Harley-davidson Softail Custom vs Harley-davidson Forty-eight
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Harley-davidson Softail Custom vs Harley-davidson Forty-eight. Harley-davidson Softail Custom: 58 hp @ 5,000 rpm (note: estimated for Evolution 1340cc engine; exact figures vary by year) hp, 287 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 175 km/h (estimated), Motoryk rating 7.5/10. 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
Harley-davidson Softail Custom
Harley-davidson Forty-eight
Horsepower (hp)
58 hp
60 hp
Torque (Nm)
98 Nm
97 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
175 km/h
170 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
287 kg
253 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
58 hp @ 5,000 rpm (note: estimated for Evolution 1340cc engine; exact figures vary by year)
60 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque
98 Nm @ 3,500 rpm (note: estimated for Evolution 1340cc engine)
97 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Top Speed
175 km/h (estimated)
170 km/h
Weight
287 kg (wet/curb weight)
253 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
6.5 L/100km (approximately 15.4 km/L)
5.5 L/100km (approx. 18 km/L typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Harley-davidson Softail Custom
7.5/10
"A beautiful, trustworthy cruiser if you buy smart and inspect thoroughly."
Pros
+Twin Cam reliability well-proven
+Slow, predictable depreciation
+Massive aftermarket parts availability
Cons
−Cam chain tensioners wear early
−Chrome quality embarrassingly poor
−Highway comfort genuinely suffers
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.
