i have a windshield, looking for some throw overs, and i do have forward controls.... why, becuase it's my bike.... in my name, and i pay the note on it....

 

Well said.

 

I think, sometimes, I'ts a money issue. Some folks can't afford a Big Twin, so they get a Sportster, and then decide they want to do a little touring, so they add the stuff on.....others buy a sporty becasue that's what they want, then realize touring CAN be a blast, and sicne they already have a scooter, adapt to make it work. Since hte Sprty is now rubber mounted, it's almost like having a "mini-dyna", meaning you will see more and more of this!

Anxious to see what my pops does with his! I added a windscreen simply becasue I got tired of a sore back from fighting the wind, and since then, the riding is GREAT! Everything else is minimal.

Joe

 

Haveing had 4 Sportsters over the last 35years and rode them tens of thousands of miles, they get more than just bags and a windsheild.
You can answer your own question by filling your gas tank, picking a direction and ride 500 miles then stop for the night. Get up the next day and do the same thing. Then get up the next day and do the same thing and the same thing the next day and the next day and the. In other words spend the next week or two with your Sportie on the road. And throw in some good twisty Mtn roads just for fun.
The Sportster is a nice size and weight for getting into some places you DONT take the Ultras. I havehad 2 Ultras and they are GREAT TOURIING bikes. And I have one now,But you don't get into the nature places with a bike that heavy.
I have hadmy Sportiedown a holler and camped by a creekbed and had to climb a rock trail out that Iwalkedbesidewhile driveing the Sportie out, cause you could not ride out. I've had it up on fire roads in the Mtns too, I've rode up miles of dirt roads out west just to see what was up em, did you guess that my Sporties get a bigger gas tank too.
If you ever see some of the ol Sportster hill climbers or flat trackers, you might wonder about the Corvette ideal.
The Sportster IS one VERY VERSITAL cycle.

 

Blame it all on HD, they started it all by building a touring sportster in the 70's.

 

The only answer is;

"Why Ask Why"....