Heartbreaker
Ten years ago, Harley-Davidson presented the first Forty-Eight
- 1202 cubic centimeters, 96 Newton meters and a stable Sportster chassis
- In the stylish look of the post-war bobbers
- Among the top sellers in the Harley-Davidson portfolio for a decade
(Neu-Isenburg, 06.04.2020) It came, saw and won - it's hard to believe that it's been ten years since the first of its kind took to the tarmac. The Forty-Eight still looks as timeless as it did on its first day and, with its pared-down look and original riding experience, aims straight for the heart of the Harley community.
The 1,202 cubic centimeter air-cooled V-twin is at the center of the visual action. With a whopping 96 Newton meters at 3,500 crankshaft revolutions, the impressive long-stroke engine also makes a powerful statement when riding. And thanks to the low-maintenance timing belt, ABS brakes, a 49-millimetre cartridge fork on massive triple clamps and emulsion shock absorbers at the rear, the stiff Sportster chassis confidently transfers the power to the road.
The impressively beefy outfit of the Forty-Eight is a reminiscence of purist Bobber, which were created in a number of US garages and backyards after the Second World War - based on the motto: get rid of everything that is dispensable. Our ancestors knew: a crouching silhouette, two fat 16-inch wheels, flat handlebars, a low solo saddle and, of course, a V2 with a strong character - that's all you need for the ultimate riding pleasure on two wheels. And when the whole thing is accompanied by the emotionally charged pulse of the pistons and the unmistakable Harley sound, the corners of the mouth of real bikers go up.
A decisive contribution to the overall work of art Forty-Eight is provided by the 2.1 gallon (7.95 liter) Peanut tank, whose ultra-compact shape draws the eye to the engine monument from Milwaukee and also gives the machine its name: In 1948, such a boldly styled fuel tank was found for the first time on a Harley-Davidson.
Details such as the rear-view mirrors mounted under the handlebars, the classic round air filter and the combined LED rear, brake and blinker lights contribute to the custom look of the Forty-Eight, while the perforated frame cover in front of the seat and the slots in the exhaust shields and timing belt cover are reminiscent of the performance that was also characteristic of the grease-reduced post-war bobbers. Of course, everything that looks like metal on this machine is made of metal - proof of its unshakeable solidity, which is conveyed by its appearance alone.
Could a vehicle embody the word components „engine“ and „bike“ more casually, stylishly and accurately? No wonder the Forty-Eight has been one of the top sellers in the Harley-Davidson model range for ten years. In 2020, it is available in four strong colors and with a classic tank emblem - with keyless ignition, immobilizer, four-year warranty and, on request, suitably reduced performance for the A2 driver's license.
More info about the Forty-Eight, their „Special“-version and the other six Sportster models can be found at Harley-Davidson.com.
Text & image credits: Copyright Harley-Davidson
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I am the proud owner of a Forty-Eight and am in the fortunate position of being able to let my hobby and passion for Harley Davidson run wild in my daily work. Recently I even have a website where Harleys can be bought and sold: https://moto-inserate.ch/?pg=su&title=harley+davidson Among them there are always some wonderful unique models. There are many good motorcycles, but for me only the ones from Milwaukee exist. «Every Harley tells you a story, you just have to listen».