I have a deposit down on a new 72 with the red flake paint. The bike is so nice looking, I love everything about it BUT I am concerned about fuel range. I rarely go for long interstate rides, maybe once or twice a year. I guess I'm just looking for opinions here, any owners with the 2.1 tank, whats your max fuel range typically? My experience with Harley has been with an 883l which was upgraded to a 1200 and a super glide custom. I loved my sportster but got the idea I needed a big twin, turns out I like the ergonomics and feel of the sportster over the big twins. Feels more like a bike to me. I feel like I made up my mind already but any input would be appreciated, they also have a nightster with forward controls, mini apes and few other touches there I've been eyeing up as well, but its denim black and I'm not getting the same feeling from it as I am with the 72.

 

Go for it and enjoy!

 

Check the options for the Custom. I think you can come up with something pretty close to the 72 with a bigger fuel tank?

RAL

 

if you go far, carry some extra gas in that licks bag.

 

I was at the dealer today picking up synth oil and a filter and I saw the red '72. It's absolutely gorgeous. The 2.2 gal tank would be a big issue for me. I think my 3.3 gal tank is too small. I want the 4.5.

There is no denying how great looking the bike is though. It would look just as good with the 3.3.

 

Yea, I was thinking about the large capacity tank, but they dont match the red flake yet. I could get a blue one. Not sure how that would look though.

 

I have about 1000 miles on my 72. At 70 miles the reserve warning light comes on and there is .7 of a gallon in the tank when I fill. So, if you do the math, at 101-110 miles you are walking. No worries for me as the Sporster is my beat around town bike, I take the RKC for longer stuff. But, if it is your only bike and you are doing a lot of interstate stuff, you may have an issue.

 

I commute on my 48 daily M-F. I get about 50 miles before the light comes on and the fill is 1.5 gal. 33.3 mpg counting warm-up before I go anywhere and getting into the throttle on surface streets the whole way.

Mountain runs on the weekends I get about 60 miles before the light comes on and I have a half gallon left.

I haven't done a freeway trip to see what kind of distance I can get at a steady 70 without ripping through the gears, but I'm about to this week.



The last 4k miles with a 2.1 gal. tank has me thinking that to go anywhere where fuel stations are more than 80-90 miles apart might be pushing it. Some folks carry a MSR style bottle attached to the downtube for an emergency liter on trips, or you can get squared travel cans for fuel if you have a bag to put them in, or you could bump the tank up to the 3.? gallon from the nightster. I don't mind stopping and I haven't gone anywhere yet where I couldn't find fuel within 80 miles so it doesn't bother me a bit.

 

You'll be just fine with the 2.2. Before you start planning any mods at all just give it time and put some miles on the bike first. That will give you a better understanding of what you do/do not want to change. The 2.2 is just fine, I find people greatly exagerate how limited it is.

 

Do it! love my 72'. I ride daily. I'm getting fuel light on at approx 50-60 mi w a 3in tank tilt so.... Better than I expected. However I don't like big tanks personally. Cheers