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All Bikes/Compare/Harley-davidson Sportster Xl1200x Forty-eight vs Harley-davidson Sportster 1200 Custom

Harley-davidson Sportster Xl1200x Forty-eight vs Harley-davidson Sportster 1200 Custom

Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers

Harley-davidson Sportster Xl1200x Forty-eight vs Harley-davidson Sportster 1200 Custom. Harley-davidson Sportster Xl1200x Forty-eight: 66 hp @ 5,500 rpm (estimated SAE net; Harley-Davidson did not officially publish figures for this model) hp, 253 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 175 km/h (estimated; note: varies with rider and conditions), Motoryk rating 7.5/10. Harley-davidson Sportster 1200 Custom: 67 hp @ 5,500 rpm (later Evolution-era models; note: earlier carbureted versions produced approximately 60 hp) hp, 256 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 175 km/h (estimated; note: real-world top speed varies by rider weight and conditions), Motoryk rating 7.5/10.

Performance at a Glance

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

Harley-davidson Sportster Xl1200x Forty-eight Harley-davidson Sportster 1200 Custom
Horsepower (hp)
66 hp
67 hp
Torque (Nm)
96 Nm
92 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
175 km/h
175 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
253 kg
256 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
66 hp @ 5,500 rpm (estimated SAE net; Harley-Davidson did not officially publish figures for this model)
67 hp @ 5,500 rpm (later Evolution-era models; note: earlier carbureted versions produced approximately 60 hp)
Torque
96 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
92 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Top Speed
175 km/h (estimated; note: varies with rider and conditions)
175 km/h (estimated; note: real-world top speed varies by rider weight and conditions)
Weight
253 kg (wet/curb weight)
256 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
5.5 L/100km (approx. 18.2 km/L, typical real-world average)
5.5–6.5 L/100km (approximately 15–18 km/L typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No

Individual Reviews

Harley-davidson Sportster Xl1200x Forty-eight
Harley-davidson Sportster Xl1200x Forty-eight
7.5/10

"Brilliant urban bruiser, but that tank will break your heart."

Pros
+Punchy low-end torque delivery
+Iconic aggressive bobber styling
+Low seat, beginner-friendly height
Cons
Tiny tank kills range
Suspension soft stock
Vibration fatigues on highways
Harley-davidson Sportster 1200 Custom
Harley-davidson Sportster 1200 Custom
7.5/10

"A flawed but deeply rewarding cruiser that rewards patient, mechanically curious riders."

Pros
+Bulletproof engine, easy maintenance
+Massive aftermarket parts availability
+Genuine low seat height
Cons
Stock suspension is awful
Two-up riding is miserable
Vibration fatigues on highways

Top 10 Accessories

Picks that work on either bike.

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Caltric O-Ring Drive Chain Compatible with Harley Davidson Xlh1100 Xlh-1100 Sportster Deluxe 1100 1986 1987 Black
Chain & Lube
Caltric O-Ring Drive Chain Compatible with Harley Davidson Xlh1100 Xlh-1100 Sportster Deluxe 1100 1986 1987 Black
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Front and Rear Brake Pads for Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 XL1200C Custom 2004-2013 /Sportster 883 SuperLow Custom/ XL1200L Sportster Low 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Brake Pads
Front and Rear Brake Pads for Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 XL1200C Custom 2004-2013 /Sportster 883 SuperLow Custom/ XL1200L Sportster Low 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
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S&S Cycle Oil Filter Black for Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Forty-Eight XL1200X (ABS) 2014-2018
Engine Oil
S&S Cycle Oil Filter Black for Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Forty-Eight XL1200X (ABS) 2014-2018
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AGM Battery For Harley Davidson XL1200C SPORTSTER 1200 CUSTOM 2004-2020 LTD ANV
Battery
AGM Battery For Harley Davidson XL1200C SPORTSTER 1200 CUSTOM 2004-2020 LTD ANV
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150/80B-16 (77H) Dunlop Elite 4 Rear Motorcycle Tire for Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Forty-Eight XL1200X (ABS) 2014-2018
Tires
150/80B-16 (77H) Dunlop Elite 4 Rear Motorcycle Tire for Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Forty-Eight XL1200X (ABS) 2014-2018
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DaSen Chain Drive Transmission Sprocket Conversion Kit Belt to Chain Compatible with Harley Sportster 72 48 Iron Roadster 883 1200 XL 2004-2023
Chain & Lube
DaSen Chain Drive Transmission Sprocket Conversion Kit Belt to Chain Compatible with Harley Sportster 72 48 Iron Roadster 883 1200 XL 2004-2023
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YTX14L-BS Gel Battery for Harley-Davidson Forty Eight XL1200X 10-16
Battery
YTX14L-BS Gel Battery for Harley-Davidson Forty Eight XL1200X 10-16
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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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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
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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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