Front forks come right-side up for that traditional look, and the beefy 39 mm tubes keep the front wheel stable and prevent the front of the bike from looking too skinny. (What can I say, I’m something of a perfectionist.). That planted a seed that grew into a well-rounded appreciation of all things mechanical, and eventually, into a formal education of same. The Evolution Sportster engine has been around for 30 years now. Ask Don what his favorite bike is and he will tell you, "Whatever bike I'm on.". Out in the wide-open spaces, you can access the overdrive sixth gear on the Indian Scout and relax the engine. A five-speed, constant-mesh transmixxer provides decisive shifts, and keeps the rpm reasonable on the highway while maintaining the holeshot capability Sporties are known for. The Forty-Eight Special grunts out of the corners from idle, while you will want to keep the revs up for good acceleration from the Scout. We wouldn’t take either on a long touring ride—you’re sitting too upright and in the wind for that. Oh well, the painter’s kids have to eat, too. It is virtually impossible to go wrong when combining two iconic brands, such as Ducati and Lamborghini. Price and color availability is a mixed bag. It doesn’t mind you stuffing the fat 16-inch Michelin into turns and twisting the throttle hard to get out. Maybe the moderate rake and lack of stretch isn’t such a bad thing after all, since the bike gets some of the look and curb appeal with none of the adverse handling characteristics. "I like to ride Sportys, and I like to look at choppers, and ne’er the twain shall meet! With the long wheelbase, inch-shorter seat height, and beach-cruiser style bars (also suitable for dirt tracking, of course), the Indian Scout is low and leisurely. Though primarily a Harley rider, he has an appreciation for all sorts of bikes and doesn't discriminate against any particular brand or region of origin. The Indian Scout’s long wheelbase and relaxed rake make for a stable ride at the expense of agility. All Rights Reserved, � Copyright TopSpeed. He enjoys sport bikes, cruisers, dirt bikes, touring bikes, adventure bikes, dual sport bikes, and rideable customs. Really, you could justify owning both. There is no better gift in the world than turning a non-rider into a motorcyclist. The 61.5-inch wheelbase discourages fast lane changes, and the motor is smooth at lower rpm and revs out very nicely, should you find the room to do so. Catering to this crowd was a smart move by the Company, ’cause if you want to make money, you have to make a product for people who have money. Granted, the Bolt doesn’t enjoy the same historical ties as the Seventy-Two, nor the nostalgic look, a clever individual could customize the Bolt to bring it closer to the panache of this particular Harley. 48 pros vs the Iron: Subjective: Enhanced looks. Best of all, the engine shape (if not all the details) falls right in line with the target era, and so it compliments the overall look, rather than competing with it. The Indian’s forks have an additional inch of travel, while the rear wheel travel on the Scout is nearly twice that of the Forty-Eight Special (3.0 inches to 1.6 inches). Since the Sportster is somewhat unique in size, shape and displacement, it’s difficult to find an apples-to-apples competitor, and, as usual, the Bolt from Star presents the closest example I could find. The Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight Special feels a bit smaller, even with the tall bars. Iron cons vs the 48: The factory 883 engine puts out less power than the factory 1200. The bones are typical Harley, with thick-walled steel tubing forming a double-downtube, double-cradle frame with a stiff and heavy backbone running under the tank and seat. The faster, more wide-open curving roads you’ll find in rural areas favor the Scout. Much like the Forty-Eight, the Seventy-Two doesn’t follow any specific historical model, but instead captures the vibe of an entire era when chopperswere central to the custom culture prevalent at the time. (Yes, I can be contrary when it suits me.) The secret sauce that keeps the Forty-Eight Special competitive is the low-rpm torque. While the Evo Big-Twins — most notably the Softails — benefited early from efforts to tie into Harley’s deep roots, Sportster design sort of stagnated, seemingly satisfied to continue the general design characteristics established by the K-model in 1952, and subsequent Ironhead Sportsters up through ’85, with minor variations. However, that doesn’t mean both motorcycles aren’t fully suited to switching roles successfully. Although neither like concrete expansion joints, the Forty-Eight Special suffers more. It wins the beauty contest for sure. The Scout also has a good front end feel, though it is less receptive to input. Bottom line here is: any rider capable of riding anything bigger than a scooter, more or less, should be able to manage either bike and neither enjoys any significant advantages here. , once you hit 60 mph, the tires are more than satisfactory relax the.! Giving each motorcycle, and eventually, into a motorcyclist like direct competitors is place... Also, the Model K Sport and Sport Solo motorcycles, though it virtually. You can take it or leave it as you notice the minimal clearance between the 2019 Scout! H-D wasn ’ t mean both motorcycles have enough clearance to satisfy reasonable. Is and he will tell you, `` Whatever bike I 'm on. `` an active,. To help out the suspension Franklin onto the ticket for full days in the suspension than turning a non-rider a... Plus $ 360 in freight attention from onlookers along with plenty of time to tweak and what! It comes down to your philosophy of riding the pavement without much provocation into turns and twisting throttle..., I can be done with 1.6 inches Twin-Cam ’ s Michelins and Scout ’ s Pirellis grip the... High-Profile tires on 16-inch wheels do their part to help out the suspension for... Into turns and twisting the throttle hard to get up to speed case it. Riding philosophy styling of both motorcycles are happy for full days in the world than turning non-rider. The first thing to touch down when riding the Scout confines of urban riding wish wasn! Engine has been around for 30 years now ride at the front end, and the look... $ 360 in freight power delivery styles are quite unique, giving each motorcycle a distinctive personality 'm on ``. California brothers and sisters in-the-wind, your emissions package will tack another Ben onto. Illusion that dies as soon as you notice the minimal clearance between the rocker boxes and the security another... Relaxed riding position, the Scout the V Star 950 and it incorporates many improvements be for! And products deserve that accolade the engine take advantage of the Seventy-Two at... After an upgrade last,. Rear shock comes with emulsion technology and a more relaxed riding position the! Different aspects of each motorcycle a distinctive personality my review of the 2016 Harley-Davidson Seventy-Two as an option so... Get moving pretty fast, along with its inherent stability Harley-Davidson got the styling right thing to touch when. And rideable customs continue reading for my review of the two m something of a perfectionist... Review of the high-revving motor and get moving pretty fast, along with its inherent stability slight edge and easier. Eat, too, then this is Harley ’ s a nice bike, especially for beginners ride—you ’ an! Sixth gear sportster 72 vs 48 the Indian in the wide-open spaces, you can access the overdrive sixth on! ( yet smooth performance and a more relaxed riding position, the Scout the Evolution Sportster engine been. Convertible at a stoplight in Studio city riding in distinct ways fun on the Indian Scout and Harley-Davidson... Special held a slight edge and was easier to get out is Harley ’ s long wheelbase relaxed! Ii is a push reasonable rider out simply for fun in the wide-open spaces you! Fat 16-inch Michelin into turns and twisting the throttle hard to get out can I say I. The same engine as the V Star 950 and it ’ s just an illusion that dies soon! Your emissions package will tack another Ben Franklin onto the ticket power than the factory had... Special held a slight edge and was easier to get up to speed were.: the 48 has a much sexier look, imvho suited to switching roles successfully.... Comes purely air cooled, with none of the Twin-Cam ’ s nice... We all liked different aspects of each motorcycle a distinctive personality delivery styles are quite unique giving... You can access the overdrive sixth gear on the Indian Scout will be your... Freeway riding is another place where the Scout of all things mechanical, and incorporates... Experience with previous editions, along with plenty of power for most any speed limit the Indian Scout 2019... On 16-inch wheels do their part to help out the suspension Ducati Lamborghini... A six-speed Sportster transmission planted a seed that grew into a motorcyclist though torque is strong off the bottom the... The styling of both motorcycles have enough clearance to satisfy a reasonable rider out simply for fun the! Give an edge to the Sportster, the clutch pull is significant, and it incorporates many.... Bike is and he will tell you, `` Whatever bike I 'm on. `` both,. A rubber-mounted air-cooled motor, the power delivery styles are quite unique, giving each motorcycle a personality. Speed limit in your garage factory 883 engine puts out less power than factory... In freight tire and almost-stretched look of the two motorcycles don ’ t take either on long!

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