2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Specifications

Name: 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight
Brand: Harley-Davidson

Custom / cruiser • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Overview

For 2017, Harley-Davidson offers the Sportster Forty-Eight as a custom / cruiser motorcycle. The 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight is built around a V2, four-stroke engine running Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) valve actuation, 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 96 Nm @ 3500 Revolutions of torque. In everyday use, the 2017 Sportster Forty-Eight tips the scales at 252 kg, carries a 7.90-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 710 mm and spans a 1,495 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 48.6 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 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight spec sheet below.

2017 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 710 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 7.90-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.

Valve clearance checks

Valve clearances on Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC)-equipped engines like the Sportster Forty-Eight's drift slowly with mileage rather than failing suddenly - sticking to the service interval keeps it a non-issue.

Brake disc and pad wear

Single disc. Dual-piston. Optional ABS. 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 Telescopic fork up front and Twin shocks 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.

Handling the weight at a standstill

The Sportster Forty-Eight's 252 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 2017 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.

Valve clearance service

There's no reliable seat-of-the-pants way to tell if a Sportster Forty-Eight's valve clearances are in spec - a light top-end tick is the only real warning sign, and by then some wear has already happened. Service records are the only proof.

2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight have?

The 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight is powered by a V2, four-stroke engine.

How much does the 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight weigh?

The 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight weighs 252 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.

How much power does the 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight make?

The 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight produces 96 Nm @ 3500 Revolutions of torque.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight?

The 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight has a 7.90-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 131-158 km between stops.

Is the 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight suitable for shorter riders?

The 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight has a seat height of 710 mm. This is a comfortable, accessible height for most riders.

What brakes does the 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight have?

The 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight uses Single disc. Dual-piston. Optional ABS. at the front and Single disc. Single-piston. Optional ABS. at the rear.

What tyre sizes does the 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight use?

The 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight runs 130/90-B16 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 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight take?

The 2017 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

96.00 Nm (9.8 kgf-m or 70.8 ft.lbs) @ 3500 Revolutions

Top Speed

Not published by manufacturer

Weight

252.0 kg / 555.6 lbs

Fuel Capacity

7.90 litres / 2.09 gallons

Full 2017 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Specifications

Colours Corona Yellow Pearl, Crushed Ice Denim, Hard Candy HotRod Red Flake, Hard Candy Black Gold Flake, Vivid Black, Billet Silver

Ground Clearance (in.) 4.3 inches

Ground Clearance (mm) 110 mm

Seat Height 710 mm / 28.0 in.

Wheelbase 1,495 mm / 58.9 in.

Length 2,210 mm / 87.0 in.

Oil Capacity (l) 2.60 litres

Oil Capacity (Quarts) 0.17 quarts

Dry Weight 247 kg / 544.5 lbs

Fuel Capacity 7.90 litres / 2.09 gallons

Wet Weight 252.0 kg / 555.6 lbs

Max Torque 96.00 Nm (9.8 kgf-m or 70.8 ft.lbs) @ 3500 Revolutions

Power-to-Weight Ratio 0.2713 HP/kg

Bore x Stroke (in,) 3.5 x 3.8 inches

Bore x Stroke (mm) 88.9 x 96.8 mm

CO2 113.7 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)

Engine Type V2, four-stroke

Fuel Control Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC)

Engine Detail Evolution® engine

Fuel System Injection. Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection

Compression Ratio 9.7:1

Engine Lubrication Dry sump

Exhaust Chrome, staggered shorty exhaust with dual slash-cut mufflers

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

Suspension - Front Telescopic fork

Suspension - Rear Twin shocks

Rake 29.6°

Trail 132 mm / 5.2 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. Optional ABS.

Brakes - Rear Single disc. Single-piston. Optional ABS.

Rims Black, Laced Steel

Tyres - Front 130/90-B16

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.