Long highway trips?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 4
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Long highway trips?
I'm riding a 2009 Sportster 883L with forward controls, stock seat, and no windshield. I'm planning on going home in a couple weeks, and it's about a 5 hour trip including gas stops.
My question is relatively simple: Has anyone done a longish trip on the high way with a nearly stock bike like this? I'm going to do it anyway, just wondering how much agony I'll be putting myself in.
Also, in case anyone was going to ask: I haven't replaced the seat yet because I haven't found a comfortable single seat that doesn't ruin the low profile of the bike.
My question is relatively simple: Has anyone done a longish trip on the high way with a nearly stock bike like this? I'm going to do it anyway, just wondering how much agony I'll be putting myself in.
Also, in case anyone was going to ask: I haven't replaced the seat yet because I haven't found a comfortable single seat that doesn't ruin the low profile of the bike.
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,948
Likes: 4
From: Ottawa, Ontario
Good luck on your trip!
Road Captain
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 606
Likes: 2
If the 883L seat is like the 1200L seat, your butt is going to be sore!
Not sure if forward controls will help or make it worse.
Stock shocks and fork setup, and the stock seat adds up to a very uncomfortable ride, but being younger helps, plus you can always stop from time to time.
Brett
Not sure if forward controls will help or make it worse.
Stock shocks and fork setup, and the stock seat adds up to a very uncomfortable ride, but being younger helps, plus you can always stop from time to time.
Brett
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 933
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis
It is going to be an experience, that is for sure... Especially if you are going to be going interstate speeds the majority of the time. I rode my sportster with the stock seat, drag bars shorty risers, forward controls, and no windshield all over America and Canada last summer. The majority of the time at interstate speeds. I got sore after the first 200 miles, but I slept like a baby every night.
Needless to say I now have taller bars, and a bigger softer seat that I swap out for the long rides this summer, but still no windshield (can't talk myself into it). As soon as I get back from the trips I swap the "touring" seat for my "around town/cool" seat.
Needless to say I now have taller bars, and a bigger softer seat that I swap out for the long rides this summer, but still no windshield (can't talk myself into it). As soon as I get back from the trips I swap the "touring" seat for my "around town/cool" seat.
Extreme HDF Member
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From: Illinois
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4th Gear
Joined: Feb 2010
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Chillin in the North Country
my first road trip was an eight hour run in Northern BC over Mothers Day.. other then the whole dress warm thing it's an excellent way to spend a day .. 1200L with the Mustang seat though
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Pleasant View, TN
2008 1200XL low, HD single seat w/ luggage rack. Aftermarket Walmart lunch bag and bungie cord :-). Have no problems provided I stop every 200 or so miles and get a water from the lunch bag and walk around a bit. I have found the few short breaks when I really don't need it help later on. As mentioned in other posts, rider fatigue is a bigger issue on longer rides. breaking up the ride, either with more frequent stops or different riding/visiuals is more of an issue.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 3,938
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From: MD just outside DC
I have been doing a bunch of long trips over the last three months.
1000 mile to boston and back (work trip)
700 to ny and back (work trip)
1400 to NH and back (vacation)
and some mid range
550 off in PA and back
600 skyline drive and back
stock seat
I do have a windshield.
and recently put highway pegs on my crash bar.
And does fine packed for camping. You will do fine. Have fun.
1000 mile to boston and back (work trip)
700 to ny and back (work trip)
1400 to NH and back (vacation)
and some mid range
550 off in PA and back
600 skyline drive and back
stock seat
I do have a windshield.
and recently put highway pegs on my crash bar.
And does fine packed for camping. You will do fine. Have fun.