BMW R 12 vs Harley-davidson Forty-eight
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
BMW R 12 vs Harley-davidson Forty-eight. BMW R 12: 109 hp hp, 236 kg (520 lbs) weight, top speed ~130 mph (estimated), Motoryk rating 8.2/10. Harley-davidson Forty-eight: 60 hp @ 6,000 rpm hp, 253 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 170 km/h, Motoryk rating 7.5/10.
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
BMW R 12
Harley-davidson Forty-eight
Horsepower (hp)
109 hp
60 hp
Torque (Nm)
116 Nm
97 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
130 km/h
170 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
236 kg
253 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
109 hp
60 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque
116 Nm (85.6 lb-ft)
97 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Top Speed
~130 mph (estimated)
170 km/h
Weight
236 kg (520 lbs)
253 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
—
5.5 L/100km (approx. 18 km/L typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
BMW R 12
8.2/10
"A proper motorcycle that rewards riders who value character over technology."
Pros
+Characterful air-cooled boxer engine
+Exceptional long-term build quality
+Strong low-rev torque delivery
Cons
−Prices holding frustratingly firm
−Reaches heat discomfort in traffic
−Limited for shorter inseams
Harley-davidson Forty-eight
7.5/10
"A charismatic city scramblers that demands realistic expectations about range and comfort."
Pros
+Bulletproof Sportster engine reliability
+Parts availability everywhere
+Genuinely stunning visual presence
Cons
−Tiny tank, terrible range
−Seat punishes longer rides
−Many dropped examples exist
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.
