Getting passenger seat installed this week hopefully on my new 2018 Forty Eight.

I never rode a sportster 2 up, just the softtails that I have rented in the past.

Combined weight of GF and myself is 300lbs. I figured this was light enough that it would work. I was thinking about getting a Softtail but got this sportster because I loved how it looked and rode. The dealer said yeah go for it, but they just want me to buy a bike.

I was thinking "I can trade this in within a year (for purchase price) towards a softtail if it's not good 2 up" so I guess we'll see.

 

2 up is fine on a Sportster. If you want more room get a sissy bar, makes the passenger feel more comfortable and secure as well. Also if the passenger seat isn't comfortable you will know...

 

I do 2 up on my Sporty quite often, no problems, I'm 250lbs, wife is....she isn't divulging that info lol, but with backrest we do just fine.

 

awesome thanks. I did get the backrest for the seat.

 

I ride 2up with my girlfriend a lot, on a 72 with a badlander. I can't imagine it's very comfortable for her but she keeps getting on it.

The goal is to pick up an Ultra or Road Glide in the next 2 years and keep the sporty as my bike for around town.

 

My GF and I covered over 7K miles last year on a 97 Sportster. No problems, just take breaks every 100 miles or so

 

300 Lbs payload is about it, yes, you can do it, if your passenger is tough and dont complain all the better.

 

You would definitely like it better and your passenger way better if you upgraded the suspension. Longer rear shocks for more travel and better front forks will make a world of difference if you plan on doing long trips 2-up very often. I have a 48 with upgraded 1" over rear shocks and it is a big improvement though I wish now I would have gone up 2 inches for even more travel.

 

In '71 my wife and I did the whole here comes Bronson thing, back pack on the sissy bar, bed roll on the light, tent in back pack and rode about 500 miles to the outer banks, NC, great trip, i'm about 150lbs, wife 100lbs and with the stuff we were probably still over gross.

She didn't have much seat, one of those hugs the back fender slim seats, but she never complained and we had a great time, camped and cooked on the beach for a few days. When the OBX was cool, not very commercial, i don't remember anything open except one bar after 8 PM.

 

Also a 72 owner, wife and I ride alot on a Bitwell HB and for longer rides we have a sundowner