long distance rides on a Sportster?
#41
06-19-2012 | 11:08 PM
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 705
From: NE Philly
Hopefully next month I'm planning on a two-up trip to Chicago on my 883. It'll be a little more than 1500 miles round trip. For budgetary reasons I won't be able to get Progressive shocks to put on it before I go. With me being 220lbs and her being 115lbs, it'll be a bit rough. Especially since we'll be avoiding the toll roads.
I want to carry a 1 gal gas can, but space seems to be at a premium. I'll be bringing my tool roll, tire repair kit and want a small 12v compressor. That's going to take up space. Add rain gear x2 and sweatshirts x2 in case of weather then my Boss Bags will fill quickly. I have a medium sissy bar and a medium rack so a large duffle probably won't work. I suppose we'll have to travel lean and mean. But try telling her what is and isn't "essential".
All I need is some clean boxers, clean socks, a few shirts, an extra pair of jeans, toiletries, a hat, sunscreen and phone and GPS chargers. I'll forgot the iPod.
When she mentioned a hair straightener iron thingie I knew I'll be in trouble. lol
I want to carry a 1 gal gas can, but space seems to be at a premium. I'll be bringing my tool roll, tire repair kit and want a small 12v compressor. That's going to take up space. Add rain gear x2 and sweatshirts x2 in case of weather then my Boss Bags will fill quickly. I have a medium sissy bar and a medium rack so a large duffle probably won't work. I suppose we'll have to travel lean and mean. But try telling her what is and isn't "essential".
All I need is some clean boxers, clean socks, a few shirts, an extra pair of jeans, toiletries, a hat, sunscreen and phone and GPS chargers. I'll forgot the iPod.
When she mentioned a hair straightener iron thingie I knew I'll be in trouble. lol
#43
06-20-2012 | 04:46 AM
Moderatress
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 8,427
Likes: 29
From: Dutchess County, NY
#44
06-20-2012 | 05:42 AM
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,871
From: Bedford UK
For future reference, there are three things we can do to improve comfort on long rides. Start at the ground and work up.
1. Change the stock tyres for another brand, my favourite being Avon. They are more compliant and ride smoother, something that becomes more obvious as the miles roll by. They handle better and are great in the rain.
2. Better quality shocks. This is where any spare cash should go! I have custom built Ohlins on my Glide and the contrast with other brands I have tried is night and day. They may seem expensive, but if you are a committed Sporty fan, a pair can be swapped over when changing bikes. Just do it!
3. Finally the icing on the cake is a decent seat (not first!). That topic gets plenty of coverage in here, so plenty of good advice available.
1. Change the stock tyres for another brand, my favourite being Avon. They are more compliant and ride smoother, something that becomes more obvious as the miles roll by. They handle better and are great in the rain.
2. Better quality shocks. This is where any spare cash should go! I have custom built Ohlins on my Glide and the contrast with other brands I have tried is night and day. They may seem expensive, but if you are a committed Sporty fan, a pair can be swapped over when changing bikes. Just do it!
3. Finally the icing on the cake is a decent seat (not first!). That topic gets plenty of coverage in here, so plenty of good advice available.
#45
06-20-2012 | 06:57 AM
#46
06-20-2012 | 07:02 AM
To clarify. 3600 miles was roun trip and over 13 days total. Longes days were about 750 miles and I think there were 3 of those. The worst injury I suffered was a sunburn from Mobile to Shreveport. I got a long sleve T-shirt in Tyler and a couple of more along the way and that took care of that.
#47
06-20-2012 | 08:40 AM
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 10
From: Colonial Beach, Virginia
Here I am on a stone bridge in Custer Park, SD. I trailered to Columbia, Mo. so I cheated, crossing Kansas is Earths equivalent of eternity. Picture is bike now. I am perfectly happy with the Sundowner. Its been on there since the bike had less than 4 miles on it, now 18,000. A trip to my relatives in western Pa. is 370 miles and is a piece of cake. Ear plugs +
#48
06-20-2012 | 08:44 AM
I'm new here but I just got my 2006 custom sporty this past April. I have done many long distance..ie over 500 miles in a day...no problem. The windshield helps out a lot. I have the bigger tank, 4.5, and I have been riding w a friend who has a road glide. We stop when I need gas..lol. if I could afford to go to sturgis this year, I would do it. Go for it!! Ride it like you stole it!!!
#49
06-20-2012 | 08:55 AM
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 11
Likes: 1
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#50
06-20-2012 | 01:19 PM
