Hi guys:

I'm thinking about purchasing a softail (probably Heritage Classic) for longer rides. I'm keeping my 883 - I love it (I feel like the bike and me are one piece when I ride it)- but I've hooked up with some friends who are doing consistently longer rides (mostly on touring bikes).I added a sundowner and windshieldto my 883- making a 100 mile ride no problem and I am going to try a 500 mile weekend on the Sportster in a few weeks, so if that works out, I may keep the status quo. But has anyone else done this (purchased a second bike for longer rides) or is that nuts? If so, which bike?

Regards

 

500 mile weekend? Should be a piece of cake on a Sportster.
Me and a few friends have a 1300 mile weekend coming upon June 15th. The hardest part is figuring out where and how to pack your clothes but for just a weekend it shouldn't be too bad.

 

I want to do that, but for much longer rides than a 500 mile weekend. Unfortunately, my wife doesn't share the love of riding. I also don't want to trade the sporty, and so far, ....well...a second bike in the Pig barn isn't an option.

If you have the Sundowner, and a weenie shield, you should be fine. But if you just want to buy a Softail...got for it man!!!! The more the merrier! I'd like to have my Sporty, a Softail and a Touring bike.

That's certainly NOT gonna happen anytime soon.

 

You can never own too many Harley's.

 

PigInaBlanket - 1300 miles in a weekend on any bike is impressive - I'm very encouraged by that on a Sportster! Thanks all for the input.

Regards

 

Had my Sporty on the highway for the first time, can't get used to the engine screeming in 5th gear, and I was only doing 60mph.

Tom

 

Try 70 and 80 mph it gets you there faster.
If you think a 1200 with it's gearing is screaming you would go deaf with the 883 gearing like my conversion has. It doesn't bother me, but then again I have my mp3 player on at highway speeds.

 

I wind my sportster out to 70 in 3rd gear. Im usually backing off by 4th gear. Then in 5th gear it dont really seem like a scream more like a lug. Try that and see if it helps?

 

Bought a new 96 inch Road King to handle the long haul stuff. I've had several BMWs in the past to take on the job but i have
fallen big time for the 'King'. I scooted a Heritage Softail for a week in California last year while attending the Moto GP.
It's is a good scooter but provides neither the wheelbase , suspension or floorboard clearance i want for the twisty bits.

The King and both of the Glides are awesome long hall scooters. The King... with less Tupperware and a detachable windshield
has the added benefit of being a fine urban scoot. It's handles surprisingly well for something the size of a Beluga whale.

I'm a huge Sporty fan but the thought of riding it for the 3500 mile trip i have scheduled for mid-June is in itself painful.

Of all the dozen of rides i have owned over the years, i would place the Road King at damn near the top of the list.

Have fun choosing.

terry

 

go for it . if you can afford it there is no reason why you shouldnt enjoy a second or third bike or all you can eat. just be sure to post pictures