Forty eight at highway speeds
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 9
Likes: 3
From: Missouri
Forty eight at highway speeds
Do any other forty eight owners feel unsafe when riding on the highway? I feel like I’m being blown all over the place. I know the sportsters have a lighter chassis than the bigger bikes, but I also had a sportster vintage 72 that I could ride on the highway comfortably all day on. But I don’t know what it is about this bike but it’s just not very comfortable at 65 or 70 mph. But I would really love to be able to cruise at 80.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 757
Likes: 365
From: Winnipeg
I have a 2016 48. I dont feel unsafe at highway speed- but it aint comfortable (especially without a windshield). I didnt buy it for the highway though- i blast it around the town and neighborhood (which its really good at).
I already have a touring bike- its made for the highway- thats what i use it for.
I already have a touring bike- its made for the highway- thats what i use it for.
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 9
Likes: 3
From: Missouri
I have a 2016 48. I dont feel unsafe at highway speed- but it aint comfortable (especially without a windshield). I didnt buy it for the highway though- i blast it around the town and neighborhood (which its really good at).
I already have a touring bike- its made for the highway- thats what i use it for.
I already have a touring bike- its made for the highway- thats what i use it for.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,409
Likes: 812
From: Middle America
It isn’t so much a weight issue as where the weight actually is. Sportsters are notoriously top heavy. My Indian Scout Bobber - which weighs close to my 48 - carries all its weight down low and I can ride that thing on the freeway at 70+mph all day.
One thing you may want to look at is your front end. While my 48 was still under warranty, I took it in to the dealer because the front end would wobbly badly at 65+mph. Turns out the steering head bearings needed adjusting.
One thing you may want to look at is your front end. While my 48 was still under warranty, I took it in to the dealer because the front end would wobbly badly at 65+mph. Turns out the steering head bearings needed adjusting.
Thread Starter
|
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 9
Likes: 3
From: Missouri
It isn’t so much a weight issue as where the weight actually is. Sportsters are notoriously top heavy. My Indian Scout Bobber - which weighs close to my 48 - carries all its weight down low and I can ride that thing on the freeway at 70+mph all day.
One thing you may want to look at is your front end. While my 48 was still under warranty, I took it in to the dealer because the front end would wobbly badly at 65+mph. Turns out the steering head bearings needed adjusting.
One thing you may want to look at is your front end. While my 48 was still under warranty, I took it in to the dealer because the front end would wobbly badly at 65+mph. Turns out the steering head bearings needed adjusting.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 12,218
Likes: 4,930
From: England
I have a Superlow and have ridden that on our motorways for 50 to 60 miles at 70mph without issue.
No steering wobble at all with the occasional increase in speed to 75 to overtake.
No steering wobble at all with the occasional increase in speed to 75 to overtake.
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Club Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 508
Likes: 373
From: Dixie
I have wondered if it wasn't due to the somewhat unique triple tree and riser design...but really don't have a clue.
Last edited by Orng48; Jul 23, 2024 at 03:18 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,275
Likes: 2,367
From: Florida
I feel that way sometimes if I take my Custom on the Interstate, especially if you get caught in the middle of a big-semi cluster, and it's a bigger bike than the 48 if I'm not mistaken.
It's just the nature of the beast, heavier motorcycles are more stable on the interstate, which is why I feel like I'm king of the road on my Heritage on the highway.
It's just the nature of the beast, heavier motorcycles are more stable on the interstate, which is why I feel like I'm king of the road on my Heritage on the highway.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 21,014
Likes: 19,122
From: The Wasteland
OP- are you running a windshield on the highway?