Harley-Davidson Sportster SuperLow
With only 26.8 inches between the SuperLow’s saddle and the tarmac, a safe guess might say that, of the 30-plus motorcycles in Harley’s expansive lineup, the SuperLow has the lowest seat height. Guess again.
While the SL has a notably low span from seat to ground, it isn’t the lowest seat height from Harley. That distinction belongs to the Softail Deluxe and its 25.9-inch seat height. Truth is, several other models boast seat heights lower than the SuperLow, even if only by a couple tenths of an inch.
So what gives with the name? As recently as model year 2010 the 883L, another entry-level Harley with a low seat height and equally low MSRP, bore Low as part of its moniker. The SuperLow surfaced in 2011 and is the latest, freshest version of the 883L. The newly updated model name hints at the friendly seat height and price – key attributes that riders looking at the SuperLow might find appealing.
With the new name came a number of changes that Harley says were at the behest of dealers and consumers alike. The 883L’s, or rather the SuperLow’s, fuel tank capacity was increased, and rider ergo improvements included thicker seat foam. New wheel and tire sizes altered the bike’s stance, appearance and, according to Harley, improved handling.
The SuperLow, powered by the venerable 883cc air-cooled Harley V-Twin, holds the honor of possessing the lightest claimed dry weight in Harley’s stable in 2012. At 536 pounds dry, the SL is nine pounds lighter than the next two lightest bikes, the Nightster and Forty-Eight, and 12 pounds lighter than the Iron 883.
With all fluids and a full tank,the SuperLow scales in with 563 pounds, one pound more than the Nightster, and two pounds less than the Iron 883. This bodes well for the Nightster when we consider it’s powered by a larger,1200cc Twin. Nevertheless, the SuperLow has a good excuse for the extra pounds it piles on.
With 4.5 gallons of fuel capacity the SL carries 1.2 gallons more petrol than the Iron 883 and Nightster; and the peanut-tanked Forty-Eight has less than half the fuel capacity of the SuperLow. Suddenly the SuperLow’s near parity in wet weight with its larger-engined brothers isn’t such a big deal, especially if the SuperLow can keep cruising while the others need to pit in for fuel.
What is for sure low about this Sporty is its MSRP.
In the standard black paint scheme (Vivid Black) the SuperLow offers entry to the world of Harley-Davidson in 2011 – ‘12 for $7999, as does the identically priced Iron 883. While the SuperLow’s price shouts, “Bargain basement Harley,” its styling and overall performance say, “Heritage of a big Harley without the big price tag.”
Plopping my 5 foot 8 inch frame in the Super’s sculpted saddle revealed the bike’s rider triangle is, as expected, a snug fit. But the pullback handlebar didn’t require that I reach very far to comfortably clasp onto the grips. A handlebar with less pullback would’ve demanded more reach, subsequently creating the sensation of a too-cramped ride, as I would’ve been closer to the tank.
While the SL has a notably low span from seat to ground, it isn’t the lowest seat height from Harley. That distinction belongs to the Softail Deluxe and its 25.9-inch seat height. Truth is, several other models boast seat heights lower than the SuperLow, even if only by a couple tenths of an inch.
So what gives with the name? As recently as model year 2010 the 883L, another entry-level Harley with a low seat height and equally low MSRP, bore Low as part of its moniker. The SuperLow surfaced in 2011 and is the latest, freshest version of the 883L. The newly updated model name hints at the friendly seat height and price – key attributes that riders looking at the SuperLow might find appealing.
With the new name came a number of changes that Harley says were at the behest of dealers and consumers alike. The 883L’s, or rather the SuperLow’s, fuel tank capacity was increased, and rider ergo improvements included thicker seat foam. New wheel and tire sizes altered the bike’s stance, appearance and, according to Harley, improved handling.
The SuperLow, powered by the venerable 883cc air-cooled Harley V-Twin, holds the honor of possessing the lightest claimed dry weight in Harley’s stable in 2012. At 536 pounds dry, the SL is nine pounds lighter than the next two lightest bikes, the Nightster and Forty-Eight, and 12 pounds lighter than the Iron 883.
With all fluids and a full tank,the SuperLow scales in with 563 pounds, one pound more than the Nightster, and two pounds less than the Iron 883. This bodes well for the Nightster when we consider it’s powered by a larger,1200cc Twin. Nevertheless, the SuperLow has a good excuse for the extra pounds it piles on.
With 4.5 gallons of fuel capacity the SL carries 1.2 gallons more petrol than the Iron 883 and Nightster; and the peanut-tanked Forty-Eight has less than half the fuel capacity of the SuperLow. Suddenly the SuperLow’s near parity in wet weight with its larger-engined brothers isn’t such a big deal, especially if the SuperLow can keep cruising while the others need to pit in for fuel.
What is for sure low about this Sporty is its MSRP.
In the standard black paint scheme (Vivid Black) the SuperLow offers entry to the world of Harley-Davidson in 2011 – ‘12 for $7999, as does the identically priced Iron 883. While the SuperLow’s price shouts, “Bargain basement Harley,” its styling and overall performance say, “Heritage of a big Harley without the big price tag.”
Plopping my 5 foot 8 inch frame in the Super’s sculpted saddle revealed the bike’s rider triangle is, as expected, a snug fit. But the pullback handlebar didn’t require that I reach very far to comfortably clasp onto the grips. A handlebar with less pullback would’ve demanded more reach, subsequently creating the sensation of a too-cramped ride, as I would’ve been closer to the tank.
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