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All Bikes/Compare/Harley-davidson Forty-eight vs Harley-davidson Iron 1200

Harley-davidson Forty-eight vs Harley-davidson Iron 1200

Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers

Harley-davidson Forty-eight vs Harley-davidson Iron 1200. 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. Harley-davidson Iron 1200: 61 hp @ 6,000 rpm (estimated; Harley-Davidson does not officially publish power figures for this model) hp, 252 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 170 km/h (estimated; note: not officially published by Harley-Davidson), Motoryk rating 7.5/10.

Performance at a Glance

Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value

Harley-davidson Forty-eight Harley-davidson Iron 1200
Horsepower (hp)
60 hp
61 hp
Torque (Nm)
97 Nm
92 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
170 km/h
170 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
253 kg
252 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
60 hp @ 6,000 rpm
61 hp @ 6,000 rpm (estimated; Harley-Davidson does not officially publish power figures for this model)
Torque
97 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
92 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Top Speed
170 km/h
170 km/h (estimated; note: not officially published by Harley-Davidson)
Weight
253 kg (wet/curb weight)
252 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
5.5 L/100km (approx. 18 km/L typical real-world average)
5.5–6.5 L/100km (approx. 15–18 km/L, real-world average)
Fairing
No
No

Individual Reviews

Harley-davidson Forty-eight
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
Harley-davidson Iron 1200
Harley-davidson Iron 1200
7.5/10

"A characterful, honest cruiser that rewards riders who accept its limitations."

Pros
+Strong low-end torque delivery
+Head-turning genuine bobber stance
+Solid used parts availability
Cons
Motorway vibration genuinely tiring
Stock seat punishingly uncomfortable
Air cooling runs very hot

Top 10 Accessories

Picks that work on either bike.

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Front & Rear Brake Pads for Harley Davidson XL883 XL1200 XL883L XL883N XL883R XL1200C XL1200CX XL1200 T/V/X XL 1200 XS/NS Sportster SuperLow Iron Roadster Custom Forty Eight 2014-2023
Brake Pads
Front & Rear Brake Pads for Harley Davidson XL883 XL1200 XL883L XL883N XL883R XL1200C XL1200CX XL1200 T/V/X XL 1200 XS/NS Sportster SuperLow Iron Roadster Custom Forty Eight 2014-2023
View on Amazon →
Harley-Davidson Men's Steel H-D Script Banner Curb Link Chain Metal Necklace
Chain & Lube
Harley-Davidson Men's Steel H-D Script Banner Curb Link Chain Metal Necklace
View on Amazon →
YTX20HL-BS 12V 20Ah AGM Sealed Motorcycle Battery, Maintenance-Free, Compatible with Harley Davidson, Honda, ATV, UTV, Snowmobile Replacement
Battery
YTX20HL-BS 12V 20Ah AGM Sealed Motorcycle Battery, Maintenance-Free, Compatible with Harley Davidson, Honda, ATV, UTV, Snowmobile Replacement
View on Amazon →
V-Twin Oil Change Kit Synthetic w/Black Filter, Sportster
Engine Oil
V-Twin Oil Change Kit Synthetic w/Black Filter, Sportster
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Podoy 428 Motorcycle Chain 132 Links Gold with Chain Breaker, Heavy Duty Drive Chain Replacement for 110cc 125cc 150cc Pit Dirt Bike ATV Go Kart
Chain & Lube
Podoy 428 Motorcycle Chain 132 Links Gold with Chain Breaker, Heavy Duty Drive Chain Replacement for 110cc 125cc 150cc Pit Dirt Bike ATV Go Kart
View on Amazon →
Dunlop D402 Front Motorcycle Tire MH90-21 (54H) Black Wall Compatible With Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom XL1200C 1996-2010
Tires
Dunlop D402 Front Motorcycle Tire MH90-21 (54H) Black Wall Compatible With Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom XL1200C 1996-2010
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Dunlop Harley Davidson D402 Front Tire (Single / MH90-21)
Tires
Dunlop Harley Davidson D402 Front Tire (Single / MH90-21)
View on Amazon →
Energizer TX14L AGM Motorcycle 12V Battery, 200 Cold Cranking Amps and 12 Ahr. Replaces: YTX14L-BS and others
Battery
Energizer TX14L AGM Motorcycle 12V Battery, 200 Cold Cranking Amps and 12 Ahr. Replaces: YTX14L-BS and others
View on Amazon →
Klotz
Engine Oil
Klotz
View on Amazon →
NICHE Brake Pad Set for Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 883 XL883C XL1200C Iron 42831-04A Front Rear Semi-Metallic
Brake Pads
NICHE Brake Pad Set for Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 883 XL883C XL1200C Iron 42831-04A Front Rear Semi-Metallic
View on Amazon →
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