URBAN LIFE 'N STYLE OCTOBER 2016 | OUT THE BOX | Page 106

The Sportster is a line of Harley-Davidson’s
that has been in continuous production since
1957, the Sportster range took over the Model
K Sport and Sport Solo motorcycles. The
various K Models produced from 1952 to 1956
had a flat head engine whereas the later
Sportster line (known as XL) made use of an
overhead valve engine giving the motorcycle
better compression leading to better engine
performance and better fuel economy.
The first Forty-Eight® (also known as the
XL1200X) was introduced in 2010 and was
based off the similar styling of the “Dark”
Nightster. The telling difference between the
two models is that the Forty-Eight® makes use
of the classic 1948 peanut tank (which is 7,9
litres), wire whee ls, forward-controls, a wider
front tire with a fat front end and chopped front
fender, a slammed speedo with under mount
mirrors, low solo single seat, and low
suspension.
Six years after the introductory model,
Harley-Davidson have decided to spruce up the
Forty-Eight® with some minimalistic changes
that keep to the Forty-Eight® and its
minimalist design. “The Forty-Eight® is really
all about being stripped back and minimal but
also muscular and tough. We have been sort of
using the term ‘Urban Assault’. That is the one
thing that we went after with the Forty-Eight®
to kind of give it a little more performance
edge.” says Harley-Davidson Industrial
Designer, Ben McGinley.
He goes on to explain, “in this year’s model we
have gone up from today’s regular Sporster forks
of 39mm to these 49mm forks, so they really
beefy. That, combined with the new cast wheels fits
the sort of muscular image of the bike.

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The whole assembly is actually lighter, not only
optimising the look but also paying attention as to
how we can make it more fun to ride”.
In the interview Ben goes onto explain the
inspiration behind the light design touches
“When we went to shows we started noting how
people were really inspired by the sort of 60’s and
70’s kind of Harley-Davidson era graphics or kind
of tank art. So the graphics (on the tank) sort of
echo that era without being totally literal, so it’s a
new twist on the theme”.
Speaking on other changes to the Forty-Eight®,
Ben said “There is a lot of dripping wet gloss black
and we left a little more chrome. It’s a dark bike
but it’s still premium. We have taken what is really
cool about a Forty-Eight® today and taken it to
the next level”. Other changes to the 2016
Forty-Eight® include new adjustable rear
suspension, new mag wheels, peanut tank,
blacked-out powertrain, slotted exhaust
shields, optional ABS (anti-lock braking system)
and more torque.
The 2016 Forty-Eight® is a 1202cc Evolution®
engine, which is an air-cooled 45-degree, V-Twin
engine powered by a five-speed
gearbox. It produces pavement-shredding
96Nm of torque from 3500rpm and can reach
an estimated top speed of 177 km/h, which is
not really fast but is a good top speed for such
a chunky bike. The total weight of the bikes
comes in at a heavy 247kg and the length at
2210mm and a low ride height of 710mm.

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