Back on a XL
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 189
Likes: 6
Back on a XL
Sold my 1200xl 3 years ago and bought a FLD. I never really warmed up to it changing things around but nothing made it right for me. Wonderful wife said go back to a XL if thats what I wanted so today I found a 2012 XLC already set up with stage 1. While I don't care for short shots I can deal with them for a while. Anyway, the ride home turned into a 4 hour ride reminding why I prefer the Sportster. Kurt
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 189
Likes: 6
Size, spend my youth on Triumphs Nortons and BSAs. All my riding is on backroads rarely ever hitting 4 lanes. While the FLD handles OK once I put on the True Track it still felt like a heavy bike. I ride solo 95% of the time. My son keeps his Sportster at my place and I was taking his bike out as often as mine. A 1200 is still a big bike but I feel like I'm on a motorcycle instead of riding in a minivan. Just my preference. Kurt
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,337
Likes: 9
From: Phoenix, AZ
Welcome back, I still have my '04 FXDL but she sits more than she gets ridden, I only take her out to keep everything in good working order, my love is the Forty Eight, handles way better and is a fun bike to ride.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 638
Likes: 2
From: Three-one-O
I tired riding a Dyna and a Fat Bob. Just couldn't get into it enough to want to trade in my Sporty 48. I know it'll never be as smooth but this is why I started riding in the first place...to feel the road and feel the bike 
I still want a road king for monumental, long distance cruises but the reality is I'll get one and it will sit in my garage 90% of the time. I'll wait some time and live life on my sporty for now 
I still want a road king for monumental, long distance cruises but the reality is I'll get one and it will sit in my garage 90% of the time. I'll wait some time and live life on my sporty for now
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 67
From: Saint Amant, Acadiana
We returned from a trip to Talladega a few weeks ago. Two Sportsters XL1200R. We did 400+ miles first day to get into Leeds and this was a piece of cake. We both felt like we could carry on for another 200 miles at least.
On our way back a Bentley passed us on the right. Out of curiosity we stuck with it. As a result we cruised next ten miles at 100 MPH. I kept my eye on oil thermometer and it went up to 250 but stopped there.
Just to let you know Sportster is great for touring, it does not lack the speed, and it still beats all the heavy machinery in twisties.
On our way back a Bentley passed us on the right. Out of curiosity we stuck with it. As a result we cruised next ten miles at 100 MPH. I kept my eye on oil thermometer and it went up to 250 but stopped there.
Just to let you know Sportster is great for touring, it does not lack the speed, and it still beats all the heavy machinery in twisties.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
+1
Touring on a smaller bike sacrifices some comfort, but makes up for it with a much bigger connection to the adventure. Bigger bikes make you feel more like they are taking care of everything and you're just along for the ride, while a smaller bike feels more like your partner in crime.
While I've ridden many "smaller" bikes in the past decades, it's taken a long time ridding Harley's to finally discover the Sportster. I'm so glad such a perfect and simple machine is still being made today.
Touring on a smaller bike sacrifices some comfort, but makes up for it with a much bigger connection to the adventure. Bigger bikes make you feel more like they are taking care of everything and you're just along for the ride, while a smaller bike feels more like your partner in crime.
While I've ridden many "smaller" bikes in the past decades, it's taken a long time ridding Harley's to finally discover the Sportster. I'm so glad such a perfect and simple machine is still being made today.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,335
Likes: 27
From: San Diego, CA
Welcome back kknickmeyer. I know exactly what you mean. I have taken trips to the East coast 4 times and up to Canada 5 times, and all on one Sportster or another (although my first time up to Canada before the other 5 times was on a '68 350 Honda CL) and I have loved all those trips. Never really wanted for, or need, a different/bigger bike. Will never give up my Sporty, except whenever I get a newer one.
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