Sportster 48

So, what's new out there in the motorcycle world? Well, one thing is the new addition to Harley-Davidson's Dark Custom line-The Forty-Eight Sportster.

I was lucky enough to nab an invite to the unveiling of this beast at NYC's Ace Hotel the Thursday before the NYC Javits Bike Show began.

Boasting a blacked out and polished rubber-mounted Evolution 1200cc V-Twin engine, a low solo seat, trick under-mounted mirrors, side mount license plate, clean rear fender and a very different tall and fat (130mm Dunlop MT90) front tire the Forty-Eight is pretty unique within the Dark Custom line.

Starting at $10,499 MSRP in Vivid Black, it's not that great a price-leap from a standard 1200 Sporty to get this cool sporty that uses a peanut tank styled from a 1948 Sportster... hence the name Forty-Eight.

"With its classic bulldog shoulders stance, the Forty-Eight strikes a distinctive look and low profile that could only come from Harley-Davidson," said Ray Drea, Harley-Davidson Senior Director of Styling.

On hand for the unveiling was the entire team that put this machine together from concept to actual motorcycle as well as Willie G. Davidson himself who gave the team mad props for their efforts. For more information on the new Harley-Davidson 48 click here.