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

The Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Dark Custom motorcycle dimensions for 2013-2018 is length 85 in (2,159 mm) to 88.8 in (2,255 mm), wheelbase 59.3 in (1,506 mm) to 59.8 in (1,520 mm), seat height 26 in (660 mm) to 28 in (710 mm), and the ground clearance is 3.9 in (100 mm).

Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Dark Custom dimensions at a glance

Overall length
85 in (2,159 mm) to 88.8 in (2,255 mm)
nose to tail
Wheelbase
59.3 in (1,506 mm) to 59.8 in (1,520 mm)
axle-to-axle distance
Seat height
26 in (660 mm) to 28 in (710 mm)
rider seat height
Ground clearance
3.9 in (100 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.

Length88.6 in (2,250 mm)
Observed category range: 83.9 in (2,130 mm) to 105.8 in (2,687 mm)
Wheelbase59.8 in (1,519 mm)
Observed category range: 58.9 in (1,495 mm) to 67.3 in (1,709 mm)
Seat height27.3 in (693 mm)
Observed category range: 23.2 in (590 mm) to 30.9 in (785 mm)
Clearance3.9 in (100 mm)
Observed category range: 3.7 in (95 mm) to 8.1 in (205 mm)

Compared with the category median

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

Length24th percentile
This model
88.6 in (2,250 mm)
Category median
93 in (2,362 mm)
4.4 in below the category median from 98 comparable Harley-Davidson models.
Wheelbase18th percentile
This model
59.8 in (1,519 mm)
Category median
63.5 in (1,613 mm)
3.7 in below the category median from 101 comparable Harley-Davidson models.
Seat height60th percentile
This model
27.3 in (693 mm)
Category median
26.8 in (680 mm)
0.5 in above the category median from 96 comparable Harley-Davidson models.
Clearance11th percentile
This model
3.9 in (100 mm)
Category median
4.9 in (125 mm)
1 in below the category median from 97 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

2013-201488.6 in (2,250 mm)
2015-201688.8 in (2,255 mm)
201885 in (2,159 mm)
Difference across supplied years: 3.8 in (96 mm)

Wheelbase

2013-201459.8 in (1,519 mm)
2015-201659.8 in (1,520 mm)
201859.3 in (1,506 mm)
Difference across supplied years: 0.6 in (14 mm)

Seat height

2013-201426 in (660 mm)
2015-201628 in (710 mm)
201827.3 in (693 mm)
Difference across supplied years: 2 in (50 mm)

Useful dimension ratios

Seat height feel

About 27.3 in — a higher-than-typical seat height. This is a geometry comparison, not a guarantee of rider fit.

Wheelbase / length

67.5% 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 28.8 in (731 mm) combined beyond the axle-to-axle distance.

Clearance / wheelbase

6.6%. 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 88.6 in (2,250 mm) 93 in (2,362 mm) 4.4 in below median
Wheelbase 59.8 in (1,519 mm) 63.5 in (1,613 mm) 3.7 in below median
Seat height 27.3 in (693 mm) 26.8 in (680 mm) 0.5 in above median
Ground clearance 3.9 in (100 mm) 4.9 in (125 mm) 1 in below median

Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Dark Custom dimensions FAQ

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

The representative seat height is 27.3 in (693 mm), which is a higher-than-typical seat height. 0.5 in above the category median.

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

The representative wheelbase is 59.8 in (1,519 mm), giving the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Dark Custom a very short wheelbase for its category. 3.7 in below the category median. The wheelbase is about 67.5% of overall length.

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

The representative ground clearance is 3.9 in (100 mm), which is very low ground clearance for its category. 1 in below the category median.

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

The representative overall length is 88.6 in (2,250 mm), making the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Dark Custom shorter than most comparable Harley-Davidson models. 4.4 in below the category median.

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

The biggest supplied shift is in overall length: decreased from 88.6 in (2,250 mm) in 2013-2014 to 85 in (2,159 mm) in 2018, a change of 3.6 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 Dark Custom?

The main listed figures are overall length 88.6 in (2,250 mm), wheelbase 59.8 in (1,519 mm), seat height 27.3 in (693 mm), and ground clearance 3.9 in (100 mm). Its clearance-to-wheelbase ratio is about 6.6%, which is a simple way to relate ground clearance to the bike’s axle spacing.