Harley-Davidson®
2004 Sportster® Motorcycles
Starting in the center, we went to work on the Sportster® Evolution® powertrain. It's completely redesigned.
New head assemblies. New cylinders. New pistons with cooling jets. Bigger fins. The result? An engine built to be ridden harder, live longer and run cooler. The 1200 models get a jump in torque and horsepower thanks to performance cams and high-flow heads. And for those seeking it, there is even more performance potential to be found lurking in Genuine Motor Accessories.
We rubber-mounted the engine to the frame. A first for Sportster models. The mounts eat up motor vibrations, so you feel great eating up miles. To accommodate the set-up, we built a new frame. It's more rigid and as strong as an ox, but it maintains its narrow profile. So the Sportster is still a thrill in the hairpins.
No doubt, you'll notice two distinct profiles to the bikes of the Sportster family this year. The 883 Standard and the all-new, heritage-rich Sportster 1200 Roadster feature the classic profile. Custom models receive a larger, 4.5-gallon design. The look is different, but it's undeniably Sportster. You get a wider rear tire and fender. New graphics. We even updated the signature race track design of the familiar air cleaner cover.
Knowing this is a bike riders will be spending extended periods of quality time on, we went the distance with comfort. The seat height is lowered by an inch. The ergonomics are better. And on 883 models, the clutch is easier to pull.
Even though the Sportster is a great value, we never lose sight of the commitment a rider makes to own one. So this year, you’ll get a two-year unlimited-mileage warranty and extended recommended service intervals. And we now offer an optional security system. Because anyone who rides this Sportster is going to want to keep it.
