Questions about Sportsters
#11
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Red Banks, Mississippi
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Hey, I am thinking about getting rid of My 06 Heritage, and a sportster has made it to the short list for a possible new bike. Does anyone have any experience touring on a sportster? Does the 5 gear transmission annoy you on the highway? I would probably get a 1200, add saddle bags, luggage rack and a detachable windshield, as well as hand guards. Any insight that anyone could provide would be great. I am not looking to do any super long days. 300 miles would be a very rare max. Mostly trips around KY, TN, WV, OH, IN, PA, WI and NY.
Other option would be a Dyna, with the same upgrades.
Interested to hear your guys thoughts.
Other option would be a Dyna, with the same upgrades.
Interested to hear your guys thoughts.
I have a Sportster that I've toured on.
I also have a Softail that I've toured on.
I also use both as daily riders.
They are VERY different.
For one up, you can make the Sporty a very capable and comfortable touring ride....Not as plush as your Heritage, but still a bike that will comfortably eat up 300 mile days.
You can make those changes to a Sporty and still have the nimble feel that you will not have with a Dyna or Softail...AND the cost will be less than fixing up a Dyna to do the same.
At first the higher revs of hours touring on a Sporty will be a bit foreign, coming from a Twin Cam...BUT the Sporty likes those revs and you get used to them pretty quickly.
Here's a LINK to a Ride Report of 2100 miles in 7 days on my Sporty. Lot's of pics.
A video of touring on a the sporty-
Mary and I have done some long rides on the Sporty, two up. It is a bit cramped for us two up for a full day riding.
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tomcatg (01-16-2019)
#12
Got rid of my 1996 1200C Sportster last March after 12 years and 18,000 miles. After about 50 miles of riding I would get very uncomfortable and I was always looking for a sixth gear. Bought a 2012 FXDC and it is much better for longer rides. (kind of wish I had also kept the Sportster but no room to store it)
#13
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tomcatg (01-17-2019)
#14
#15
I do 300 milers on my 1200. I wouldn't want to cross country on it though. But that's because I'm out of shape and middle aged. So that's a factor.
For me,..to get to 300 miles comfortably I did a new seat and suspension. DEF helps. I've tried a few wind screens but if you don't have something tall enough to blow the wind over your head,..it's actually worse.
1200 hums along just fine at 80mph but once you get over 75 the wind becomes more of a factor. So I stay in that 75-80 range. Once in a while will crank up to 90 for a few minutes if trying to make some time.
Your rpms will be up there, but that's where the Sporty shines.
You really can't compare the Sporty to the big bikes. Apples and oranges. NOTHING is the same.
For me,..to get to 300 miles comfortably I did a new seat and suspension. DEF helps. I've tried a few wind screens but if you don't have something tall enough to blow the wind over your head,..it's actually worse.
1200 hums along just fine at 80mph but once you get over 75 the wind becomes more of a factor. So I stay in that 75-80 range. Once in a while will crank up to 90 for a few minutes if trying to make some time.
Your rpms will be up there, but that's where the Sporty shines.
You really can't compare the Sporty to the big bikes. Apples and oranges. NOTHING is the same.
#16
#17
I now tour on a 2017 XL1200T, fitted with a solo Sundowner seat and a King Tour Pak on a quick detach H.D. mount. The bike has factory saddle bags which are standard parts along with a detectable windscreen. The bags and wind protection are small. I'm set up for solo touring. The bike is pretty capable.
I'm 508 tall and 180 pounds. I miss cruise control and sixth gear mostly. I came from big bikes, Victory Cross Country, Kawasaki Vaquero, and Goldwing in my past. The small and light sporty feels like, "dirt bike" light compared to the other bikes I've owned.
I'm 508 tall and 180 pounds. I miss cruise control and sixth gear mostly. I came from big bikes, Victory Cross Country, Kawasaki Vaquero, and Goldwing in my past. The small and light sporty feels like, "dirt bike" light compared to the other bikes I've owned.
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cacomly (01-17-2019)
#18
Toured on Shovel, GW s and Nomad. Downsized to 1200 SLT and with seat change and luggage stuff it is fine for me but I only ride solo and have done a few 600-700 days no problem. Three hundred miles should be a walk in the park. Don't think I would want to go over 85 for long periods but don't hit places to do that very often. Ran 85 for hrs out west and it was ok but real OD would have been nice. My only gripes are short rear tire life which is the same as the GW and Nomad got and I am not an aggressive rider , wish it was an analog tach, and another gallon of gas. 1200 was a big motor back in the day and it still is plenty. Heck two up touring was common on 650 twins. Basic service stuff is a snap. I am glad I made the change.
#19
I haven't toured on my Iron, but I regularly do 200-300 mile loops through the Texas hill country on it with no problem. Even the 883 is plenty solo, but does get a little buzzy north of 80 mph. Initially the Iron's suspension beat the crap out of me on any ride over 30 min. Upgrading the suspension with progressive springs up front and DK twin adjustable shocks and the addition of a Lucky Daves seat has made the Iron all day comfortable for me. As long as you are solo I think an upgraded Sportster will easily handle touring.
I also have a Low Rider that I love just as much as the Iron. The Low Rider easily handles anything 2 up and with an upgraded suspension will handle as well as my Iron. A Dyna is a great all around bike as is a Sportster.
I also have a Low Rider that I love just as much as the Iron. The Low Rider easily handles anything 2 up and with an upgraded suspension will handle as well as my Iron. A Dyna is a great all around bike as is a Sportster.
#20
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Illinois, over by there
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Had a 09 Heritage, but sold it and got an 08 Ultra Classic. Both very comfy rides.
Also picked up a 98 XL1200 cheap for a bar bike. Great for short hops around town when I don't feel like lugging the Ultra out.
Does get cramped riding 2 up though, and can get uncomfortable when going out on longer trips.
Never rode a Dyna, so I can't comment there.
IMO, if you can keep the Heritage and pick up a cheap Sporty, that would be the route to go.
Also picked up a 98 XL1200 cheap for a bar bike. Great for short hops around town when I don't feel like lugging the Ultra out.
Does get cramped riding 2 up though, and can get uncomfortable when going out on longer trips.
Never rode a Dyna, so I can't comment there.
IMO, if you can keep the Heritage and pick up a cheap Sporty, that would be the route to go.
Last edited by Wags69; 01-17-2019 at 11:31 AM.