Harley-davidson Sportster 883 Hugger vs Kawasaki Eliminator 500
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Harley-davidson Sportster 883 Hugger vs Kawasaki Eliminator 500. Harley-davidson Sportster 883 Hugger: 50 hp @ 6,000 rpm (estimated for Evolution-era engine; output varied slightly by model year) hp, 254 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 170 km/h (estimated; note: may vary by year and gearing), Motoryk rating 7.0/10. Kawasaki Eliminator 500: 60 hp @ 10,000 rpm hp, 195 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 175 km/h, Motoryk rating 7.5/10.
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Harley-davidson Sportster 883 Hugger
Kawasaki Eliminator 500
Horsepower (hp)
50 hp
60 hp
Torque (Nm)
68 Nm
44 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
170 km/h
175 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
254 kg
195 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
50 hp @ 6,000 rpm (estimated for Evolution-era engine; output varied slightly by model year)
60 hp @ 10,000 rpm
Torque
68 Nm @ 3,500 rpm (estimated)
44 Nm @ 8,500 rpm
Top Speed
170 km/h (estimated; note: may vary by year and gearing)
175 km/h
Weight
254 kg (wet/curb weight)
195 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
5.5 L/100km (approx 18 km/L) — estimated real-world average
5.5 L/100km or approximately 18 km/L (typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Harley-davidson Sportster 883 Hugger
7.0/10
"A solid entry Harley if you inspect suspension and maintenance history carefully."
Pros
+Bulletproof Evo engine
+Low accessible seat height
+Huge parts availability
Cons
−Suspension abuse very common
−Thirsty at highway speeds
−Vibration tires hands out
Kawasaki Eliminator 500
7.5/10
"Smart, practical cruiser that punches above its modest price point."
Pros
+Bulletproof Kawasaki parallel twin
+Surprisingly nimble for cruiser
+Excellent real-world fuel economy
Cons
−Highway vibration above 75mph
−Budget non-adjustable suspension
−Cruiser aesthetics feel slightly costume
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.
