Provided the roads are clean, without road salt, is there anything specific to take into account riding the Sportster?

Mind you, I have done many miles with my HP2 and KTM way below freezing and even in deep snow but since I have only minimal experience with my brand new 1200 please give me your advice!

 

cold hands cold nuts cold nose

 

Don't hurt it a bot I ride often below zero.
On problem is with my older EVO if it sits to long in real cold weather it can be hard to start, let it sit to long you may not get it started

 

I think the only thing to worry about with these bikes temperature-wise would be too much heat. I just can't see that cold would hurt anything. As long as it starts and runs it's going to heat up to normal operating temp and be fine. On the other hand if it's 110 in the shade (like here in the summer) it's going to be approaching 115 to 120 on the pavement and if you got in a situation where you're stuck in a traffic jam barely moving for an extended period of time you might wanna find some place to bale out - and quick.

 

Just dont get on it too hard the first few miles.

 

Cold tires, and cold rubber compounds can be a lot harder in the cold. Be safe.

 

I did notice a few days back when I had the cobra's fixed the oil temp stayed low, like 70c/158f. It was just 0c/33f so getting warm oil and enough lubrication might be an issue. I'll take it slow tomorrow! Planning to do some riding in the afternoon, might get just above freezing, no salt, all good.

The KTM 690 btw doesn't mind the cold, it gets hot quickly enough...

 

I don't have to worry about my 883, it won't start below freezing. I've ridden plenty of other bikes below freezing, biggest issue I ever had with them was hitting occasional snow and watching verrry carefully for ice. I consider night riding in freezing weather as a bad idea, just for that.

 

I have had mine out in the cold. Not sub-zero but with the windchill is was low teens. Bike actually seems to run a little better in the cold.

 

Maybe running a bit lean it should fire up at lower temps than that.