this bike is also good for older riders who can't handle the big boys anymore. I am 73 and 5' 5" and sold my Dyna FXDC because it was getting too much for me to handle, so I am going to get a new 48. oh yeahhhh
Right on. I'm gonna be 66 in a month . Gonna buy a sporty , started out on a '73, had a '69 . So I'm gonna finish riding on a 48. Running out of "somedays".
Whenever you say definitively a starter bike, For beginners, love this little bike! Dude you kill the sales by 60% margin. I sell Harleys and I would recommend the 48 for anybody A: the bike fits B: Whomever loves it regardless of beginners or not C: Sportsters are not for little people! Lol! D: just because these bikes are a ton of fun! Just seems your creating this bike as to fit only a niche set of people! Ride what you love peeps!
Not just for beginners!! I have owned many different Harleys and the 48 is the most fun out of all of them. Better feel and maneuverability. Just a lot of fun to ride.
I came to the comments quickly after about the 5th time he said it was a good starter bike. So annoying! I've had 3 Dyna bikes, two Softails, two Road Kings, a Road Glide and a Sportster. The Sportster is a blast!
I bought a new 21’ street bob. I didn’t want a big bagger, but thought I could add to the bob what I needed for some road trips. Didn’t take me long to realize my 73 year old shoulders and back couldn’t take much more than 100-150 miles a day. Retired maintenance steel worker. I decided to downsize to make it easier to handle. So I went with the 48. Did a lot of video research to reach my conclusion. Love it. Bout 103 lbs lighter than the bob. Still has get up and go. Handles well. So many accessories and upgrades available which I have done. Few more to go. I’ve had bikes since I was 16; always been enduro’s. But after marriage and children, my riding slowed down considerably. The wife didn’t like me on them that much. Moved to NC in 2004, sold my enduro in the process, thinking I would buy again in NC. Nope! But then I lost my wife in 2015. Took me six years to decide on buying again-this time I wanted to check out what the harley craze was all about-a bucket list thing. So here I am, living the dream.😊
I recently bought one of these just to get out the house every now and then and cruise. I've had a bunch of HD's , 3 SG's and 3 RG's and all I really did with those bikes is ride down to the HD shop and hang out, or ride out to get a bite to eat with some friends; heck I figure I can do this on the 48 for less and still get that same feeling. What I really like about the bike is the lightness of it and the low end grunt of the 1200, she really gets up and goes just like my RG's and SG's did. Gonna put some exhaust and bars on the 48 and she will fit my needs to just get some wind in my face every now and then just fine.
Bought mine in 2019, still riding it. If you want to ride a Harley with a real Harley Engine, this is the only choice. The M8 can do everything better but it does not give you the Harley feeling. The Rev Max finally lost it all.
You are right there. Softail owner having traded in my 48. Do not have quite the same connection with my Low Rider as I did withy 48. Weight an issue to for me.
I used to work with this guy and I told him I wanted a Harley Davidson 48 and he said all sportsters are girls bikes. I kept talking to him and he talked about. He rode motorcycles when he was younger. I asked him what type and he had a couple Hondas, and he said back in the day the biggest spike he ever had was a 450 and I told him I can’t believe you said the sportsters are girls bikes, and the biggest bike you ever owned was a 450😂
This is my first bike! It’s been about 2 months and I’m having so much fun!! Can only say good things about it. Only thing I did was change the bars to something more comfortable for me but wow this bike is cool.
hey mark i want to buy the 48 for a long time i really love it but i think about buying a low rider s instead... not sure if i would miss the 48 in the future... what do u think ?
@@Mormod88 That's a difficult one. Depends what sort of riding you intend doing. Traded my 48 for the LR because I wanted to do longer rides in a bit more comfort. Also found the sportster's less stable at higher speeds. Both bikes (and the LWS) are cool looking. Best to test ride both and of course budget will play a part. Best of luck.
@@markhenry192 thank you for your answer. thats exactly my problem... i want to do like 70-80% local rides and the rest will be longer rides.. and for that i want more comfort, more stability and more fuel hahaha ! i guess i'm gonna try to do everything with the 48.. maybe trade the 48 in the future or get a second bike.. as you said thats a difficult one ..shit :D but thanks again !
I've been riding over 50 years, owned everything from Nortons to Harleys, to Kawasaki liter bikes and sport bikes, and I decided on the Seventy-Two for my latest bike purchase. With a few mods it will be a fine bike for me. When you grab a handful of throttle the thing moves out good as any other bike. It pulls wheelies like it was built to do it. The Sportsters are compact, lighter than the tourers, cheaper, more fun and easy to take care of. Maybe some beginners can learn to ride on them but to me, they're a little too much bike for a first timer.
hello Kyle ! the 48 , to me, is the most beautiful Harley, and one of the most of all motorcycles ! what can i do if i'm 6"4' tall, can i ever feel good on it ???
Good detailed video , I like the blank canvas to add on to, description. Explanation of the transmission location top heavy vs tour bikes made me understand . The term beginner bike ,kind of hurt but hey I'm 66 good health and haven't road since I was 22 to 25 road a 550 three years ,I crave the FREEDOM it gives you
I've owned a 2005 883 and a 2010 forty-eight - the 883 took corners deeper than the 48 (probably cos the 48 is dumped lower) but the torque of the 48 is fun off the line but turning is less fun - gotta get used to constantly scraping
I disagree that this is a great beginner bike. With a 2.1 gallon tank, this is a bike for those that know exactly what they want. This is my favorite bike after riding nearly 20 years, but I’d steer beginners toward a bike that can satisfy the newer riders’ desire for road trips when they realize how incredible life is on two wheels. I’m well past riding long distances (just a daily motorcycle commuter), but I could not have appreciated this bike 20 years ago and would not recommend to any new rider.
Yes you can put a larger tank on it for about $1,500. Better off just to buy a regular Sportster that comes with the bigger tank. The two gallon tank is a pain in the ass. About every seventy or eighty miles you have to start looking for a gas station.
@@keithsada1380 that's the impression I got. Too bad too. The bike looks badass and already has forward controls for us taller guys. And H/D is not gonna offer the Iron 1200 anymore (nothing wrong with buying used, but it's frustrating). Been looking at the Indian Scout anyway.
*Javier* Name given to men/boys of hispanic or latin descent. Usually sporty and good fighters (2000 major boxers with name, Javier), but on the other hand are very kind and nice to women. Usually get a lot of girls, and fight a lot of boys, but still have lots of friends, and are more likely to be a person who you'll remember from multiple child-hood memories. But in conclusion, to be a "Javier" you have to be a leader, and ignore people who will get you nowhere.
Forgive my ignorance, but can't find help in other place except with yall (hopefully) I just want to know about the Evo engine, internet says they were made from 84 till 99. But in other websites they say all the sportsters have these engines, and if that is true, the last sportster was made in 2022, that means the evo has been alive since the year 84 till recent 2022... People say is a bulletproof engine, with a lot of reliability and easy to work with, and I'm just trying to find exactly that, just don't know in which models or years this "bulletproof" engine was-were put at... I'll really appreciate the help to clear my mind, also sorry if I didn't write correctly, it isn't my native language Ride free brothers
I had a 48 and will never own another one. The front end washes out extremely easy and fast if you hit sand. Even sand that you can't see. I broke and dislocated my thumb because I barely touched the front brakes in thin sand on the road that I couldn't even see. I've ridden lots of bikes including dirt bikes. No bike has ever acted like the 48 did when I barely touched the brakes. I'm sure Harley will delete my comment as they seem to be hiding the fact that the 48 is not a safe motorcycle. I've never had a bike act that way before. I think the front end is too light for a fat tire. My Softail Standard is very predictable and doesn't wash out in sand at all.
Sounds like a rider issue not a bike issue. Don’t think a different bike would help with your “sand” problem. Seems the bigger tire would add extra weight would it not?
Can you get forward controls for the roadster and if so what bike would you prefer if your roadster had them?does the 48 have more power than the roadster?.I am 6ft2 and 220 and was wondering which of these bikes would work best for me?
I’m 5’11” and I love this bike. Comfortable perfect seat position and I never have issues on long rides… And this is coming from a guy who also owns a GSXR that is now collecting dust.
Would have liked to finished the video but this guys ego with the whole its a beginner bike made me stop. Doesn't matter who is riding it expert or beginner give the review about the bike not your opinion. 2 wheels is 2 wheels.
Third cruiser bike I’ve bought. Nice bike for riding around town. But yeah for the most part it’s a beginner bike, I’m keeping it in my bike fleet tho.
this bike is also good for older riders who can't handle the big boys anymore. I am 73 and 5' 5" and sold my Dyna FXDC because it was getting too much for me to handle, so I am going to get a new 48. oh yeahhhh
Im 44 and already gear ya Toby haha
You're 73. Just ride a vespa
@@M_H_H is that what you have done? I have never been on a little girls scooter 🛵 how do you like it.
@@M_H_H hahaha Mr. Toby just ate your lunch with that one!
@@nickt3169 hahaha that was an old man with a serious insecurity issue
I'll be 63 in April. I bought a 2019 48. It was my dream bike!
Right on. I'm gonna be 66 in a month . Gonna buy a sporty , started out on a '73, had a '69 . So I'm gonna finish riding on a 48. Running out of "somedays".
@@bitchinbob2045 Indeed, the "somedays" zip on by!! Hope you got your 48!!
I picked up a 2013 about 3 weeks ago it’s my first bike I love it so far. It’s still new only has 1,800 miles.
Whenever you say definitively a starter bike, For beginners, love this little bike! Dude you kill the sales by 60% margin. I sell Harleys and I would recommend the 48 for anybody
A: the bike fits
B: Whomever loves it regardless of beginners or not
C: Sportsters are not for little people! Lol!
D: just because these bikes are a ton of fun!
Just seems your creating this bike as to fit only a niche set of people!
Ride what you love peeps!
Love my 2021 teal 48! First Harley that I've owned, and it will not be my last!
Not just for beginners!! I have owned many different Harleys and the 48 is the most fun out of all of them. Better feel and maneuverability. Just a lot of fun to ride.
I came to the comments quickly after about the 5th time he said it was a good starter bike. So annoying! I've had 3 Dyna bikes, two Softails, two Road Kings, a Road Glide and a Sportster. The Sportster is a blast!
Dave,
Would you say that a beginner could handle it or does it have too much power?
Thanks
I bought a new 21’ street bob. I didn’t want a big bagger, but thought I could add to the bob what I needed for some road trips. Didn’t take me long to realize my 73 year old shoulders and back couldn’t take much more than 100-150 miles a day. Retired maintenance steel worker. I decided to downsize to make it easier to handle. So I went with the 48. Did a lot of video research to reach my conclusion. Love it. Bout 103 lbs lighter than the bob. Still has get up and go. Handles well. So many accessories and upgrades available which I have done. Few more to go. I’ve had bikes since I was 16; always been enduro’s. But after marriage and children, my riding slowed down considerably. The wife didn’t like me on them that much. Moved to NC in 2004, sold my enduro in the process, thinking I would buy again in NC. Nope! But then I lost my wife in 2015. Took me six years to decide on buying again-this time I wanted to check out what the harley craze was all about-a bucket list thing. So here I am, living the dream.😊
I'm 71 years old and bought a 2016 Harley 48, I will never sell this Bike, absolutely love its handling.
I recently bought one of these just to get out the house every now and then and cruise. I've had a bunch of HD's , 3 SG's and 3 RG's and all I really did with those bikes is ride down to the HD shop and hang out, or ride out to get a bite to eat with some friends; heck I figure I can do this on the 48 for less and still get that same feeling. What I really like about the bike is the lightness of it and the low end grunt of the 1200, she really gets up and goes just like my RG's and SG's did. Gonna put some exhaust and bars on the 48 and she will fit my needs to just get some wind in my face every now and then just fine.
Bought mine in 2019, still riding it. If you want to ride a Harley with a real Harley Engine, this is the only choice. The M8 can do everything better but it does not give you the Harley feeling. The Rev Max finally lost it all.
You are right there. Softail owner having traded in my 48. Do not have quite the same connection with my Low Rider as I did withy 48. Weight an issue to for me.
I’m getting this exact bike in 5 days !! 🤪🤪
I used to work with this guy and I told him I wanted a Harley Davidson 48 and he said all sportsters are girls bikes. I kept talking to him and he talked about. He rode motorcycles when he was younger. I asked him what type and he had a couple Hondas, and he said back in the day the biggest spike he ever had was a 450 and I told him I can’t believe you said the sportsters are girls bikes, and the biggest bike you ever owned was a 450😂
This is my first bike! It’s been about 2 months and I’m having so much fun!! Can only say good things about it. Only thing I did was change the bars to something more comfortable for me but wow this bike is cool.
I’m stuck between this and the triumph bobber, leaning towards this so I can take my lady for a ride
Miss my 48 a lot. Traded her in for a softail low rider. Some times (often in fact) question if I made the right call. Thanks
hey mark i want to buy the 48 for a long time i really love it but i think about buying a low rider s instead... not sure if i would miss the 48 in the future... what do u think ?
@@Mormod88 That's a difficult one. Depends what sort of riding you intend doing. Traded my 48 for the LR because I wanted to do longer rides in a bit more comfort. Also found the sportster's less stable at higher speeds. Both bikes (and the LWS) are cool looking. Best to test ride both and of course budget will play a part. Best of luck.
@@markhenry192 thank you for your answer. thats exactly my problem... i want to do like 70-80% local rides and the rest will be longer rides.. and for that i want more comfort, more stability and more fuel hahaha ! i guess i'm gonna try to do everything with the 48.. maybe trade the 48 in the future or get a second bike.. as you said thats a difficult one ..shit :D but thanks again !
@@Mormod88 You are welcome. The 48 first is a wise call, particularly as the trade in value is usually very good . All the best.
I've been riding over 50 years, owned everything from Nortons to Harleys, to Kawasaki liter bikes and sport bikes, and I decided on the Seventy-Two for my latest bike purchase. With a few mods it will be a fine bike for me. When you grab a handful of throttle the thing moves out good as any other bike. It pulls wheelies like it was built to do it. The Sportsters are compact, lighter than the tourers, cheaper, more fun and easy to take care of.
Maybe some beginners can learn to ride on them but to me, they're a little too much bike for a first timer.
hello Kyle ! the 48 , to me, is the most beautiful Harley, and one of the most of all motorcycles ! what can i do if i'm 6"4' tall, can i ever feel good on it ???
Just bought one and I'm 6'4", it's comfortable in my opinion
Good detailed video , I like the blank canvas to add on to, description. Explanation of the transmission location top heavy vs tour bikes made me understand . The term beginner bike ,kind of hurt but hey I'm 66 good health and haven't road since I was 22 to 25 road a 550 three years ,I crave the FREEDOM it gives you
I've owned a 2005 883 and a 2010 forty-eight - the 883 took corners deeper than the 48 (probably cos the 48 is dumped lower) but the torque of the 48 is fun off the line but turning is less fun - gotta get used to constantly scraping
I disagree that this is a great beginner bike. With a 2.1 gallon tank, this is a bike for those that know exactly what they want. This is my favorite bike after riding nearly 20 years, but I’d steer beginners toward a bike that can satisfy the newer riders’ desire for road trips when they realize how incredible life is on two wheels. I’m well past riding long distances (just a daily motorcycle commuter), but I could not have appreciated this bike 20 years ago and would not recommend to any new rider.
I like the sportster more than the Dyna….
The 48 is fantastic
I love it with mids
It’s the only sportster that comes with forwards. You have to spend like $300 to get a mid conversion
Great video! Hope to see more!
Hi, I am a brand new rider And was looking at buying the 48. I am 6feet tall 200lbs is the bike going to fit me good etc?? Thanks Sheldon Spencer
It will, I believe.
It will be fine for you. Forward controls help.
What's the overall opinion on the 2.1 gal tank? As I understand, there are larger aftermarket tank options. Anyone have insight on these?
Yes you can put a larger tank on it for about $1,500. Better off just to buy a regular Sportster that comes with the bigger tank. The two gallon tank is a pain in the ass. About every seventy or eighty miles you have to start looking for a gas station.
@@keithsada1380 that's the impression I got. Too bad too. The bike looks badass and already has forward controls for us taller guys. And H/D is not gonna offer the Iron 1200 anymore (nothing wrong with buying used, but it's frustrating). Been looking at the Indian Scout anyway.
@@keithsada1380 is it better to get a 48 and upgrade the tank or get an iron 1200 and give it fat tires?
*Javier*
Name given to men/boys of hispanic or latin descent. Usually sporty and good fighters (2000 major boxers with name, Javier), but on the other hand are very kind and nice to women. Usually get a lot of girls, and fight a lot of boys, but still have lots of friends, and are more likely to be a person who you'll remember from multiple child-hood memories. But in conclusion, to be a "Javier" you have to be a leader, and ignore people who will get you nowhere.
How would you compare it with the XL 1200T when it comes to comfortability?
Where can I find the little threaded tube that holds the back blinker on?
Are they reliable tho? I'm so interested in an HD but I see never ending complaining about how they have so many issues.
Just saw one 2day. I need it
Forgive my ignorance, but can't find help in other place except with yall (hopefully)
I just want to know about the Evo engine, internet says they were made from 84 till 99. But in other websites they say all the sportsters have these engines, and if that is true, the last sportster was made in 2022, that means the evo has been alive since the year 84 till recent 2022...
People say is a bulletproof engine, with a lot of reliability and easy to work with, and I'm just trying to find exactly that, just don't know in which models or years this "bulletproof" engine was-were put at...
I'll really appreciate the help to clear my mind, also sorry if I didn't write correctly, it isn't my native language
Ride free brothers
I had a 48 and will never own another one. The front end washes out extremely easy and fast if you hit sand. Even sand that you can't see. I broke and dislocated my thumb because I barely touched the front brakes in thin sand on the road that I couldn't even see. I've ridden lots of bikes including dirt bikes. No bike has ever acted like the 48 did when I barely touched the brakes. I'm sure Harley will delete my comment as they seem to be hiding the fact that the 48 is not a safe motorcycle. I've never had a bike act that way before. I think the front end is too light for a fat tire. My Softail Standard is very predictable and doesn't wash out in sand at all.
Sounds like a rider issue not a bike issue. Don’t think a different bike would help with your “sand” problem. Seems the bigger tire would add extra weight would it not?
I live in the desert, lots of sand, no problems with this bike.
Still here 2 years later. Seems they didn’t delete it. Either a rider issue or tire issue
1200 CC beginner bike?
For a harley, yes
Though the 883 would be more beginner friendly
Heavy bike
Only thing we need, is HHD bringing back 48 to europe !
The EU will not allow that.
"NICE VIDEO!!!🤘
Can you get forward controls for the roadster and if so what bike would you prefer if your roadster had them?does the 48 have more power than the roadster?.I am 6ft2 and 220 and was wondering which of these bikes would work best for me?
Don’t think they make the roadster anymore. Your size and weight are fine for the 48. You can always adjust posture with different bars and seats too.
Seems like a great informative video the mic quality is kinda hard to sit through great video though thank you
Is this bike good for tall riders? Im 5’11
I’m 5’11” and I love this bike. Comfortable perfect seat position and I never have issues on long rides… And this is coming from a guy who also owns a GSXR that is now collecting dust.
Little hot rods
Is that a 2020? thought 21 changed.
It's not a beginner bike. Just a Harley with a different DNA.
Is it a one seater only? Or it has a two seater version?
Solo seat. I added a rear seat and a bar for my girl.
One seater stock only but has passenger accessory seats
change the handlebar,trust me from experience,difference is night and day...change it to hollywood handlebar
Would a this bike be good for a 6'0 197lb ill be using this in the city NYC to be exact
Sit on one, you may be ok not sure, enough power for sure ,could be a bit top happy on curves.
Big people may look 👀 😳 funny but it doesn't matter if you are having fun...
Can send to Indonesia
How slow is it
Lol. The truck had tons of room to lane change. If you were a car, you wouldn’t of made that comment.
Would have liked to finished the video but this guys ego with the whole its a beginner bike made me stop. Doesn't matter who is riding it expert or beginner give the review about the bike not your opinion. 2 wheels is 2 wheels.
Third cruiser bike I’ve bought. Nice bike for riding around town. But yeah for the most part it’s a beginner bike, I’m keeping it in my bike fleet tho.
Let me review this shit bike it does everything and doesn't even sound good
Very insightful. What do you ride?
@@siskothekid4620they probably don’t ride anything of value and just want to shit on a Harley because it’s trendy