Harley-Davidson XL1200XS Forty-Eight Special

Harley-Davidson XL1200XS Forty-Eight Special
Manufacturer	Harley-Davidson
Production	2018 - 19
Engine	Evolution, four stroke, 45° V-Twin, OHV, 2 valves per cylinder
Compression ratio	10.01:1
Ignition	Digital CDI
Transmission	5 Speed
Frame	Mild steel, tubular frame; circular sections; cast junctions Swingarm Mild steel, rectangular tube sections, stamped junctions; MIG welded
Suspension	Front: Front forks with cartridge dampening technology Rear: Emulsion technology rear shocks with 50 mm range of pre-load adjustability and an under-seat, rear shock suspension adjustment wrench
Brakes	Front: Single 300mm disc, 2 x 38mm piston calipers Rear: Single 300mm disc, 2 x 38mm piston calipers
Front Tire	130/90 B16 73H
Rear Tire	150/80 B16 77H
Wheelbase	1495 mm / 58.9 in
Seat Height	705 mm / 27.7 in Unladen
Weight	248 kg / 540 lbs (dry), 256 kg / 564 lbs (wet)
Oil Capacity	2.6 Liters / 0.69 US gal
Fuel Capacity	7.9 Liters / 2.1 US gal
Manuals	Service Manual

Engine

The engine was a Air cooled cooled Evolution, four stroke, 45° V-Twin, OHV, 2 valves per cylinder. The engine featured a 10.01:1 compression ratio.

Chassis

It came with a 130/90 B16 73H front tire and a 150/80 B16 77H rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Single 300mm disc, 2 x 38mm piston calipers in the front and a Single 300mm disc, 2 x 38mm piston calipers in the rear. The front suspension was a Front forks with cartridge dampening technology while the rear was equipped with a Emulsion technology rear shocks with 50 mm range of pre-load adjustability and an under-seat, rear shock suspension adjustment wrench. The XL1200XS Forty-Eight Special was fitted with a 7.9 Liters / 2.1 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 248 kg / 540 lbs. The wheelbase was 1495 mm / 58.9 in long.

Photos

Overview

Harley Davidson Forty Eight Special

Harley-Davidson® (NYSE:HOG) adds to the long legacy of its Sportster™ motorcycle line with the introduction of the Iron 1200™ and Forty-Eight™ Special models. The latest in a line of 100 high-impact motorcycles the company plans to introduce by 2027, these new high-bar Sportsters combine throw-back styling trends from the custom-bike scene with the solid foundation of the Sportster platform and the punchy performance of the Evolution 1200 V-Twin engine.

Since its introduction in 1957, Sportster motorcycles have been repeatedly reimagined in the hands of both the Motor Company and bike owners: The Sportster as a bobber, a chopper, a scrambler and a café racer; as a hero on flat tracks and drag strips and road-race courses; as an accessible entry-point for first-time riders, and as a custom-of-one cruiser.

“Since its inception, the Sportster has offered the perfect combination of size, power and character that makes it appealing to so many different riders,” said Brad Richards, Harley-Davidson V.P. of Styling & Design. “A Sportster is a relatively easy bike to strip down and reinvent. What we’ve done to create the new Iron 1200 and Forty-Eight Special is what Sportster owners have been doing with their own bikes for generations.”

New fuel tank graphics distinguish both the Iron 1200 and the Forty-Eight Special, and combine bold color stripes with a formal typeface, color and graphic elements originally popular in the 1970s.

“The art on these two fuel tanks reflect contemporary trends we are seeing on custom bikes and in design in general, a move away from more complex and intricate art to a look that’s very simple and clean,” said Richards. “It’s also important to note that these graphics respect the shape of the fuel tank and in the case of the Sportster, that tank shape is a classic design element in its own right.”

Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special

The Forty-Eight Special is a high-barred, 70s-inspired design. However, it’s got a smaller 2.2 gallon tank, smaller, wider front wheel and the ape hangers are a different design. Richards said: “We specifically selected the Tallboy bar for its shape. It offers less pull-back than the Mini-Ape, a look that really works with the steamroller front end and the smaller fuel tank on the Forty-Eight Special model.”

That 2.2-gallon “peanut” Sportster fuel tank features rows of bold, horizontal stripes framing a simple Harley-Davidson text logo. The fuel tank is available in three color options: Vivid Black, Wicked Red, and Billiard White.

The burly front end of the Forty-Eight Special – a wide front tire framed by fat forks – looks especially menacing when topped with a gloss-black Tallboy handlebar. The Evolution 1200 engine features a black top end over an expanse of brilliant chrome covers plus chrome muffler and exhaust shields. Chrome lower rocker boxes, pushrod tubes and tappet covers contrast with the black cylinders to highlight the V-Twin engine shape. High-performance Michelin Scorcher 31 tires front and rear are mounted on Black Split 9-Spoke Cast Aluminum wheels.

The Harley-Davidson Smart Security System and anti-lock braking system (ABS) are factory-installed options for the Forty-Eight Special model.

Features:

1200 Evolution® Engine 1200cc at your command to deliver tons of torque for an unforgettably fun ride.

Dark Custom Style A balance of blacked-out and chrome finishes give it that authentic custom attitude.

Gas tank on a 2019 Forty-Eight Special motorcycle Throwback 70’s Custom Tank Art Authentic bold 70’s-inspired tank graphic and badge shows the bike’s retro roots.

Bold Muscular Attitude

A bulldog stance with a slammed speedometer and peanut tank, massive triple clamps, and 49mm front forks.

Handlebars on a 2019 Forty-Eight Special motorcycle Tallboy® Handlebars Ride with your fists in the wind with the black Tallboy® handlebars. Shaped to provide the ideal balance of rise and width.

Seat on Forty-Eight Special motorcycle Optimized Seat Design A ribbed, solo-style seat for all-day cruising comfort while maintaining the bike’s minimalist style.

Rear shocks on a 2019 Forty-Eight Special motorcycle Emulsion Rear Shock With Screw Adjuster. Features an Emulsion rear shock with a screw pre-load adjuster that soaks up every bump the street throws your way, and easily adjusts to fit your riding style.

Front tire on a 2019 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special Split 9-Spoke Cast Aluminum Wheels Split nine-spoke wheels that are black as night from rim to rubber to compliment the Dark Custom look.

Make Model	Harley Davidson Forty-Eight Special
Year	2018 - 19
Engine Type	Evolution, four stroke, 45° V-Twin, OHV, 2 valves per cylinder
Displacement	1202 cc / 73.4 cu in
Bore X Stroke	88.9 x 96.8 mm
Cooling System	Air cooled
Compression	10.01:1
Exhaust	Exhaust Black, staggered exhaust with slash-cut mufflers
Induction	Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Ignition	Digital CDI
Starting	Electric
Max Torque	99 Nm / 73 ft/lbs @ 3500 rpm
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Belt
Primary Drive Chain	38/57 ratio
Gear Ratio	1st 9.315 / 2nd 6.653 / 3rd 4.948 / 4th 4.102 / 5th 3.517
Frame	Mild steel, tubular frame; circular sections; cast junctions Swingarm Mild steel, rectangular tube sections, stamped junctions; MIG welded
Front Suspension	Front forks with cartridge dampening technology
Rear Suspension	Emulsion technology rear shocks with 50 mm range of pre-load adjustability and an under-seat, rear shock suspension adjustment wrench
Front Brakes	Single 300mm disc, 2 x 38mm piston calipers
Rear Brakes	Single 300mm disc, 2 x 38mm piston calipers
Front Wheel	Black, Split 9-Spoke Cast Aluminum
Rear Wheel	Black, Split 9-Spoke Cast Aluminum
Front Tire	130/90 B16 73H
Rear Tire	150/80 B16 77H
Rake	30.2°
Trail	135 mm / 5.3 in
Dimensions	Length 2165 mm / 85.2 in
Wheelbase	1495 mm / 58.9 in
Seat Height	705 mm / 27.7 in Unladen
Ground Clearance	110 mm / 4.3 in
Lean Angle (left)	27.1º
Lean Angle (right)	27.1º
Dry Weight	248 kg / 540 lbs
Wet Weight	256 kg / 564 lbs
Oil Capacity	2.6 Liters / 0.69 US gal
Fuel Capacity	7.9 Liters / 2.1 US gal