Bennie, I think you got the idea at the end. It's about fun. I have been riding my 2014 "48" for nearly two years now and love it. It's my 3rd. Sportster since 1975. I tend to keep my bikes for years. I agree with lots of what you say. First I switched out the seat to a solo Bates style springer. Then I swapped the peanut tank for a 4.5 gal. tank.Then I put a set of Vance and Hines short shot staggered pipes on with a stage one download to the computer from Harley and then just rode it. I live in Arizona, USA where we have good roads and lots of miles of open space, plus we ride year round. I have owned many types and models of bikes in my nearly 60 years of riding including Japanese, Italian and one 79 Bonneville T-140 E. I loved them all, some more than others but like you said. My "48" makes me smile!
Great review Bennie! Highly entertaining and well presented in situ! Very honest too. I've got an old 1994 1200cc sportster and I have to agree with much of what you say, but I still love it all the same! Noisy; uncomfortable; bumpy; lovely looking and raw. It's a real bike; wild and no frills.
You do the best test rides that I've seen, by far, and you're extremely honest and fair to all the brands that you test. All the power to you friend,...ride safe!
TakMan1690 Harley Boy Thanks mate. I always try to be objective. They're not the most in-depth reviews tbh. I always forget to mention a lot of important stuff! I hope at least people can get an idea of what it's like to ride these bikes in a real world environment. But ultimately, I want to have fun when riding and not think about getting footage, so I don't take it too seriously. I figure that if people want to know all the tech specs and details of the bike, they can look it up elsewhere. I just want to show people what it's like to spank these bikes on a nice road ;)
Spot on review really, a little cruel but honest I guess. I have had mine for about 6 months now and it's my first Harley after a long string of sports bikes which is why I swapped to it, to slow the top speed stuff down but still have tons of torque/acceleration which this delivers. Agree; hard ride, poor range, low ride height, no clearance so pegs scrape, no pillion, poor practicality BUT I've a set of vance hines pipes, stage one tune and everywhere I go I have a daft grin on my face and everyone wants to talk about it when I stop and that's exactly the point of it...It's to bring new people to harley and it's a hoot to ride on short blasts!
The 48 is indeed a fun bike. There is something different about it. I just love it. It does have all the default you mentionned but when your riddding , there is something cool happening.
+Mislav I'm also not tall (5,9), but the forward pegs, the forward bars and the backward seat make - in my oppinion - longer rides not so comfy. I consider the 48 (because of the look and the emphatic engine) as one of my favorites perhaps with hollywood bars, which make you sit more upright...
Old post I know, but I put mid controls and bars on mine (check the videos on my channel) and it is insanely fun to carve turns. I ditched the stock seat too and it is far from stock!
What a fantastic ride...and I'm sitting on the couch! Phew! That trip down the country road was scary at times! Weren't you worried about an animal unsuspectingly jumping out! Again, phew!
I love the way this Harley looks. But the more entry level bikes are fitted with some really crap equipment like the rear shocks for instance mainly because they make a huge amount of money on after market bits, if they didn't have that name people wouldn't stand for it. Great vids keep em coming.
james grocott You might be right about that. But Harley aren't the only bike manufacturer that put poor quality equipment on their bikes. Japanese cruisers aren't much better. But yeah, you can't really imagine Honda saying "Here's our new cruiser, don't forget to budget for £2500's worth of accessories so you can ride it properly!" This Harley is probably the one Harley I've ridden where I think the suspension needs upgrading. Most others I've ridden, I've been reasonably happy with and wouldn't really consider upgrading.
Forgot to mention! If you want to ride a Harley that handles, try the XR1200!!! Shame that Buell are no longer in business, but I suspect you may have found it to be an excellently handling bike :)
A set of quality after market shocks about an inch longer than stock (and a bigger after-market seat) would make a huge difference in ride and handling. The ass end is too low anyway. No need to rev the hell out of it in lower gears; just ride the torque in the higher gears. I would put a 2-1 exhaust on it for more hp and smoother engine.
Those mufflers don't look stock. The exhaust didn't sound stock either. What are those mufflers? Vance and Hines?. Anyway, cool video and nice review. I have a 2016 Sportster 1200c and must say that I didn't like it that much at first but after about a 1000 miles, I really love the bike. Thanks for your cool videos, I love watching them.
+matrox Yeah, I'd probably agree with that. But for someone who knows how to ride, it can be quite a frustrating bike to try and ride quickly. Ironically, the Harley street 750 is faster and handles better than the 48 and that's aimed at newer riders. I'm still not convinced that the street 750 is a real Harley though
+1990 I got a XB12 lightingbolt custom and a XB9SX... never owned anything else like them.. they just do what they do and they do it super well... my 600s cant touch them down low in the twisties.. they make all the torque, all the time
Totally agree. My 1200X is way better than my BMW R1100GS was. And it's even better than my KTM 950 Adventure was. As soon as I test rode a 1200X, I had to get rid of the 950 and buy one. Before I could do that I wrote the 950 off and got an extra 1,000 GBP from the insurance than I would have got if I'd sold the thing. Then I found a 2006 1200X which was being sold in 2008 with zero miles for 2,200 GBP less than the RRP. What a deal. I've had it ever since.
benjahnz Sorry, I don't do requests! I have ridden the Suzuki Intruder and the Yamaha XVS1300 custom, but didn't get them on film. I have done a few Suzuki reviews though:DL650 Vstrom - ruclips.net/video/PyhsEdMkJjsG/видео.htmlSX1250FA - ruclips.net/video/wHpD5_lQXqUI/видео.htmlnazuma - ruclips.net/video/WSBsmpwXTJI/видео.html
Well, its a sporty cruiser. Its not made for comfortable seating. I asume you have had a bad day there? 😂..i so love the bike and you can change the pipes to less noisier ones. Would've been great, to mention it in your video. But to be very fair, UK's roads are not made for sport bikes 😉😁
i bought 2014 48 and was a big mistake didnt even ride it at all its just a waste of money with 122 miles and i just went to the dealer and traded it for the v rod muscle ...
Bennie, the issues you brough up can be easily combated. A thicker more cradling seat can be bought. Progressive makes shocks & springs for this model that can make grave differences. Ive had triumphs, gixxers, & harleys. This bike has been the most fun/comfy.
+Bennie Hitchcock Yes mate. Perhaps my disagreement lies within the fact that my younger bones can take the beating. Afterall I think this bike was targeted at a younger age group (Im 22).
Spot on review really, a little cruel but honest I guess. I have had mine for about 6 months now and it's my first Harley after a long string of sports bikes which is why I swapped to it, to slow the top speed stuff down but still have tons of torque/acceleration which this delivers. Agree; hard ride, poor range, low ride height, no clearance so pegs scrape, no pillion, poor practicality BUT I've a set of vance hines pipes, stage one tune and everywhere I go I have a daft grin on my face and everyone wants to talk about it when I stop and that's exactly the point of it...It's to bring new people to harley and it's a hoot to ride on short blasts!
Bennie,
I think you got the idea at the end. It's about fun. I have been riding my 2014 "48" for nearly two years now and love it. It's my 3rd. Sportster since 1975. I tend to keep my bikes for years. I agree with lots of what you say. First I switched out the seat to a solo Bates style springer. Then I swapped the peanut tank for a 4.5 gal. tank.Then I put a set of Vance and Hines short shot staggered pipes on with a stage one download to the computer from Harley and then just rode it.
I live in Arizona, USA where we have good roads and lots of miles of open space, plus we ride year round.
I have owned many types and models of bikes in my nearly 60 years of riding including Japanese, Italian and one 79 Bonneville T-140 E. I loved them all, some more than others but like you said. My "48" makes me smile!
Great review Bennie! Highly entertaining and well presented in situ! Very honest too. I've got an old 1994 1200cc sportster and I have to agree with much of what you say, but I still love it all the same! Noisy; uncomfortable; bumpy; lovely looking and raw. It's a real bike; wild and no frills.
You do the best test rides that I've seen, by far, and you're extremely honest and fair to all the brands that you test. All the power to you friend,...ride safe!
TakMan1690 Harley Boy Thanks mate. I always try to be objective. They're not the most in-depth reviews tbh. I always forget to mention a lot of important stuff! I hope at least people can get an idea of what it's like to ride these bikes in a real world environment. But ultimately, I want to have fun when riding and not think about getting footage, so I don't take it too seriously. I figure that if people want to know all the tech specs and details of the bike, they can look it up elsewhere. I just want to show people what it's like to spank these bikes on a nice road ;)
Spot on review really, a little cruel but honest I guess. I have had mine for about 6 months now and it's my first Harley after a long string of sports bikes which is why I swapped to it, to slow the top speed stuff down but still have tons of torque/acceleration which this delivers. Agree; hard ride, poor range, low ride height, no clearance so pegs scrape, no pillion, poor practicality BUT I've a set of vance hines pipes, stage one tune and everywhere I go I have a daft grin on my face and everyone wants to talk about it when I stop and that's exactly the point of it...It's to bring new people to harley and it's a hoot to ride on short blasts!
The 48 is indeed a fun bike. There is something different about it. I just love it. It does have all the default you mentionned but when your riddding , there is something cool happening.
thank you for your lively and honest review - the 48 of 2016 has a better seat and a better suspension - so it could be a better bike...
+Toni R I rode 2016 forty eight, best bike I ever rode. Incredibly comfortable. But I'm a pretty short and light guy, so that might be why.
+Mislav I'm also not tall (5,9), but the forward pegs, the forward bars and the backward seat make - in my oppinion - longer rides not so comfy. I consider the 48 (because of the look and the emphatic engine) as one of my favorites perhaps with hollywood bars, which make you sit more upright...
Old post I know, but I put mid controls and bars on mine (check the videos on my channel) and it is insanely fun to carve turns. I ditched the stock seat too and it is far from stock!
What a fantastic ride...and I'm sitting on the couch! Phew! That trip down the country road was scary at times! Weren't you worried about an animal unsuspectingly jumping out! Again, phew!
Yes, an animal or some Robbin Hood character with bow and arrow.
There isn't much that can jump out in the UK that is going to slow him down on a 250kg Harley :P lol
I love the way this Harley looks. But the more entry level bikes are fitted with some really crap equipment like the rear shocks for instance mainly because they make a huge amount of money on after market bits, if they didn't have that name people wouldn't stand for it. Great vids keep em coming.
james grocott You might be right about that. But Harley aren't the only bike manufacturer that put poor quality equipment on their bikes. Japanese cruisers aren't much better. But yeah, you can't really imagine Honda saying "Here's our new cruiser, don't forget to budget for £2500's worth of accessories so you can ride it properly!" This Harley is probably the one Harley I've ridden where I think the suspension needs upgrading. Most others I've ridden, I've been reasonably happy with and wouldn't really consider upgrading.
Forgot to mention! If you want to ride a Harley that handles, try the XR1200!!! Shame that Buell are no longer in business, but I suspect you may have found it to be an excellently handling bike :)
mictho100 Been trying to find an xr to ride, but doubt I'll find someone to lend me one. Same with the vrod
+mictho100 The XR1200 is nowhere near as good as a Buell XB1200. My Ulysses is about 60 kilos lighter than the XR1200.
A set of quality after market shocks about an inch longer than stock (and a bigger after-market seat) would make a huge difference in ride and handling. The ass end is too low anyway. No need to rev the hell out of it in lower gears; just ride the torque in the higher gears. I would put a 2-1 exhaust on it for more hp and smoother engine.
Those mufflers don't look stock. The exhaust didn't sound stock either. What are those mufflers? Vance and Hines?. Anyway, cool video and nice review. I have a 2016 Sportster 1200c and must say that I didn't like it that much at first but after about a 1000 miles, I really love the bike. Thanks for your cool videos, I love watching them.
Arghh, that's a very nice bike. It makes me want one :(
Recognise these roads - Bath and Bristol way by the looks of it. i tried the 48 as well and hated it - but the Fat Bob was EPIC!!
Yeah the Fat Bob is a much better Harley to ride quickly on imo
A sportster is for people who basically know how to ride. The 1200 is not a beginners bike.
+matrox Yeah, I'd probably agree with that. But for someone who knows how to ride, it can be quite a frustrating bike to try and ride quickly. Ironically, the Harley street 750 is faster and handles better than the 48 and that's aimed at newer riders. I'm still not convinced that the street 750 is a real Harley though
Fresh. Great vid
I've heard that there's this thing called the "Harley Tax." You get a new Harley and at a minimum, you have to replace the seat and the exhaust pipes.
if you hate that one, try a late model Buell XB12S... youd love it. its everything that that bike should be but isn't.
+Gloomshadow100 Absolutely. Mine's an XB12X.
+1990 I got a XB12 lightingbolt custom and a XB9SX... never owned anything else like them.. they just do what they do and they do it super well... my 600s cant touch them down low in the twisties.. they make all the torque, all the time
Totally agree. My 1200X is way better than my BMW R1100GS was. And it's even better than my KTM 950 Adventure was. As soon as I test rode a 1200X, I had to get rid of the 950 and buy one. Before I could do that I wrote the 950 off and got an extra 1,000 GBP from the insurance than I would have got if I'd sold the thing. Then I found a 2006 1200X which was being sold in 2008 with zero miles for 2,200 GBP less than the RRP. What a deal. I've had it ever since.
1990 and they don't age.. my 2004 looks brand new..
Know someone at the local Harley dealership?
Nice honest review though.
Do you take requests? How about a Suzuki next ??
benjahnz Sorry, I don't do requests! I have ridden the Suzuki Intruder and the Yamaha XVS1300 custom, but didn't get them on film. I have done a few Suzuki reviews though:DL650 Vstrom - ruclips.net/video/PyhsEdMkJjsG/видео.htmlSX1250FA - ruclips.net/video/wHpD5_lQXqUI/видео.htmlnazuma - ruclips.net/video/WSBsmpwXTJI/видео.html
Yeah the vstrom review was why I subscribed. All good, keep the review coming.
Another interesting review. I think I prefer my Buell. Ever ridden one?
Not ridden a Buell, but always fancied an xb12. Cool bikes
I've got a Ulysses. A very underrated bike.
Well, its a sporty cruiser. Its not made for comfortable seating.
I asume you have had a bad day there? 😂..i so love the bike and you can change the pipes to less noisier ones. Would've been great, to mention it in your video.
But to be very fair, UK's roads are not made for sport bikes 😉😁
i bought 2014 48 and was a big mistake didnt even ride it at all its just a waste of money with 122 miles and i just went to the dealer and traded it for the v rod muscle ...
+Aly Kamil Good trade ;) Not ridden a vrod yet. Looks like my kind of Harley though.
+Aly Kamil Why ? What happened? What did you didnt like?
Hey bro your are going the opposite way. Oops sorry, I thought it was California. If I go there and ride my bike.... I'll be dead in a second. 🚑
+Ronald Mejia Haha! If only this was California!
Bennie Hitchcock you wouldn't have any money in your pocket .😂
only review where the user got a good speed
Would have shit a brick at 2:55 I'm used to the wide and straight roads in USA.
Yes, "proppa roads".
Mate this bike looks stunning who cares abt the ride issues. The way it looks will get u laid & chased down by paparazzis in one day.
+Julius Cesar Sadly I do care about the ride issues, more than my image! But yeah, it does get attention.
Bennie, the issues you brough up can be easily combated. A thicker more cradling seat can be bought. Progressive makes shocks & springs for this model that can make grave differences. Ive had triumphs, gixxers, & harleys. This bike has been the most fun/comfy.
+Julius Cesar More comfy than a Fatboy? So many other Harleys are way more comfy than this straight out of the box. Maybe not as fun though!
+Bennie Hitchcock Yes mate. Perhaps my disagreement lies within the fact that my younger bones can take the beating. Afterall I think this bike was targeted at a younger age group (Im 22).
Yes, I'm shagrined to admit my U.S.A. origin, where the "Shamester" was born.
what do people see in these a clanker's..............?
do more harley reviews
It's not so much as the bike that handles badly, it's more like poorly maintained roads tend to unsettle it in the corners. 😁
Spot on review really, a little cruel but honest I guess. I have had mine for about 6 months now and it's my first Harley after a long string of sports bikes which is why I swapped to it, to slow the top speed stuff down but still have tons of torque/acceleration which this delivers. Agree; hard ride, poor range, low ride height, no clearance so pegs scrape, no pillion, poor practicality BUT I've a set of vance hines pipes, stage one tune and everywhere I go I have a daft grin on my face and everyone wants to talk about it when I stop and that's exactly the point of it...It's to bring new people to harley and it's a hoot to ride on short blasts!