As a new member I say "Thanks for being here!".

I am planning on riding the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive this summer on my 2006 XL1200C. Low speed limits are going to prohibit me from shifting into 4th and 5th gears for nearly 500 miles. I usually cruise between 35-40 mph in 3rd.....is this going to acceptable for a 400-500 mile stretch?

Thanks,
hbrector

 

I echo the advise on a service manual and youtube videos. Get the owner's manual, too. Check out Delboy's Garage. English guy who knows his stuff and has lots of Sportster service stuff on youtube. If you have any mechanical skill at all and some decent tools you can do routine service. You can get parts on line or at the local HD dealer. I also echo others' comments on costs at HD dealers. They do more than change the oils/filter on 1000 mile service and above. My local dealer is great with super helpful people whether I just bought parts or took it in for service.

Ludwig von Buzzthoven's comments are very true. You will want to make modifications once you get one. I bought a new 2017 XL1200T and have spent over $1800 on modifications, tools, mini-lift, luggage...etc. in the first year.

Harley's are fantastic to own and ride. If you don't do it now, you'll regret it later.

 

Yeah go buy a BMW G310 they are like 5500 as a learners bike. Then you will realize how much harley sucks after riding the BMW

 

Last time I checked, Neil Young hasn't written any songs about riding a BMW.

 

My first Harley was a 1200 Sportster, and the only bike I regret selling. I've always done the service myself, but never had any issues that I couldn't handle. You'll get plenty of advice here, that will help you learn to do most things on your own.
You'll need to replace batteries, brakes, tires and all of the normal wear items, but you'll get that with any bike you choose. Just take your time when you search for your bike, and find one that's been well taken care of.
Good luck.

 

Most Japanese and European dealers charge close to HD. Great thing about Harleys are the things you don't have to have serviced like the others for the most part. You don't have to keep much of an eye on your belt (others are lubing, cleaning and adjusting their chains) or your valves (others are taking it in for an expensive adjustment service or spending lots of time doing it themselves) or your temperature gauge (others are filling with coolant, changing it and keeping an eye on hoses and radiator for leaks). Those 3 things alone are worth any extra money you think HD is charging for service.

 

the valves on the cb1100 at 8k are around $400 to have the shop do and I don't know to many people that are doing themselves, then the next time is 8k and so on... the sportster has a 1k then a 6k if you use synthetic next service is 5k no valve job needed. Long story short, if you fit the Harley go for the Harley

 

The 1200 sportster will run fine, cruising in lower gears. Don't "lug" it.
Note the following speeds/rpm from a previous forum chart in 3rd gear:
>2000 rpm: 30 mph (about as low rpm as you should go)
>3000 rpm: 46 mph
>4000 rpm: 62 mph (pushing it a bit)
You will be in hilly country with lots of curves on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Expect a lot of shifting gears rather constant-speed cruising.

 

I wouldn’t worry about gears it’s engine revs and road conditions like hills flats winds and of course related speed travelled.

I’ve just bout a xl1200cb not used it yet, it was an impulse purchase chopped in my fantastic 883r which I hope I don’t live to regret.

I find with Harley’s you don’t need to ride in top gear 5th will be like an overdrive and as long as you are not lugging (as Steve Sportster has say’s )it it will go miles in any gear suited to conditions as said above.

Enjoy and update