Sportster 48 Special First Ride 2018

[@jasonwright9555]

6 years later I am glad that i found your Channel!😀I'm looking at a 2018 Sportster 48 on Friday this week. I've never considered a HD before until I saw a friends hot-rodded 48 and fell in love with it's looks! Cannot wait to swing my leg over it and hopefully become it's second owner. Cheers from Germany.

[@sunshowerpainting1]

I just picked up a 2019 Harley-Davidson Sportster 48 with 1,400 miles on it. It looks brand new and is a work of art. I love it. It is my first Harley after 44 years of riding metric bikes. It's a wonderful bike to ride, sounds great, and vibrates as Harleys are know for. What fun!

[@YoutubeReplayed]

Hey mate. I want you to know I’ve watched this video maybe 12 times. Love your content. I haven’t seen you in a while. Keep them coming!

[@stevendrury9505]

Nice review... terrible weather hey and a back spin on your favourite tyres ;) haha I've just bought the original Forty Eight in vivid black.. I'm not new to motorcycles but it's my first Harley. Mods I've spent £4000. Stage 1, custom handmade exhaust, RSD velocity stack, dynojet computer. Custom side plate, black engine bolt kit, drag bars, speedo relocate, coil relocation, 2"tank lift, black billet axle covers, chain conversion, gold chain & black sprockets, bar end indicators and neat smaller rear combination lights, fork boots and rsd black billet top sleeves, black foot rests and shifter change, HD daymaker, black headlight grill, black flush fuel cap, chin spoiler, custom timing cover and derby cover, black inspection cover, rough craft seat, basically a blacked out sporty 48 👌 based in Essex and recently joined SSUK but I'm yet to post a pic.. my bike will be ready to ride next week

[@nigelmarsden1981]

Great review. I love how honest you are about your experience and you have no ego like some other reviewers. Love the 48, love the paint job, love the bars and am often amazed at how the British weather just doesn’t put you off (I’ve emigrated to Australia with all year riding ). I have a roadking and a sporty, and I’m happy to admit it’s the sporty’s key I reach for first ! I prefer this model to the Iron...

[@spud139]

I'm yet to get to my local dealer to look at these models, love the look of both but I'm 6'2 and I'm wondering if it's to small and need to be looking at a different model ?

[@torandrebreivikas834]

Great review as always! Again, thanks for delivering excellent VLOGS! Can´t wait to get my own Special in a few weeks!

[@shmac96]

Im not a Harley fan but I respect the brand and the history etc. Its only been within the past few years that Ive started to appreciate some of their newer models and better styling cues and fit and finish. I dont know why but Im in love with this bike! I think I like it better than the regular 48. Will be adding this one to my list! Thanks for the review! Cheers!

[@ronwissinger2678]

Nice to see you back on the 48 . Does the sun ever shine there

[@Biggercomeharderfall]

Brilliant review . I was thinking about tall boy handle bar and you saved me :) thx a lot

[@richardmerritt5600]

Thanks for the review Mark. Must say I prefer the 'old' style bars, but even if you wanted those bars it seems to be much less trouble to get the old style bike and swap bars rather than buy the 'special' and black out the crankcases etc. BTW I really don't like the AMF style paint tho. Thanks again :)

[@TattooedAlex70]

Always a 👍🏻 for your Motovlog! I owned a 2016 Forty Eight for 18 months before I moved up to Soft Tail Slim. I moved over to a Slim because my riding habits drastically changed and I was no longer out for short trips and the need for gas stops was getting old and worrisome on some of the mountain roads in Colorado. I have mostly the same opinion as your’s that I prefer the dark theme as well on the Forty Eight over the chrome on the Special. I prefer the handlebars on the Special and that was my next upgrade that I was considering along with a bigger tank before I traded in my Forty Eight. Overall I prefer the look of the Forty Eight Special over the 1200 Iron, but the 2.1 gallon tank on the Forty Eight Special would be a huge factor if I was moving back to a Sportster. I am excited to see which direction you go with.

[@stevenedwards2162]

Good vlog Mark.with all that extra chrome on the special a cherry tank would look so much better .the black and chrome seems to clash to much . Neither one or the other . Love the look and style thou cheers

[@danphan434]

I have the same model 48.. cant decide wether i should go with the chrome exhaust or black.. ??

[@hamzahzee3843]

Thanks a lot buddy. That's was so useful for real! I'm about to get the original 48 soon! I might change my mind because i got interest on the 48 special yet! We don't have it here in Saudi Arabia so far! I should wait till they get the bike. Thanks dear.

[@cruzboitnott75]

How tall are those ape hangers on that?? Been debating on putting some on mine

[@johnellerby5004]

Im such a child, great revue as always and video content too but the thing i took away was the weather was GASH, not used that word in years. :D

[@MrChancebozey]

Love the Sportsters. I believe it would cost less to add a taller bar to the 48 than replacing those chrome pieces on the 48 Special. Kudos for trying to give a review in crap weather :) Great vids. Keep em' coming.

[@paulbutler5067]

Of the 2 bikes, I prefer the 48 over the special. But in the Sportster line I most like the Roadster. It has a taller seat height, mid controls, larger fuel tank, longer travel suspension, and a more performance oriented seating position. But much of this is personal preference. No matter which one you like, the 1200 sportster platform is a simple, reliable, quality machine that will give years of riding pleasure to the owner. I have a Road King and a 1200S model Sportster. Love them both. For long distance comfort, the Road King all day. For just plain fun, the Sportster is hard to beat. But having lived through the AMF years, I hate the AMF graphics. And to those who feel the need to trash Harley, go ride something else. You are not required to buy a Harley. I still have 2 Yamahas in my garage and have owned Hondas and Kawasakis as well. I just like riding. Hope you do too.

[@AdaMoto83]

Just wanna say pal loving the vids. And have to say great choice of music and put together really well! Ride safe bro 🤙🏾

[@Motonewbrider]

JustAdam83 appreciate it 👍

[@sirrideabit651]

Nice video, I also have a soft spot for the sportsters, really like the paint design but thats because it's like my 74.

[@blujack100]

What about the 1200 custom. 4.5 gal tank is a winner for me.

[@PowerYacht]

Agree I got that one. Best Sportster Harley makes that is unless you only want to go ten miles without stopping :P

[@arthurmcpherson6155]

I think the 48 is the best looking bike. If you think ahead, just have a spare 4 or 4.5 gal tank and pop it on if your going on a long ride. Best of both!

[@BFD15i]

The only problem with the custom is: it's fugly. :)

[@PowerYacht]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder! I think the 2011 and newer model with big front tire is as nice as a 48 with the added bonus of having a double range thanks to the big 17 liter fuel tank. But to each his own I guess.

[@moorshound3243]

Yep me too!

[@brandon23471]

My Forty-Eight Special isn't my first bike, but it is the first bike that my 5'4-self can plant both feet flat on the ground at the same time lol. love taking it all around town on the parkways!

[@Mr-Linderman]

You might have bought one since but get a hand held gymbol for your DSLR mate, Zihuan make a great one pretty cheap

[@scottrubie6826]

I bought the iron1200 instead. Put a stage1 kit with freedom pipes. I love it talker stance and mid controls not forward controls like the 48 special. The bars are different between 48 spec and iron1200. How you get your leg around the air filter. I’m 5,8 and 106kg with the stage1 it’s a performance machine.

[@jonnymac8925]

I have the same paint on my 2018 48. I love the black and silver AMF paint. I have black v&h short shots, Biltwell Frisco bars, a black S&S teardrop breather, remap tune, black hd gascap, black led headlight with a black trim ring, black derby cover with silver lettering, a black primary inspection cover, a left side swing arm saddlebag with a 1.5 litre fuel bottle, a HD brake master cylinder LED fuel gauge mounted on the throttle hand master cylinder cover (super clean and awesome), knock off HD solid metal side mount license plate with tag light, led smoked brake light with no tag light and a black baseplate for the tail light so no chrome trim ring, smoked turn signals front and rear, some bolts replaced with billet aluminum (seat bolt), there is definetly some stuff I am forgetting. I have orange screamin eagle 10mm plug wires and screamin eagle spark plugs I have yet to put on, and a HD bar and shield medallion to cover the old license plate holes on the rear fender (it is a Canadian spec bike so it has the longer rear fender with the brake light and no side mount plate from the factory like the US spec). I have big plans for this bike, I just picked it up October 4th, 2019. So I have had it for just over 2 months and absolutely love it. I have put about 1500km on it since then, but it is sadly in the garage for the Winter (damn it Canada). Almost time for cams, push rods, tappets and some head work this Winter, I can't wait to see how much more fun it is! Might even havr a 1275 in its future 😜

[@tyler6149]

I just bought my first Harley and it was the 48 special over the weekend and I love the bike. Rides really nice, has great power and handles well with that big front tire! Going to have exhaust on the way soon but I am going to go black pipes.

[@LarryRickenbacker]

Any opinions on the 1200 Sportster suspension?

[@caramelized_rayan6865]

absolutely wonderful review bro , I enjoyed my time and your points and comments were on point ! However , regarding the issue with the mic I kind of disagree with ya because I really liked they way of having the visual video of you riding and completing the review with a clean voice over and you still mixed the voice of that beauty in the background !. I suggest that you try it more often lol :P Cheers and ride safe bro

[@jamesbarr8950]

I bought a 48 original about 2 months ago and love it (this is my 3rd sporster)(I just never know which one to ride)... I will be modifying it over the winter here in Wisconsin (USA).

[@TheJjman1988]

what is the name of your stage 1 on the special?

[@PsyKotyK]

Hey there what bike to you prefer out of the iron 1200 , 48 , and the street bob?

[@Motonewbrider]

Darth Taloneius Street bob will be best bang for buck with the M8 engine and it’s a great bike to customise.

[@nunyabidnes5253]

Motonewbrider I agree. I bought the street bob the last year they built them with the Dyna Frame. So it has a 103 instead of the M8. It is a great middle of the road bike, and as you said, you can really make it your own with all the aftermarket parts for them.

[@joekail2045]

What handle bars are those?

[@Luminosity94]

Can you opt for a bigger tank for this bike?

[@tomrizzo1554]

Have a Softail now but will always miss my Sportster wish I could afford both

[@StreetBobberVlogger]

Our weather sure is bad at the moment, we cant get a break! Great review as always. You are right, a new HD buyer would do well to pick the special but someone with a 48 already is not going to bother. Personally prefer apes over the "stock original" bars. Bit more comfortable with the forward controls. And yes too much chrome on these 48's imo! I just wish HD could push the boat out a little more with the Special, a new paint job and some different handle bars (which i love) is not exactly all that different from the original. Id have liked to seen a different exhaust system style perhaps? At least the iron has a 1200 now, a nice improvement!!! :D

[@floppypoppy1995]

I’ve just realised I made a massive mistake months ago when I passed my cbt and got a yzf r125. Going to have to hurry up and do my full licence and save up some more moolah to get a Harley. Looking for a little input though.. I’m an absolute short arse 5”2. I love the looks of the bikes with the low down “flat” handlebars. Are there any Harley’s in particular that are particularly friendly for the smaller rider ?? Peace!

[@JM-cf6vy]

I always felt that Harleys are friendly towards people of varying heights. Your height shouldn't be a problem. The best way though is to test drive each Harley model and see how comfortable it is to access the shifter and the rear brake.

[@andrewdreyer7765]

9:47 ohh I laughed pretty hard. It has a personality! hahahahaha good for including that, dude. Any chance your boys can club style a street bob softail and you review it? Thanks as always.

[@SheMadeWhat]

I bought this bike and loved it. But I wanted to go on longer rides and I couldn't deal with the small tank. I traded it in on a 2018 Sport Glide. I love both bikes but the Sport Glide meets all my needs. Also I loved the tallboy handlebars on the 48 Special.

[@robh952]

Harley! Why twin discs on a 750 and single disc on a 1200?

[@formidablefragment3433]

Rob Fossil Two very different bikes for different riders :)

[@moorshound3243]

Why did they make the sportster R years ago with dual discs up front & then not put them on the new line up? as it's what everybody bloody wants.

[@terrydrake526]

Flashback to 1983 when I bought my XLCH at the PX in Heidelberg.

[@JetsonRING]

The 1200 Iron has "mid" foot controls, the 48 Special has "forward" foot controls which for me tips the scales in favor of the 48 Special. I do like the look of the saddle on the 1200 Iron though.

[@gpaje]

Raining on that Stage 1 K&N filter, that would make me worry.

[@paulusher3560]

gpage definitely

[@Luminosity94]

Whats the issue with rain?

[@alexbooth7110]

Bloody uk weather!!! The IRON 1200 certainly looks better I think. Good vlog

[@nickgee7291]

I bought the same bike ! I really fell in love with it when I saw it!

[@zed332l]

Yep that's the UK two kinds of weather raining or about to rain. I would consider this except fuel qty. Needs More range i/e a Bigger Fuel (Petrol) Tank.

[@jfk5230]

Nice work Mr, CLVLND OH 🇺🇸👍

[@mauroarrambide9089]

Im picking mine up tomorrow

[@pamsimonson5500]

Great skoot. hey Kim it's a review in the rain. Sit back and indulge.....,

[@Thisfutureman]

I was going to do a ride this morning and it started raining just like in your video , so hell no i put the bike back in the garage and took the train , i didnt wanted to be soking wet ariving on my destination !!

[@kungfumonk6993]

where can I get bigger fuel tank for original 48 for my 2019 model? somebody tell us plz

[@paulnaxius4088]

I'd love to have this thing, but at nearly $12k? I'll have to jump on an 883 and buy the 1200cc conversion kit. Great, great sounding exhaust though. I also agree with that jabbing air filter into the right knee, ouch!

[@jayteesgear]

Both are just gorgeous

[@wombraid3r936]

Am thinking bout getting a bike next year n the 48 special its on top of my list as right now i like the lowrider s as well but thats too much money not like i can't afford it but am not willing to spend that much on mh 1st bike

[@bichhriu7611]

Meglio questa o la iron 1200?

[@splodge57]

Bit late watching but it hasn't rained since you made this one. Best Sportster? 2001 1200 Sport.

[@JeffBiancolini]

I am a new subscriber. Congrats for your channel, is very nice!!! The special 48 is really Beautiful!!! I am looking for a Sportster to buy here in São Paulo, but not 48, but a 883 Roadstar. Congrats again!

[@andrewwilkie7134]

Yep, got a black special, put mid set controls on, brakes are awesome no need to upgrade them, left the tuning standard, the fat forks and front tyre track better than the narrow, the rear shock kicks and clearance is low will strike speed bumps and kerbs, I ride accordingly and do some trail rides on it with caution. Have just sold my softail, the 48 is better.

[@spideliciousx9822]

Nice bikes. The stock pipes tbh, are embarrassing. Great review as per normal 😀👍

[@pinotino6349]

Ti e piaciuta?

[@x4x4offroad87]

I love mine it is a very fun bike to ride and might I add is my first Harley that I've ever owned I've had Hondas and Yamahas but mostly dirt bikes and Enduros it is a very fun bike to ride it is similar to riding a Enduro except for your setback more the weight and handling of it is the similarity that I'm going with

[@PowerYacht]

With the bike not being stock this review lost a bit its purpose. As for question two, lol I hope not I mean you just swap handlebars and you are sorted. Handlebars cost about 200$ the most, add labor and $300/400 should sort it out. If you like it blacked out I also think it is cheaper to go for handle bar then changing the covers which cost for both of them about 500$.

[@Motonewbrider]

PowerYacht plus the tank colour difference btw - and interns of losing its purpose with the bike having a stage 1 I totally disagree. People can see it had a stage 1 in my thumbnail.

[@PowerYacht]

Also another misconception in your review is about the breaks. (many reviews do this misconception)! Dual disc brakes do not improve braking in any nos worth noting off. What dual disc brake improve is heat dissipation, which is something effecting you if you do track days or a non stop twistee road for long time like the Stelvio pass in Italy. OTOH the stopping power between a single piston caliper single disc and n SD twin disc is more or less the same very little advantage of the later. But if you have a single disc with twin piston caliper and a single Piston caliper twin disc the first will beat the second not by little. There is way to improve the brakes on a Sportster without breaking the bank though, first is to change to Organic pads, and second is to increase the size of your disc. The Sportsters had improve braking in 2014 and 2016 (larger discs in these later versions).

[@Motonewbrider]

PowerYacht my reference is made to the roadster with dual disk having a better braking system and I also mentioned brembos as HD put these on the night rod etc. My point is without getting too technical it’s a better system for stopping quicker. That’s a fact.

[@PowerYacht]

Both Roadsters and 48 have Dual piston front and rear. I do not have disc sizes, so I can't know if that is the same. Looks the same to the naked eye on the Harley website comparative shot. MNB any chance of you testing the new Lowrider, is it true the new Softail M8 bikes rear brakes suck?

[@demiurgeobzen327]

The bike is CLEARLY not stock from the thumbnail, so you bitching about it not being stock servers no purpose considering the thumbnail shows clear as day that it isn't.

[@geoffozevans4500]

Nice review as usual, I don't like the AMF colour scheme, they nearly bankrupted Harley, but colour is easily changed. If I can wangle the funds I'd like to add the Sportster to my Harley range , I need a little win on something. All the best Mark, you're doing well my friend 😎👍

[@jfk5230]

I agree about the brakes....want to buy a roadster as a second city bike. I personally believe they are very "sporty".

[@cadenthekook8226]

anyone know what he records on with helmet

[@Motonewbrider]

Caden go pro hero 4 black

[@tempest1261]

Im not a fan of the paint but it sounds great

[@OGDMaco]

trying to find a uk motovlogger that rides harleys i'm hoping to get a 883 end of this year or start of next

[@TheArmybrat1994]

The sportster is the way to go for new riders and old. I have a 07 FLHTCU. A bagger if you will. And I am highly considering going back to the sportster. Its more reliable(hands down #1 reason why to buy one), gets great fuel economy and sounds great. Insurance is cheap. Easy to fix and maintain. The bagger that I have is alot of bike for just commuting. Although the radio is nice.. But overall the sporty is one of the best bikes for the money anywhere.

[@fishermen755]

Hey Mate, I am to understand that the 1200cc sporsters are possible to restrict for A2 compliance but do you know if dealers will do for the these new bikes? Was gonna buy one when passing my unrestricted but I just totaled my bike a couple days ago :( Thanks!

[@Motonewbrider]

SBPT arh man that’s rubbish - hope you’re ok though - that’s the main thing!!! I’ve just spoke to the guys at Shaw’s and they said they do the restrictions on the bikes. 👍

[@fishermen755]

Thanks for checking, massive help! I got out of it with a broken finger and a couple scrapes and bruises but the bike was totaled. also since I cant do a test ride I will use your Iron 1200 review as a guide. look forward to it :) Thank you once again!

[@dale-fi1fi]

Sounds amazing

[@1990-t1j]

Your stock bike looks better. The exhausts look miles better, although the others sound good. The high handlebars on the Special look daft. Nice performance with these mods, but nowhere near as quick as my Buell XB12X. I'd like one, though.

[@FAMA-18]

Love your review, my opinion as well, love the tall boy handlebars.

[@ralphington8441]

You need to do reviews on the bikes without any mods or upgrades, you did the same with the Iron 1200 and fitted it with V&H pipes, this isn’t how the bikes come out of the showroom so it’s not really a realistic or fair comparison.

[@BigMoeFo]

Memories....😅

[@BRUISER1]

Nnaahhhh.. the chrome has got to go. Black out everything including the forks

[@StreetBobberVlogger]

Yeah blacked out all the way!!!!

[@yannickgluck4224]

I think Harley messed up reaching the younger generation with closing the Dyna line. You cant get a younger audience with the same ugly ass touring motorcycles they are selling since the 60s. Harley needs to focus on the Dyna and sportster line because they are what attracts young people like me to Harley.

[@arthurmcpherson6155]

Yannick from reviews I’ve seen the StreetBob easily replaces the Dyna. Good looks and comfort are it’s hallmarks.

[@BFD15i]

I don't know if I'm still part of the "younger audience" with my 33 years, but IMO, Harley did everything right with the 2018 Softails. They gained so much performance, without letting go of most of the heritage.. They're better than the Dynas in every way. And the best thing is: they don't cost more. Now Harley has to really renew the Sportster-lineup (USD-forks, double-disc brakes, etc) and everything's cool.

[@Supernova12034]

and suspension, as a youngster(20s) who rode the fourty eight, each micro imperfection in the road destroys your spine.

[@ussconcordiah9506]

They simply couldn't fit the new 107 engine in the Dyna frame. Even the softail frame had to be redesigned to fit the new engine. No way to fit it in the Dyna (wish they could!!!). At the end of the day, they are not going to keep a single model line of bikes running, with an engine they are no longer producing.

[@morteparla6926]

It was the Dynas time to die.

[@S1000RR11]

But the new bike has a stage one there’s no comparison, and an open filter in the rain, dopey dealer?

[@Supernova12034]

When your young and good looking, you get a sportster, when your older and fatter, you get a softail, when you become a dentist you get a road king.

[@jayteesgear]

😂👊🏻

[@brucekirk5386]

I think this bike would look sick AF with some medium sized hardboxes on the back.

[@stevekearton1420]

I've got a 2015 48, and it's the loudest bike I've ever heard. Even the lads at Warrs don't know what the pipes are. Previous owner put them on. Every video on KZbin showing Harley Davidson pipes.....give it up. My pipes blow everything away.

[@48rr-roadrace15]

The worst thing on a HD 48 is the same thing that makes it so special and unique... The shitty fuel tank LOL

[@JRZiglar]

Love it

[@pinotino6349]

Quanto sei alto?

[@trevorbrown2198]

Wow ... all it needs is new brakes ...tires ....stage 1 kit ...bigger fuel tank ...6th gear and ud have a great bike. And Harley wonders why they are irrelevant these days .... New Sporster is on its way very soon anyway

[@oscarontiveros5117]

Sad, but true.

[@ravjeetraina7756]

They should make something for bigger fuel capacity

[@saddle8bag]

One thing no one mentions about this one is the thicker fork tubes and fork brace. Even if it can't be pushed hard enough to get the skinny forks out of sorts, it looks great to me. Might be harder to find brake options for it though as they're different than the other Sporties. Dawdling around town with a few short freeway blasts, I'm sure the tall handlebars are fine. But for longer/higher speed runs they will not be your friend. The tiny tank and obnoxious sound kinda precludes this much anyway, but sitting bolt upright, wind in the chest forces us to pivot around our butts and requires hanging on for dear life. Hanging on for dear life is not the best way to handle motorcycles. When your bars are lower, the wind to the chest provides lift and keeps your weight off your wrists without pivoting your torso around backwards. As to painting everything black, why bother with a Harley? Harleys aren't known for performance, they're known for their design, paint, and finishes. Why bother if you just want to camouflage the damn thing in flat black spray paint? From 15' away no one could tell if it's a V-twin or a battery box. HD really needs to stop topping these things with black heads. The V-twin engine is designed to be the centerpiece of the machine, it should stand out. I'll be fucked before I give HD top dollar for a bike that looks like a beater that someone shot with a rattle can in their garage to keep the rust off.

[@cg5617]

Did Hawrey Davison huwt your wittle feewings?

[@saddle8bag]

CG: No. I rather like this little thing for the most part. Reminds me of the bikes the guys with the best dope used to ride back in the day. Could use spokes to be a little more period correct though.

[@snappyfish]

The colour scheme is definitely trying reach a younger trendy audience, maybe a non rider that likes a flash look.

[@robertbyers18]

Gary Arnold thats actually a retro tank circa 70s AMF style

[@snappyfish]

Robert Byers yes, modern youngsters love retro :) clever marketing.

[@cgm6023]

Really don't like the amf paintjobs ..cool bike though

[@jlondonolson952]

I’ve got a 2019 48 special with 14” pudgy gimp bars, LED lights, sissy bar, Corbin seat, aftermarket 3 gallon fuel tank with custom paint, high flow filter, and a Vance and Hines FP3.

[@mattwilhite8876]

1200 iron all day

[@jersev9960]

amf style stripes

[@hellbent6344]

I want that tank, just to hang it in my room.

[@cani8751]

...or to use as an ashtray.,.......fukn useless as a petrol tank unless you use it on a 50cc moped...so WTF...maybe cut the top off and its a birdbath..

[@tomrizzo1554]

Nice

[@chopperking007]

Here in oz we never let our hogs get wet...

[@donaldsoncole3095]

Stop the madness, its not GOLDIE!!!

[@MrRockydee07]

Sorry I lost my check book !!!!

[@ihateemael]

imagine in 2018 you can still buy a new bike with unsafe and inadequate brakes. disgraceful.

[@THATDUDE1984]

That paint scheme has gotta go!

[@mickyflakes]

You must be really skinny at 35 kgs?...

[@dahliaday17]

They ruined it with the color scheme.