At the heart of the 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Dark Custom custom - cruiser motorcycle, Harley-Davidson relies on a 1201.3 cc (73.3 cu in) air-cooled v2, four-stroke powerplant. In factory specification, maximum torque reaches 107.1 Nm (79 lb-ft) at 4,000 rpm, transferring power to the rear wheel through a 6-speed gearbox and belt final drive. Internal engine geometry specifies a bore and stroke of 88.9 x 96.8 mm (3.5 x 3.8 inches) with a 9.7:1 compression ratio.
On the scales, the Sportster Forty-Eight Dark Custom measures 259.9 kg (573 lbs) wet (curb). Rider ergonomics and chassis geometry center around a 660 mm (26 in) seat height — giving shorter riders and urban commuters confident flat-foot reach at traffic stops, combined with a 1,519 mm (59.8 in) wheelbase engineered for balanced agility and highway composure. The 7.95-liter (2.1 US gal) fuel tank paired with a rated consumption of 4.9 L/100 km provides an estimated theoretical range of roughly 162 km (101 miles) between fill-ups.
Within MotoLibrary's Harley-Davidson archive, this model family spans 5 indexed model years from 2013 to 2018, allowing buyers to track year-over-year changes in emissions tuning, weight and equipment.
Theoretical Range
~162 km (101 mi)
Engine
Displacement1201.3 ccm (73.30 cubic inches)
Engine TypeV2, four-stroke
Engine DetailsAir-cooled, Evolution®
Torque107.1 Nm (10.9 kgf-m or 79.0 ft.lbs) @ 4000 RPM
Compression9.7:1
Bore x Stroke88.9 x 96.8 mm (3.5 x 3.8 inches)
Fuel SystemInjection. Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
CoolingAir
Transmission
Gearbox6-speed
Final DriveBelt (final drive)
DrivelineChain, 57/38 ratio primary drive
Performance
Fuel Consumption4.90 litres/100 km (20.4 km/l or 48.00 mpg)
Greenhouse Gases113.7 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)
ExhaustChrome, staggered shorty exhaust with dual slash-cut mufflers
Chassis
Rake30.0°
Trail107 mm (4.2 inches)
Wheelbase1519 mm (59.8 inches)
Wheels & Brakes
Front Tyre130/90-B16
Rear Tyre150/80-B16
Front BrakesSingle disc. Dual-piston
Rear BrakesSingle disc. Single-piston
WheelsBlack, Laced Steel
Dimensions & Weight
Dry Weight250.8 kg (553.0 pounds)
Weight incl.259.9 kg (573.0 pounds)
Seat Height660 mm (26.0 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting.
Overall Length2250 mm (88.6 inches)
Fuel Capacity7.95 litres (2.10 US gallons)
Oil Capacity2.60 litres (2.75 US quarts)
Other
StarterElectric
Color OptionsVivid black, Hard candy chrome flake, Marrocco gold pearl, Blackend cayenne sunglo
Instruments4-inch Speedometer mounted low and integrated into handlebar clamp electronic speedometer with odometer, time-of-day clock on odometer, dual tripmeter, LED indicator lights
Use this page to compare this motorcycle by its real specifications, not only by model name. Focus on the details that affect fit, comfort, handling, range and ownership.
Torque
Torque is useful for judging real-world pull, especially for touring, commuting and loaded riding.
Seat Height
Check the seat height against your inseam and riding posture before choosing a motorcycle.
Weight
Compare weight carefully because it affects low-speed handling, parking and confidence.
Fuel Capacity
Fuel capacity helps estimate touring range and how often you may need to stop.
Brakes
Brake setup is worth comparing if you ride in traffic, mountains or with a passenger.
Transmission
Transmission and final drive affect maintenance, smoothness and everyday usability.
