Test rode a few Sportsters today...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,541
Likes: 11
From: Elyria, OH
Truth be told, I like the 48, but the Nightster won out for me .. really didnt like the front tire on the 48. It just seem a bit too chunky.
Other than that though, the thing looks like a beast. I have had mine now for a few months missing only 5 days of riding due to rain. I love the Nightster. I could probalbly use a little more room to lean, I'm starting to feel the bike out more and hear the scraping from the stand as I hang a left.
Either way, I don't think you can make a mistake with either one .. Congrats (in advance) for the new ride!!
Other than that though, the thing looks like a beast. I have had mine now for a few months missing only 5 days of riding due to rain. I love the Nightster. I could probalbly use a little more room to lean, I'm starting to feel the bike out more and hear the scraping from the stand as I hang a left.
Either way, I don't think you can make a mistake with either one .. Congrats (in advance) for the new ride!!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 4,904
Likes: 9
From: Streetsboro, Oh
I say go for the 48 if that is the bike you like. I think out of the 3 the Iron looks the best hands down, but I will not buy an 883 when a 1200 is right there. I would get a Nightster over the 48, but that's just me.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 57
From: St. Louis, MO
Thanks for the info, guys. I think I said this already, but I really went there to check out a Nightster. I really, really, really like the looks of those bikes. But that 48 just kinda floored me!
I rode the 48 last and I have to say that I knew immediately I liked it the best. Even with forward controls, I still felt a tiny wee bit cramped on the Nightster. I was super stretched out on the 48. It just felt awesome!
I rode the 48 last and I have to say that I knew immediately I liked it the best. Even with forward controls, I still felt a tiny wee bit cramped on the Nightster. I was super stretched out on the 48. It just felt awesome!
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 2
From: South Africa
I wanted a 48 but couldn't get financing in time. If I had gotten it I would not have had all the road trip experiences and memories. I get about 200km off a tank and I'd probably choose the Nightster again.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,993
Likes: 57
From: St. Louis, MO
I'm getting this as a local bike. If my plans work out, I'll look into another touring model a few years down the road (and still keep this 48.)
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
The small tank is not as big of a pain as some are making it seem. No reason why you can't make trips/memories/experiences/friends/cupcakes....you just have to plan more fuel stops than others. So in a 350 mile trip a 48 would have to stop ~4 or 5 times while someone with a 3.3 tank has to stop 3 or 4? Big deal. Stopping for fuel more allows for more compliments which fuel my ego and make me more of a man. 
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 588
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere
The small tank is not as big of a pain as some are making it seem. No reason why you can't make trips/memories/experiences/friends/cupcakes....you just have to plan more fuel stops than others. So in a 350 mile trip a 48 would have to stop ~4 or 5 times while someone with a 3.3 tank has to stop 3 or 4? Big deal. Stopping for fuel more allows for more compliments which fuel my ego and make me more of a man.
So don't let the small tank deter you or anyone else from getting one. They are an amazing bike!
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,571
Likes: 2
From: South Africa
A majority of my riding will be under 50 miles a day, so that's not a huge concern for me. At the most, I'll probably go 200 miles in a day, which does mean a couple of trips to the gas station. Not a huge deal, though.
I'm getting this as a local bike. If my plans work out, I'll look into another touring model a few years down the road (and still keep this 48.)
I'm getting this as a local bike. If my plans work out, I'll look into another touring model a few years down the road (and still keep this 48.)
