Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight vs Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom (2020)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eightstacks up against the Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight | Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2020 | 2020 |
| Price | $11,299 | — |
| Engine | 1202 cc | 1202 cc |
| Horsepower | 65 hp | 67 hp |
| Torque | 99 Nm | 99 Nm |
| Weight | 247 kg | 255 kg |
| Seat height | 26 mm | 29 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 2.1 L | 4.5 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 6-speed | 6-speed |
| Front brakes | Single disc. Dual-piston. Optional ABS. | Single disc. Dual piston. ABS. |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. Single-piston. Optional ABS. | Single disc. Dual piston. ABS. |
| Tires | 130/90-B16 / 150/80-B16 | 130/90-B16 / 150/80-B16 |
Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight vs Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom — which should you buy?
Picking between the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight and the Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight brings 65 hp in a 247 kg package, while the Harley-Davidson 1200 Custom counters with 67 hp at 255 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: