THE NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON FORTY-EIGHT IS A RAW AND RADICAL RIDE

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PRESS RELEASE (January 21, 2010) – The new Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight motorcycle is a new factory custom in the legendary tradition of the hot rod Sportster line with the raw, elemental appeal of a Custom.

Riding low and featuring the classic 2.1-gallon (7.95 liter) “peanut” fuel tank, the Forty-Eight backs up its bulldog appearance with the performance of its blacked and polished rubbermounted Evolution 1200 cc V-Twin engine. The low solo seat, under-bar mounted mirrors, clean rear fender and fat balloon tires emphasize the Forty Eight’s focus on chiseled customization.

And while the Forty-Eight may break bad when it comes to radical attitude and straight-on style, it won’t break the bank starting at just xxxxxx MSRP.

“With its classic bulldog shoulders stance, the Forty-Eight strikes a distinctive look and low profile that could only come from Harley-Davidson,” said Ray Drea, Harley-Davidson Senior Director of Styling. “The Forty-Eight has a collective past life experience and broken-in look that is raw and authentic.”

As a Harley-Davidson Custom, the Forty-Eight is ready to ride as a radical custom and also primed to take on its rider’s character and personality.

Harley-Davidson Sportsters like the Forty-Eight have retained an aura of rebellion since their introduction in 1957, when the foundation of custom culture was being laid by military veterans, swaggering greasers and anyone else with a gritty garage. Sportsters became an iron canvas for many legendary choppers of that hot rod era and beyond.

Lying low from tire-to-tire, the Forty-Eight showcases more of its black 1200 Evolution V-Twin engine with polished accents and other components with a clean look highlighted by the traditional peanut fuel tank, small solo seat and lightening holes in the backbone mounting bracket. The Forty-Eight has more than just custom cool styling with the smooth ride on new front fork sliders, a fat and wide 150 mm front tire and slammed rear suspension.

With Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) and a broad torque curve, the Forty-Eight delivers a powerfully responsive ride with smooth clutch effort. The chrome, staggered shorty dual muffler pounds out the distinctive Harley-Davidson American V-Twin sound.

The Forty-Eight embraces the street up front with forward foot controls, low profile custom handlebar, under-bar mounted mirrors, fork-mounted turn signals, slammed speedometer mounting bracket and lightened fork brace. A unique dual texture solo seat fits the lone rider, while a passenger pillion, footpegs and backrest are some of the many accessories that can be added.

The black chopped rear fender with combination stop/turn/tail lights help show-off the fat 150mm rear tyre and 16-inch Black Steel Laced wheels. The front tire also rides on a wide black wheel.

The Forty-Eight is available in Vivid Black, Brilliant Silver and Mirage Orange Pearl colors.

Forty-Eight features and highlights:

  • Blacked and polished rubber-mounted Evolution 1200 cc V-Twin engine with chrome
  • accents
  • Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
  • Steel 2.1-gallon (7.95 liter) peanut fuel tank with lightening hole mounting bracket
  • One-piece, solo Sportster classic seat
  • 710mm seat height
  • Fat balloon tires
  • 16-inch Black Steel Laced wheels
  • Low profile custom handlebar
  • Under-bar mounted mirrors
  • New front forks with wide triple clamps
  • Chopped front fender mounted on fork brace with lightening holes
  • Fork brace mounted chopped front fender
  • Blacked components including air cleaner cover, clutch and brake levers and turn signals
  • Chopped rear fender
  • Stop-turn-tail lights
  • Two-year factory warranty
  • Harley-Davidson Smart Security System


Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories and general merchandise. For more information, visit Harley-Davidson's Web site at www.harley-davidson.com.


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