New H-D Sportster Forty Eight Observations

[ChipBeck_imp]

Gentlemen,

On Christmas Day I finally had a chance to ride my new 2015 Sportster Forty Eight for the first time. Charley is home from Texas for a week so he accompanied me on his Ducati 796. I currently own and ride a H-D Road King on long trips but ride my CB11 most of the time. Like the CB11 the "48" is an air cooled throwback bike that looks "right" and takes one back in time every time you look at it. My last Sportster was a 1980 Shovelhead, 4-speed, chain drive, 1000cc model. It had a ridged mount engine and a low vibration sweet spot at 65-70 mph. This new bike has a rubber mounted engine, a 5 speed trans, and belt drive. My rubber mount Road King is smooth as glass out on the road and I expected this rubber mount Sportster to be significantly smoother than my 1980 Sportster. So is it?? In a word, no. It vibrates at least as much as my old one and it has a low vibration sweet spot at 65-70 mph as well. The type of vibration below that speed is not the pleasant locomotive feel that the old ridged mount bike had either, it just shakes. Perhaps this will improve as the bike breaks in but I doubt that. Next is the suspension that has only 1.6 inches of travel in the rear and a very thin seat. With the forward foot controls all of your weight is on your tailbone and after that 1.6 inches of travel is used up the disks in your back need to absorb the rest of a large impact. Which brings me to those forward controls. They are too wide in my opinion. My former Sportster came with standard mid controls and I had highway pegs in front that allowed me to both shift and brake with my heals. Without the forward controls the highway pegs were much narrower. This is the set up I'll be installing on my 48. The 2 gallon tank is good for a whopping 95 miles before you walk. The bike is so low that one must be careful going over big speed bumps and there are no provisions (seat or pegs) to carry a passenger.

To sum it up, the Sportster is like a Tesla, it would make a lousy only bike but it's a fun addition to other bikes so you only use it when it suits you. The CB11 could be my only bike and it will continue to get a lot more use than my "48".

And finally, am I glad I bought it on a whim?......YES. Looking at it brings me great joy just like looking at my 1973 Husqvarna. Happy Holidays.

Chip

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[Chapomis_imp]

Great pics Chip and a good looking 48 too ! I commiserate with you on the lack of travel in the rear end. I sold my sportster 883R, but kept my 95 FLSTN for nostalgic reasons.

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[Cormanus]

Chip,

A one bike bloke, on the basis of that report, I won't be trading for a 48 anytime soon.

[Blockhead_imp]

Thanks for the report...Too bad they're not very rider-friendly bikes because they are beautiful to look at. I guess that's why there always seems to be a lot of used ones for sale with low mileage.

[emptysea]

Great post. I have no particular interest in owning a Harley, but I'm glad you do and did because I got to read this report and get a glimpse into your motorcycling past. Thanks.

[JustJohn_imp]

Your last Sportster was a 1980 Shovelhead?

[quietguy_imp]

Good writeup, Chip, thanks.

That pic of you in '79 with your bed roll on your handlebars brings back memories of my favorite 60's TV series: Then Came Bronson.

[the Ferret]

Your last Sportster was a 1980 Shovelhead?

He meant Ironhead. shovelheads were the big twins.

Neat report Chip. My first Sporster was a 59. In 93 My wife bought me a new 94 for Christmas. Other than being the new aluminum motor with 5 gears instead of 4, and belt drive, and electric start..and turn signals ..It was amazing how much they felt and sounded alike even though they were 35 years apart. 55 mph was about as fast as you wanted to go on that 94 as the vibrations were just horrible.

Still there is something about them that makes you wish you had one around once in awhile. I wouldn't mind having another some days, but you're right they are certainly not a this is the only bike in the garage type of machine...at least for me.

[spacetiger_imp]

If you are going to keep the 48 and would consider stretching the suspension; here is how I did it on my 2014 XL1200T.

http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showt...?t=1863121

You missed the 2016 suspension upgrade (cartridge up front and rear has better shocks).

Jerry

[JustJohn_imp]

Your last Sportster was a 1980 Shovelhead?

He meant Ironhead. shovelheads were the big twins.

Neat report Chip. My first Sporster was a 59. In 93 My wife bought me a new 94 for Christmas. Other than being the new aluminum motor with 5 gears instead of 4, and belt drive, and electric start..and turn signals ..It was amazing how much they felt and sounded alike even though they were 35 years apart. 55 mph was about as fast as you wanted to go on that 94 as the vibrations were just horrible.

Still there is something about them that makes you wish you had one around once in awhile. I wouldn't mind having another some days, but you're right they are certainly not a this is the only bike in the garage type of machine...at least for me.

He meant Ironhead. shovelheads were the big twins.

Neat report Chip. My first Sporster was a 59. In 93 My wife bought me a new 94 for Christmas. Other than being the new aluminum motor with 5 gears instead of 4, and belt drive, and electric start..and turn signals ..It was amazing how much they felt and sounded alike even though they were 35 years apart. 55 mph was about as fast as you wanted to go on that 94 as the vibrations were just horrible.

Still there is something about them that makes you wish you had one around once in awhile. I wouldn't mind having another some days, but you're right they are certainly not a this is the only bike in the garage type of machine...at least for me. Im aware.