2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster

With a fat front tire and steel peanut tank, this low-slung urban brawler is ready to rip through any scene.

The 2014 Harley-Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight model XL1200X is one of the garage custom motorcycles in the Harley Dark Custom line. This bike cruises down the road with a 1200 cc Evolution engine an engine with a true Harley-Davidson soul. New for 2014, the Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight model comes with a powerful new braking system and optional anti-lock brakes. Another option is Hard Candy Custom paint, a large metal flake paint finish that recalls the iconic styling of 1970s custom bikes, and offers blazing color showing through a deep, rich finish. Comfortable new ergonomic hand controls are also new for 2014. The Forty-Eight model also has an authentic peanut tank which first appeared on Harley-Davidson back in 1948 (its name origin) and has been a defining Sportster feature ever since. The front end of the bike looks beefy with its fat MT90 tire. The Harley Sportster Forty-Eight model look is enhanced with the lowered front and rear suspension. Add a low seat height, and you have a serious looking motorcycle with an approachable riding stance. Take some time and look over the features of this Harley Dark Custom model, including the unique under mount motorcycle mirrors.

• Fat Front Wheel

A beefy front end with a tall, fat MT90 tire gives the Forty-Eight model a grounding visual equal to that of a 1950 Mercury. Custom rubber reminiscent of the lead-sled culture. A dominating presence up front that provides a smooth ride and solid handling.

• Clean Rear End Styling

When the look is fast and smooth, details count and clutter doesnt make the cut. We carefully crafted the rear end with retro-styled Stop-Turn-Tail lights and a side-mounted license plate to leave the fender surface clean and uncluttered for an authentically raw, custom look. And while the lamps may look old-school, its their new-school engineering that keeps things clean, packing stop, turn and running beams into each bullet.

• Evolution Engine Heritage

The Evolution engineknown in certain crowds as the Blockheadwas first bolted to the frame of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle back in 1984. Born from legendary Shovelhead and Ironhead engines, the Evolution engine broke new ground in displacement innovation while maintaining the hunger for power, durability and proven reliability that The Motor Company was built on.

• New Ergonomic Hand Controls

If your hands feel good on the controls youll feel good on the bike. Which is why when you twist the throttle of a Harley-Davidson, you just know. You feel more dialed in, comfortable and attuned to the road and everything around you. In designing the new hand controls we went the extra mile to make sure every operation is as intuitive, fluid and effortless as possible. So you can keep your eyes on whats over the next ridge and not whats under your thumb. Things like self-canceling turn signals that are right where you want them to be and brake levers that are easy for all riders to reach. Weve added new features, too, like a trip switch and vehicle start switch on keyless models. Details that may seem small but make a huge difference on the road. Because its tiny things like these that make a Harley-Davidson a Harley-Davidson.

• Integrated Electrical System

Coursing through every 2014 Sportster model is a new body controller with updated routing. It has a cleaner look and reduces the number of wiring harnesses, switches, relays and fuses. Which is a fancy way of saying less fuss. Weve also added a new voltage regulator with modified fins and integrated connectors to improve heat rejection.