.

[oldguycooks]

What year is yours? I have a 2022 and that's the last year they built the Sportster and I don't have a fob. Key only. I do love my Iron 883. It looks sexy. Lol. Just bought some bags and a taillight/license plate relocation kit I'm going to start working on today. Ride safe.

[TwoWheelsWithTC]

Epic! The opening and closing scenes parked up on the river there, where is that?

[FuzzyWCTX]

21 Iron 883. You have the Twin Slash, I upgraded to the Mini Grenades. Seat and shocks next.

[drzrider]

Been kicking around the idea of buying one. My buddy is sellinh his sons 2010 883. $2300. Zero issues and low miles. Perfect nesr showroom shape. Im just not really a harley guy. More of a Kawasaki Vulcan guy. But $2300 for any rideable reliable bike is hard to pass up.