Across 8 covered model years from 2013 to 2020, the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight motorcycle has supplied wet/running weights ranging from 555.6 lb (252 kg) to 573 lb (259.9 kg) and dry weights ranging from 544.5 lb (247 kg) to 552.9 lb (250.8 kg), depending on model year.
Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight weight overview
At this weight, footing and parking technique matter. Once moving, geometry and balance can disguise the mass, but you still have to manage the full weight at walking speed.
Heavy Motorcycle
How heavy is the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight?
wet weight
Using a model-level wet weight comparison, the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight is lighter than about 89.6% of 168 Harley-Davidson custom/cruiser motorcycles with compatible weight data.
Dry vs ready-to-ride weight
Bike + rider total weight
These totals use the model’s representative wet weight. They exclude riding gear, luggage and a passenger.
Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight weight & related specs
| Model years covered | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 |
|---|---|
| Wet / running weight | 555.6 lb (252 kg) to 573 lb (259.9 kg) |
| Dry weight | 544.5 lb (247 kg) to 552.9 lb (250.8 kg) |
| Engine displacement | 1,201.3 cc to 1,202 cc |
| Power | 65 hp to 67 hp |
| Torque | 70.8 lb-ft (96 Nm) to 79 lb-ft (107.1 Nm) |
| Fuel capacity | 2.09 US gal (7.9 L) to 2.1 US gal (7.95 L) |
| Full-tank fuel weight (estimated) | 13 lb (5.9 kg) to 13.1 lb (5.9 kg) |
Weight changes by model year
The 2013 model is used as the baseline where data is available. Only later supplied values that differ are shown below. A year pill does not mean every individual weight field was supplied for that year.
Useful weight calculations
| Horsepower per 100 lb | 11.7 hp / 100 lb to 12.06 hp / 100 lb |
|---|---|
| Pounds per horsepower | 8.29 lb / hp to 8.55 lb / hp |
| Torque per 100 lb | 12.36 lb-ft / 100 lb to 13.79 lb-ft / 100 lb |
| Displacement per pound | 2.1 cc / lb to 2.16 cc / lb |
| Weight per 100 cc | 46.2 lb / 100 cc to 47.7 lb / 100 cc |
| Fuel weight as % of bike weight | 2.3% to 2.3% |
| Weight with full tank | 557.5 lb (252.9 kg) to 566 lb (256.7 kg) |
What the weight numbers tell you
Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight weight FAQ
What is the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight dry and wet weight?
Across the covered 2013-2020 years, listed wet/running weight is 555.6 lb (252 kg) to 573 lb (259.9 kg) and listed dry weight is 544.5 lb (247 kg) to 552.9 lb (250.8 kg). Check the year-change section because the exact figure can vary by model year.
Is the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight lighter or heavier than other Harley-Davidson custom/cruiser motorcycles?
It is comparatively light for this Harley-Davidson category. The model lands near the 10th percentile for weight in the compatible dataset.
Which Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight years have different weight specs?
The supplied data shows different weight figures across the 2013-2020 model years. Use the year-specific changes section above for the exact value attached to each changed year.
How much does a full tank add to the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight?
Based on the supplied 2.09 US gal (7.9 L) to 2.1 US gal (7.95 L) tank capacity, the gasoline itself weighs about 13 lb (5.9 kg) to 13.1 lb (5.9 kg) when full. This helps explain part of the difference between dry and ready-to-ride mass.
What is the combined Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight and rider weight?
Using the model’s representative wet/running weight and a 180 lb rider, the combined bike-and-rider mass is about 741.1 lb (336.1 kg) before riding gear, luggage or a passenger.
What is the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight power-to-weight ratio?
Available model-year data produces 11.7 hp per 100 lb to 12.06 hp per 100 lb. It shows engine output relative to motorcycle mass rather than just quoting peak horsepower. That places it around the 78th percentile within the compatible Harley-Davidson custom / cruiser power-to-weight comparison.
What is the estimated Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight weight with a full tank of gas?
Using the listed dry weight plus the calculated fuel mass, the estimated weight with a full tank is 557.5 lb (252.9 kg) to 566 lb (256.7 kg). That still may not equal official curb weight because dry-weight definitions can exclude other fluids or equipment.
What is the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight torque per 100 lb of bike weight?
Where compatible torque and weight figures are available, the model works out to 12.36 lb-ft per 100 lb to 13.79 lb-ft per 100 lb. This gives more context than torque alone because it relates engine twist to the mass it has to move.
How many cc does the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight have per pound?
The available figures work out to 2.1 cc per lb to 2.16 cc per lb. This is not a performance rating, but it is a useful way to compare engine size against total motorcycle mass.
Motorcycle specifications can vary by model year, market, equipment and the exact dry/curb-weight definition. Calculated fuel-weight and ratio figures on this page are estimates derived from the supplied specifications. Confirm critical figures in the owner’s manual or on the official Harley-Davidson website.