Victory Octane vs. Harley Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight

Though popular motorcycle companies like Harley Davidson are still in business producing high-quality two-wheelers almost every year, they often have to contend with competition from motorcycle manufacturers that no longer exist. Though manufacturers like Victory Motorcycles went out of business long ago, they still have loyal fanbases that avidly search for any used models on the market. Since Victory Motorcycles was always trying to catch up with Harley Davidson until its dissolution in 2017, both motorcycle companies specialized in making cruisers, touring, and sports-touring motorbikes. Two notable cruisers with similar specifications and capabilities include the Victory Octane and the Harley Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight.

The Victory Octane was the last motorcycle created by Victory Motorcycles before the company went out of business. This Victory model was a stripped-down cruiser with a stylish engine and less overall weight and was the fastest motorcycle in all the Victory lineups.

The Harley Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight was introduced in 2010, built with a peanut-shaped engine, a uniquely modern design, and colorful aesthetics. Having remained in production for 12 years, this Harley model has seen multiple upgrades to its engine, chassis, etc.

The Victory Octane is a lightweight cruiser with a weight of 548 lbs and a length of 90.9 inches, designed with a low stance and a wind cone riding position. Positioned under the fuel tank, the compact V-Twin engine with overhead cams and four-valve heads is raised high enough off the ground that its bottom will not scrape. The Victory Octane’s frame is built from an aluminum-cast skeleton, fitted with a solo saddle-shaped seat, and wide swept-back handlebars. Its front suspensions are 41 mm damper-tube forks with dual-rate springs, while the rear suspensions are preload adjustable twin shocks with dual-rate springs. The front brake is a single disc with two-piston calipers, while the rear brake is a single disc with a single-piston caliper. The front tire is a size 130/70-18, while the rear tire is a size 160/70-17. The Victory Octane can come in the following color schemes: glossy black, matte super steel grey, glossy black with graphics, and white sand pearl.

The Harley Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight is a lightweight blacked-out cruiser with a weight of 556 lbs and a length of 85.2 inches, built with a powerful stance and forward riding position. Resting low with a ground clearance of 4.3 inches, the large Evolution V-Twin engine with lightweight aluminum heads and cylinders makes up the bulk of this vehicle’s overall weight. The Harley Sportster Forty-Eight is constructed with a lean, slim frame, a solo seat with a curved dip, and upright handlebars. Its front suspension is a 49 mm fork set with a free valve on the right and a cartridge style on the left, while the rear suspension is a variable rate spring over 36 mm piston nitrogen gas-charged emulsion style shock with thread style preload adjustment. Its braking system includes a floating front brake and a uniform expansion rotor rear brake; the front and rear brakes are fitted with dual-piston calipers. The Harley Sportster Forty-Eight has Michelin Scorcher tires, with the front tire being a size 130/90B16 73H and the rear tire being a size 150/80B16 77H. Both tires are fitted with black split nine-spoke cast aluminum wheels with machined highlights. The Harley Sportster Forty-Eight can come in the following color schemes: vivid black, reef blue, and white sand pearl.

The Victory Octane is powered by a 1,179 cc V-Twin engine. This engine is liquid-cooled which ensures that the engine’s temperature remains low even when traveling long distances or in hot weather conditions. Running on a six-speed transmission system, the engine connects and turns the rear tire via a belt drive train. The Victory Octane’s engine has a wet, multi-plate clutch, a twin cam/double overhead cam exhaust, and an Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection fuel system. This engine is capable of a torque of 103.1 Nm and a horsepower of 104 hp. Designed with a 4.0-inch bore and a 2.9-inch stroke, this engine makes it possible for the Victory Octane to reach a top speed of 130 mph.

The Harley Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight is powered by a 1,200 cc Evolution V-Twin engine. This engine is air-cooled which does not reliably keep the engine’s temperature low at long distances and in hot weather conditions. Running on a five-speed transmission system, the engine connects to the rear tire via a chain drive train. The Harley Sportster Forty-Eight’s engine has a black staggered exhaust with slash-cut mufflers and an Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection fuel system. This engine is capable of a torque of 99 Nm and a horsepower of 60 hp. Designed with a 3.5-inch bore and a 3.8-inch stroke, this engine makes it possible for the Harley Sportster Forty-Eight to reach a top speed of 110 mph.

The Victory Octane has a low, cruiser-style riding triangle that puts the rider within a reasonable distance of the handlebars and footrests. The wide swept-back handlebars allow you to relax your arms and make it easier to turn corners and navigate on narrow roads. The black vinyl or leather seat is placed in a sharp dip at the center with only enough room for the rider. Sitting at a seat height of 25.9 inches, this vehicle has a riding position comfortable for shorter and taller riders. Though this vehicle does not have an ABS installed, its single-disc brakes are reliable so long as you are racing at high speed. The Victory Octane is best suited for short commutes through urban areas, but it does have some touring capability on long highways. To improve its capabilities, you can install aftermarket parts like crash bars, fairings, luggage racks, and sissy bars to the Victory Octane.

The Harley Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight is built with a forward riding position and forward foot controls. The upright motorcycles require most riders to lean slightly forward to be able to reach the handlebars. The black vinyl or leather seat is positioned more towards the rear end, having a slight dip in the center so that the rider remains in place. Built with a seat height of 26.2 inches, this vehicle is suited for shorter and taller riders. The dual-piston caliper braking system along with the ABS ensures responsive stopping power when the brake is applied. The Harley Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight is most comfortable when traveling short distances in urban areas. If you wish to improve the Harley Sportster Forty-Eight’s performance and protection, you only need to install aftermarket parts, such as crash bars, fairings, luggage racks, and sissy bars

The Victory Octane is the more affordable option, being $1,800 cheaper than the Harley Sportster Forty-Eight. This vehicle has better maneuverability since it has fewer extra parts weighing it down. The Victory Octane outperforms the Harley Sportster Forty-Eight with a higher top speed of 20 mph, a better torque of 4.1 Nm, and a better horsepower of 44 hp. It also has a larger fuel capacity of 1.3 gal and a larger oil capacity of 2.1 L. The Victory Octane also has more customizability due to having more color schemes. Plus, it can be fitted with saddlebags to increase storage capacity and aftermarket parts to add extra features.

The Harley Davidson Sportster Forty-Eight is a suitable first bike to practice on if you are a novice rider. Though it cannot travel as far as the Victory Octane, the Harley Sportster Forty-Eight’s ergonomics ensure better stability, reduced vibrations, and more comfy seating when traveling at high speed and rpm. Since it has remained in production, the Harley Sportster Forty-Eight has been upgraded with the latest technological features. If you wish to add extra storage space, it is possible to mount saddlebags. If you wish to improve your Harley Sportster Forty-Eight’s capabilities, then attach aftermarket parts.

After the Victory Octane was introduced to the market, Victory Motorcycles admitted that 35% of its parts and design were similar to the Indian Scout. Despite having a similar framework, the Victory Octane had better horsepower, suspensions, and a more affordable base price.

The Victory Octane’s V-Twin engine can reach 60 mph within four seconds, travel a quarter mile within 13 seconds, and attain a top speed of 130 mph.

ike every Harley Davidson model, the Harley Sportster Forty-Eight can travel at least 75,000 miles throughout its lifetime so long as the vehicle is well-maintained and undamaged. If you travel on your Harley Sportster Forty-Eight less frequently, your motorcycle can remain working for at least 25 years.

If the Harley Sportster Forty-Eight is running on a full tank of gas, its average fuel economy of 48 mpg means that this motorcycle should be able to travel a maximum distance of 163 miles. However, it is unlikely that you will be able to travel this far in a single trip without needing to refuel.

Harley Davidson may still be around while Victory Motorcycles is not, but both the Harley Sportster Forty-Eight and the Victory Octane can still be found on the market if you take the time to research and look carefully. The Harley Sportster Forty-Eight is easier to find due to still being in production, being possible to get either a new or used model. The Victory Octane is harder to find since there are a limited number of them left, but they still work great even if previously used. If you are a beginner looking to practice, want a vehicle that maximizes comfort, or need reliable transportation for your daily commutes, then the Harley Sportster Forty-Eight is the better choice. If you wish for a vehicle that is more affordable, with both short- and long-distance capability, and better overall performance, then you should opt for the Victory Octane.