HARLEY-DAVIDSON

Sporster "Forty Eight" 2019
The Harley Davidson Sportster "Forty Eight" 48 is perhaps Harley for anyone who wants to get started on the "ride" that the brand provides, both in terms of models and brand philosophy, the one that perhaps makes the most sense to start .
It's that every time we think of a Harley-Davidson, we think of a heavy, difficult-to-carry bike, demanding to bend and maneuver, a little agile in traffic, especially designed to go straight and unsafe to crash ... Forty Eight is the best model of the North American brand to counter the "stereotype" described above.
As in the previous week we rode on the brand new FXDR 114, rear-wheel 240 and an engine torque that pays respect, we also had the Harley motorcycle chip that has to be driven with "tattoos" and "beard stubble". The contrasting feel of the passage from the FXDR 114 to the "Forty Eight" was as if we'd suddenly dropped off our bike in the garage and rolled into our youngest son's Harley.
The "Forty Eight" is a fun-to-drive Harley-Davidson, agile in transit and with an excellent torque engine to ensure dynamic and fluid driving. The 1202cc of the engine's Evolution of air-cooled engines, deliver a torque of 96 Nm at 3,500 rpm, that is, the "48" ensures regimental starts from low speed without terms that change too much box and only with the turning of the handle of accelerator. With a 5-speed box well-spaced and a 5-speed long that allows to turn in highway without changing of speed and to realize surpasses only with the turn of the handle. The engine is quiet, with little vibration and beautiful aesthetic effect, with black finish and only some of its chrome elements that create a balance contrast. The transmission is by belt which contributes to decrease the metallic sound.
Although silent, "Forty Eight" does not lose its Harley-Davidson charisma and the traditional noises of a classic HD engine, designed in 1986, are all there, perhaps waiting to enjoy Vance & Hines tips to finally take over your vocation. In this Harley makes a point of staying true to a tradition of motorcycles designed with updated classic technology and not modern motorcycles with classic look. This is of course a personal perspective and will be that of many more conservative Harleys who do not look favorably on certain technological developments of the brand and remain loyal to the traditional concepts of the brand. But "Forty Eight" is perhaps the best example of a fusion of values ​​and attributes that are now being sought on a motorcycle. Classic style, something vintage but genuine, reliability in mechanics, good cycling, some comfort to ensure daily use, fun and cool ... well I think I just described precisely what "Forty Eight" really is ... The Forty Eight is a low-powered bike, where our feet sit perfectly on the ground, with footboards in the front and just like the FXDR 114, a not too high handlebars but providing a position that we can classify comfortable in the style of the motorcycle One-seat seat and typical Sportster tank, the famous "Peanut tank", which for its small size (7.9 liters) does not guarantee much autonomy but is in accordance with the tradition of HD Sporters. The 2019 Forty Eight color that has been given to us especially pleases us and aesthetically benefits the bike by creating a contrast between the dominant black and the matte gold tone of the tank, color dubbed "Gold Denim" by HD.
The traditional 49mm telescopic suspension at the front contributes to the rugged appearance of the front of the bike that assembles a 16 "high section 130/90 large tire, much in the lead-sled culture. The rear damper has spring preload adjustment and the rear wheel is also 16 "with 150/80 high profile tire.
The damping capability is fair and the low profile seat also does not help provide Forty Eight comfort, however, its behavior is quite acceptable if we avoid the most critical road irregularities.
The Forty Eight has a good curve behavior, thanks to a low center of gravity and good mass distribution, with our position more on the front of the bike due to the type of handlebar that it mounts and that facilitates the curve entry posture . The brakes have only one disc in front and one in the back with forceps of 2 pistons in front and also behind, proving effective despite the 250 kg of weight of the motorcycle. Weight that does not affect the agility that Forty Eight has demonstrated and the ease with which it is conducted. Rims machined of 9 rays, with black finish, are of beautiful esthetic effect. The headlight assembly and analog / digital information panel take on the classic style of the bike and include all the information usually provided on a motorcycle in a traditional and classic way. The detail of the mirrors under the handlebar is well achieved, freeing the front of the bike, although its use requires some habit.
Of course, Harley-Davidson offers the extensive range of accessories for customization of "Forty Eight", or if not the philosophy of the brand, to make each Harley unique and in accordance with each owner's personal style. However the standard version seems to us quite cool to keep it in its original state and we feel the same way in our Harley ... maybe the Vance & Hines tips, that although in sound risk risking illegality, the Harley Davidson seems to have a separate statute on "acceptable" sonority. Pedro Rocha, de Portugal