Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight 48 Test

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Appetizer

Accessible in price for the world of Harleys, the XL 48 with its big tires remains a small motorcycle that its peanut tank confines to urban use.

We knew the brains, here is the peanut reservoir, peanut as the firm calls it. Not even eight liters (7.95 l) and just five and a half (5.3 l manufacturer data) before falling into reserve. It’s stingy but it’s part of the panoply 48.

Harley Davidson Sportster 48

Fortunately, the Sportster engine is not too greedy and still allows 100 kilometers at a departmental pace before looking for a pump. 70 kilometers when the use is limited to hanging out in town. Much worse than a scooter, and frankly than a majority of two-wheeled vehicles. But that is not the problem. As Harley is not the brand for innovation in radial braking, it will seek exclusivity where it knows how to do it. That is to say on the side of the look. And it seems that the 48 has understood everything in this niche.

Home millimeter

Beautiful as a big twin without the entry ticket of € 20,000, the little Sportster with bobber accents is a melting pot of looks on its neat plastic from € 10.595.

Harley Davidson Sportster 48

A simple, very exclusive saddle, a unique minimalist speedometer dial, a black painted engine and very pretty exhausts for the right amount of chrome complete the picture of a very accessible machine..

Harley Davidson Sportster 48

The little ones and the less fortunate will be able to touch the Harley dream which will be registered even on the big sidewalls of the tires. From 710 mm straddle.

His job

Beyond this important detail for many long-distance pilots, it is for very short journeys that the 48 invites its only passenger. After turning the barrel attached to the frame in the direction of the road, the machine snorts with a particularly rewarding sound. We even wonder how H-D manages to pass the control of sound standards with decibels so present. Regardless, the American soul is there.

Harley Davidson Sportster 48

Like the very soft and non-messy toothed belt transmission. Which pulls the whole of nearly 260 kg from the road with vigor. From one tricolor to another, all fire, all show off. By the way, we will be satisfied with the braking, powerful enough, by relying on the rear element which helps maneuver.

See under the arms

Because of what use such a machine if not to flatter the retina. Nothing but it’s already a lot. In circulation, it is also very thin and allows you to slalom between the lines, sneaks, despite its 1.202 cm3 like a scooter. A real city car that the presence of the engine extracts from the slightest complication, and intimidates the serious sound of the long stroke (bore dimension lower than that of the piston stroke) if necessary..

Harley Davidson Sportster 48

But in general, it’s more an opportunity for cars to let you pass. This makes it possible to see the line of the motorcycle, even to dwell on a detail such as the painted indicators or the very aesthetic mirrors placed under the horizon line of the handlebars. Successful tinted mirrors have the retro look. What does not spoil anything is that in addition, they allow you to see what is going on behind … under the armpits. Seeing the road through your underarms, if not sexy, it’s unprecedented to say the least.

Cantonnier but not a pioneer

In this game, we will forget the spirit that still makes Harley’s heyday. The blanket that we hope to hang on the handlebars (rather on a Cross-Bones) will be reserved for a scheduled picnic. There is no question of playing the pioneers and leaving on the 66 with the 48 without a service station card on a provincial Sunday. We take care of his Harley look but a controlled look. So we pretend to cross on a road that we know. It helps not to enter too hard in a turn where the ground clearance makes gain in weight / power ratio every time, especially on the right. On the left, the margin is established by the folding of the footrest.

Harley Davidson Sportster 48

Good vibrations

Very quickly, the mechanical limits are reached. Although mounted on silent-blocks, the Sportster’s engine shows a Parkinsonian propensity to tickle your hands. And it’s unpleasant to say the least, at least in the long run after 110 km / h. Below, at a walking pace, it’s quite acceptable, and even pleasant to feel for once a mechanism that keeps this side … mechanical. In the absence of tachometer, we do not know where we are. So or roll to the ear as in deuche, and we come to focus on the slogan of the Milwaukee brand: good vibrations.

Harley Davidson Sportster 48

They are there, between two reports pulled at mid-speed (one supposes), or in favor of a go-around when exiting a turn. The monotonous rhythm of a straight line does not add much to the pleasure of riding a 48. Especially since the speed is to be avoided in the table.

Harley Davidson Sportster 48

Freedom without autonomy

Very slowly, because we must admit that we went too far with this small reservoir, we find the road to the urban center. With these lights, like so many opportunities to shift gears and hear the decibels of the brand access twin, these not too fast turns adapted to the ground clearance of the beast to start afresh by breaking the anonymity of a Japanese four-cylinder. Better still, a traffic jam, just to admire the stuck in urban centers that behind the asymmetry of an airbox hides a real instrument of freedom. Certainly limited as a son of the wind but a real dark custom which is not a cheap machine. And, past the built-up area sign, if you ever hit the road despite this peanut reservoir, you deserve to enter the world of Big Twins. All that remains is to save a few kopecks.

Harley Davidson Sportster 48

Conclusion

Pretty more than practical, devoid of any storage like ABS, the 48 is not a motorcycle that makes life easier. It only makes it more beautiful in the image of its slick line, the attention to detail that does not sacrifice anything on the altar of everyday life. With such a metal sculpture, we do not go to work but we will be seen on the way to work. No more anonymity. And that’s also why.

Strong points

  • Look
  • Motor
  • Belt

Weak points

  • Practical aspects
  • Autonomy
  • Ground clearance

available in black, silver and orange

The Sportster 48 technical sheet

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