Would you like to ride a machine that is build to
last and turn heads around when you park it on the curb? The Harley DavidsonSportster 48 just might be the motorcycle for you. Its theme is classic retro
bobber but with a modern flair.
The
Sportster 48 is one of the stable mate in the Dark custom family ( along with
the 883 Iron, Nightster, Night Train, Street Bob, Cross Bones and Fat Bob). It
has a spartan, stripped down , café racer meets hot rod looks.
Some who have ridden the bike like its form over
function motif. The rear suspension had
been slammed beautifully though mercilessly for the sake of fashion. The lower
suspension plus the fat front tire, are what’s giving it a bulldog, squat
appearance. It basically makes handling a dream.
The peanut-shaped fuel holder which was first
introduced in 1948 hence the name Sportster 48, holds a meager 7 liters (2.1
gallons if you are not using metric) of gas. That is why the 48 is assigned as
a city bike, good for cruising along the boulevard with your bobber-riding amigos. This
limitation makes the rider wonder if there is a refilling station around the
next bend after riding it 70 miles.
Overall it is a fun bike, which makes the
rider appreciate the moving cityscapes while boppin down the alleys.
The Harley Sportster 48’ 1200 cc v-twin evolution,
air cooled, electronically fuel injected engine is nestled right in the middle
of the bike’s chassis. So no more kickstarts, oil stains and teeth-loosening
shake, rattle and roll which plagued bike riders for years. The modern
technology that goes with the classic look of the bygone years of the Sportster
48, promises a smoother ride and more torque power like a dog waiting for the
ball to be thrown. It has attitude.
Raw.
Sinister.
Authentic.
Some of the distinctive details of the Sportser 48
are :
1 The
side-mirrors are mounted below the bars..
2 License
plate are side-mounted.
3 It has 5 speed gearbox with one down and four
up pattern.
4. Smooth clutch and brake lever effort.
5. It weighs 567 pounds with gas.
6 It has single pod speedometer.
7. The trun-signal indicators are old school
style.
8 Stubby
dual exhausts.
. One seat at 26 inch from the ground.
1 Stock Sportster 48 does not come with
pillion saddle.
1 Advanced braking system is absent but
has enough stopping power using 4 finger lever squeeze.
What is aesthetically appealing to someone may
not be appealing to the other. So aesthetics is not quantifiable, therefore it
is subjective. For people who own a Sportster 48 , it makes them smile and that
factor alone, you can’t find in any spec sheet.
Harley lovers may
forgive the Sporster 48 shortcomings, because they need a healthy dose of cool to start their
work week. It is not about what’s lacking in a
Harley Sportster 48 but what it can offer.
Tag: Harley Davidson sportster, Harley sportster,
Harley Davidson sportser 48, Sportster 48
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