Harley-davidson Forty-eight Special vs Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883 — which is better for beginners?

Both are reasonable first-bike candidates. Harley-davidson Forty-eight Special: 48 hp. Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883: 50 hp.

Harley-davidson Forty-eight Special vs Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883 — which should I commute on daily?

Harley-davidson Forty-eight Special — Urban riders wanting authentic bobber style daily.

Harley-davidson Forty-eight Special vs Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883

Q: Harley-davidson Forty-eight Special vs Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883 — which has more power?

Harley-davidson Forty-eight Special produces 48 hp @ 5,500 rpm (estimated; Harley-Davidson does not officially publish power figures for this model); Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883 produces ~50 hp @ 6,000 rpm (estimated; Harley-Davidson does not officially publish power figures for this model). Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883 wins by 2 hp.

Q: Harley-davidson Forty-eight Special vs Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883 — which is faster?

Top speed: Harley-davidson Forty-eight Special 170 km/h (estimated; note: not officially published by Harley-Davidson), Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883 ~177 km/h (estimated; note: electronically limited in some markets). Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883 is the faster of the two.

Q: Harley-davidson Forty-eight Special vs Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883 — which is lighter?

Weight: Harley-davidson Forty-eight Special 253 kg (wet/curb weight), Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883 247 kg (wet/curb weight).

Q: Harley-davidson Forty-eight Special vs Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883 — which is more fuel-efficient?

Fuel use: Harley-davidson Forty-eight Special 6.5 L/100km (approx. 15.4 km/L) — estimated real-world average, Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883 5.5–6.5 L/100km (approximately 15–18 km/L, real-world average). Real-world economy varies by rider weight, traffic, and how hard the throttle gets twisted.

Q: Harley-davidson Forty-eight Special vs Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883 — which is more reliable?

Motoryk rates Harley-davidson Forty-eight Special 7.0/10 and Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883 7.5/10. Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883 scores higher on the overall verdict. Harley-davidson Forty-eight Special caveat: You regularly tour or exceed 150-mile days. Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883 caveat: You regularly tour highways or need real speed.

Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers

Harley-davidson Forty-eight Special vs Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883. Harley-davidson Forty-eight Special: 48 hp @ 5,500 rpm (estimated; Harley-Davidson does not officially publish power figures for this model) hp, 253 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 170 km/h (estimated; note: not officially published by Harley-Davidson), Motoryk rating 7.0/10. Harley-davidson Sportster Iron 883: ~50 hp @ 6,000 rpm (estimated; Harley-Davidson does not officially publish power figures for this model) hp, 247 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed ~177 km/h (estimated; note: electronically limited in some markets), Motoryk rating 7.5/10.