Triumph Thunderbird 1600 vs Harley-davidson Forty-eight
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Triumph Thunderbird 1600 vs Harley-davidson Forty-eight. Triumph Thunderbird 1600: 86 hp @ 4,850 rpm hp, 358 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 185 km/h, 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
Triumph Thunderbird 1600
Harley-davidson Forty-eight
Horsepower (hp)
86 hp
60 hp
Torque (Nm)
146 Nm
97 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
185 km/h
170 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
358 kg
253 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
86 hp @ 4,850 rpm
60 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque
146 Nm @ 2,750 rpm
97 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Top Speed
185 km/h
170 km/h
Weight
358 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
Triumph Thunderbird 1600
7.5/10
"A credible Harley alternative that rewards buyers who do their homework."
Pros
+Massive low-rev torque
+Genuine British build quality
+Comfortable long-haul ergonomics
Cons
−Grabby wet clutch
−Notchy early gearboxes
−Valve service costs sting
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.
