The Sportster has been the mainstay of Harley-Davidson's lineup since 1957 when the brand introduced the overhead-valve XL engine. Now available in both 883 and 1200-cc variants, the original 883-cc was considered something of a hot-rod muscle-bike when it replaced the flathead K series, ironic since today the 883 Sportster is considered Harley-Davidson's entry-level machine.
Nonetheless, the Sportster name is the most iconic in Harley's lineup, aided in no small measure by the popularity of the '60s TV show Then Came Bronson which starred actor Michael Parks riding a Sportster. In its long history, the Sportster spawned many "specials" including the XLCR café racer, the XR1000 emulating the company's hugely-successful dirt-track racers and the '50s and '60s XLCH ("Competition Hot") hot-rod.
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