I'd like to make my soon to be bought sporster 1200 custom more comfortable for 2 up and faster.. what should I do? Whats the highest stage kit I can get for it, and is it all worth it or should I just go with a dyna. Im a college student living in the city who weighs 147 lbs, my main reasons for going with a sporster. I will need to plant my feet often and would like the extra kick and comfort for 2 up.

thank you.

 

I have a 1200 C and love it. However, I ride solo and for me the bike is great. I suggest you think long and hard about this. The Sportster is the most uncomfortable bike that Harley makes when it comes to two up riding. If you plan on having a companion with you for any amount of time at all you should give serious thought to the Dyna.

 

Couple of things... If I would have really thought things through before I bought the Nightster, I would have gone with a Dyna for 2 up reasons. Nice thing is, my wife wants to get a Road King in a couple weeks so she can go with me on rides. The final issue is finances. Do you have student loans? Don't get bogged down more with bike payments. Sorry, not my business.

Good luck with your decision.

 

The Sportster is an excellent solo ride. My wife agrees. She has her own bike (a Heritage). No way in hell will she ride on the back of my XL1200 to the corner.

If 2-up riding is really a major consideration for this bike purchase, consider something with more room. A Dyna will give a few more precious inches, but better would be a Softail Custom, a Heritage, a Road King, Street Glide, Electra Glide....

Or consider getting two Sportys.

(Just wait....you are soon going to hear from people who have ridden to Tierra Del Fuego and back riding two-up on a SPortster and will say it is the greatest two-up bike ever)

 

Sportster can be a fine bike for 2 up... Get a sundowner seat, it has more room in the passenger area, get a back rest. I'm 6'1", could I use a bigger bike 1% of the time? Sure, but the other 99% it gives me a S#!T eating grin.... I work with a guy, 5'5" and he has a hard time with his Dyna.... its all about preference...

 

my wife is 5'3 and 110 i'm 5'11 and 215. it will 2 up fine, but would recommend something bigger for comfort.

 

how big a difference do u feel the difference is between a sporster 2 up and dyna as far as comfort wise? I'd like a better idea.

 

A Dyna is basically just a larger Sportster. The frame geometry is very similar, just larger. But how much longer is it? The seating area will have 3-4 inches more room. Doesn't sound like much, but it makes a big difference. Also, an inch or two here an there in terms of passenger leg position will help, too.

The Dynas will also have a lower center of gravity with helps a bit with 2-up riding. And the extra power doesn't hurt.

If this is the kind of bike you want, then also budget for a better 2-up seat. HD makes some good ones, e.g. the Sundowner, but there are nice aftermarket ones, too. The seat on a Sportster 1200C or a Super Glide Custom is not the best for extended 2-up. Also budget for a sissy bar with a pad (don't forget the sissy bar brackets in your budget).

A Dyna, though more comfortable for passengers than a Sportster, is still really best as a solo bike, IMO. A better bike for passenger comfort is a Softail Custom (with that plush king/queen seat), or any Touring model.

How much 2-up riding do you anticipate? Afternoon rides around your area (Dyna will be fine) or riding across America (get a Touring bike)?

 

My wife and I routinely do 2-4 hour rides on my set up. Of course, depends on your body size. I'm 5'11" 185lbs and my wife is 5'3' 125lbs. I know some guys who ride Sportsters that are bigger than us combined. So I think it depends on your situation.

Also, if you could afford a Dyna or touring bike, you wouldn't be in this forum anyway. Not everybody has $5-10k to just drop on a bike, or extra bike, just because of convenience.