2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight

As I sit here thinking of the best way to start this, what first comes to mind is very revealing about this brand. Don't get strapped in for any incredible revelations or anything. What I thought I should begin with is a sort of disclaimer, which I can't say I would normally feel the need to put at the beginning of a motorcycle review. But, this is a Harley-Davidson motorcycle -- and I am not a ‟Harley guy”. That's it.

Harley-Davidson are without a doubt one of the most recognizable motorcycle brands ever. In the same way that I know the words to way too many Britney Spears songs despite owning none of them, H-D branding is everywhere, and it seeps into near everyone's psyche. My Mom doesn't know a thing about motorcycles (and to be honest I think she would like to forget the fact that I ride them), but she knows Harley-Davidson. And then, there are the legions of die-hards. In the motorcycle world there are ‟Harley guys” and then everyone else. This is a powerful brand and perhaps why I was leaning towards a disclaimer to start things off. The mystique of the Harley brand has always intrigued me, but until now, I had never ridden one.

Popping my Harley cherry would be the Sportster Forty-Eight. As I familiarize myself with the bike before picking it up theres a few things I immediately like. The fat front tire and spoked wheels are definitely what I prefer to see on a bike like this, as are the clean lines and peanut tank. The 1200cc air- cooled Evolution engine means there'll be no issues in the power department and is apparently as efficient as ever. The week I would have the bike for was going to be busy, so it would mean no long trips and probably lots of errand running. I figured it was probably the best model in the Harley-Davidson range for this anyhow, so I picked her up.

The first thing I notice about the Forty-Eight as I climb onto it for the first time is how low it sits. It's ground clearance is all of 100mm and seat height only 660mm. As I settle into the small but relatively comfortable solo seat and get rolling, it all feels very foreign to me. I haven't ridden a motorcycle with forward controls in a while, but soon enough my feet regain coordination with my hands and brain and I'm able to get my first taste of the power this engine puts out. The throttle has a short throw to it, so with a small twist of the wrist the engine rumbles to life and I think to myself, hell yeah I'm riding a Harley! Moments later I'm on the highway and the stark reality of the bike I am riding hits me.

With absolutely no wind protection, the Sportster Forty-Eight is never going to be your go-to machine for long stretches of highway. Don't kid yourself, it really isn't. As I get up to speed the cold October air hits me with full force and I am no longer revelling in my new found Harley coolness, I'm figuring out the best way to ensure I don't get unceremoniously ripped off the back of the bike. I could slow down I suppose, but that's not really in my motorcycle vocabulary and eventually I accept and almost start to enjoy just how raw this bike is for such a task. Then I hit some bumps and am bounced far enough out of my seat that my heart rate instantly spikes. The minimal rear suspension will get you through the smaller stuff fine, but you are otherwise taking the brunt of it up your back and can expect to be leaving the comfort of the seat on occasion. I can't find it in me to rationalize this aspect of the ride, it is what it is, so I start paying much more attention to the road surface ahead than I normally would need to.

By the time I get home I'm feeling totally at ease with riding my new Harley. There's nothing that feels awkward about it anymore, I grin and begin circling it, taking a closer look at everything.

The 2014 Forty-Eight comes in 5 different colours. Mine is adorned with the Hard Candy Chrome Flake tank, a look that seems to divide most people. I happen to like the silver flaked look, so I dig it. I also like the fact that I'm not blinded by chrome everywhere, it's mostly the pipes where you'll spend your time polishing. I've always really liked the look of the peanut style tank and it's this classic style tank, that first appeared on a Harley- Davidson back in 1948, that gives this bike it's name. The slammed handlebars suit the bike well and the underbar mirrors, minimal dash and round front headlight all lead to a tidy and tasteful looking face for the Forty-Eight. Moving towards the back of the bike, I can't say I'm a fan of the rear end, the tail light and mounted license plate really interrupt the otherwise great lines of this bike. Overall, while there's room to add your own mark to the Forty-Eight, it comes with a pre-baked custom feel and a decent dose of that much revered Harley heritage.

Built around the Evolution engine, often referred to as the Blockhead, the Sportster Forty-Eight delivers 96 Nm torque at 3,500 rpm. While I wouldn't call the available power exciting in it's delivery, the belt final drive is tight and there's no time where you feel as though it's lacking in grunt. Each gear in the 5-speed gearbox feels pretty wide and together with an easy roll- on of power, the Forty-Eight is an easy bike to handle around town. Opening it up I did find myself hitting the rev limiter a number of times while overtaking on roads where I would be launching from second gear, but getting a feel for when to shift would surely come with more time with the bike. It's fuel economy of 4.9l/100 km (about 48 mpg) is great, but that cool looking tank comes at a cost -- it only holds 7.9 litres of fuel. You'll be getting very friendly with your local gas stations if you plan on riding much.

I have to admit, I kind of secretly want it to sound a bit louder. You know, like those bad-ass Harley's that shake buildings as they pass by. Well, ok, not that loud. The closed loop exhaust system has been engineered to meet future worldwide emission standards, which Harley says is not just about being better for the environment but also making riding better too. This is all good if we're thinking with our responsible hats on, but for me, this isn't a responsible motorcycle so I'd be inclined to rectify that with an aftermarket exhaust. I don't blame Harley-Davidson at all for this as every manufacturer is dealing with exactly the same set of rules and there's always a trade-off when it comes to emissions standards.

The hand controls and great. The shape of the clutch and brake levers fit my hands perfectly and along with just the right hydraulic feel, provide solid engagement. I love the heavy mechanical feeling of changing gears - the forward foot shifter moves firmly into each gear without any second guessing. Both the front and rear brakes have ample stopping power and react to my inputs always as expected. My Forty-Eight was equipped with the ABS option, though I never noticed it interfering during normal operation. The clean, minimal dash is really nice with an analog speedometer and small digital display -- nothing would ruin the vibe of this machine more than some big ugly digital dash pushing all kinds of data in your face. The function of the small digital display can be changed by a switch nestled in with the other controls beside the left grip. I found myself leaving it displaying gear and rpm values most of the time (they are thoughtfully combined). The electronic fob based ignition is really nice, just leave your keys in your pocket and hit the starter button.

I wouldn't label the Sportster Forty-Eight as a ‟practical motorcycle” and that's just fine, in my opinion it's not supposed to be. It's about the looks and the lifestyle, and I think it delivers in this respect. With any motorcycle, stylistic choices often come at the expense of practicality. The lack of wind protection will limit your use of the bike, but who would want a big ugly windscreen or fairing on a bike like this anyhow? Other things, such as the under the bar mounted mirrors, again aren't a practical choice and while you see more of your legs and body in the mirrors than the road behind you, they are serviceable and they do justice to the overall aesthetic of this motorcycle. It's mostly in it's element cruising around town and posing in parking lots, but there is some performance to be gleaned from it too. I had a blast running the gauntlet on twisty country roads where the Forty-Eight does a decent job of carving through the bends despite it's chunky rubber. I did however find myself scraping the feelers of the foot pegs a bit too often. Perhaps this is just me asking for more lean angle from a bike like this than I should? At about 560 lbs the Sportster isn't a lightweight bike, but it's nicely balanced and I never found myself considering it heavy feeling.

As my week with my Harley-Davidson wound down I was still just as eager to ride it as I was when I first picked it up. During my time with the Forty- Eight, I found myself considering just what is it ‟intended” for. In a way it's the limitations of the Sportster Forty-Eight that dictates it's purpose rather than what it's capable of. This isn't a criticism of the bike, but merely a case of knowing just what you want out of a motorcycle. It's limited fuel range means you won't be going far, but given the general lack of rider comfort you'll be happy to stop at every gas station for a break anyhow. You are however getting a well refined motorcycle with modern touches that don't overwhelm it's heritage. I can't say I've been converted to a ‟Harley guy”, but I did enjoy my time with the Forty-Eight.

Price: $13,719 (with options as tested)

Specs::

Dimensions:

Length - 2,255 mm

Seat Height, Laden - 660mm

Seat Height, Unladen - 710 mm

Ground Clearance - 100 mm

Rake (steering head) (deg) - 30

Trail - 107 mm

Wheelbase - 1,520 mm

Fuel Capacity - 7.9 l

Weight, As Shipped Weight - 245 kg

Weight, In Running Order - 255 kg

Engine:

Engine - Air-cooled, Evolution®

Bore - 88.9 mm

Stroke - 96.8 mm

Displacement - 1,202 cc

Compression Ratio - 10:01

Fuel System - Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)

Performance:

Engine Torque - 96 Nm

Engine Torque (rpm) - 3,500

Lean Angle, Right (deg.) - 27.8

Lean Angle, Left (deg.) - 26.1

Fuel Economy: Combined City/Hwy - 4.9 l/100km