By Ross Joseph

At a time when young adults are cutting back on excess and beginning to long for a simpler way of life, Harley-Davidson answers the call for a minimalist revival with a bike stripped of excess parts ~ leaving just you, your attitude, and the engine. The company’s new Forty-Eight motorcycle is a factory custom with an unconventional look and feel. The latest introduction to Harley-Davidson’s Dark Custom collection of raw and elemental bikes, Forty-Eight pushes the limits on style and performance and is stripped down to what really matters ~ the same way today’s young generation of freedom-seekers are living their lives.

The Forty-Eight may resemble a classic Sportster, but this bike is about as unconventional as it gets ~ and that’s okay, because fitting in (or god forbid blending in) isn’t exactly what Harley-Davidson is aiming for: from its “peanut” fuel tank and under-bar mounted mirrors to its slammed stance and fat tires, the Forty-Eight takes motorcycle design as close to the edge as possible.

“We wanted to create a bike that pushes the limits of design. Forty-Eight’s classic bulldog shoulders, distinctive look, and low profile could only come from Harley-Davidson,” said Ray Drea, Harley-Davidson Senior Director of Styling.

As a Harley-Davidson Dark Custom, the Forty-Eight is ready to ride as a radical custom and also primed to take on its rider’s character and personality while maintaining the swagger of the Sportsters that became an iron canvas for many legendary choppers of the hot rod era right through today.

“Other companies look at Harley-Davidson for design inspiration; we look in the mirror,” said Willie G. Davidson, Harley-Davidson Chief Styling Officer. “The Forty-Eight has a collective past life experience and broken-in look that is raw and authentic.”

The Forty-Eight’s aggressive, sporty look combines heritage and strong performance. Riding low with a slammed suspension, the bulldog stance gets you closer to the street and connects you with everything around. In an effort to create a bike they couldn’t wait to ride themselves, Harley-Davidson designers actually ripped an old peanut tank off a top shelf in the shop to bring the classic, custom look together.

The Forty-Eight is a culmination of customization on the Sportster platform with this latest bike marking the return of the original peanut tank. As the longest running tank in Harley history (it was first used in 1948), its iconic look is a signature choice for custom bobbed and chopped bikes. Its use on the Forty-Eight creates a visual impact that exposes the bike’s guts in way that reminds you (as well as admiring passers-by and fellow bike enthusiasts) that you’re truly riding an engine.

And now for the gearheads among you…the delicious specs:

Don’t get the wrong idea, though ~ Dark Custom is about way more than just about stripping it all down; in the case of Forty-Eight, the designers left plenty of wicked modern twists on the bone. At the center of the Forty-Eight is a blacked-out and polished rubber-mounted Evolution 1200cc V-Twin engine that delivers raw power, making it one of Harley’s fastest accelerating motorcycles. Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection and performance tuning with a broad torque curve deliver a super-responsive ride with smooth clutch effort. The pipes on the slash cut dual exhaust pound out the distinctive Harley-Davidson American V-Twin sound ~ yeah, you know the one.

The under-bar mounted mirrors emphasize the Forty-Eight’s focus on chiseled customization and put the bike in a visual time warp. Their low position allows for a better view of the world as you cut your path through it. Gliding on 16-inch Black Steel Laced wheels, the 150mm wide balloon tires absorb the road and offer a smooth ride. A clean, chopped rear fender and side mount license plate keep the look crisp while showing off the rear tire. Embracing the street up front are forward foot controls, front fork sliders, a slammed speedometer, low profile handlebar, and front mounted turn signals. Blacked components including an air cleaner cover, clutch, brake, and turn signals are topped off with polished accents like lightning holes and more.

“Form follows function, but both report to emotion,” said Davidson. “The details are what make this bike great.”

The Forty-Eight is easy to get on with a unique dual texture solo seat with a height of 26 inches that fits the lone rider, while a passenger pillion, foot pegs, and backrest are just a few of the many accessories that can be added. The Forty-Eight is stripped of saddlebags, allowing no room for storage ~ aside from what fits in your pockets. And while the Forty-Eight may break bad when it comes to radical attitude and straight-on style, it won’t break the bank ~ it starts at just $10,499 MSRP in Vivid Black.

For more information on the Forty-Eight and its Dark Custom comrades,
visit www.harley-davidson.com.