Harley Davidson Superlow XL883L - My Comprehensive Review

What does a HOG symbolise to me?



Call me old fashioned but it symbolises a man's steed, a horse, a pet, something to keep me fit. And after having driven one home yesterday, over a 100km drive that I did after almost 2 decades on 2 wheels, I can safely say that motorcycle driving does make you fitter and more mentally alert. It rejuvenated all my dulled senses.

This 883cc beast of the so called 'baby' Harley had more quality than any Indian manufacturer ever offered to us.


The top notch 5 speed gearbox had a authentic Harley 'clank' to it.


It all began a few months back. My mid life blues wanting to chase away the lethargy that had crept in my life driving all those four wheeled luxury cars. So a thread was opened on TeamBhp to assess what big bike I could 'practically' own in India with least amount of hassles - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...-superlow.html (What Bike? Ninja650 vs HD Superlow vs Duke390 vs Bullet500. Edit: HD Superlow it is !) . Eventually I opted for a cruiser that suited my mentality and mindset and I can safely say that it is the best practical everyday Superbike Cruiser in India as on date at this price point. "You can take quality, adequate fit and finish and exquisite attention to detail for granted on a Superlow, this Indian-assembled Harley feeling robust and built to last a generation, or perhaps two."

I had booked the bike with Capital Harley, Delhi, the nearest dealership from my hometown of Meerut about 80kms away. So finally booked the bike, details here - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...ml#post3207862 (What Bike? Ninja650 vs HD Superlow vs Duke390 vs Bullet500. Edit: HD Superlow it is !) . The bike had reached the dealership, details here - http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorb...ml#post3229016 (What Bike? Ninja650 vs HD Superlow vs Duke390 vs Bullet500. Edit: HD Superlow it is !) . So finally the delivery date was set for 09-09-2013, Monday.

So rode down to the dealership's showroom with my son and brother in tow.


It was love at first sight.


Here it is looking quite puny from this angle which is more of a photographic micropsia than ground reality.


I hope my smile tells it all.


With my Sales Advisor. He did a pretty decent job overall.


So the bike costed me Rs. 6,34,421/- on road and I added just the Pillion seat and Passenger Footpeg Kit for an additional 16,096/-, taking the Total cost to 6.50L. Drove it down to Meerut which turned out to be a 100km journey with a few sore bums to vouch for it...lolz, as they were subjected to the '2 wheeled kind' of this long, semi bumper to bumper, ride after nearly 20 years, having been spoilt by the super comfortable seats on my Superb. For longer rides the seats definitely need a upgrade.

So here it is today in my driveway






The beautifully crafted 45 degree V Twin which is the trademark of all Harleys. A right view of the engine




The left view of the engine




The Engine Clutch cover


The Left side panel enclosing the battery


The left panel opened to reveal the battery, fuse box and the main fuse


The right panel enclosing the engine oil reservoir


With a beautifully crafted pop-up oil dipstick


The pop-up dipstick comes out


Revealing the oil inside


The solid Handlebar and all controls


The Left Handlebar Controls


And its close-up view


The Right Handlebar Controls


And its close-up


The Left rear view mirror's finishing. Solid Chrome...


The Right rear view mirror's finishing.


And its Chrome back...
cont...

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