Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight

Yes, it is indeed an attractive motorcycle. Every single bit of kit on it comes together to make a rolling work of art. The biggest impact comes from the very size of the bike itself. It is a bit long and very low. The 2165 mm long bike has a compact wheelbase of 1506 mm. The seat height is a very low 710 mm. While this is good news for short Asian riders like ourselves, taller riders will have trouble even looking at the underslung rear view mirrors. And this is where the compromises in the name of styling will start to appear. Next is the exquisite peanut shaped tank that although beautiful holds a scant 7.9 litres of fuel. But the tank is really the focal point of the bike and is the defining factor of the entire concept as it will be later revealed. Next, come the fat 130/90B16 73H front and 150/80B16 77H rear Michelin tyres on the 16-inch black 9 spoke machined wheels. The exquisite V-Twin resides beneath the fuel tank with two fat low slung pipes jutting out of it. Finally there are the five color options for the tank - Hard Candy Shattered Flake, Legend Blue Denim, Red Iron Denim, Twisted Cherry, Vivid Black – that each give this bike a timeless finish.

The seat is low and the handlebars are short. With front-mounted foot pegs, the bike has relaxed ergonomics. But the 49 mm non-adjustable front forks and preload adjustable emulsion shocks in the rear provide so little travel, that the ride can only be described as stiff. Weighing over 250 kg, this bike is best suited for city driving on smooth roads. Thankfully at least, the seat is plush and luxurious. But don’t rely on the stylish underslung mirrors while carving through traffic. The small tank also ensures that you stay away from highways as high speed highway driving is also not recommended due to riding ergonomics. Hard cornering on mountain roads is doable but only while the cornering clearance permits.

Like all Harley Davidsons, this too is powered by a V-twin engine. It is an air cooled but fuel injected 1200 cc Evolution motor. It uses long stroke cylinders, a belt drive and a five-speed transmission. Harleys are all about torque – they don’t even display the power figures on the website – and the Forty Eight is no exception. The engine make 96 Nm of torque at just 3500 rpm. Twist the throttle and the fat silencer will bark into life. The engine pulls hard from low down the rev range and there is enough power across the power band. The bike easily reaches speeds of up to 150 kmph. The only flaw is that tiny fuel tank that does not last even 200 km. This limits the bike to small trips around town which is it natural habitat. The throttle response has the appropriate mannerisms in that it is neither too slow nor too fast.  

There is a 300 mm floating disc on the front and another on the rear. Braking performance is good but the levers are a bit awkward to reach. ABS is provided as an optional extra and should definitely be taken.

Form over function is the name of the game here. The bike may not be very useful as a tool or even a vehicle, but as a toy or a style statement it is very much a success. People will not just look at you but stare at you with hungry eyes. You yourself will ogle at the bike even after owning it for some time. You will fashion your look so that it fits that of your bike. This is the kind of impact it will have on you. And for that, the price and all the compromises will seem like a bargain.