I will be taking my 2012 1200C on a long solo trip this summer- about 1000 each way with a week at the beach in between.
I currently have a detachable sissy bar, Sundowner 2-up seat and mini floorboards. For luggage I currently have a Biltwell Exfil 80 and an Exfil 7 for tools.
I plan on adding a detachable windshield. Other than that, what do you suggest?
I plan on doing about 400 a miles day for the first 2 days and about 200 miles on the third day, staying in hotels.
Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

If you can make it fit at least a small tire patch/plug kit, small compressor and one of those 1/3 gal. biltwell bottles for fuel.


I went on a trip like that on my sportster a few years ago and I found I didn't need much other than just the basics. Depending on where you are going most modern conveniences can be had anyways but that plug kit and fuel kit will get you down the road much faster than waiting on someone.

 

Did some long runs years ago on a honda 1100 shadow. An old guy under an overpass in a rainstorm told us, 'take breaks. Once you get stiff and hurting, you're done.' Taking that advice has helped me. Even if they are a couple of minutes, I get off and move every hour or so.

Packing your gear where you can lean back on it will help, too.

Shake down cruise will help you with what you do and don't need and how to pack it. Got time for an overnighter just to see? Or even load it up and do an out and back home run.

most important...have fun!!

 

A few threads down is this thread about a two-up cross country road trip on a Sporty 72. https://www.hdforums.com/forum/showt...184383&page=12

Read about his setup and experiences. That should give you a pretty good idea of things to keep in mind.

 

I put a Memphis Shades Gauntlet detachable fairing on my Sportster. Really liked the way it looked and blocked wind

 

With the windshield and your bag for a backrest you should be good to go, also a good idea to have some good rain gear along.

 

 

Have rain gear handy.....sounds like you know what your doing....good luck!

 

Rain gear is always a good idea, I usually pack a small took kit (the basics) with a mini air compressor. Depending on how well you know your route, a map would be a good idea. I also have recently started running a ram mount for my phone for GPS, especially in the big metropolitan areas to make navigation that much easier. As long as you are comfortable there really shouldn't be anything you need specific to riding a Sportster. The only advice I will give on a windshield is definitely test it out before you leave. My Dyna came with a quick detach windshield and I despised it, I got a crazy amount of buffeting and I sold it. I now run a 1/4 fairing and love it.

 

forward controls and/or highway pegs. That will allow you to change your feet position and stretch a bit. Pack fairly light...plan on doing at least one trip to laundry and that will save you some space. I did several trips on my old Sporty and never had a lick of trouble. Windshield trimmed to be just below my nose, leather saddle bags, and sissy bar bag. Also had a throttle boss to give my hand a break. With the fuel tank, I found we were stopping every 100 miles so we got off a bit. I run an app called Fuel Buddy and track my mileage. reset odometer every fill up, knew how far I could go, what my mileage is/was, and kept track of costs. Perhaps ****, and a bit cumbersome at first, but habit now. I never trust my fuel gage.
Let us know hour your trip went!!!