I wouldn't say I "tour" on my sporty, but I have made a few trips. I have the 883C with a Sundowner seat. Longest I have been in a day was about 450 miles. I had no problems. My fiance and I have made a few quick camping trips no more than three and a half hours away. She claims she is comfortable enough. I don't have any saddlebags or anything. I bungee my ultra-light backpacking gear to the handlebars and sissy bar. I haven't actually done any backpacking in years, but it is the perfect motorbike camping gear. We are talking about a trip maybe next year that will be a multi-destination trip over the course of ten days or so. Before then, I am likely going to replace the OEM rear shocks.

 

I don't understand why people wonder if they can tour on 883's or 1200's. It wasn't so long ago that a 1,000 was consider huge. People back in the 60's - 80's toured on 305s, 500cc, 750's and so on. You can tour on just about any size. As long as you plan for it....and have the right equipment. Back in the early 70's a Honda 750CB was consider very big....and people toured on them Back then it was more about Motorcycling than engines size. A 107ci Harley, I think is close to a 1.8L small car engine. For me...its about the Bike and Motorcycling. Some like them Big, some not so Big....each for his/her own reasons. A 883 or 1200 will do just fine for touring. They will be a little tight for two up riding. Get on go....stop worrying.

 

I did 5000 miles (on a Dyna) back in the summer with no windshield. Substitute was a modular helmet.

Probably a good idea to gas up every 100 miles. That would have kept me from almost running out once.

 

For my Iron Butt ride I added a detachable windshield. I also wear a full face helmet. I already had the Sundowner seat. Both helped a great deal. The windshield really helps for long rides on interstates. I would also be helpful for cooler temps in the mountains.

Even with the 4.5 gallon gas tank I stopped about every 120 miles. My riding buddy's Honda shadow 1100 would go on reserve at about that mileage. I can go about 140-150 miles before the low fuel light comes on, on the interstate. The gas stops every two hours helped.

Since you are in Southern Ca I would suggest the 4.5 gallon tank, 1200C or 1200 T.
You may find a longer distance between gas stations on rides in Nevada (or Texas) You can always carry a bottle of gas just in case with the smaller tanks.

 

Suspension was the last mod I did and I wish it had been the first. Progressive monotube cartridges in the front and progressive 490s in the rear.

 

The OP started this thread back in September, did you ever get a bike GCW?

I have an Iron 883 and have over 75k miles on it now. I have done camping trips, road trips, long rides, and every day commuting since the bike is my only transportation since I bought it new in July.

Give us an update if you got a bike!

 

The thread was started over 2 years ago

The original poster hasn't been back since he posted !

OP - Last Activity: 09-13-2015 03:19 PM

 

Oh boy... I didn't even look at the year.

Well hopefully someone can benefit from the information.

 

Me either....... it happens

 

I have 225,000 miles on my 06 Sporty with 206,000 on the original engine. I have ridden the bike in the Iron Butt Rally twice now, most recently June/July 2017 where I covered 9200 miles in 11 days. Actually, 10 because I lost an entire day due to having to replace my Stator.

Also got to have lunch with shanneba on my way home

It's been changed a bit