Sportster as a Touring Bike?

[fbn ent]

This is my wife and her bike....she rides right along with me and my RG. Only issue is fuel range. She gets 150 miles before we need to look for a station. Those are quick miles too.

It would be rough for me but she is pretty light and loves it. BTW, she usually doesn't pack quite this heavy  .

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[Panzer]

Both are good looking. 
Good pix.

[chopper]

I've only ridden Iron head Sporty's, but all I ever did was put on a decent seat, and raise the gearing. Bump a tooth or two on the countershaft, and they smooth right out at highway speeds. I have to believe the new ones are even better.

[Carl 1969]

Rode this '94 to Sturgis from Fayetteville, NC & came back the long way through WY, CO, NM, TX, OK, etc. 8 "serious" travel days over 3 weeks & 5500 miles. Not the best tool for the job, but it's what I had & got me there & back with no issues whatsoever.

[tommy g]

Didn't see him but an older gent from Texas on his 02  Sporty stopped in at the local dealer for fork seals. He was on his way home from a ride to Alaska.

[FSG]

Not the best tool for the job, but it's what I had & got me there & back with no issues whatsoever.

   and that folks is what it's all about

[biker3r]

 

[triumph900]

My last Sportster was a 1200C. Sold it a couple of years back, now seriously thinking of a new 1200C. Just demo'ed a 2017, very nice.

My old 1200C would run 80-85 all day, and was fairly comfortable with a small windscreen.

[Bladesmith]

As an over 70 "Geezer" my Ultra LTD "Geezer Glide" is just too big. I'm thinking about going back to a Sportster , my first Harley was an Ironhead...I think I can set one up for touring, nowadays I rarely go more then 300 miles a day, OEM hard bags, windshield , larger tank would make it work....Now if I can add floorboards it would be perfect

[PC_Hater]

As an over 70 "Geezer" my Ultra LTD "Geezer Glide" is just too big. I'm thinking about going back to a Sportster , my first Harley was an Ironhead...I think I can set one up for touring, nowadays I rarely go more then 300 miles a day, OEM hard bags, windshield , larger tank would make it work....Now if I can add floorboards it would be perfect

if Harley can't provide floorboards to fit a Sportster the aftermarket most definitely can!

[Hossamania]

I have to agree with you, Bladesmith, the 900 pound Limiteds can get a bit unwieldy.

[JW113]

Mine travels pretty well, I also have a big sissy bar bag so can carry a fair bunch of stuff. Only problem is the wind beats me up pretty badly at highway speed. I need a real windshield if I'm ever going more than a few hundred miles.

I can't ride with a windshield of any kind, the buffeting at highway speed rattles my brain inside the skull. I much prefer the laminar flow of the wind. I know what you mean about long trips and wind protection though. I bungee a sleeping bag on the bars, it knocks the wind off the chest and does not create buffeting. Might give that a try and see what you think.

-JW

[d2wing]

 I have a 2006 1200L I set up for touring and I works well. First it has a good touring seat, I changed the rear shocks to 12.5 inch Progressives, Changed out the upper fork tubes for 2 inch longer ones and put in longer dampers. It rides and handles great. I put on Viking rigid leather saddlebags. For wind protection I have a Memphis fats eye height windshield and to get rid of buffeting I added Memphis shades lower fork deflectors.
On an earlier Sporty I added floor boards but On this one I have forward controls and do not miss the floorboards. You can add tune kits if you want.
I am 69 years old and can put on 300 miles a day easily. I also have a luggage rack and a large tail bag for it and it has the big tank. I will see if I canpost pics.