Just got back from the dealer and saw that bike. Great paint job once had a helmet that was painted the same color. Still might have it laying around somewhere.

Tarted up 48 with apes.

Like unexplainable magic a 2012 official Harley Davidson MOCO new models hand book from Wilkins HD in Barre, VT ended up practically on my work station the other day. Looking at it right now. I like the Switchback, the Softail Slim,fatboy low, Sportster 48, the Ultra Limited and the Ultra Road Glide.

This "parts bin" mentality is going to continue until people want/demand actual newly engineered products. Like I said, the 72 is a chromed 48. I have a 48, so who needs a 72?

As for the Switchback, even that's stale. Harley already sells detchable hardware. I have the very thing on the back of my 48. I can get a detachable windshield if I want, and sissy bars or backrests or saddlebags already could be attached with the stuff I already have. So, where's the innovation?

How about a new engine? MoCo gets in a rut and never changes. Look at the 'new' 10th Anniversary V-Rod. Except for the mufflers and graphics on the gauges, it's the same bike. Metric companies would never get caught in the mud like that. Yes, Harley owners like 'tradition,' but a few changes since 1936 would be nice.

+1 on that! I like the 48 way better anyway. If I were to buy a sporty it would be a 48 first choice.

I'm surprised more people, and especially Harley owners, don't see that the bikes are the same--right down to the gas tanks. One's black, one's chrome.

MoCo has the dark custom series already, and we all know those bikes. So why can't they be honest and call this new bike a "Chrome 48" or a "Candy 48"? Instead they insult everyone's intelligence and pretend it's a 'new bike.'

Oh, it does have a slim front tire, very ala Captain America. But for obvious reasons they couldn't call the bike the same year as when that movie was released. The bike would then be called the "69" and they'd never hear the end of the jokes.

went to the dealership this weekend and saw the bike in person...
reminded me of my old friends Schwinn Apple Krate... so I sat on it and had a laugh.
Don't know what they're thinking but the bike i'd love to see is the 48 with a larger tank more than a Apple Krate.

No kidding. I'm actively looking for an EFI 4.5 gallon Sportster tank. That's another problem with MoCo, I'm not sure they understand that some of us actually ride the bikes they build.

The peanut tank does provide for one cool feature--under mirrors. Big whup. What good is motorcycle that can only get from gas station to gas station? In one typical afternoon, usually from +/-noon to perhaps 4:00PM, and that's with one stop at home, I've had to stop for three fills. An evening ride is another one or two stops.

If they can offer forward or traditional pegs as an option for bikes, why isn't there a 4.5 gallon 48 tank available that you can order when first buying the bike? Well, that's because a new tank costs 800 to 1,000 bucks installed and painted if you buy what you need.

just be happy they (MoCo) didn't paint your bike "big flake candy apple red"...