48 owners please chime in, thinking of purchasing a 48, this will not be my first bike just contemplating returning to a sportster? only concern is the small peanut tank?
initial upgrades will be complete stage 1, nightster seat, mini apes, or fat mini apes,forward controls and a sissy bar for strapping luggage
anyone go from a softail to a sportster please chime in.
I have moved to a more congested area (VA Beach, VA) and am thinking a 48 will be a perfect
match for the area, I will probably be trading out of my 08 x bones
thanks
carl

 

I ride my 48 for pleasure only so the peanut tank does not bother me. I like how the bike looks and that's why I bought it.

Swap the tank if you dont care about the looks, or if it looks better to you

 

tank swap could be an option, love the looks of the 48 may take a test ride tomorrow

 

why not take a look at the 1200Custom? it sounds like its got the majority of mods you're interested in.
-I have a 48, love the peanut tank but I primarily use my scoot for work commute.

Crossbones is a mighty tuff bike, if you don't mind me asking, why the change up?

 

the 48 is a very cool sportster. I have a road king, wanted a lighter bike to rip around in and saw the 48. when I first pulled out of the dealer, it took a little bit of getting used to after being on big bikes for a long time. I even questioned if I did the right thing. went home, took a nap, got back out on the bike with the adrenaline gone, nice and relaxed....now, I love the 48, I might even sell the road king....just change the 48's seat it sucks, you'll end up on the fender a lot in the beginning ...lol...and personally, I think the 48 looks awesome stock even though I put an iron 3.3 tank on, which pretty much look the same. I needed the extra miles.

 

48 already has the forward controls you want.
Since you say you live in a congested area then you also live in an area with more gas stations to make up for the smaller tank. If you do need a bigger tank get a nightster tank so you don't lose the peanut shape.

I have an '11 48 and love it. it is my commuter for as long as the weather lets me and then some. Great bike that I can throw around in traffic, not as much as my old CBR, but very maneuverable. Even without a stage 1 my bike drags my *** around with ease and I have no issue pulling off a light and leaving traffic behind.

 

Peanut tank is killer in terms of looks, but I pretty much have to go to a gas station every other day. Its my commuter to work.

 

I have a 72, but The same tank. You'll get about 80 miles out of it on average. Some get more. I ride every day. My commute is about 22 miles round trip so I fill up every 3.5 days or so. I carry a small fuel bottle for emergencies but have only used it to skip the gas station when I'm in a rush.

You will love the Sporty. I had a Softail Deluxe for 33,000 miles and it was a great bike, but a little flat by comparison. The Sporty is much more raw, nimble, and just a ton of fun.

If you can swing it you might want to keep your Bones too. I love my Sporty, but I still like my Dyna (sold the Deluxe in '09). There is just still something nice about a big twin motor. Has it's own feel and sound. It's a nice contrast to the Sporty some days.

Test rides are great, but I rented the 72 for a day just to try it more thoroughly. I was sold. If I had to choose there's a good chance I'd let the Fatbob go...

 

I really like my 48 but did switch to a Nightster tank. Too many times I was cutting it close out in the country with the stock tank.

 

not sure but for me seems almost a no brainer to never change the tank on my 48.
Im didn't pay more for a 48 for people to think it was something else. But its a sporty none the less, do what you will to it.

If you want a bigger tank then look for a bigger bike.