Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Dimensions (Length, Width & Height)

The Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight motorcycle dimensions for 2013-2020 is length 85.2 in (2,164 mm) to 88.6 in (2,250 mm), wheelbase 58.9 in (1,495 mm) to 59.8 in (1,519 mm), seat height 26 in (660 mm) to 28 in (710 mm), and the ground clearance is 3.9 in (99 mm) to 4.3 in (110 mm).

Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight dimensions at a glance

Overall length
85.2 in (2,164 mm) to 88.6 in (2,250 mm)
nose to tail
Wheelbase
58.9 in (1,495 mm) to 59.8 in (1,519 mm)
axle-to-axle distance
Seat height
26 in (660 mm) to 28 in (710 mm)
rider seat height
Ground clearance
3.9 in (99 mm) to 4.3 in (110 mm)
lowest listed clearance

Dimension charts

Position within similar Harley-Davidson models

Representative dimensions shown within the observed range for comparable Harley-Davidson models in the same category.

Length87 in (2,210 mm)
Observed category range: 50.2 in (1,275 mm) to 105.8 in (2,687 mm)
Wheelbase58.9 in (1,495 mm)
Observed category range: 58.9 in (1,495 mm) to 69.3 in (1,760 mm)
Seat height26.2 in (665 mm)
Observed category range: 24.3 in (616 mm) to 30.5 in (774 mm)
Clearance4.3 in (110 mm)
Observed category range: 3.8 in (97 mm) to 8.1 in (205 mm)

Compared with the category median

Percentile and median comparisons use the same comparable Harley-Davidson model group.

Length6th percentile
This model
87 in (2,210 mm)
Category median
92.8 in (2,357 mm)
5.8 in below the category median from 174 comparable Harley-Davidson models.
Wheelbase1st percentile
This model
58.9 in (1,495 mm)
Category median
64.2 in (1,630 mm)
5.3 in below the category median from 185 comparable Harley-Davidson models.
Seat height34th percentile
This model
26.2 in (665 mm)
Category median
26.7 in (678 mm)
0.5 in below the category median from 177 comparable Harley-Davidson models.
Clearance11th percentile
This model
4.3 in (110 mm)
Category median
4.9 in (125 mm)
0.6 in below the category median from 167 comparable Harley-Davidson models.

Specification differences by model year

Only dimensions that actually change between the supplied years are shown below. Unchanged specifications are omitted.

Overall length

2013-201588.6 in (2,250 mm)
2016-201887 in (2,210 mm)
2019-202085.2 in (2,164 mm)
Difference across supplied years: 3.4 in (86 mm)

Wheelbase

2013-201559.8 in (1,519 mm)
2016-202058.9 in (1,495 mm)
Difference across supplied years: 0.9 in (24 mm)

Seat height

2013-201526 in (660 mm)
2016-201828 in (710 mm)
2019-202026.2 in (665 mm)
Difference across supplied years: 2 in (50 mm)

Ground clearance

2013-20153.9 in (99 mm)
2016-20204.3 in (110 mm)
Difference across supplied years: 0.4 in (11 mm)

Useful dimension ratios

Seat height feel

About 26.2 in — a lower-than-typical seat height. This is a geometry comparison, not a guarantee of rider fit.

Wheelbase / length

67.6% of overall length. This shows how much of the bike’s total length is axle-to-axle distance rather than overhang.

Length beyond wheelbase

About 28.1 in (715 mm) combined beyond the axle-to-axle distance.

Clearance / wheelbase

7.4%. A simple ratio showing listed ground clearance relative to wheelbase.

How its dimensions compare

Compared with other Harley-Davidson models in the same Bikez category where enough usable data is available.

Dimension This model Category median Difference
Overall length 87 in (2,210 mm) 92.8 in (2,357 mm) 5.8 in below median
Wheelbase 58.9 in (1,495 mm) 64.2 in (1,630 mm) 5.3 in below median
Seat height 26.2 in (665 mm) 26.7 in (678 mm) 0.5 in below median
Ground clearance 4.3 in (110 mm) 4.9 in (125 mm) 0.6 in below median

Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight dimensions FAQ

Is the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight seat height low or tall?

The representative seat height is 26.2 in (665 mm), which is a lower-than-typical seat height. 0.5 in below the category median.

Does the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight have a short or long wheelbase?

The representative wheelbase is 58.9 in (1,495 mm), giving the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight a very short wheelbase for its category. 5.3 in below the category median. The wheelbase is about 67.6% of overall length.

How much ground clearance does the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight have?

The representative ground clearance is 4.3 in (110 mm), which is very low ground clearance for its category. 0.6 in below the category median.

Is the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight compact or large?

The representative overall length is 87 in (2,210 mm), making the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight very compact for its category. 5.8 in below the category median.

Did the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight dimensions change much by year?

The biggest supplied shift is in overall length: decreased from 88.6 in (2,250 mm) in 2013-2015 to 85.2 in (2,164 mm) in 2019-2020, a change of 3.4 in. Check the year-by-year section above for the full breakdown.

What is the main dimension takeaway for the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight?

The main listed figures are overall length 87 in (2,210 mm), wheelbase 58.9 in (1,495 mm), seat height 26.2 in (665 mm), and ground clearance 4.3 in (110 mm). Its clearance-to-wheelbase ratio is about 7.4%, which is a simple way to relate ground clearance to the bike’s axle spacing.