Honda Vtx1800 vs Harley-davidson Forty-eight
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Honda Vtx1800 vs Harley-davidson Forty-eight. Honda Vtx1800: 106 hp @ 5,000 rpm hp, 318 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 185 km/h (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
Honda Vtx1800
Harley-davidson Forty-eight
Horsepower (hp)
106 hp
60 hp
Torque (Nm)
167 Nm
97 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
185 km/h
170 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
318 kg
253 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
106 hp @ 5,000 rpm
60 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque
167 Nm @ 3,000 rpm
97 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Top Speed
185 km/h (estimated)
170 km/h
Weight
318 kg (wet/curb weight)
253 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
6.5–8.0 L/100km (typical real-world average)
5.5 L/100km (approx. 18 km/L typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Honda Vtx1800
8.2/10
"The cruiser for riders who prioritize reliability over brand loyalty."
Pros
+Bulletproof Honda reliability
+Massive torque, surprisingly smooth
+Shaft drive, zero chain hassle
Cons
−Heavy, slow-speed handling suffers
−Carbureted versions need attention
−Styling divides opinion sharply
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.
