XLH Sportster 883 Evolution De Luxe

1987 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 Evolution De Luxe Technical Analysis & Specification Breakdown

Positioned in Harley-Davidson's sport touring motorcycle lineup, the 1987 Harley-Davidson XLH Sportster 883 Evolution De Luxe relies on a 883 cc (53.9 cu in) air-cooled v2, four-stroke powerplant. In factory specification, peak output is rated at 46 HP (33.6 kW) at 6,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 4-speed gearbox and chain final drive. With a specific output of 52.1 HP per liter, the engine character is prioritizing low-RPM tractability, mechanical longevity and relaxed throttle response over peak redline numbers.

On the scales, the XLH Sportster 883 Evolution De Luxe measures 222 kg (489 lbs) wet (curb), translating to a power-to-weight ratio of 0.21 HP/kg (4.83 kg per horsepower). The 8.5-liter (2.2 US gal) fuel tank supports practical everyday commuting and weekend road stints, while factory top speed is listed at 149 km/h (93 mph).

Within MotoLibrary's Harley-Davidson archive, this model family spans 2 indexed model years from 1986 to 1987, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.