New guy here!!!
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Stage IV
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: somwhere
New guy here!!!
My name is Dave and I am in Afghanistan due to come home in a couple months. I have been researching bikes for a long time and I think i have narrowed one of my options to the sportster 48. Anyone have any pros/cons to this particular model. Another thing is do the dealerships sell the V&H short shot exhaust or is that something I need to order elsewhere, if so can one of you link the site that will fit the 48.......thanks in advance.
Welcome & happy to hear you're coming home!
The 48 is a great bike. Dealerships do sell the pipes but you'll probably find them much cheaper elsewhere. Even from Ebay. Pipes are simple to install if they're specifically for your bike. Swap out your own pipes and save even more money. Dealership prices are ridiculous...unless you can get them to work it all in your purchase price.
Where is "home" anyway?
The 48 is a great bike. Dealerships do sell the pipes but you'll probably find them much cheaper elsewhere. Even from Ebay. Pipes are simple to install if they're specifically for your bike. Swap out your own pipes and save even more money. Dealership prices are ridiculous...unless you can get them to work it all in your purchase price.
Where is "home" anyway?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4,828
Likes: 8
Welcome home Dave, and thank you for your service!
Mike is right, the dealership can get the pipes for you, but will charge an arm and a leg. Cheaper off just about any other retailer, and really easy to change out.
The Forty Eight is a great bike! Your best bet is to ride one as well as a comparable bike such as a Nightster and see the difference in the feel. The mid glide front end on the Forty Eight is a little different, but nice. The bike is really peppy and has a great sound and feel to it. You will likely get a few replies about the tank (since you did ask for pros/cons), it is smaller than found on the Nightster, and some people just don't like the look. The look is a matter of taste, but the smaller tank will reduce the distance of travel between fill ups. Others will also likely tell you that they do not like the seat. I personally like it, but it can give a feel like you are about to fall off the bike. Thing to keep in mind is that anything such as forward controls, tank, or seat that you do not like can be swapped out with a comparable counterpart such as a Nightster or Iron, and the dealership will likely do this for you if it is gonna be a deal breaker. There are several Irons with Forty Eight seats, and Nightsters with Forty Eight tanks floating around Knoxville because the dealerships changed them out for free. Also, make sure to bring in your military I.D., our local shops recognize military personnel and give discounts.
Again, thank you for your service, have a safe trip home, and Merry Christmas!
Mike is right, the dealership can get the pipes for you, but will charge an arm and a leg. Cheaper off just about any other retailer, and really easy to change out.
The Forty Eight is a great bike! Your best bet is to ride one as well as a comparable bike such as a Nightster and see the difference in the feel. The mid glide front end on the Forty Eight is a little different, but nice. The bike is really peppy and has a great sound and feel to it. You will likely get a few replies about the tank (since you did ask for pros/cons), it is smaller than found on the Nightster, and some people just don't like the look. The look is a matter of taste, but the smaller tank will reduce the distance of travel between fill ups. Others will also likely tell you that they do not like the seat. I personally like it, but it can give a feel like you are about to fall off the bike. Thing to keep in mind is that anything such as forward controls, tank, or seat that you do not like can be swapped out with a comparable counterpart such as a Nightster or Iron, and the dealership will likely do this for you if it is gonna be a deal breaker. There are several Irons with Forty Eight seats, and Nightsters with Forty Eight tanks floating around Knoxville because the dealerships changed them out for free. Also, make sure to bring in your military I.D., our local shops recognize military personnel and give discounts.
Again, thank you for your service, have a safe trip home, and Merry Christmas!
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: somwhere
Thanks guys!!!
Home for me is south florida and I am currently not in the military. I am a civilian intelligence contractor but I did my time with the Army.
On the V&H site I found the exhaust but the only problem is that it says it fits sporters 2004-2012.....does this include the entire range? I only ask because of the forward controls of the 48 might get in the way. I apologize for my ignorance in these matters.
Here is the link to the exhaust - http://www.vanceandhines.com/store/d...lsystems/47219
Home for me is south florida and I am currently not in the military. I am a civilian intelligence contractor but I did my time with the Army.
On the V&H site I found the exhaust but the only problem is that it says it fits sporters 2004-2012.....does this include the entire range? I only ask because of the forward controls of the 48 might get in the way. I apologize for my ignorance in these matters.
Here is the link to the exhaust - http://www.vanceandhines.com/store/d...lsystems/47219
They fit with forwards and mids.
Here's a video you can check out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKi-ZjtE94c
Here's a video you can check out
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKi-ZjtE94c
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 10,216
Likes: 224
From: Glendale AZ
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If you leave the air cleaner completely stock you don't need the "flash". The dealership may try to push the stage one dealer download and that's fine but you don't need it unless you want to squeeze the best performance out that you can...or change the air cleaner to something with better flow. However, the Short Shots are infamous for being an aesthetic pipe over a performance pipe so the download won't get you much.
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