Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Dark Custom vs Harley-Davidson XL 1200N Sportster 1200 Nightster (2018)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Dark Customstacks up against the Harley-Davidson XL 1200N Sportster 1200 Nightster. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Dark Custom
Harley-Davidson XL 1200N Sportster 1200 Nightster
Spec comparison
| Spec | Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Dark Custom | Harley-Davidson XL 1200N Sportster 1200 Nightster |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2018 | 2010 |
| Price | $11,299 | — |
| Engine | 1202 cc | 1202 cc |
| Horsepower | 65 hp | — |
| Torque | 96 Nm | 98 Nm |
| Weight | 244 kg | 251 kg |
| Seat height | 27 mm | 29 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 2.1 L | 3.3 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 6-speed | 5-speed |
| Front brakes | Single disc. Dual-piston. Optional ABS. | Single disc. Dual Piston |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. Single-piston. Optional ABS. | Single disc. Single piston |
| Tires | 130/90-B16 / 150/80-B16 | 100/90-19 / 150/80-16 |
Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Dark Custom vs Harley-Davidson XL 1200N Sportster 1200 Nightster — which should you buy?
Picking between the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Dark Custom and the Harley-Davidson XL 1200N Sportster 1200 Nightster usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight Dark Custom brings 65 hp in a 244 kg package, while the Harley-Davidson XL 1200N Sportster 1200 Nightster counters with its own power figure at 251 kg.
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: