Trying this again with a more specific title. Had a couple of informative reply's to a previous post, but another member suggested a more definitive title would help. Looking for any info out there from anybody riding a Sport Glide with a passenger, know a rear seat change and back rest are needed. Has anybody done any touring with a passenger? Don't mean to be a pain in the ***, but trying to be relatively sure I am headed in the right direction. Also took a demo ride at a local dealership over the week end and love the bike !!!

 

The Sport Glide and the Low Rider share seats and sissy bars.

The stock seat on my LR was not bad for me, but was terrible for my passenger. The Harley Sundowner seat has been a huge improvement for her. It's a decent improvement for me as well, and adds a bit of lumbar support. I also have the Harley high detachable backrest which my passenger likes a lot too.

Longest rides have been in the 3 - 4 hour range, but she was ready to get off in about an hour with the stock seat.

 

I upgraded to a Corbin saddle and the wife approves. We can go out for 4-5 hours and she's fine with it. I have the detachable backrest as well.

 

I use a top case with a back pad for my backrest.

 

I have a Saddlemen seat and I have the sissybar or a top case that fit into the mounting spools. I have taken a pillion to and from a destination about an hour away with the sissy bar and she was fine with it.

Haven't tried with the top case yet, but should be the same given it has a backrest built in.

 

Is the rack for the top case a harley item? Detachable?

Thanks

 

Yes...its the Harley tour pack rack. It used to be detachable. I home brew'd some passenger grab handles. They partially bolt onto the rack...so its no longer detachable.

 

I think it depends on your definition of touring. If you are going out for 3+ days. Probably not. If you're going out for a weekend, totally doable. If we were going out 2 up for more than a weekend, well, I don't think it would be fun.

Honestly, if you wanting a touring bike but not as much of the baggage I'd look at the Road King. That was my second choice.

 

I have a 2019 Softail Low Rider. A rear seat is not comfortable for a ride of more than 1-hour. Softails are mean to be cruisers. I replace the stock seat with a Mustang Wide Tripper and am very happy both locally and on over night trips.

If you will frequently use a bike for 2-up riding on long trips, think about stepping up to a Road Glide. Besides being more passenger comfortable, the luggage options are helpful. If you really want a Softail, the Heritage will be your best option, but the price isn't that different from an entry level Road Glide. If you get a low mileage 2018, the price will be about the same.

 

Sport glide works fine for longer 2-up riding. Get the Sundowner, and the large backrest. Same setup as on a Road Glide, but with a much more capable bike. Only downside is storage. If you need to take 3 days of supplies for an over-nighter, take your SUV.