Which motorcycle was Harley-Davidson’s first Sportster, introduced for the 1957 model year?

Harley-Davidson’s first Sportster was the Sportster introduced for the 1957 model year.

The Sportster replaced the K-model range and used a new overhead-valve V-twin engine. Its original engine displaced 883 cc, and the model quickly became one of the company’s most recognizable motorcycles.

Sportsters were smaller and more sporting than Harley-Davidson’s larger touring-oriented machines. Their relatively compact dimensions made them popular with riders seeking a lighter, more responsive American motorcycle.

The Sportster family continued through many generations, including Ironhead and Evolution-engine versions. It is sometimes confused with the later Dyna or Softail families, but those are separate Harley-Davidson model lines. Harley-Davidson ended the traditional Sportster line in many markets after the 2020 model year as newer platforms replaced it.