Sportsters on the highway
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Aubrey, TX
I have a 2006 883 custom. I can blow most cars away off the line. It cruises at 75 with no vibration once past 80 though it starts screaming. The only mods are SE air and D&D slip ons. I will be replacing the handlebars and the stock riser which I've come to really dislike. It's a good bike and it gets 53 mpg. Do plan to upgrade to a dyna next spring, though.
Jeff, you might want to check out this thread if you haven't already: https://www.hdforums.com/forum/sport...portstour.html
There is a lot of discussion about turning a sportster into a 'sporstouring' bike.
There is a lot of discussion about turning a sportster into a 'sporstouring' bike.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Clermont, FL
I know the Sportster won't be able to be set up to be as comfortable on the highway as the C50 can be set up to be. However, right now I still have the stock seat. The thing I hate about my C50 is the seat (as well as the fact that I'd like a more stripped down style now than I wanted when I bought it). The vibrations (and an 800cc cruiser does vibrate at highway speeds, my mirrors are useless) don't really bother me. The seat is not only uncomfortable but can cut off my circulation at times. So, a Sportster with a Mustang seat should be better for me than the C50 with the stock seat, and the C50's stock seat is bad enough that I'd be willing to bet that the Sportster's stock seat is probably better (though, admittedly, I'm sure the C50 with the Mustang would be better than the Sportster with the Mustang). I'm just hoping the Sportster will be good enough overall because I really love the style and what I read about the performance sounds like what I'm looking for.
Combine that Mustang seat with a DJ drive and you'll knock the vibrations out too.
From what you are saying, it sounds like your suggestion for what I want would probably be a Softail. How are they around town? If I went Softail it would be the Deuce, Standard, Night Train, or Fat Boy (preferably the Fat Boy Lo).
I traded my C50 for the 1200C and I don't regret any bit of it. The Sportster is far and above a better bike than the C50. But I'm also not taking weekend long highway trips.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 35
No doubt the C50 seat is awful. A mustang seat for the C50 is $500. Since you're trying to mind your budget.. and you want a comfortable highway cruiser ....... No brainer really.
Combine that Mustang seat with a DJ drive and you'll knock the vibrations out too.
I wouldn't recommend a Softail to anybody. I don't care for the ride. Too smooth, too boring. But, it is most certainly a better highway option than the Sportster. Of course, you're over $10k for any Softail.... >$15k for your Fat Boy Low.
I traded my C50 for the 1200C and I don't regret any bit of it. The Sportster is far and above a better bike than the C50. But I'm also not taking weekend long highway trips.
Combine that Mustang seat with a DJ drive and you'll knock the vibrations out too.
I wouldn't recommend a Softail to anybody. I don't care for the ride. Too smooth, too boring. But, it is most certainly a better highway option than the Sportster. Of course, you're over $10k for any Softail.... >$15k for your Fat Boy Low.
I traded my C50 for the 1200C and I don't regret any bit of it. The Sportster is far and above a better bike than the C50. But I'm also not taking weekend long highway trips.
I find the 12 Sportster C, set up correctly is a much better tourer than a Softtail. MY wife's sportster now has floorboards, rigid leather saddlebags, backrest, luggage rack ect and is soon to have Ohlins rear shocks and racetech custom front springs. It is already a better touring bike than my old Fatboy LO and will be that much better with the suspension upgraded. The Sportster loves the higher revs and speed and actually smoothes out between 3500 and 4000 RPM's. I love the ride of the 12 Sportster and will be buying one for myself soon.
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