Table 1. Engine: 2008 XL Sportster Models
ITEM
XL 883
MODELS
XL 1200
MODELS
Number of cylinders
2
Type
4-cycle, 45 degree
V-Type, air cooled
Compression ratio
8.9-1
9.7-1
Bore
3.00 in.
76.20 mm
3.50 in.
88.90 mm
Stroke
3.81 in.
96.77 mm
3.81 in.
96.77 mm
Displacement
53.86 cu. in.
883 cc
73.20 cu. in.
1200 cc
Torque
55.0 ft-lbs
@ 3500 RPM
74.6 Nm
@ 3500 RPM
79.1 ft-lbs
@ 4000 RPM
107.3 Nm
@ 4000 RPM
Table 2. Engine: 2008 XR 1200 Model
ITEM
SPECIFICATION
Number of cylinders
2
Type
4-cycle, 45 degree
V-Type, precision cooled
Compression ratio
10.0-1
Bore
3.50 in.
88.90 mm
Stroke
3.81 in.
96.82 mm
Displacement
73.41 cu. in.
1203 cc
Torque (World)
74.1 ft-lbs
@ 3500 RPM
100.5 Nm
@ 3500 RPM
NOTE
Specifications in this publication may not match those of official certification in some markets due to timing of publication printing, variance in testing methods, and/or vehicle differences. Customers seeking officially recognized regulatory specifications for their vehicle should refer to certification documents and/or contact their respective dealer or distributor.
Table 3. Ignition System: 2008 Sportster XL Models
COMPONENT
SPECIFICATION
Ignition timing
not adjustable
Battery
12 volt, 12 amp/hr,
sealed and maintenance free
Spark plug type
10-6R12
Spark plug size
12 mm
Spark plug gap
0.038-0.043 in.
0.97-1.09 mm
Spark plug torque
12-18 ft-lbs
16.3-24.4 Nm
Table 4. Ignition System: 2008 Sportster XR 1200 Model
COMPONENT
SPECIFICATION
Ignition timing
not adjustable
Battery
12 volt, 12 amp/hr,
sealed and maintenance free
Spark plug type
10R12X
Spark plug size
12 mm
Spark plug gap
0.035 in.
0.89 mm
Spark plug torque
12-18 ft-lbs
16.3-24.4 Nm
Table 5. Transmission: 2008 Sportster Models
TRANSMISSION
SPECIFICATION
Type
Constant mesh, foot shift
Speeds
5 forward
Table 6. Sprocket Teeth: 2008 Sportster Models
DRIVE
ITEM
NUMBER OF TEETH
XL 883 MODELS
XL 1200 MODELS
XR 1200
U.S.
MODELS
WORLD
MODELS
U.S.
MODELS
WORLD
MODELS
WORLD
MODELS
Primary
Engine
34
38
38
38
34
Clutch
57
57
57
57
57
Final
Transmission
28
28
29
30
28
Rear wheel
68
68
68
68
68
Table 7. Overall Gear Ratios: 2008 Sportster Models
GEAR
XL 883 MODELS
XL 1200 MODELS
XR 1200
U.S.
MODELS
WORLD
MODELS
U.S.
MODELS
WORLD
MODELS
WORLD
MODELS
1st
10.782
10.782
9.315
9.004
10.782
2nd
7.702
7.702
6.653
6.432
7.702
3rd
5.728
5.728
4.948
4.783
5.728
4th
4.748
4.748
4.102
3.965
4.748
5th
4.071
4.071
3.517
3.400
4.071
Table 8. Tire Sizes: 2008 Sportster Models
MODEL
MOUNT
SIZE
NUMBER
XR 1200
front
18 in.
D502F 120/70 ZR 18
XR 1200
rear
17 in.
D502 180/55 ZR 17
XL 883, XL 883R, XL 883L,
XL 1200R, XL 1200L, XL 1200N
front
19 in.
D401F 100/90-19
XL 883C, XL 1200C
front
21 in.
D402F MH90-21
All XL models
rear
16 in.
D401 150/80B16
2008 vehicles use Dunlop Harley-Davidson tires only.
Table 9. Tire Pressures: 2008 Sportster Models
MODEL
LOAD
TIRE PRESSURE (COLD)
FRONT
REAR
PSI
kPa
PSI
kPa
XL models
solo rider
30
206
36
248
rider and passenger
30
206
40
275
XR 1200
solo rider
36
248
38
262
rider and passenger
36
248
42
290
Table 10. Bulb Chart: 2008 Sportster Models
LAMP
DESCRIPTION
(ALL LAMPS 12 VOLT)
BULBS
REQUIRED
CURRENT DRAW
(AMPERAGE)
HARLEY-DAVIDSON
PART NUMBER
Headlamp
high beam/low beam
1
4.58/5.0
68329-03
position lamp international
1
0.32
53438-92
Tail and stop lamps
tail lamp
1
0.59
68167-04
stop lamp
1
2.10
68167-04
tail lamp international
1
0.59
68167-04
stop lamp international
1
2.10
68167-04
Turn signal lamp
front/running
2
2.25/0.59
68168-89A
front international
2
1.75
68163-84
rear
2
2.25
68572-64B*
rear international
2
1.75
68163-84
Instrument panel
Illuminated with LEDs. Replace entire assembly upon failure.
*Functions as turn signals, tail lamps and brake lamps on 1200N model.
Table 11. Dimensions: 2008 Sportster XL 883 Models
ITEM
XL 883
XL 883R
XL 883C
CUSTOM
XL 883L
LOW
IN.
MM
IN.
MM
IN.
MM
Wheel base
60.0
1524
60.4
1534.2
60.0
1524
Overall length
90.1
2288.5
90.3
2293.6
90.1
2288.5
Overall width
32.7
830.6
32.7
830.6
35.2
894.1
Road clearance
5.6
141
4.4
111.8
3.9
99.1
Overall height*
45.7
1160.8
45.7
1160.8
45.7
1160.8
Saddle height**
27.3
693.4
26.5
673
25.4
645.2
*XL 883R overall height is 1,137.9 mm (44.8 in).
**With 81.6 kg (180 lb) rider on seat.
Table 12. Dimensions: 2008 Sportster 1200 Models
ITEM
XL 1200C
CUSTOM
XL 1200R
ROADSTER
XL 1200L
LOW
XL 1200N
NIGHTSTER
XR 1200
IN.
MM
IN.
MM
IN.
MM
IN.
MM
IN.
MM
Wheel base
1534.2
60.4
60.0
1524.0
59.7
1516.4
60.0
1524.0
59.8
1518.9
Overall length
2293.6
90.3
90.1
2288.5
89.1
2263.1
85.8
2179.3
85.4
2169.2
Overall width
830.6
32.7
36.7
932.2
35.2
894.1
36.4
924.6
36.5
927.1
Road clearance
111.8
4.4
5.6
141.0
4.4
111.8
3.9
99.1
5.8
147.3
Overall height
1160.8
45.7
49.2
1249.7
46.8
1188.7
43.6
1107.4
45.1
1145.5
Saddle height*
673.1
26.5
28.1
713.7
26.3
668.0
25.3
642.6
29.2
741.7
*With 81.6 kg (180 lb) rider on seat.
Table 13. Capacities: 2008 Sportster XL 883 Models
ITEM
XL 883
XL 883R
XL 883C
CUSTOM
XL 883L
LOW
U.S.
LITERS
U.S.
LITERS
U.S.
LITERS
Fuel tank
(total)
3.3 gal.
12.5
4.5 gal.
17.0
3.3 gal.
12.5
Oil tank with filter
2.8 qt.
2.65
2.8 qt.
2.65
2.8 qt.
2.65
Transmission
(approximate)
32 oz.
0.95
32 oz.
0.95
32 oz.
0.95
Low fuel warning
light on
0.8 gal.
3.0
1.0 gal.
3.8
0.8 gal.
3.0
Table 14. Capacities: 2008 Sportster 1200 Models
ITEM
XL 1200C
CUSTOM
XL 1200R
ROADSTER
XL 1200L
LOW
XL 1200N
NIGHTSTER
XR 1200
U.S.
LITERS
U.S.
LITERS
U.S.
LITERS
U.S.
LITERS
U.S.
LITERS
Fuel tank
(total)
4.5 gal.
17.0
4.5 gal.
17.0
4.5 gal.
17.0
3.3 gal.
12.5
3.5 gal.
13.25
Oil tank
with filter
2.8 qt.
2.65
2.8 qt.
2.65
2.8 qt.
2.65
2.8 qt.
2.65
2.8 qt.
2.65
Transmission
(approximate)
32 fl. oz.
0.95
32 fl. oz.
0.95
32 fl. oz.
0.95
32 fl. oz.
0.95
32 fl. oz.
0.95
Low fuel warning
light on
1.0 gal.
3.8
0.8 gal.
3.0
1.0 gal.
3.8
0.8 gal.
3.0
0.8 gal.
3.0
Table 15. Weights: 2008 Sportster XL 883 Models
ITEM
XL 883
XL 883C
CUSTOM
XL 883L
LOW
XL 883R
LB.
KG
LB.
KG
LB.
KG
LB.
KG
Weight
(as shipped from factory)
563
255
565
256
563
255
568
258
GVWR
1000
454
1000
454
1000
454
1000
454
GAWR front
335
152
335
152
335
152
335
152
GAWR rear
665
302
665
302
665
302
665
302
Table 16. Weights: 2008 Sportster 1200 Models
ITEM
XL 1200C
CUSTOM
XL 1200R
ROADSTER
XL 1200L
LOW
XL 1200N
NIGHTSTER
XR 1200
LB.
KG
LB.
KG
LB.
KG
LB.
KG
LB.
KG
Weight (as shipped from factory)
562
255
565
256
557
253
545
247
562
254.9
GVWR
1000
454
1000
454
1000
454
1000
454
1000
454
GAWR front
335
152
335
152
335
152
335
152
335
152
GAWR rear
665
302
665
302
665
302
665
302
665
302