Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

48 Second Thoughts Help

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 19, 2011 | 07:19 PM
  #1  
dirtnerd's Avatar
dirtnerd
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Up North
Default 48 Second Thoughts Help

Just put the deposit down on a black 48, first Harley(grew up riding my Dads). I have always liked sportsters and the 48 looks awesome. I am a little nervous about it because I am 6'1' and 220lbs but it felt really good to ride.
Too small maybe??? I need some reassurance from some tall riders.

Thanks.
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2011 | 07:24 PM
  #2  
TennesseeMustangPerf's Avatar
TennesseeMustangPerf
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,828
Likes: 8
Default

Two inches taller, yeah... but a few lbs. lighter than me. And I ride a Nightster all the time! Stick with the bike, it will be your best friend on more than one occasion! Great bike!
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2011 | 07:25 PM
  #3  
jockeyshiftjoe's Avatar
jockeyshiftjoe
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Default

Im 6'2 260lbs, it feels just as comfortable as any other sporty, don't worry about it, the aftermarket scene is flooded with feel good accessories, from forward controls, mini apes, taller risers, different seats, highway bars, etc... even if you feel abit cramped or like a new york pretzel on a tricycle always remember J&P Cycles is your friend no worries you'll be fine. Best Wishes. -Joe
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2011 | 07:39 PM
  #4  
GudOlBoy's Avatar
GudOlBoy
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Default

Im 6' 210. Love mine. I had second thoughts too, but only cause of the $$$$. I spent a year talking myself into it, then when I did that I spent another month trying to talk myself out of it. Check out this thread...

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...c-request.html
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2011 | 08:13 PM
  #5  
Certainteed's Avatar
Certainteed
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 12
From: Mount Holly, NC
Default

i wouldn't marry a super-model with no vagina. nor would i buy a bike thats not comfortable.
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2011 | 08:25 PM
  #6  
solo48's Avatar
solo48
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: defuniak springs, florida
Default

6 foot tall and 200 pounds, aside from my bars my 48 is how it came from dealer and i ride everychance i get without complication. but only you can decide if it is right for you. with that said good luck and enjoy whatever you decide on!
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2011 | 08:47 PM
  #7  
Aaron48's Avatar
Aaron48
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 0
From: Cottage Grove MN
Default

I am 6' 230lbs ride that sumbitch !!! I ride my 48 every chance I get. Get some taller bars and you will be all good.
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2011 | 11:22 PM
  #8  
dirtnerd's Avatar
dirtnerd
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Up North
Default

Thanks a lot, that's great! I pick it up Wednesday morning.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 19, 2011 | 11:26 PM
  #9  
UFOtestpilot's Avatar
UFOtestpilot
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 516
Likes: 2
From: Portland Oregon, USA
Default

Congratulations!

I'm 6'1"+, 210 lbs and the only thing that I would do for comfort is get the seat back an inch and the controls more forward an inch (which aftermarket pegs would likely be close to). However, it is not uncomfortable by any stretch of the imagination.

Enjoy the ride.
 
Reply
Old Sep 19, 2011 | 11:30 PM
  #10  
INNOVA's Avatar
INNOVA
Novice
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: louisville, KY
Default

Originally Posted by GudOlBoy
Im 6' 210. Love mine. I had second thoughts too, but only cause of the $$$$. I spent a year talking myself into it, then when I did that I spent another month trying to talk myself out of it. Check out this thread...

https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...c-request.html

GudOlBoy... what setup do you have for your double-up seat and sissy bar? That is exactly what I've been looking for.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:06 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE