2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 Specifications

Name: 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883
Brand: Harley-Davidson

Custom / cruiser • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 Overview

For 2016, Harley-Davidson offers the Sportster Iron 883 as a custom / cruiser motorcycle. The 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 is built around a V2, four-stroke engine, a compression ratio of 9.0:1. Internally, bore and stroke are 76.2 x 96.8 mm. Out on the road, the Sportster Iron 883 delivers 71 Nm @ 3750 Revolutions of torque. In everyday use, the 2016 Sportster Iron 883 tips the scales at 260 kg, carries a 12.49-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 653 mm and spans a 1,519 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 40.6 kg lighter than the average custom / cruiser motorcycle in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 spec sheet below.

2016 Sportster Iron 883 - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Fuel injection: No choke, no jetting, no altitude compensation to think about - fuel injection just works across a wider range of conditions than carburetion.
Accessible seat height: At just 653 mm, flat-footing at a stop is easy for most riders - a genuine confidence builder for less experienced owners.
Low-maintenance final drive: Belt final drive is about as close to maintenance-free as motorcycle drivetrains get.

Considerations

Age-related wear: No particular mechanical concern flags for the Sportster Iron 883 - condition on any used example comes down to how well it's been looked after.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Fuelling & injector care

Fuelling on the Sportster Iron 883 comes from fuel injection. Cold starts and throttle response stay consistent across altitude and temperature, the main practical edge over a carbureted equivalent.

Brake disc and pad wear

Single disc. Optional ABS up front provides the primary stopping power; inspect disc thickness and pad wear at each tyre change to catch scoring before it becomes a rotor replacement.

Suspension condition on used examples

Suspension duties are handled by Telescopic fork up front and Twin shocks at the rear. Weeping fork seals aren't a dealbreaker on a used bike, but they're a fair basis for negotiating price.

Final drive maintenance

Belt final drive keeps day-to-day maintenance minimal on the Sportster Iron 883 - just periodic tension and wear checks rather than the regular cleaning a chain demands.

Handling the weight at a standstill

The Sportster Iron 883's 260 kg kerb weight is worth factoring into how you handle it at a standstill - parking-lot manoeuvres need a bit more deliberate technique than on a lighter machine.

Sportster Iron 883 - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

A pre-purchase check on the 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 should cover the same ground every time: service history, chain and sprocket condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept Sportster Iron 883 settles to a smooth idle within seconds.

Oil and filter changes

Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for a Sportster Iron 883's engine - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. The sump holds 2.60 litres, so budget for that volume of quality motorcycle-specific engine oil. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.

Fuel system care

Injector systems like the Sportster Iron 883's hold up well with basic care - decent fuel, an occasional cleaner additive, and draining old fuel before any layup longer than three months.

2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 have?

The 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 is powered by a V2, four-stroke engine.

How much does the 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 weigh?

The 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 weighs 260 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.

How much power does the 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 make?

The 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 produces 71 Nm @ 3750 Revolutions of torque.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883?

The 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 has a 12.49-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 208-249 km between stops.

Is the 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 suitable for shorter riders?

The 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 has a seat height of 653 mm. This is a comfortable, accessible height for most riders.

What brakes does the 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 have?

The 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 uses Single disc. Optional ABS at the front and Single disc. Optional ABS at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 use?

The 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 runs 100/90-B19 front and 150/80-B16 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

How much oil does the 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 take?

The 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 takes 2.60 litres of engine oil at a full oil and filter change. Always verify against the dipstick or sight glass after filling.

Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 Spec Evolution

The Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 was produced across 6 model years (2014-2019). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.

Specification	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019
Wet Weight	260.0 kg / 573.2 lbs	260.0 kg / 573.2 lbs	260.0 kg / 573.2 lbs	256.0 kg / 564.4 lbs	256.0 kg / 564.4 lbs	256.0 kg / 564.4 lbs
Dry Weight	251 kg / 553.3 lbs	251 kg / 553.3 lbs	251 kg / 553.3 lbs	247 kg / 544.5 lbs	247 kg / 544.5 lbs	247 kg / 544.5 lbs
Engine Detail	Air-cooled, Evolution®	Air-cooled, Evolution®	Air-cooled, Evolution®	Air-cooled, Evolution®	Air-cooled, Evolution®	Air-cooled, Evolution®
Fuel Capacity	12.49 litres / 3.30 gallons	12.49 litres / 3.30 gallons	12.49 litres / 3.30 gallons	12.50 litres / 3.30 gallons	12.50 litres / 3.30 gallons	12.50 litres / 3.30 US gallons
Oil Capacity (Quarts)	0.17 quarts	0.17 quarts	0.17 quarts	0.17 quarts	0.17 quarts	2.75 US quarts
Ground Clearance (mm)	99 mm	100 mm	100 mm	100 mm	100 mm	140 mm
Ground Clearance (in.)	3.9 inches	3.9 inches	3.9 inches	3.9 inches	3.9 inches	5.5 inches
Displacement (ci)	53.90 cubic inches	-	-	-	-	53.88 cubic inches

Key Specifications

Engine

V2, four-stroke

Power

Not published by manufacturer

Torque

71.00 Nm (7.2 kgf-m or 52.4 ft.lbs) @ 3750 Revolutions

Top Speed

Not published by manufacturer

Weight

260.0 kg / 573.2 lbs

Fuel Capacity

12.49 litres / 3.30 gallons

Full 2016 Harley-Davidson Sportster Iron 883 Specifications

Colours Hard Candy Gold Flake, Charcoal Denim, Black Denim, Olive gold

Ground Clearance (mm) 100 mm

Ground Clearance (in.) 3.9 inches

Seat Height 653 mm / 25.7 in.

Wheelbase 1,519 mm / 59.8 in.

Length 2,179 mm / 85.8 in.

Oil Capacity (Quarts) 0.17 quarts

Oil Capacity (l) 2.60 litres

Dry Weight 251 kg / 553.3 lbs

Fuel Capacity 12.49 litres / 3.30 gallons

Wet Weight 260.0 kg / 573.2 lbs

Max Torque 71.00 Nm (7.2 kgf-m or 52.4 ft.lbs) @ 3750 Revolutions

Power-to-Weight Ratio 0.2112 HP/kg

Engine Type V2, four-stroke

CO2 107.0 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)

Bore x Stroke (mm) 76.2 x 96.8 mm

Bore x Stroke (in,) 3.0 x 3.8 inches

Engine Detail Air-cooled, Evolution®

Fuel System Injection. Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)

Compression Ratio 9.0:1

Engine Lubrication Dry sump

Exhaust Chrome, staggered shorty exhaust with dual mufflers

Fuel Consumption 4.61 litres/100 km (21.7 km/l or 51.02 mpg)

Starter Electric

Clutch Multi-plate with diaphragm spring in oil bath

Final Drive Belt

Gearbox 6-speed

Suspension - Front Telescopic fork

Suspension - Rear Twin shocks.

Rake 30.5°

Trail 117 mm / 4.6 in.

Instrumentation Handlebar-mounted electronic speedometer with odometer, time-of-day clock, dual tripmeter, low fuel warning light, low oil pressure light, engine diagnostics readout, LED indicator lights

Lighting system High beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals, engine diagnostics, low fuel warning, low battery, security system (optional)

Brakes - Front Diameter (in.) 11.8 inches

Brakes - Front Diameter (mm) 300 mm

Brakes - Rear Diameter (in.) 11.8 inches

Brakes - Rear Diameter (mm) 300 mm

Brakes - Front Single disc. Optional ABS

Brakes - Rear Single disc. Optional ABS

Rims Black 9 Spoke with Machined Highlights

Tyres - Front 100/90-B19

Tyres - Rear 150/80-B16

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.