I was shooting the breeze with some fellow Sportster riders, and we got to talking about bigger Harleys. The real question was -- what is the real functional difference between a 1200 Sportster and a bigger Harley such as a Dyna (we were discussing the Lowrider) or the Softtails, such as a Fatboy?

My 1200T Sportster seems fine for any reasonable freeway ride, and is very nimble for maneuvering in town and country settings. But a lot of the fellows seem to think that you need one of the bigger bikes for anything except short in-town riding. Setting aside multi-day rides, for which a huge touring bike can be seen to make sense, what gives?

 

Oh boy, this is going to be fun.

 

What's the difference between a Mustang and a Lincoln?

 

For me, having gone from a 2007 1200 custom to a 2013 Deluxe, the two biggest differences are the 6th gear and the fat front tire. Both make highway rides much more enjoyable. Also in my case I added the windshield and fork deflectors to my softail for even more comfort. Never tried a shield on my sporty and I don't know if they make the fork deflectors so I can't give an apples to apples comparison. Another point worth mentioning is the fact that is physically larger gives me, and more importantly my wife, more room to get comfortable while cruising. Bigger tank is also a bonus.

 

It wasn't mentioned in the post but another thing to consider is price there's definitely a gap between the two styles and as the previous comment or pointed out it is very similar to buying a Mustang vs. a Lincoln; they both get you to the same place in approximately the same time it's just in what fashion do they get you there and that will be the determining factor for you. Last year I made a ride to Cincinnati from Nashville which is about a 5 Hour Drive. On the way back I rode my dad's VFR which is a totally different style of bike. I was able to relax more but I didn't feel like I enjoyed the ride as much. Most recently I took a 4 Hour drive just in Tennessee on my sporty and my butt was raw, but still I enjoyed the ride... And I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of comfort to accommodate my style.

 

Most likely comfort and tank capacity. I test rode a 2015 Breakout over the weekend and have to say that it was super comfy. Other than that (and how it looks), I wasn't very impressed as it seemed way underpowered for that size bike (67.6 hp and 86.8 lb-ft of torque, according to Cycle World).

 

Here is my perspective.. Status.. Sporty's have a "starter Harley" stigma attached to them.. I rode Sport Bikes for 20 years and for years said I would switch to an HD but never a Sportster.. Then I actually went in and started looking and the 48 just fit me best.. Thats not to say I wont ever "upgrade" but I really think the Current Sportster lineup is a perfect platform to make the jump from Sport Bike to HD.. my .02

 

Sportsters on average seem to be more reliable by all that I have seen on the forum over the years, my stage 1 xl1200 was quicker and had better throttle response over my new street Bob I got last month. I have gone back and forth. The switchback choice was about 2 up comfort. My custom with mustang wide solo and progressive shocks was very close in comfort to either dyna with after market seat. The custom was a bit of an impulse buy to get back on a sportster (traded for two so wife rides beside now) but I was never in love with the customs look and definitely not its handling in cornering. If they made a 1200 Iron I would likely have one now, but at the same time I am loving the street Bob, feels like my old Nightster, just wider. Now if you have to get on the interstate and you're cruising at 75-80, it is much more relaxed than a sporty. It is so strange to me how many people give up on their sporties and don't make simple very effective changes to seat and suspension. A well equipped sporty can take you across the country enjoyable. My longest trips were years ago on a honda cx500 and a yamaha xj 700 maxim x. I have ridden softtails and they feel too heavy, slow, and low to me. But to each his own, that's why they make so many different ones.

 

For most (though they wont admit it). Bigger bikes are better because their bigger and more expensive.

 

With the (fairly) new sportster touring models, the lines are blurring even more. Eventually, I will get a touring bike. I really like the feel and ride of my sportster. When I upgrade, I may simply look into a touring model sportster.