XL 53C Sportster Cuustom

XL 53C Sportster Cuustom SPECIFICATIONS, PRICE & IMAGES

was the immediate thought: shame
it wasn’t black, we could do something with that in the feature’s title. I slung
the throw-overs across the saddle and thumbed the starter, straining to hear the
noise from the silencers and remarking on the lack of top end squeaking that had
typified my miles with the Stage One 883. Sufficiently warm for a clean pull
away, we rejoined the A5 traffic heading back North and I finished warming the
diminutive bike before giving it chance to redeem its family name.

This was more like it: a stifled, but
happy little revver that didn’t amaze with its gutsy deep down power in the way
that a big twin would, or even quick responsive revving power beloved of its
bigger 1200cc sibling, but it wasn’t especially stressed, and it didn’t become
uncomfortably vibrant.

S demanded: the lower seat height of both the 53C
and the Hugger take their toll of the cornering clearance but it still ranks up
there with the sportier Dynas – courtesy of extra long shocks – and the
surprising Deuce which gets its extra from the low-profile rear tyre. I never
ran out of clearance on either side, it has to be said, or at least not in a way
that sticks in my mind, but then as a rider of big twins, I’m used to the sound
of scraping metal, and only at the point where the frame touches down is it time
to look for a hole in the hedge. Until that point arrives, the weight is more
than up to the job of keeping the wheels in contact with terra-firma. On any
Sportster, the frame is tucked so far in that the engine cases will touch down
first, and if that happens, you’ll be on your side. What would touch down on the
53C would be the side-stand and the exhaust brackets.

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opportunity to hack around on it: exorcising the ghost of recent memories, and
found it to be both practical and pleasant in a variety of roles – although I
didn’t venture onto a motorway with it:that would’ve been asking too much. I
don’t think I’d be too keen to cover more than fifty miles at a stretch
voluntarily, although was obliged to more than double that at least once. At its
worst – notably after a hundred and fifteen miles – I found that it was still
more comfortable than the Night Train with which it shares a large number of
components, but that’s condemning it with faint praise.

their original locations: heavy and not especially pretty, and something akin to
that which I’d have made, but much more likely to survive long term use and not
at all delicate. Hardly a criticism, because I’d far rather it worked.

Second Opinion:

Words: Rich

s not too difficult to understand why: the 53C is a
handsome piece of kit. An 883cc, it asks an extra £800 over the price of the
base model, making it the most expensive ‘baby’ Sportster in 2001, but that
extra money offers a much higher level of trim. With forward-set front pegs,
unmistakable solid rear wheel, that single riser tower gripping the fairly flat
bars and a sleek gunfighter type seat, the 53C does cut a dash. But whether
Harley-Davidson caught the European taste with this machine as they so obviously
managed with the Night Train is definitely debatable. Had the 53C been offered
just in black, as the Night Train initially was, with perhaps a lot less rear
mudguard I’d’ve said a reserved ‘yes’. However I’d also argue that the new
sportier looking 883R is closer to tapping into that ephemeral European ethic
when it comes to smaller neater machines like Harley’s Sportster range.

C: legs out in front, you’re
stuck there and that’s that. That the cruising-style forward sets should
actually inhibit comfortable long distance cruising is bonkers – and smacks of
style before useful function.

XL 53C Sportster Cuustom For Sale Specifications, Price and Images