I recently sold my very nice 2004 Road King Custom due to an impending divorce. Well now the divorce is final and I know how assraped I got (instead of just wondering), so it's time to think about another ride.

Yesterday, I rode a 1973 Sportster that was turned into a really super cool bobber. It was a hardtail and holy hell was it a rough ride. Very, very cool looks and it seemed to run great, but yikes! I can't imagine riding that around. He wanted $3,500 cash. Absolutely loved the looks, but I don't know how to work on bikes and the last thing I want to buy is something that will require alot of maintenance, so I passed.

Today, I went to a dealer I like and test rode a Nightster, 883 Iron, and a Forty-Eight.

I've loved the Nightster looks forever and it was a fun bike for sure. The only upgrade it had was forward controls. I could really feel the power difference when I got on the 883. Love the look of that Iron 883 too, but it had mid controls and no upgrades (plus the power difference bothered me.)

The last bike I rode was a used stock 2010 Forty-Eight. WOW! I absolutely LOVED that bike! It was a blast. The combo of forward controls and solo seat moved back far made it the most comfortable. The aggressive stance of the bike looks freaking awesome too. It was definitely the funnest bike I rode today. I do hate the gay tank graphics, though. It only had 700 miles on it.

I think I may get that Forty-Eight. I was trying to get into something used for $5,000 or so, but I couldn't find anything I liked at that price. It's just regular 'ole Sporters in that price range and I wanted something a little more special (no offense to anyone.)

So yeah... The Forty-Eight won for me! Did these just come out in 2010? What's the general opinion on these bikes? I'm going to search around the forum too, but I have to get ready and head out here shortly. I figured I'd go ahead and start my own thread on it. Don't shoot me!

Chris

 

If I had the opportunity to buy a new bike it would be the Nightster hands-down. And I would put a 48 tank on it.

 

The 48 has a very small tank, I think guys are getting about 70 miles a tank vs the nightster which will get around 120. I usually fill up in the 90-100 mile range to be safe though. That's the only downside to both these bikes, and they aren't the most comfortable (without upgrading shocks and seat of course) so it is nice to get off and fill up.

 

nice bikes, but if i had the opportunity to buy a new bike i wouldnt...

its a great time for fantastic deals on nice barely used bikes- check craigslist in your area or other sources.

 

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!!

 

SgtThump,

What kind of handlebars are those on your old RK Custom?

 

Love love love the 48!! Got a Nightster as I allowed folk to talk me out of a 48... D'oh! The point? Get what you like, and to hell with what others think you should have.

 

I just rode my Forty-Eight up Pikes Peak. Over the summer, they PAVED that bitch! Next year's Race to the Clouds will see all the old records shattered fo sure.

Well, the Forty-Eight did very well on the run. I certainly made my best time ever to the peak, grinnin' like a fool as I threw it through the switchbacks. I took time off work and did it on a weekday when there were very few tourists in the way. At the peak, I had to crank the engine for about a second or two before the computer realized, "wow, there's no air up here" and adjusted the mixture accordingly... as opposed to starting immediately like it does at more sane altitudes. Once started, performance didn't suffer a bit.

Bottom line? The Forty-Eight is FUN! The perfect ride for zooming around and raising hell. Those feelers on the footpegs are BEGGING to get ground down to nubs. However, I'm glad it's my second bike. The Sporty would need a lot of customization for long-distance travel and comfort. If you work your way back up to a bagger, don't sell the Forty-Eight! I've always missed my older Sporty since I traded up, and now that I have one again, I'll never be without.

FUUUN!

 

I traded my '92 Softail custom for
a 2010 Sportster "48' about 2 months
ago and I absolutely love it. It
rides great, has plenty of power
and will outrun my old man's
Fatboy. I took a 265 mile trip last
weekend, got 57 mpg and little or
no fatigue at the end. I say, go
for it..

 

I bought a 48 in May for the exact same reasons you did. I looked the Iron but didn't want the 883. I looked at the Nightster but didn't like the grey motor and fins combo with black and chrome. I also wanted forwards and that pushed the price up. The 48 just fit me better and looks super damn cool.
To answer the question you asked though, the 48 was a mid year entry in 2010.