Table of contents

• Buy used Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Entry into the Harley world
• Market situation
• sightseeing
• Facelift
• Technical data (model 2017)

Harley-Davidson

10 pictures

Harley-Davidson

1/10
Poor people’s Harley, girl’s motorcycle? Sportster prejudices and completely wrong!

Harley-Davidson

2/10
Prospective buyers have to remain brave in order not to tip over the price demands.

Harley-Davidson

3/10
Hardly anything goes below 10,000 euros, unless you are a frequent driver yourself and have nothing against mileage over 30,000 kilometers.

Rossen Gargolov

4/10
The technically correct condition of used vehicles from Harley dealers was usually checked.

Rossen Gargolov

5/10
However, be careful with wild conversions and moderately maintained private offers!

Rossen Gargolov

6/10
Popular accessories: saddle with springs, but the two-person kit (pillion seat and pillion rests) is also available for around 500 euros.

Rossen Gargolov

7/10
The original often has to be calibrated: Heavily hip exhaust systems from KessTech or Jekill & Hyde costs at least 2,500 euros with an extension.

Rossen Gargolov

8/10
Wire spoke rims were only available up to model year 2015.

Harley-Davidson

9/10
Even seasoned macho guys hit their heads for the muscular, wiry and slim retro machine.

Harley-Davidson

10/10
Air-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 45 degree V engine, 1202 cm³, 49.0 kW (67 hp) at 6,000 rpm, 96 Nm at 3,500 rpm.

counselor

Used purchase

Buy second hand Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight

Buy used Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight
Entry into the Harley world

Poor people’s Harley, girl’s motorcycle? Sportster prejudices and totally wrong! Even seasoned macho guys hit their heads for the muscular, wiry and slim retro machine.

Thorsten Dentges

02/08/2021

In this article:

• Market situation
• sightseeing
• Facelift
• Technical data (model 2017)

the Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight is not a motorcycle for the faint-hearted, because with barely a thumb’s length of spring travel at the back, even the smallest bump in the asphalt can hit your back. Oh yes, and even at ridiculous leanings, it touches down, threatens to pry you out. Well, that’s the way it is with choppers: They are spartan, dispense with superfluous chichi and demand stamina and taker qualities from drivers. In any case, the uncomfortable and strongly vibrating Forty-Eight is hardly preferred by road captains (are there also captains?) For tours to Lake Faak or to Harley Days. And tough guys are in demand even for short journeys. Those who like to adapt to the 1950s retro style of this machine in terms of fashion: Beatnik tattoos, rolled up, heavy denim and flannel, lace-up boots, sparse jet helmets.

The design of this 1200 Sportster goes back to the year 1948 and the Harley model S 125 at the time. Footpegs far forward) were introduced when the word “Bobber” only scene people was a term, considered by some “disproportionate” criticized. Unsuspecting. Because with bobberists the eye goes with them, whistled for lousy driving characteristics! Decisive for purchase: rather the lacquer variants than ABS (only from 2014) or the question of whether wire or cast spokes (from 2016). The Forty-Eight became a bestseller precisely because it is so imperfect. Machos like that. By the way, so do motorcycle Amazons.

Market situation

Prospective buyers have to remain brave so as not to fall out of their way with the price demands. Even ten-year-old Forty-Eights are sometimes just below the original price. In other words: Hardly anything goes under 10,000 euros, unless you are a frequent driver yourself and have nothing against mileages of more than 30,000 kilometers. Because such marathon sportsters are probably the only ones who don’t find a new lover within two weeks. New vehicles from the last model year 2020 were sold out quickly, which is why the pack of buyers is currently rushing for remaining demonstrators and new bikes. And even for good conversions (professional complete works originally cost 20,000 euros) sometimes horrific sums are invested. Apparently, up to 15,000 euros, many say painlessly: recovered!

sightseeing

The technically correct condition of used vehicles from Harley dealers was usually checked; In view of the predominantly low mileage of less than 30,000 kilometers, you can access it almost blindly. However, be careful with wild conversions and moderately maintained private offers! While worn tires or brake pads can be exchanged cheaply, the dismantling of unwanted customizations in particular can quickly run into four figures.

Rossen Gargolov

Popular accessories: saddle with springs, but the two-person kit (pillion seat and pillion rests) is also available for around 500 euros. The most common conversions are: LED indicators, side license plate holders, drag bars or Z-handlebars – each around 500 euros including professional assembly. Very popular exhaust systems from KessTech or Jekill & Hyde costs at least 2,500 euros with an extension. If they are resold at a later date, however, these popular parts can easily add 1,500 to 2,000 euros in value.

Recommendation: Favorite color of most Harley and general chopper fans: black. Yawn! the “Hard Candy Custom”-I find paintwork with particularly large metallic particles much more suitable for this model. Ultra cool, that 70s tinsel look! You can never get tired of that.

Facelift

2010: Launch of the Sportster XL 1200 X (type XL2). Model name: Forty-Eight. Retro design peculiarities: wide 130 mm front tires, solo seat and so-called peanut mini-tank (content: 2.1 gallons = 7.95 liters). Colors in the first model year: Vivid Black, Brillant Silver and Mirage Orange Pearl. Price: 10,395 euros.

2013: For the first time the model is also in eye-catching”Hard Candy Custom”-Metallic paint finishes available. Price: 10,795 euros.

2014: Standard ABS, larger brake discs, new, analog speedometer, keyless go system. Price: 11,245 euros.

2016: Major facelift. New telescopic fork (stanchion diameter now 49 instead of 39 mm) and black powder-coated emulsion struts. Redesigned: seat and exhaust system. In addition, now cast-spoke wheels instead of wire-spoke wheels and round instead of oval air filters including lids. Price: 12,345 euros

2018: Model variant Forty-Eight Special (XL 1200 XS) with 7.25 inches high”Tallboy”-Handlebars. Also in a very limited number (less than 500 pieces for the European market): anniversary model “115th Anniversary” in Legend Blue Denim matt finish. Prices XL 1200 X / XS: 12,195 / 13,505 euros.

2020: Last model year in Germany. Price: 12,195 euros

Technical data (model 2017)

Harley-Davidson

Air-cooled two-cylinder four-stroke 45 degree V engine, 1202 cm³, 49.0 kW (67 PS) at 6,000 / min, 96 Nm at 3,500 / min, double loop frame made of steel, telescopic fork, two spring struts, spring travel front / rear 92 / 54 mm, wheelbase 1,495 mm, seat height 705 mm, front tires 130/90 B 16, rear 150/80 B 16, disc brakes front / rear (300/260 mm), weight with a full tank of 256 kg, tank capacity 7.9 l, Vmax 180 km / h, 0-100 km / h in 5.2 seconds, consumption (country road) 4.3 l / 100 km

You can find more Sportster information and used offers here.

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