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Introduced in 1957, the Sportster is the longest-running model family in the Harley-Davidson lineup. They were conceived as racing motorcycles, and were popular on dirt and flat-track race courses through the 1960s and ’70s. Smaller and lighter than the other Harley models, contemporary Sportsters make use of 883 or 1,200 cc Evolution engines and, though often modified, remain similar in appearance to their racing ancestors.

Up until the 2003 model year, the engine on the Sportster was rigidly mounted to the frame. The 2004 Sportster had a new frame accommodating a rubber-mounted engine. Although this made the bike heavier and reduced the available lean angle, it reduced the amount of vibration transmitted to the frame and the rider.[2]

In 2007, Harley Davidson celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Sportster and produced a collectors’ edition called the XL50 1200 Custom, of which only 2000 were made for sale world wide. Each motorcycle is individually numbered and the colors came in two colours, Mirage Pearl Orange and Vivid Black. Also introduced to the Sportster family in the 2007 model year was electronic fuel injection. The XL1200N (Nightster) was introduced midway through the 2007 model year. Compared to the other models in the XL line up, the 1200N sits lower and is blacked out with very little chrome. It has a bobbed front and rear fender and a side-mounted license plate.