Here’s How Much A 5-Year-Old Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Is Worth Today

The Harley-Davidson Sportster has long been the entry point for American-style motorcycling, thanks to its compact frame, smaller engine, and reasonable price. The Iron 883, in particular, became a top choice for new riders trying out the hobby. Many people either move on to bigger Harleys or decide riding isn’t for them, so there are plenty of low-mileage bikes on the used market. But mileage isn’t everything. How well the bike was cared for matters most, so resale prices can vary a lot. Here’s what a five-year-old Iron 883 is worth today and what affects its price.

2020 Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Prices: Then Vs. Now

How the 2020 Iron 883 stacks up from its original MSRP

Harley-Davidson

When new, the 2020 Iron 883 was a very approachable cruiser, with a starting sticker price of $8,999 that could have been inflated by colorway options, reaching just under the $10,000 mark. Additionally, the ABS and security options could add up to an extra $1,200. As for used 2020 Iron 883 motorcycles, the H-D Marketplace lists units in the low $5,000s for a model with over 6,000 miles on the odometer, up to an $11,000 model with very low mileage. The Kelley Blue Book lists it at $6,926 as a median used selling price with a trade-in value of $4,775 on average.

How Engine Condition Impacts Iron 883 Resale

Well-maintained engines hold value; leaks or heavy mods hurt resale

Harley-Davidson

The 883 cc Evolution engine was over three decades old by the time the 2020 Iron 883 rolled out, and was at that time a proven and reliable powerplant. If you kept up with the regular maintenance schedule, provided receipts to prove it, and didn’t go overboard with the custom engine work, then you can expect a fairly good return. However, if you have active oil leaks or excessive weathering due to exposure, you can expect the resale value to suffer. Performance work usually performs poorly at resale and doesn’t add as much value as you might hope. And if you simply install a set of drag pipes on an otherwise stock bike, you can expect it to further ding the resale value.

Iron 883 Engine And Performance Specifications

Key Factors In Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Resale

Rust, worn brakes, and leaking suspension can significantly lower Iron 883 value

Harley-Davidson

H-D has long been a proponent of using mild-steel tubing and plating for its framework. It’s heavy, but strong and easy to work. The problem is its vulnerability to corrosion. If you keep one out in the weather, eventually, the rain will find its way through the paint and start working on the steel itself. Once the bones start to rot, it’s only a matter of time before a critical structural failure occurs, and any visible corrosion or paint damage will significantly lower the value.

Worn brake pads, damaged discs, and leaky reservoirs will also work against you when it comes to negotiation time. Leaking fork seals and shocks are also safety-related issues that must be resolved before use. If you kept it outside, the tiresare likely to have suffered some degree of dry rot as well, which could be used by a buyer as a bargaining chip after the sale.

Iron 883 Chassis And Suspension Specifications

Appearance Matters: Protecting Your Iron 883 Value

Weather damage, fading, and oxidation can hurt resale

Harley-Davidson

Aesthetics suffer when a bike is poorly kept and left out in the weather. Covers help, but nothing beats a proper shed or garage, with bonus points if it’s climate-controlled as well. Little things, such as the covers over the bar of indicator lights under the gauge, which quickly deteriorate under direct sunlight, and visible rust on the chrome and aluminum oxidation in the cases.

Blinker lens caps become fragile, and the speedometer lens becomes crazed from UV exposure. All of these factors can add up to paint a bleak picture for your chances of achieving a high resale price, so be aware of them as a seller and consider them indicative of how the interior was maintained if you’re buying. You may be able to use them to negotiate a lower price, or decide that there are enough minor red flags that you’d rather abandon the deal altogether.

A Sportster Alternative In The Iron 1200

Bigger engine, custom-inspired styling, and a classic ’70s vibe set it apart from the Iron 883

Harley-Davidson

The Iron 883 was sold alongside an up-tier sibling, the Iron 1200, which brought its own style to the masses with the larger of the two Sportster engines on board. This bike pays homage to the custom culture of the 1970s with a very era-specific graphic on the walnut fuel tank, no matter which of the colorways you choose. The forks are slightly overlong, which is a clever trick that lifts the steering head and gives the bike a bit of a choppervibe with no actual chopping involved. Lightening holes in the front fender uprights and fork gaiters, paired with blacked-out fork sliders, adds even more custom yummygoodness to the front end. A café-style bullet fairing dresses up the headlight and shelters the gauge a bit when under, while a tall-rise handlebar completes the ensemble with a West Coast vibe.

Iron 883 Vs Iron 1200 Engine And Performance Specifications

The Sportster Rival In The Yamaha Bolt R-Spec

A beginner-friendly V-twin with similar styling and slightly more torque than the Iron 883

Yamaha

H-D wasn’t the only game in town when it came to Sportster-style machines back in 2020; Yamaha had its own entry in the Bolt R-Spec. I hate to bandy the word “copy” about, but honestly, the Bolt R-Spec would disappear right into a pack of Sportsters. Like a brother from another mother, the Bolt R-Spec comes with somewhat diminished dimensions and would make a good beginner’s bike, just like the Iron 883 in that regard. Yamaha stuffs a V-twin, which is appropriate in such a design, and it’s a tad larger than the Sporty with 942 cc packed inside. This pushes output up to 59.3 pound-feet of torque for a razor-thin advantage over the Harley.

Harley-Davidson Iron 883 Vs. Yamaha Bolt R-Spec Engine And Performance Specifications