I want to hear about how far you ride your forty eight sportster. I am getting to the point that the dyna is even starting to feel too heavy so im either triking it or getting a 48 . I mostly do day trips anymore . But once or twice a year I put about 1800 miles on the bike in a straight shot. I keep hearing from the HD dealer that these are a blast to ride around town but not so much on the interstate. What say you hard core riders of hd forums sportster section.

 

I recently put in a full day on mine. We took frequent stops to stretch but I felt it the next day. I can easily put in a few hours heading into the mountains. I don't have the most comfortable seat. I have a single spring saddle. The springs are nice but the seat itself doesn't have a lot of padding. I have 10" narrow mini apes which was a huge improvement over stock. When riding with the stock bars leaning forward put a lot of pressure on my wrists. I put on an Iron 3.3 gallon tank and also street glide air shocks. All in all I find it to be a comfortable ride. Well balanced and not to heavy.

 

I bought my 48 for around town, but upgraded the seat and the shocks and it's smoother now, but still dont have any plans for long rides. I like the back roads on the weekend.

But, since you dont already have a 48, I would suggest buy a second bike for longer trips. Like a T100 triumph or similar. Better gas mileage, alot smoother for longer trips. That's what I would do. You probably gonna hear lots of change this and that but the 48 is best for town and it's looks even though there are riders on these boards who take them cross country and dont mind.

 

I will ride my rigid frame 1200 all day. I cant say that it is the most comfortable after all day riding but I also cant compare it to anything else because it is the only HD I have ever ridden. I can say that it is more comfortable than my DRZ 400 Supermoto. that seat would hurt after 30 minutes. to me its all about compromise. how much coolness of the already cool sportster are you willing to give up for comfort. that's just me though. to each his won.


Edit: forgot to say that its is more comfortable on the highway for me than the city.

 

The 1200 will do just fine getting around. This past summer I put 8000 miles over the course of a month on mine, as me and three buds went around the country.

The weak point of the 48 is that stock seat though. It's pretty hard, so for a long trip you probably want to get something with a little more cushion, like the stock 1200C seat. Other than that she'll get you around just fine.

 

Have done several 1000+ mile trips. Even an Ironbutt saddle sore 1000 in under 24 hours. Your not going to do it on a stock seat though.

 

My 48 is stock from the standpoint of comfort items (seat, suspension, wind deflection, etc.) and I can't imagine really long rides in its current state. About an hour or so is as much as I can muster before needing a few minutes to stretch out.

However, after binge watching the motorcycle documentary Long Way Down where Ewan McGregor and a buddy ride motorcycles 15,000 miles from Scotland to Cape Town South Africa I am inspired to get some ohlins, a new seat and a larger tank I can swap on and off to run though a long road trip on the bike this summer. With a newborn at home who knows how that will shake out, but I am absolutely filled with bravado right now to try it!

 

You may want to get a Roadster. I know they do not make them any more, but a buddy of mine just bought an '08 with 630 miles on it. I can ride my R 500+ miles a day no problem.

 

Well before you hit 100 miles you will NEED to refuel. 2.1 gallon tank before and tank lift.

 

I haven't been real far on my sporty, but I have ran about 600 miles in a day, I have the Badlander seat and the bars our stock so after about 450 miles I started to get lower back strain and needed a to stop and walk around a bit in the last 150 miles.

If you're going to run big miles then I see no reason why this can't be done as long as the bike is setup for comfort rather than looks, different handlebars and maybe even a more cushion seat would help two folds.

I have a buddy who has a nightster setup for long runs he has made sturis for the last three years which is a little over 1350 miles one way and has zero complaints.

Edit: oh, thought I'd add: he makes the 1350 in two days 10 to 11 hours each day..