Yamaha Virago 250 vs Harley-davidson Forty-eight
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Yamaha Virago 250 vs Harley-davidson Forty-eight. Yamaha Virago 250: 21 hp @ 8,000 rpm hp, 148 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 130 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
Yamaha Virago 250
Harley-davidson Forty-eight
Horsepower (hp)
21 hp
60 hp
Torque (Nm)
20 Nm
97 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
130 km/h
170 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
148 kg
253 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
21 hp @ 8,000 rpm
60 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque
20 Nm @ 6,000 rpm
97 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Top Speed
130 km/h
170 km/h
Weight
148 kg (wet/curb weight)
253 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
3.5 L/100km (approx. 28.5 km/L) — typical real-world average
5.5 L/100km (approx. 18 km/L typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Yamaha Virago 250
7.5/10
"The perfect starter bike you'll sadly outgrow fast."
Pros
+Bulletproof reliability record
+Shaft drive, zero maintenance
+Confidence-inspiring low seat
Cons
−Outgrown within 18 months
−Carburetors clog when stored
−Highway speeds feel strained
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.
