NEW HARLEY IRON SHOWS ITS METTLE
Before we start, I have to declare an interest. I have always been a fan of Harley’s Sportster range, of which this Iron 883 is a member.
Some old-school H-D aficionados might look down on these smaller bikes, but I love models such as the Forty-Eight and the Roadster. And, in fact, they have a heritage stretching back to 1957, and the range has been in continuous production ever since. So, what of this latest incarnation? Well, it certainly looks the part, especially in the “hard candy hot rod red flake” livery of my test machine. The finish on the peanut tank is beautiful and deep but, other than that, the bike is entirely blacked out and stripped down, giving it a customised, streetwise Bobberstyle persona.
On board, it’s low and comfortable, with a plush and supportive tuck-and-roll style solo seat, and low-rise dragstyle handlebars. The cockpit is a single analogue clock showing your speed. However, below it is a small digital screen which you can scroll through via a button on the left-hand control to give you a combined rev counter and gear indicator, plus mileage, trip meters and clock – neat.
There are other touches I like too, like the rear LED bullet taillights, which combine as running lights, indicators and brake lights.
The motor is the air-cooled 883cc V-twin Evolution – arguably the American manufacturer’s best ever. It’s rubber mounted to the frame, meaning much less vibration than in days of old – although a reassuring hint remains when out on the road.
Head off and the bike is surprisingly stable and agile at slow speeds.
First and second gears are quite short, and it’s out on the open road that the Iron comes into its own.
There’s plenty of torque right through to fifth and it’s actually surprisingly rapid, powering you on with a delicious throaty rumble.
The short wheelbase and low centre of gravity mean it sails effortlessly round the bends, inspiring confidence on the Michelin Scorcher rubber.
The rear shock is easily adjustable, and there’s a spanner stored under the seat.
Braking, with just a single disc up front, is not jaw-dropping, but is perfectly adequate for what is a relatively lightweight machine.
So, as I said at the beginning, I have always liked the Sportster range – and this latest Iron may just be the best yet.