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Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 (2007-2021) — Maintenance Specs

The Sportster 883 is Harley-Davidson's entry Evolution-engine platform, offered in base XL883 (2007-2009), 883 Custom, SuperLow XL883L, Roadster XL883R and Iron 883N trims across 2007-2021 (Euro 5 ended 883 sales in Europe in 2018, US production of the family ran to 2021). The 883 cc air-cooled V-twin shares its wet-clutch unit construction with the 1200: oil lives in a remote tank holding 2.6 L with the filter, the transmission takes 0.95 L separately, and hydraulic lifters mean no valve adjustments ever. The 2015 Sportster owner's manual is the official source here; fuel-injected models from 2007 onward are essentially identical in service data, with only tank sizes varying by trim.

Quick specs

Oil capacity (with filter) 2.6 Loil tank with filter (2.8 US qt) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Oil type Harley-Davidson H-D 360 or SYN3 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Oil viscosity SAE 20W-50 (H-D 360; SYN3 synthetic acceptable)above 40u00b0F; see viscosity chart 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Front tire pressure (solo) 30 psi207 kPa cold, XL883R/N 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Rear tire pressure (solo) 40 psi276 kPa cold 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Spark plug Harley-Davidson 6R12spark plug type, 12 mm 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Spark plug gap 0.97-1.09 mm 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Fuel capacity 12.5 LXL883N/R: 3.3 US gal; XL883L: 17.0 L (4.5 gal) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)

Maintenance schedule

Specification Value Source
Engine oil & filter 1,000 mi first service, then every 5,000 mi (8,000 km)engine oil and filter 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Spark plug replacement every 30,000 mi (48,000 km) or 2 years 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Brake fluid change every 2 years 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)

Fluids & capacities

Specification Value Source
Oil capacity (with filter) 2.6 Loil tank with filter (2.8 US qt) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Oil type Harley-Davidson H-D 360 or SYN3 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Oil viscosity SAE 20W-50 (H-D 360; SYN3 synthetic acceptable)above 40u00b0F; see viscosity chart 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Final drive oil transmission 0.95 L (1.0 US qt), approximate LSportster unit transmission 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Brake fluid type (DOT) DOT 4replace every two years 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Fuel capacity 12.5 LXL883N/R: 3.3 US gal; XL883L: 17.0 L (4.5 gal) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)

Torque specs

Specification Value Source
Spark plug 16.3-24.4 Nu00b7m12-18 ft-lbs 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)

Electrical

Specification Value Source
Battery 12V, 225 CCA, 12 Ah, sealed maintenance-free 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Headlight bulb H4 60/55 W (H-D P/N 68329-03) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Spark plug Harley-Davidson 6R12spark plug type, 12 mm 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Spark plug gap 0.97-1.09 mm 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)

Tires & wheels

Specification Value Source
Front tire size 100/90B19 (XL883R/N), Michelin Scorcher 31 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Rear tire size 150/80B16 (XL883R/N), Michelin Scorcher 31 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Front tire pressure (solo) 30 psi207 kPa cold, XL883R/N 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)
Rear tire pressure (solo) 40 psi276 kPa cold 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal)

Official manual

Owner's manual on Harley-Davidson official site

Opens the manufacturer’s official website in a new tab.

Frequently asked questions

How much oil does a Harley Sportster 883 take?
2.6 L (2.8 US qt) in the oil tank with the filter, per the official owner's manual.
What is the Sportster 883 tire pressure?
30 psi front (207 kPa) and 40 psi rear (276 kPa) cold on XL883R/N models.
What oil does a Sportster 883 use?
H-D 360 SAE 20W-50 (or Screamin' Eagle SYN3), API-rated for motorcycles.
What spark plug does an 883 use?
Harley-Davidson 6R12, gapped at 0.97-1.09 mm, torqued to 16.3-24.4 Nu00b7m.

Sources

Value Source Checked
Oil capacity (with filter): 2.6 L 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Oil type: Harley-Davidson H-D 360 or SYN3 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Oil viscosity: SAE 20W-50 (H-D 360; SYN3 synthetic acceptable) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Final drive oil: transmission 0.95 L (1.0 US qt), approximate L 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Brake fluid type (DOT): DOT 4 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Fuel capacity: 12.5 L 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Engine oil & filter: 1,000 mi first service, then every 5,000 mi (8,000 km) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Spark plug replacement: every 30,000 mi (48,000 km) or 2 years 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Brake fluid change: every 2 years 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Spark plug: 16.3-24.4 Nu00b7m 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Battery: 12V, 225 CCA, 12 Ah, sealed maintenance-free 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Headlight bulb: H4 60/55 W (H-D P/N 68329-03) 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Spark plug: Harley-Davidson 6R12 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Spark plug gap: 0.97-1.09 mm 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Front tire size: 100/90B19 (XL883R/N), Michelin Scorcher 31 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Rear tire size: 150/80B16 (XL883R/N), Michelin Scorcher 31 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Front tire pressure (solo): 30 psi 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Rear tire pressure (solo): 40 psi 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
Valve Clearance Note: Hydraulic lifters - no scheduled valve adjustment 2015 Harley-Davidson Owner's Manual: Sportster Models, 99468-15 (H-D Service Information Portal) (p. Specifications pp. 22-29; Maintenance & Lubrication) 2026-11-03
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