Across 5 covered model years from 1948 to 1952, the Harley-Davidson EL motorcycle has a listed dry weight of 551.2 lb (250 kg).
Harley-Davidson EL weight overview
This is firmly on the heavier side. The real penalty is not necessarily normal riding; it is low-speed work, awkward parking and moving the bike around manually. The comparison uses dry weight because a usable wet/running figure was not supplied, so the actual ready-to-ride motorcycle will be heavier.
Heavy Motorcycle
How heavy is the Harley-Davidson EL?
dry weight
Using a model-level dry weight comparison, the Harley-Davidson EL is lighter than about 69.6% of 51 Harley-Davidson custom/cruiser motorcycles with compatible weight data.
Dry weight
Bike + rider total weight
These totals use the model’s representative dry weight. They exclude riding gear, luggage and a passenger.
Harley-Davidson EL weight & related specs
| Model years covered | 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952 |
|---|---|
| Dry weight | 551.2 lb (250 kg) |
| Engine displacement | 999.7 cc |
| Fuel capacity | 3.75 US gal (14.19 L) |
| Full-tank fuel weight (estimated) | 23.3 lb (10.6 kg) |
Weight changes by model year
Useful weight calculations
| Displacement per pound | 1.81 cc / lb |
|---|---|
| Weight per 100 cc | 55.1 lb / 100 cc |
| Fuel weight as % of bike weight | 4.2% |
| Weight with full tank | 574.5 lb (260.6 kg) |
What the weight numbers tell you
Harley-Davidson EL weight FAQ
How heavy is the Harley-Davidson EL?
Listed dry weight is 551.2 lb (250 kg). Because no usable wet/running figure was supplied, treat that as a lower starting point rather than the exact on-road weight.
Is the Harley-Davidson EL heavy compared with other Harley-Davidson custom/cruiser motorcycles?
It is on the lighter side in this dataset. Its representative dry weight sits around the 30th weight percentile among 51 Harley-Davidson custom/cruiser motorcycles, meaning most compatible models are heavier.
Does the Harley-Davidson EL weight change by model year?
Not in the usable weight data on this page. Across the covered 1948-1952 years, the supplied weight figure remains the same where comparable values are available.
How much does the Harley-Davidson EL fuel weigh?
The listed tank capacity is 3.75 US gal (14.19 L). Using approximately 0.745 kg/L gasoline, a full tank is roughly 23.3 lb (10.6 kg). That is an estimate for fuel mass, not an official Harley-Davidson curb-weight calculation.
How heavy is the Harley-Davidson EL with an average-size rider?
A 180 lb rider brings the simple bike-plus-rider total to roughly 731.2 lb (331.6 kg) using the representative dry figure. Gear and luggage would add more.
Can I treat the Harley-Davidson EL dry weight as curb weight?
No. The usable figure is dry weight, so it excludes at least some operating fluids. Dry weight plus the estimated full fuel load is about 574.5 lb (260.6 kg), and oil/coolant or definition differences may add more.
What is the Harley-Davidson EL full-tank weight estimate?
The page calculates about 574.5 lb (260.6 kg) with a full tank by adding the listed fuel mass to the dry figure. Treat this as a practical estimate, not an official Harley-Davidson curb-weight number.
How large is the Harley-Davidson EL engine for its weight?
Engine displacement relative to bike weight is 1.81 cc per lb. It can help compare motorcycles from very different displacement classes without relying on cc alone.
Is the Harley-Davidson EL above or below the typical Harley-Davidson custom/cruiser motorcycle weight?
The model sits about 48.5 lb (22 kg) lighter than the compatible median Harley-Davidson custom/cruiser motorcycle weight used on this page.
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.