Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-eight. Admission ticket

Harley Davidson Forty-Eight 2020

The Harley Davidson Forty-Eight comes in two versions: the Special with a more upright riding position, and the typical Standard. They are identical in terms of specifications, minus the seat height, weight and handlebar height. But on the move the sensations are different - and I’m happy to tell you why.

Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-eight. Admission ticket

Among the Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which for most people far from the topic of motorcycles personify motorcycles in general, the Sportster family stands out: the very first and today the smallest “Harleys”

Natalya Umnova
Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-eight. Price: from 280,000 rub. On sale: Since 2013 Among the Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which for most people far from the topic of motorcycles personify motorcycles in general, the Sportster family stands out: the very first and today the smallest “Harleys”.

We rode the 2013 Harley-Davidson model range in the vicinity of Marseille at the end of March, while the majority of Russian motorcyclists were still suffering with all their might from “mototoxicosis” due to the excessively prolonged winter.

Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-eight. Photo: Harley-Davidson

This year, the company from Milwaukee presented a real new product - Softail Breakout, but we will postpone the story about it a little: we need to keep you in the juice of impatience and curiosity! Let’s start getting to know the legendary Harleys more closely from the Sportster family: motorcycles with this “surname” for many become an “entry ticket” to the world of Harley-Davidson and motorcycling in general.

Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-eight. Photo: Harley-Davidson

The Harley-Davidson Sportster family dates back to 1957. Today it includes six models (not counting two “limit” versions), three of which are equipped with an 883 cm3 engine, the other three with a 1200 cc unit. Otherwise, the “Sportsters” differ little: some are a little longer, others a little shorter, lower and higher, the steering wheel is flatter or ape hanger, plus different body kits and trims. But the essence is the same - a short wheelbase, a “skinny” tank, relative lightness and excellent (for a cruiser) handling.

The Sportster is equipped with engines of 883 and 1200 cm3. Photo: Harley-Davidson

You sit on the Sportster Forty-Eight and at first you feel awkward: it is too narrow and short. Big guys will feel uncomfortable on it, especially in a single-seat saddle, when you can’t even move back. But for girls or men of average build, it’s fine. Although it must be said that the notorious customization is built into “Harleys” almost constructively: no matter how many I rode, I couldn’t ride one comfortably for a long time: my shoulders were numb, then my arms, then my legs. The Sportster Forty-Eight has a special riding position: the legs and arms are extended forward almost parallel to each other. And if any part of the body does not meet the driver’s “standards” laid down in the model, then after a few tens of kilometers you will feel it. But it is much easier to reconfigure the HD for yourself than any other motorcycle: thick catalogs of branded and related parts were not created in vain.

An analogue speedometer and a few lights are simple and tasteful. Photo: Harley-Davidson

The 1200 cc V-twin engine of the Evolution, and even more so the 883 cc, of course, is no match for the large 1690 cc “twin” that is installed on other Harleys, but the racially correct traction at the bottom is also present in the Sportsters. As well as the legendary vibrations at idle (although not as legendary as those of the Dyna family of motorcycles), which occur because the engine is suspended from the frame on silent blocks, that is, on rubber bands, due to which it moves noticeably. But the sound! In the Sportster, unlike most of its larger brethren, the sound remains almost “the same,” classic, not drowned out by all sorts of catalysts.

You quickly get used to the strangely located mirrors under the steering wheel, and if you adjust them correctly, you get a good view. Photo: Harley-Davidson

The Sportster may be small in size, and may not look like a real Harley, and is considered a motorcycle for girls, but it rides great! Acceleration is decent, it doesn’t wobble on a straight line, it stands tightly, it’s easy to turn into turns up to the pegs and below, fortunately the pegs are folding and the tires allow it. It's a thrill, and that's all! It is easy to maneuver in the city. And, perhaps, this is the only type of Harley that is really convenient to move around in traffic jams. As for the suspension, despite its visible presence in the form of two classic shock absorbers, all road unevenness, bumps and holes are clearly felt by the driver - but this is a “feature” of all Harley-Davidsons (“bugs” are not present in these motorcycles for obvious reasons maybe), except for tourers and maybe V-Rod. But we'll tell you about them another time.

Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-eight. Photo: Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-eight. Photo: Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-eight. Photo: Harley-Davidson

Modern retro Last year, the Sportster family was replenished with a new model - the Seventy-Two. This “serial custom” is designed in a retro style and resembles a classic bobber and at the same time, due to the forward fork and high steering wheel, a chopper from the 1970s. The new Hard Candy Custom paintwork is reminiscent of the same era - metallic with large glitter flakes. The device is comfortable, handles well and looks expensive, despite the low (relative to other Harley-Davidson) price characteristic of the entire Sportster family.

Specifications

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Hi all. I decided to share my experience of using the Sportster 48. The motorcycle was purchased in 2021. The purchase was impulsive, the market was not studied. I came to the dealer, saw a little used device in stock and bought it. The motorcycle was from 2014, with a mileage of 5k km and almost in stock.

After driving it a little, I got my first operating experience: no suspension, doesn’t move, but otherwise it’s cool. At the beginning of the 2021 season, the springs were replaced in the “workshop”, the tank was slightly raised, the zero gear was installed, and the St1 firmware was filled in. and little things, like everyone who bought their first Harley))) - handles, footrests, skulls. The motorcycle rode a little more comfortably and more fun. because There is also a minigoose f650gs available for country trips, but during the 2021 season, the Sportster only drove about 5k km around the city, mostly with a friend in a custom BMW K100. By the way, I used it as a reference motorcycle to understand the dynamics of movement. The BMW drove away from Harley up to 150 km/h, there was no point in pushing further. At the same time, moving forward in a hand-foot position turned out to be more convenient for me than in a shrimp-like position with clip-ons. From my feelings at the end of the season: the motorcycle is not for fast travel, 140 max is for relative comfort, it’s not suitable for long-distance trips (even super-minimum ones, 100 km), the rear gets numb, the back hurts from the bumps, the head is buzzing from the exhaust. Consumption is about 6 in the city, the tank is enough for 130 km. With my travels, it's a fill-up once a day. But it doesn't bother me. There are enough dynamics, more than enough in the city, it’s narrow, it’s very convenient in the aisles, it fits in a lot of places. I finished the season with these thoughts and decided to cut the moto a little. For 2021, some more minor modifications were made, such as: - horsepower intake - Bassani road range 2 exhaust - N4 shafts - tuning of all this - and a few external changes, rear wing, drag bar, seat, 7-inch headlight The following results were obtained Well, a little graphs with the settings of all this. What is the result. I don’t like the appearance of the seat, I wanted to redo it, but it turned out to be too comfortable. This season I won’t touch it anymore. The rear wing is short and now flaps up in wet weather. The ride was more fun, but I had to twist a little. Cutoff at 7.4k. The exhaust is loud. I still can't figure out if I like the sound of it. The tank in the city is now enough for 100 km.

What's the result? The motorcycle is cool, but for me it is subjectively inconvenient for every day (especially after modifications). The suspension is still stiff. Loud, no panniers. But charismatic, although small compared to large Harleys. The mirrors under the steering wheel are cool, but uncomfortable; you have to take your eyes off the road to look at them. Switching and in particular the inclusion of the first with a heavy metallic sound pleases at every traffic light. Keyless entry, i.e. Starting the engine and arming/disarming the alarm are very convenient. This is a must-have for all motorcycles. Just right for evening rides (I never wanted to drive on plastics). But any trip out of town involves the use of other equipment. Considering the money invested and the simplicity of the design, it now seems like I’ll have it forever, which I’m not too upset about.