Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom vs Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Special (2019)

Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Customstacks up against the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Special. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.

Spec comparison

SpecHarley-Davidson Sportster 1200 CustomHarley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Special
Model year20192019
Price$10,999$11,649
Engine1202 cc1202 cc
Horsepower67 hp65 hp
Torque99 Nm99 Nm
Weight255 kg248 kg
Seat height29 mm28 mm
Fuel capacity4.5 L2.1 L
Fuel typepetrolpetrol
Transmission6-speed6-speed
Front brakesSingle disc. Dual piston, optional ABS.Single disc. Dual-piston. Optional ABS.
Rear brakesSingle disc. Dual piston, optional ABS.Single disc. Single-piston. Optional ABS.
Tires130/90-B16 / 150/80-B16 130/90-B16 / 150/80-B16

Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom vs Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Special — which should you buy?

Picking between the Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom and the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Special usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom brings 67 hp in a 255 kg package, while the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Special counters with 65 hp at 248 kg. On price, the Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom has the lower MSRP.

Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: