Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
1 reports
48,000 miles · Jun 23, 2016
Power Train
THE COMPENSATOR SPROCKET BEGAN TO THUMP AND KNOCK ON CURBSIDE STARTING, INDICATING WEAR. IT ONLY HAPPENS WITH THE BIKE IN GEAR AND THE CLUTCH DEPRESSED. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN NEUTRAL. IT CLEARED UP WITHIN 30 MINUTES, AND I CHANGED THE GEAR OIL, HOWEVER NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE IF IT GOES COMPLETELY IT WILL DISTRIB…
Read full complaint
THE COMPENSATOR SPROCKET BEGAN TO THUMP AND KNOCK ON CURBSIDE STARTING, INDICATING WEAR. IT ONLY HAPPENS WITH THE BIKE IN GEAR AND THE CLUTCH DEPRESSED. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN IN NEUTRAL. IT CLEARED UP WITHIN 30 MINUTES, AND I CHANGED THE GEAR OIL, HOWEVER NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE IF IT GOES COMPLETELY IT WILL DISTRIBUTE METAL SHARDS THROUGHOUT THE GEAR BOX AND LOCK UP THE ENGINE POTENTIALLY CAUSING A SKID AND ACCIDENT. CLEARLY THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. REPAIR COSTS ARE $410.00. I HAVE 48,000 MILES ON THIS BIKE. HARLEY IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE WITH SPORTSTERS AS WELL AS SOME OF THEIR OTHER BIKES. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY HAVE REDISIGNED THIS PART 5 TIMES IN THE LAST 20 YEARS. THE LAST UPGRADES HAVE BEEN IN 2007, AND 2010. THE ISSUE REMAINS. THIS IS A RECALL MATTER. I DO NOT HAVE A PIC YET BECAUSE I HAVE NOT REMOVED THE PRIMARY, HOWEVER, THIS IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE WITH THE COMPENSATOR. FWIW COMPENSATOR VID RE OTHER MODEL: HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=GKGQRTT_CRY
CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH A CONDITION WHEREBY THE PANT LEG OF SOME RIDERS CAN HAVE DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST PIPE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE PANT LEG TO CHAR OR BURN, WHICH COULD LEAD TO THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO THE RIDER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A NEW EXHAUST SHIELD WHICH PROVIDES ADDITIONAL COVERAGE OFTHE EXHAUST PIPE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
CERTAIN SPORTSTER AND DYNA MODEL MOTORCYCLES WERE BUILT WITH AN INCORRECT FRONT TIRE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS INCORRECT TIRE COULD CAUSE PERFORMANCE ISSUES, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT TIRE AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 5, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
ON CERTAIN MOTORCYCLES, AS A RESULT OF A GREATER BODY THICKNESS THAN USED IN PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS, THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR MAY CONTACT THE FRONT FENDER UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. IN SOME CASES THIS CONTACT MAY ALLOW THE FRONT FENDER TO CATCH ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE REGULATOR BODY WHICH COULD IMPEDE THE OPERATOR'S ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WHICH COULD CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH TO THE RIDER.
Remedy: ON MOTORCYCLES WHICH DO NOT HAVE ACCESSORY ENGINE GUARDS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN INTERMEDIATE MOUNTING BRACKET THAT WILL RELOCATE THE VOLTAGE REGULATOR TO A POSITION WHICH PROVIDES MORE CLEARANCE FROM THE FRONT FENDER. ON VEHICLES WITH AN ACCESSORY ENGINE GUARDS, DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE THINNNER DIMENSION VOLTAGE REGULATOR TO AVOIDE THE FRONT FENDER CLEARANCE PROBLEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 22, 2007. A SECOND CUSTOMER LETTER REFLECTING THE ABOVE REMEDY WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS ON MARCH 16, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HARLEY-DAVIDSON AT 1-414-343-4056.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2007 HARLEY-DAVIDSON XL883R Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration