It's June 2011 and after alot of hurdles along the way...I am now waiting for a Forty-Eight! Just writing to ask any of you actually with a HD Forty-Eight......Can I gather your feedback as I'm really interested to hear it since purchasing your bikes & as you've probably been riding it for a while now (positives & negatives).... I read on here somewhere about the engine mount bolts coming loose on some so I'll be sure to check those and a few of you, find the small tank an issue. Anything else?
Additionally any ladies with any feedback would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance and I'll definately check back in to read up.
Cheers for now :o)
 

Hey Liz, welcome to the forums, i dont own a 48, but i do have an Iron (3 weeks now), and all i can say is its all positive! Being my first Harley and first bike i ride at every given chance (i go and get fish and chip on my bike) from what i have read about the 48's all seem to be very happy!
Regards Andrew

I love mine, was initially worried that fat front tyre would affect the handling.. It really doesn't.
Ground clearance is s bit of an issue, especially if you are used to sports bikes, the pegs will grind if you're not careful, for me it's been more of a learning experience 'stop trying to ride it like a sports bike!'

Fuel.. Yeah, it's a compromise.. 7.9lt sees the light coming on at 96ks.. Until I fitted the aircleaner, fuel management and pipes .. Now it comes on at 83kms, but thats what it is.

Some guys have complained about the harsh suspension and seat, I weigh in at 78kgs, no idea where others may be, I've found it to be fine (I'm lucky though I fit into the 'average weight, average height' category.

The brakes ate average but that's just Harley brakes in general.

In all.. I love mine.. Have owned 26 bikes in the last 16 years, this is the most fun by far. Not the fastest, not the best handling, not the sexiest, not the best built.. But it's my fave by far, makes me grin each day.. Wouldn't have it any other way.

Im a fan

I love my little 48 ,I grins and wins


positives -Heaps ,mine is on carpet with its own full sized mirror

negs_ seat,end up on the rear fender when giving it a hand full (hmmm this might be in the wrong list )
- rear suspension
-forward controls scrape out easily
-stopping for fuel .... lots


overall its a good looking fun bike

I love it

Riding the 48 is like sitting on a block of concrete strapped to an industrial compressor.
I love it....I get on it on every opportunity..........what cons?

I would agree that the nightster way out handles the 48 with the skinnier front tire and mid mounts

I have a nightster seat on order to help keep me on the bike and will be getting the nightster tank on my 48 asap

neither of them are impressive over bumpy roads and especially bumpy corners ,but the nightster imo is the better of the two

Im getting used to the big 48 front tire floating around corners and generally know where its gonna end up now .

just take it easy on the 48 at first .I removed the peg savers as they didnt stop me scraping my exhaust anyway ,in fact they were annoying and off putting and dug in quite hard at times

ok Im off to sit and stare at my 48 for 5 mins before I go to work

cheers

I am going to fix the suspension... I am going to make it a hard tail... that will do it.

Hi All,
Thank you, thank you for all your welcome posts above... They were not only very informative regarding feedback on your forty - eights (I am waiting on delivery any day now for my 2011 model) but they were all particularly funny so made my day and I do love a good chuckle!
I have been riding my Triumph Bonnie (2001 model) up til now which I do love and shall be keeping him (the bonnie) but fell in love with the 48 when news first hit the shores of this new Sporsters arrival and I first saw the pics.
I'm only 50kgs and after riding the bonnie and sitting on the 48 have wondered whether the 48 might be too small / light for me (I like a bike with a bit of substance) but I can't get past the look of it (the 48) so I had to have one!
I have test ridden the 1200 custom and found that a lot of fun (with the front tyre being wider) but also enjoyed the stability of the Fat Bob's firmer ride so in girls logic figured if the 48 feels like a combination of these two I'll be happy! Yes I know the 1202 is not a 1564 but I definately found the 1202 more fun and I'll get a sit & ride bike when i'm in my fifties (ha ha).
I haven't even test ridden the 48 yet as I just want to feel the pleasure and see the smile on my face on my first ride :-D.
I shall read these posts a few times over in case I missed anything and make sure I get those engine bolts tightened before I leave the HD dealers (read that on here somewhere).
I have had a custom leather sporster seat (small) put on mine (for longer rides) along with new black V&H shorts, new pegs, tuner & a heavy breather... I am hoping for a custom paint job once I've settled in the saddle. The tank size doesn't worry me that much, the bonnie's on par (a wee bit more) but I'll carry some fuel safely if I have too.
What else....I can't wait!
Oh not too fussed about the new forty-eight stickers for 2012. The original is always best!
I'll post again soon,
Liz

Loved your comment "off to sit and stare at my 48 before work"

It's sad but so true!

 

I've been a terrible bike whore! But getting married and having a kid has definitely stopped that!! Disposable income? What's that?! Ha ha!!