All-time best street bike ever built. Introduced by
Harley Davidson in 1957 to combat the invading British Triumphs, Nortons and BSAs
on the track and
on the street. The best selling middleweight motorcycle in history.
Unique among Harleys, the Sportster engine and transmission are in one case, whereas the so-called Big Twins have a seperate transmission case. Pre 1986 Sportsters featured iron heads and are called (DUH!) Ironheads. '86 to present are the next generation Evolution, or Evo, Sportster and feature alloy heads and a 5-speed transmission. The most recent models feature rubber-mounted engines.
Sportster-based motorcycles have dominated flat-track racing since the late 1960s. Many early choppers and customs were built from Sportsters, as well as land speed record bikes.
Calling a Sportster a "girl's bike" or "Shortster" may result in a visit to a dentist.
