Advice needed Please
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Stage IV
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Ocean warrior
Advice needed Please
Hi, new to the forum although been following various threads for a few months now as a silent observer....
I have recently been bitten by on road motorcycling ( although always swore blind i would never) after many years of moto x and offroad riding.
Here is my situation:
I spend half the year in the US and half the year in Europe due to the industry i work in. (Originally born in South Africa)
I recently hired a Sportster and my wife loved it and now wants to persue a dream that i have had for many years and to ride route 66.
From the outset, i had 2 bikes in mind and that was the sportster and the V-rod.
I then rode the V-rod and while i loved it, although i can potentially see problems for the use i want it for, especially in european cities.
I plan to do maximum, 2 big trips per year of 3-4 weeks 200-250 miles max in a day with a break day here and there as needed.
Most of the riding will be weekend of about that length to visit other places etc.
My question is:
Is it possible to do extended trips on a Sportster 48 two up for example with gear ?
I have had conflicting views on this with some saying just go for it and others saying will be to uncomfortable.
Wind, hard ride, to small etc.
Im 6ft and wife is 5.9. Im really of the opinion to just get on and ride, cant be worse than what i am used to or sitting on a bicycle for hours on end.
I can afford to mod it with air ride and windshield etc.
I just really love the style of the bike and it fits my style perfectly.
I know this can be a varied response, but i really have that bike in mind.
I did try the softail breakout the other day and really liked the look also but i think it is to much for what i need or want.
So please feel free, school me into making the right choice
I have recently been bitten by on road motorcycling ( although always swore blind i would never) after many years of moto x and offroad riding.
Here is my situation:
I spend half the year in the US and half the year in Europe due to the industry i work in. (Originally born in South Africa)
I recently hired a Sportster and my wife loved it and now wants to persue a dream that i have had for many years and to ride route 66.
From the outset, i had 2 bikes in mind and that was the sportster and the V-rod.
I then rode the V-rod and while i loved it, although i can potentially see problems for the use i want it for, especially in european cities.
I plan to do maximum, 2 big trips per year of 3-4 weeks 200-250 miles max in a day with a break day here and there as needed.
Most of the riding will be weekend of about that length to visit other places etc.
My question is:
Is it possible to do extended trips on a Sportster 48 two up for example with gear ?
I have had conflicting views on this with some saying just go for it and others saying will be to uncomfortable.
Wind, hard ride, to small etc.
Im 6ft and wife is 5.9. Im really of the opinion to just get on and ride, cant be worse than what i am used to or sitting on a bicycle for hours on end.
I can afford to mod it with air ride and windshield etc.
I just really love the style of the bike and it fits my style perfectly.
I know this can be a varied response, but i really have that bike in mind.
I did try the softail breakout the other day and really liked the look also but i think it is to much for what i need or want.
So please feel free, school me into making the right choice
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 502
From: Northern WV
I could... a Miata would be far more comfortable than even a Touring model, it has a heater, AC, convertible top and bucket seats. I get what you're saying though, two-up I'd prefer a tourer. Otherwise possibly a Softail or Dyna IF it was set up with the right seat and luggage, and maybe a windshield too.
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Ocean warrior
Many thanks for the response guys, kind of the one i was expecting,
was just kind of thinking with a larger tank, different seat, windshield and air ride suspension, it would be possible.
The touring models really don't appeal to me, i guess i will have to look back into the softail or Dyna again.
I am new to this, so will take all advice into consideration to purchase the bike.
90% of the time, will be for short weekend rides with occasional touring thrown in, so want the bike to look sporty most of the time and then just to put panniers etc on for trips.
I did like the look of a few Dyna's i saw today, will put more consideration into it.
Thank you
was just kind of thinking with a larger tank, different seat, windshield and air ride suspension, it would be possible.
The touring models really don't appeal to me, i guess i will have to look back into the softail or Dyna again.
I am new to this, so will take all advice into consideration to purchase the bike.
90% of the time, will be for short weekend rides with occasional touring thrown in, so want the bike to look sporty most of the time and then just to put panniers etc on for trips.
I did like the look of a few Dyna's i saw today, will put more consideration into it.
Thank you
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 279
Likes: 1
From: So Cal
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
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From: Garland, TX
My thoughts as well.
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,468
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
I actually read your post. Here's my response...
As others have said, there really isn't a worse Harley-Davidson for two up road trips than the Sportster 48.
The. Worst.
However, you said something really, really important, and that is that you plan no more than 250 miles per day, maximum, and with as many rest stops as you and/or your wife would like.
That, as the saying goes, changes everything.
In that case, get the motorcycle you really want. If you put a comfortable two person seat on it, good rear shocks, bags and a windshield, you're ready to go have some fun.
Yes, a bigger tank will be an enormously helpful addition, but they're not cheap, and besides, if you're stopping every hour or so, you can get by. Look at it this way, with that dinky stock tank, you'll have to stop to rest!
As others have said, there really isn't a worse Harley-Davidson for two up road trips than the Sportster 48.
The. Worst.
However, you said something really, really important, and that is that you plan no more than 250 miles per day, maximum, and with as many rest stops as you and/or your wife would like.
That, as the saying goes, changes everything.
In that case, get the motorcycle you really want. If you put a comfortable two person seat on it, good rear shocks, bags and a windshield, you're ready to go have some fun.
Yes, a bigger tank will be an enormously helpful addition, but they're not cheap, and besides, if you're stopping every hour or so, you can get by. Look at it this way, with that dinky stock tank, you'll have to stop to rest!
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
I like Sportsters but they are most definitely not made for long rides. Short range, and uncomfortable as hell after 60 minutes.
You could spend a bunch of money equipping it for your needs, but it will never be good enough and would cost enough to make the Softail/Dyna/RK a better proposition all around.
You could spend a bunch of money equipping it for your needs, but it will never be good enough and would cost enough to make the Softail/Dyna/RK a better proposition all around.