I'm not a fan of the Sportster bike but she looks cool as a bobber.. 
48?
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 49
From: In the foothills of southwestern NC - US of A
How do we feel about the 48 as a barhopper? Well, some like the peanut tank, some don't...some like the wide front tire, some don't...most hate the seat, some don't...some like wire wheels, some don't...most say it's better than an 883, some don't...
So I would guess that "we" feel all over the place on the '48, just like "we" do about every other bike! I would venture to say that most who own one will say that it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, which wouldn't surprise me in the least, unless they had an Iron, in which case those guys would say that their Iron was the best thing since sliced bread, while the guys who have the softtails will say that...
'Best to decide for yourself instead of letting everyone else decide for you.
=8^)
So I would guess that "we" feel all over the place on the '48, just like "we" do about every other bike! I would venture to say that most who own one will say that it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, which wouldn't surprise me in the least, unless they had an Iron, in which case those guys would say that their Iron was the best thing since sliced bread, while the guys who have the softtails will say that...
'Best to decide for yourself instead of letting everyone else decide for you.
=8^)
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Bangkok
the 48 is my my foray into the HD world - coming from a sport bike background and, as a city bike, with style, bar to bar or whatever your preference is.... i love it! fun to ride. looks great. sounds better.
10+ for me
10+ for me
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,337
Likes: 9
From: Phoenix, AZ
I personally like the 48, it was the only Sportster that brought me back to the sporty models after 13 years of being away (from sportster's), as DrewBone so politically said there are some things some love and others hate and vice-versa, I personally like it all with just a few minor changes.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Rochester
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 1,208
From: Ohio
It's an awesome bike! All of the Sportsters are excellent machines and offer a lot of bang for the buck...especially when buying used. Harley has done a great job making the bikes very reliable and offering them with a lot of 'style' and almost a custom look from the factory. The 48, Iron and the 72 are especially trick as new bikes. The 48 pays tribute to the bobber era, the 72 to the early 70s choppers and the Iron is just menacing looking. You could do a good stage 1 on these bikes and literally be set for decades.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 8,218
Likes: 827
From: Reston, Va
I gotta say, Dude, I'm not so much worried about the "48" part of your question as I am about the "barhopper" part, and the implication of using both in the same sentence.
There's drinking and then there's riding. The two should never mix. That's just my opinion, of course.
There's drinking and then there's riding. The two should never mix. That's just my opinion, of course.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 858
Likes: 20
From: USA
How do we feel about the 48 as a barhopper? Well, some like the peanut tank, some don't...some like the wide front tire, some don't...most hate the seat, some don't...some like wire wheels, some don't...most say it's better than an 883, some don't...
So I would guess that "we" feel all over the place on the '48, just like "we" do about every other bike! I would venture to say that most who own one will say that it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, which wouldn't surprise me in the least, unless they had an Iron, in which case those guys would say that their Iron was the best thing since sliced bread, while the guys who have the softtails will say that...
'Best to decide for yourself instead of letting everyone else decide for you.
=8^)
So I would guess that "we" feel all over the place on the '48, just like "we" do about every other bike! I would venture to say that most who own one will say that it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, which wouldn't surprise me in the least, unless they had an Iron, in which case those guys would say that their Iron was the best thing since sliced bread, while the guys who have the softtails will say that...
'Best to decide for yourself instead of letting everyone else decide for you.
=8^)