2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Specifications

Name: 2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight
Brand: Harley-Davidson

Custom / cruiser • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Overview

Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight is a custom / cruiser motorcycle. Power comes from a V2, four-stroke engine running Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) valve actuation, a compression ratio of 9.7:1. Bore and stroke come in at 88.9 x 96.8 mm. On the performance side, it delivers 96 Nm @ 3500 Revolutions of torque. On the road, the 2018 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. The full 2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.

2018 Sportster Forty-Eight - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
Accessible seat height: A 710 mm seat height keeps this manageable for most riders, which helps confidence at parking-lot speeds.
Low-maintenance final drive: Running Belt final drive cuts out the regular chain cleaning and tensioning that most bikes need.

Considerations

Modest fuel capacity: Range between stops is limited by the 7.90-litre tank - plan fuel stops accordingly on longer routes.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Fuelling & injector care

The fuel injection on the Sportster Forty-Eight needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.

Valve clearance checks

With Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) valve gear, the Sportster Forty-Eight needs periodic clearance checks; caught early they're a cheap adjustment, left unchecked they accelerate valve seat wear.

Brake disc and pad wear

Braking up front comes from Single disc. Dual-piston. Optional ABS. - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.

Suspension condition on used examples

The Sportster Forty-Eight's suspension runs Telescopic fork at the front. The rear uses Twin shocks. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.

Final drive maintenance

The Sportster Forty-Eight runs belt final drive: no lubrication or frequent adjustment like a chain, though belt tension and wear are worth a periodic look.

Handling the weight at a standstill

252 kg puts the Sportster Forty-Eight toward the heavier end of its class. It's most noticeable at walking pace; once underway the mass settles into the handling rather than fighting it.

Sportster Forty-Eight - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

Before handing over money for a used 2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, chain and sprocket wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy Sportster Forty-Eight should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.

Oil and filter changes

Nothing protects a Sportster Forty-Eight's engine like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). The sump holds 2.60 litres, so budget for that volume of quality motorcycle-specific engine oil. Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.

Fuel system care

Fuel injection on the Sportster Forty-Eight needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.

Valve clearance service

Valve clearances are easy to overlook on a used Sportster Forty-Eight since a bike out of spec doesn't always feel obviously wrong - but the wear it causes is real. Ask the seller for documentation before assuming it's been done.

2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight have?

The 2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight is powered by a V2, four-stroke engine.

How much does the 2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight weigh?

The 2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight weighs 252 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.

How much power does the 2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight make?

The 2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight produces 96 Nm @ 3500 Revolutions of torque.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight?

The 2018 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 2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight suitable for shorter riders?

The 2018 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 2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight have?

The 2018 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 2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight use?

The 2018 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 2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight take?

The 2018 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 2018 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Specifications

Colours Vivid Black, Red Iron Denim, Hard Candy Shattered Flake, Legend Blue Denim

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 0.2632 HP/kg

Bore x Stroke (in,) 3.5 x 3.8 inches

Bore x Stroke (mm) 88.9 x 96.8 mm

CO2 120.6 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 5.20 litres/100 km (19.2 km/l or 45.23 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 30.2°

Trail 135 mm / 5.3 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, Split 9-Spoke Cast Aluminum w/ Machined Highlights

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.