Comments on: Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight: The Gen-X Sportster

By: doc taylor

doc taylor — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 04:09:19 +0000

Congratulation Richard; Just thought i would give you a heads up on your new 48,this is probably one of the neatest bikes i have ever owned, BUTT ,theirs always a but isn’t their,at your young age i would change the rear shocks before it leaves the showroom.I’m 59 and the stock shocks were kicking by ass big time so call progressive and tell them what you have and they build a shock for the 48 that maintains the stock height and improves the ride considerably.Forget trying to turn the spring adjuster cams around looking for a sweet spot as their is none. Other than this one thing enjoy your ride. Doc.

By: Richard Neva

Richard Neva — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 02:43:32 +0000

I am 69 and will be 70 when I get my 48 and I have been waiting all my life for this retro rocker. My uncle had a 1948 Harley and I loved his, I just want to carry on the tradition. I think the 48 rules and I will get a retro back support belt when I start cruising. My uncle had one in the late 30′s and on.

By: doc taylor

doc taylor — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 18:44:56 +0000

Congratulations on your getting your 48 Grant i don’t think you will be disappointed and i’m sure you will have the time of your life with it.

By: Grant

Grant — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 10:19:13 +0000

Hey guys ive just spent the last hour reading all the comments etc on the 48, I am probably not the demographic HD were looking for to purchase, Im almost 45 and have had dirt bikes for a big part of my life but never even considered a road bike or HD for that matter.
I saw the 48 on the net and just wanted it, I havent seen it in the flesh, sat on it, nothing. I just had to have one and have ordered Black that will arrive in Adelaide, South Australia in late March 2011 and cant wait.
Bugger the technology, I dont care its not what Im looking for 0- 100 so what, I love all things old whether it be cars or whatever and the 48 just does it for me.

By: doc taylor

doc taylor — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 18:31:33 +0000

Hey big Tim, hope my comments were of some help,Ive done some power tuning on mine and its definitely no girls bike,my girlfriend has a nightster and she wont even get on my 48 due to the power difference between the two bikes and her 1200 nightster is no slouch.Change the cams, exhaust,air cleaner and install a thunder max tuner and you will be pushing 3 didget horse power readings on good gas,also run 20 50 amsoil with ams oil filter just for good measure.After doing these things you wont think you are on the same bike.

By: big tim

big tim — Sun, 14 Nov 2010 17:28:33 +0000

Thanks DOC T.

By: doc taylor

doc taylor — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 01:39:05 +0000

Big Tim, congratulations on the 48,im 5 10 210 and my 48 fits me fine. I put on a set of 16in apes and the Harley springer seat so now im riding in the bike instead of hunched over on it.Dont change the tank or your bike stops being a 48,these bikes are about the look and the tank is the focal point. If you go with apes get the 13in out to out measured at bottom of bars,make sure they are at least 16in tall.Standard width sportster apes look wrong on the 48 due to the wide spacing of the fork tubes. OH bring your jar of Vaseline when you buy the seat and bar change stuff it ran me over $1200 have a good day Doc.

By: big tim

big tim — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 21:14:55 +0000

Hey Doc T. I just bought my 48 last week. Only problem is that on the maiden voyage, my wife pulled up next to me in her car and said, “you look big for that bike, are you sure it isn’t a girl’s bike?” I was flabbergasted and she apologized! Not trying to sound like an vain, but what can I do to make this bike look more like a ‘man’s bike’ so I can feel more confident riding around town. I make the bike look small, because I’m a very trim, 6’2″, 200 pound, muscular guy with long arms and legs. I thought about getting a bigger gas tank, but will a 3.5 gal tank be the ticket to feeling comfortable riding my new (and first) HD?

By: screamin eagle

screamin eagle — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 22:41:56 +0000

what a great looking bike.i have allways said harleys suck untill i bought an xr1200,i love it i have spent fortunes on suspension mods etc.. as soon as i have finished paying for my car im gonna get me a fourty eight to add to my collection

By: doc taylor

doc taylor — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 11:46:35 +0000

sounds like a tuning problem, get a thunder max and you will get rid of all the EPA bullshit . a heavy breather air filter helps also & if you have any $s left over get a hiperf cam. doc taylor