2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Specifications

Name: 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight
Brand: Harley-Davidson

Custom / cruiser • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Overview

For 2014, Harley-Davidson offers the Sportster Forty-Eight as a custom / cruiser motorcycle with 1201.25 cc on tap. The 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight is built around a V2, four-stroke engine, a compression ratio of 9.7:1. Internally, bore and stroke are 88.9 x 96.8 mm. Out on the road, the Sportster Forty-Eight delivers 107.12 Nm @ 4000 of torque. Flat out, it's quoted at 45 km/h. In everyday use, the 2014 Sportster Forty-Eight tips the scales at 259.9 kg, carries a 7.95-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 660 mm and spans a 1,519 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 40.7 kg lighter than the average custom / cruiser motorcycle in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight spec sheet below.

2014 Sportster Forty-Eight - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Fuel injection: No choke, no jetting, no altitude compensation to think about - fuel injection just works across a wider range of conditions than carburetion.
Accessible seat height: At just 660 mm, flat-footing at a stop is easy for most riders - a genuine confidence builder for less experienced owners.
Low-maintenance final drive: Belt final drive is about as close to maintenance-free as motorcycle drivetrains get.

Considerations

Modest fuel capacity: A 7.95-litre tank keeps things light but means budgeting for more frequent fuel stops on any longer ride.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Fuelling & injector care

Fuelling on the Sportster Forty-Eight comes from fuel injection. Cold starts and throttle response stay consistent across altitude and temperature, the main practical edge over a carbureted equivalent.

Brake disc and pad wear

Single disc. Dual-piston up front provides the primary stopping power; inspect disc thickness and pad wear at each tyre change to catch scoring before it becomes a rotor replacement.

Suspension condition on used examples

Suspension duties are handled by Dual Hydraulic Shock Absorber up front and Single Hydraulic Shock Absorber at the rear. Weeping fork seals aren't a dealbreaker on a used bike, but they're a fair basis for negotiating price.

Final drive maintenance

Belt final drive keeps day-to-day maintenance minimal on the Sportster Forty-Eight - just periodic tension and wear checks rather than the regular cleaning a chain demands.

Frame & chassis check

The Steel tube chassis holds up well with normal use; on a used bike it's still worth checking the head-stock and swingarm pivot area for impact damage or corrosion.

Handling the weight at a standstill

The Sportster Forty-Eight's 259.9 kg kerb weight is worth factoring into how you handle it at a standstill - parking-lot manoeuvres need a bit more deliberate technique than on a lighter machine.

Sportster Forty-Eight - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

A pre-purchase check on the 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight should cover the same ground every time: service history, chain and sprocket condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept Sportster Forty-Eight settles to a smooth idle within seconds.

Oil and filter changes

Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for a Sportster Forty-Eight's engine - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. The sump holds 2.60 litres, so budget for that volume of quality motorcycle-specific engine oil. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.

Fuel system care

Injector systems like the Sportster Forty-Eight's hold up well with basic care - decent fuel, an occasional cleaner additive, and draining old fuel before any layup longer than three months.

2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight have?

The 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight uses a V2, four-stroke engine with 1201.25 cc of displacement.

What is the top speed of the 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight?

The 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight has a factory-quoted top speed of 45 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.

How much does the 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight weigh?

The 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight weighs 259.9 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.

How much power does the 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight make?

The 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight produces 107.12 Nm @ 4000 of torque.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight?

The 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight has a 7.95-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 132-159 km between stops.

Is the 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight suitable for shorter riders?

The 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight has a seat height of 660 mm. This is a comfortable, accessible height for most riders.

What brakes does the 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight have?

The 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight uses Single disc. Dual-piston at the front and Single disc. Single-piston at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight use?

The 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight runs 150/80-16 front and 150/80-B16 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.

How much oil does the 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight take?

The 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight takes 2.60 litres of engine oil at a full oil and filter change. Always verify against the dipstick or sight glass after filling.

Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Spec Evolution

The Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight was produced across 8 model years (2013-2020). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.

Specification	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
Wet Weight	259.9 kg / 573.0 lbs	259.9 kg / 573.0 lbs	259.9 kg / 573.0 lbs	257.0 kg / 566.6 lbs	252.0 kg / 555.6 lbs	252.0 kg / 555.6 lbs	252.0 kg / 555.6 lbs	252.0 kg / 555.6 lbs
Dry Weight	250.8 kg / 553.0 lbs	250.8 kg / 553.0 lbs	250.8 kg / 553.0 lbs	247 kg / 544.5 lbs	247 kg / 544.5 lbs	247 kg / 544.5 lbs	247 kg / 544.5 lbs	247 kg / 544.5 lbs
Engine Detail	Air-cooled, Evolution®	Air-cooled, Evolution®	Air-cooled, Evolution®	Evolution® engine	Evolution® engine	Evolution® engine	Evolution® engine	Evolution® engine
Seat Height	660 mm / 26.0 in.	660 mm / 26.0 in.	660 mm / 26.0 in.	710 mm / 28.0 in.	710 mm / 28.0 in.	710 mm / 28.0 in.	665 mm / 26.2 in.	665 mm / 26.2 in.
Fuel Capacity	7.95 litres / 2.10 gallons	7.95 litres / 2.10 gallons	7.90 litres / 2.09 gallons	7.90 litres / 2.09 gallons	7.90 litres / 2.09 gallons	7.90 litres / 2.09 gallons	7.90 litres / 2.09 US gallons	7.90 litres / 2.09 US gallons
Oil Capacity (Quarts)	0.17 quarts	0.17 quarts	0.17 quarts	0.17 quarts	0.17 quarts	0.17 quarts	2.75 US quarts	2.96 US quarts
Oil Capacity (l)	2.60 litres	2.60 litres	2.60 litres	2.60 litres	2.60 litres	2.60 litres	2.60 litres	2.80 litres
Ground Clearance (mm)	99 mm	99 mm	99 mm	110 mm	110 mm	110 mm	110 mm	110 mm

Key Specifications

Engine

V2, four-stroke

Power

Not published by manufacturer

Torque

107.12 Nm (10.9 kgf-m or 79.0 ft.lbs) @ 4000

Top Speed

45.0 km/h / 28.0 mph

Weight

259.9 kg / 573.0 lbs

Fuel Capacity

7.95 litres / 2.10 gallons

Full 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Specifications

Comments Lithium Iron Phosphate 48V/20Ah battery, 16.8 kg. Range 60 km. Recharging time: 4 hours. Made in Taiwan.

Colours Vivid Black, Blackened Cayenne Sunglo, Morocco Gold Pearl, Hard Candy Volcanic Orange Flake, Hard Candy Chrome Flake

Ground Clearance (mm) 99 mm

Ground Clearance (in.) 3.9 inches

Seat Height 660 mm / 26.0 in.

Wheelbase 1,519 mm / 59.8 in.

Height 1,005 mm / 39.6 in.

Length 2,250 mm / 88.6 in.

Width 625 mm / 24.6 in.

Oil Capacity (Quarts) 0.17 quarts

Oil Capacity (l) 2.60 litres

Dry Weight 250.8 kg / 553.0 lbs

Fuel Capacity 7.95 litres / 2.10 gallons

Wet Weight 259.9 kg / 573.0 lbs

Top Speed 45.0 km/h / 28.0 mph

Max Torque 107.12 Nm (10.9 kgf-m or 79.0 ft.lbs) @ 4000

Power-to-Weight Ratio 0.0383 HP/kg

Engine Type V2, four-stroke

Displacement (ci) 73.30 cubic inches

Displacement (cc) 1201.25 cc

Bore x Stroke (in,) 3.5 x 3.8 inches

Bore x Stroke (mm) 88.9 x 96.8 mm

CO2 113.7 CO

Engine Detail Air-cooled, Evolution®

Fuel System Injection. Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)

Compression Ratio 9.7:1

Emissions Zero emission

Engine Lubrication Dry sump

Exhaust E Type 9

Fuel Consumption 4.90 litres/100 km (20.4 km/l or 48.00 mpg)

Starter Electric

Clutch Multi-plate with diaphragm spring in oil bath

Final Drive Belt

Gearbox 6-speed

Primary Drive 57/38 ratio

Frame Type Steel tube

Suspension - Front Dual Hydraulic Shock Absorber

Suspension - Rear Single Hydraulic Shock Absorber

Trail 107 mm / 4.2 in.

Instrumentation 4-inch Speedometer mounted low and integrated into handlebar clamp electronic speedometer with odometer, time-of-day clock on odometer, dual tripmeter, LED indicator lights

Lighting system High beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals, engine diagnostics, low fuel warning, low battery, security system (optional)

Brakes - Front Single disc. Dual-piston

Brakes - Rear Single disc. Single-piston

Rims Black, Laced Steel

Tyres - Front 150/80-16

Tyres - Rear 150/80-B16

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.