Kind of a newbie here... Currently I ride a 2003 Sportster 883 Custom. Have had about 7 motorcycles in my life and been riding (formally) since 16. In my early 50s now.

The sportster is fun but I feel like I'm getting bored with it, and the biggest issue is that I can't ride it long with wifey on the back.

So number 1 criteria, besides power, is comfortable back seat that can support a rider for 2 hours at a time.

I'm 5'8", about 175lbs: missus is 5'6 180lbs.

My next criteria is old school, kind of a bare bones looking bike - I don't care about abs or traction control and TBH I don't care about the front fairing that I see on most SGs here. No offense to any one, just not my thing.

I also have a budget of about $10k. So something used, again bare bones that I can customize. I consider myself amateur mechanic so changing oil, or cables, other basic maintenance I do myself.

Any suggestions, or pointers would be greatly appreciated. I'm not in a hurry so I'll take my time and do my homework.

Cheers

 

Look for a good used Road King.

 

I too have a Custom, and a Road King. It's about 850lbs wet and you should not have any issues transitioning. The King has that old school look and you can "dress" it up by adding a detachable batwing and lowers if you like. Try to look for a 2009 and later, as well as a 103 motor at the least. The touring bikes had a frame change in 09 for the better. My King has cruise and that comes in real handy on those long rides.

For something less heavy, probably a Softail Heritage Classic. Still has that old school look with touring bags. You can remove the bags and still have a more traditional Softail with a windshield. The Heritage is a capable tourer but the King rides more comfortably and carries an extra gallon of gas.

If a local dealer offers, I would rent one or both for a weekend and get a feel for these bikes. Good luck.

 

I second the Heritage suggestion. It's a very versatile bike, you can ride two up and strip it down for a bare bones look.

 

Thanks gents. Quick search, and I immediately can say that Softail Heritage Classic would be my preference. Something like this:


The big question though - would it support a rider for up to 2 hours rides at a time?

Also, any recommendations on year?

 

Great looking bike!
I cannot personally vouch for the comfort of a passenger, I've only had one on the back of mine a couple of times but there was no complaint.
I can say this: I ride with a group in Florida and several of them have passengers on the back of their softail and they seem perfectly happy to be there!

 

Those look like upgraded seats on that one. Signature seat maybe? My stock seat is one of those most comfortable seats I ever rode on. Upgraded the passenger pillion for the Misses. Had to keep a promise to my dad. Woke up one morning and told wife to pack her stuff and rode 23 hours straight from just east of KC to Panama Beach Florida. She's not 180, she was 120 wet. Never squirmed once. The Heritage is a very capable 2-up bike. Mines a '14.

 

In 2003, my girlfriend and I went on a trip to France from Norway, 2100 miles in total. I had a 1992 Heritage with original passenger seats and backrests + floorboards. She didn't complain at all about the trip. Sometimes on the road through Germany she fell asleep because the road sounded like a train was driving, Just like -ka donk -ka donk and she fell asleep. So, from that experience I would think that a 2 hour trip is no problem.

 

I would go with 2016 or later. They had cruise as standard and throttle-by-wire. They also had the high output 103 motor in '16. Earlier had the standard 103 motor and throttle/idle cables. 2018 had everything restyled, including the bags (to what they are now) and the M8 motor.

Staying "old school", 2017 or 2016 would be my choices.

 

Nice! Thank you.