long distance rides on a Sportster?
#61
07-08-2019 | 08:48 AM
Is that an auxiliary fuel tank I see on the back ? I don't know if that would be legal in the UK . Also , how much difference does the back support make ? I couldn't get on with forward controls myself , I got backache almost immediately . Some back support might have made a difference .
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shanneba (07-08-2019)
#62
07-08-2019 | 09:17 AM
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From: Bedford UK
#63
07-08-2019 | 12:57 PM
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From: Philly PA
Is that an auxiliary fuel tank I see on the back ? I don't know if that would be legal in the UK . Also , how much difference does the back support make ? I couldn't get on with forward controls myself , I got backache almost immediately . Some back support might have made a difference .
For me the back support allows me to do the riding I do. Without it I am not sure I could do 100 miles.
During the Iron Butt Rally a few weeks ago, my last "day" was 27 hours long and I rode over 1500 miles with about 1-2 hours lost due to traffic and probably 2 hours due to 10-15 minute breaks and 3-4 fuel stops.
#65
07-08-2019 | 05:14 PM
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Joined: Jul 2010
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45k in 5 yrs Sportster
It's easy to travel a long distance on a modern Sportster. I rode a 1200 XL Custom on trips that averaged 2,700 miles in 4 days. Putting 6-700 miles on a Sportster was was mostly like a lounge chair ride.
Just wondering how many of you have taken a long ride on a Sportster before. That's probably the one I'm going to be getting, and while it will undoubtedly be more comfortable than the crotch rocket I had before, I still wonder if it will be misery if I take it on a long ride. I want to go to Sturgis this year. I've got family in the Black hills, and this would be a great excuse to finally visit. I'd be looking at about 2,000 mile round trip, though.
It would be a solo trip, unless there are other HDF people from Ohio that would plan to ride there that would be up for riding there together.
My concerns are my butt being in the saddle for that long, and just zoning out in general, as sometimes happens when looking at the same scenery for hour after hour.
It would be a solo trip, unless there are other HDF people from Ohio that would plan to ride there that would be up for riding there together.
My concerns are my butt being in the saddle for that long, and just zoning out in general, as sometimes happens when looking at the same scenery for hour after hour.
#66
07-08-2019 | 09:20 PM
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From: Dallas, Texas
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Dudepants (07-09-2019)
#67
07-09-2019 | 08:22 AM
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From: Minneapolis, MN
Now that's something I'd like to try.
#68
07-09-2019 | 01:53 PM
Is that an auxiliary fuel tank I see on the back ? I don't know if that would be legal in the UK . Also , how much difference does the back support make ? I couldn't get on with forward controls myself , I got backache almost immediately . Some back support might have made a difference .
I have met two people that used them in the UK, one was a German guy on Eurotunnel on his way back home, he had dozens of stickers of countries he'd ridden in hence the need for the auxilliary fuel tank!
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Midpegs (07-16-2019)
#69
07-09-2019 | 02:26 PM
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From: Idaho Panhandle
Depends on your age. In my 20s I did it on a sporty. Today, I am 4000 miles into a cross country tour, 2 up on a touring bike. Even one up, I don’t think I could do the long days and violent thunderstorms on a sporty. I’m only good one up for two hundred mile days on a sporty. We are doing two up, sometimes 450-500 mile days in pouring rain on a touring bike. It is easy when you do 300 mile days in sunshine. But the issue with a sporty is you will give up before the sporty does. Mine is capable on crossing the country and back, but I no longer am on a sporty and Maureen, she does not even like to run into town three miles on the sporty. Touring and two up on a sporty is a young man, or exceptional mans journey.
#70
07-09-2019 | 06:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2017
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From: Lake Carmel, N.Y.
My Brother-in-Law just went on a long ride on his stock 883. Only thing on it not stock is his windshield. He left Chicago and rode to Oregon then down the Pacific Coast Highway. He went with his 2 cousins who were on dressers. He is 6'3" and had no problems . Oh, and he turned 72 years old halfway through!