WebRide: 2009 Harley-Davidson 883 Iron

Milwaukee's Budget Bobber.

By Don Canet | Photos by Jeff Allen

June 2009

Photos: 2009 Harley-Davidson 883 Iron >>

Harley-Davidson has borrowed from the stripped-down, minimalistic approach that defined bobbers of yore in creating its 883 Iron. This newest addition to the H-D Dark Custom family of models hopes to attract a younger audience, the grandkids of baby boomers.

Actually, the Sportster 1200 Nightster, introduced as a late-2007 model, can be credited as having laid the framework for the 883 Iron. The two machines are essentially identical sans bore diameter. Like its larger-displacement sibling, the Iron drips with anti-chrome defiance and bad-ass attitude driven by its black powdercoated Evolution engine and muted Black or Silver Denim paint job. Perhaps the most notable difference is the Iron's $7899 "economic stimulus" sticker price.

Price point isn't alone in making this baby bobber a viable entry-level platform from which to launch one's campaign against the spit-polish populous. Shorter folks and novices will appreciate the confident footing achieved at stops when settled into the comfortable, dished solo saddle. The mid-mount foot controls and low-rise drag bar provide a natural riding posture and deliver an excellent sense of command. At 556 pounds without fuel, the Iron's barebones treatment has shed nearly 20 pounds compared to an 883 Low.

The Iron's moderate steering effort and steadfast stability add up to sure-footed handling while working within its cornering-clearance limitations. Hard parts touch down in unison; first the footpeg feelers then the lower muffler in rights and the sidestand while banking through left-hand bends. We experienced this even after shock spring preload—the only suspension tuning provided—had been dialed to full stiff.

Today's Sportster has reached a new level of refinement thanks to a reduced-effort clutch and well-sorted fuel-injection. There's no choke or high-idle knob or lever to fuss with, making cold starts a snap. Blessed with smooth throttle response, weighty flywheel effect and a broad spread of torque, there are no wrinkles in the Iron's ultra-fluid propulsion, including uncanny shifting slickness while working through the five-speed gearbox.

The characteristic 45-degree V-Twin rumble is present at idle and when lugging the engine under load, yet engine vibration never reaches an intrusive level thanks to rubber engine mounts. A silky sweet spot resides at 3000 rpm. We pinpointed this when running the bike on the dyno, as there's no onboard tachometer. Sparse instrumentation features a dead-on accurate speedometer, with an LCD readout offering odometer, dual trip meter and clock modes.

Larger individuals—say over 6 foot in height or 200-plus pounds—may find the 883 Iron either too cramped or too softly sprung to be a good fit. While a pair of good aftermarket dampers could improve the latter, there's not much hope for the Jordans of the world. Another potential shortcoming is a rather limited fuel range afforded by the 3.3-gallon fuel tank. We found ourselves visiting the pump every 125 miles or so.

With the current economic recession cruising ever so slowly down the road to recovery, it's clear that Harley-Davidson has seen the light with this cool and affordable Dark Custom.