Cross country on a Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 - what was I thinking?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 15 ต.ค. 2018
- Two weeks ago I flew to Iowa to pick up my dad's Harley Sportster 1200. He decided he could no longer ride, so I jumped at it. For some reason I thought it was a good idea to ride it home to San Diego. This is a travel log of how that went down.
Filmed mostly on an iPhone 7+ with a Moondog Labs anamorphic lens and a DJI osmo. Most photos were taken with a Ricoh GRII
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Im 64 and I own a 1998 xl1200c , bought it new and it now has 95,450 miles and no engine work done yet . Ive replaced the coil at 90,000 miles , the stator at 25,000 miles , the starter at 65,000. Now planning a 8000 mile trip across the usa :)
tatonka55 that 1991 to 2003 5 speed Evo Sportster motor was the best thing they ever made!
What do you call "coil at 90,000 miles , the stator at 25,000 miles , the starter at 65,000"? that sounds like work to me lol...
@@lennym1273 said engine work , all electric failures , all electrics are Japanese .
tatonka55 that’s awesome. Have a good trip. As for the video some people aren’t cut out for bike touring as clear with this guy. I want to go cost to cost on my sporty I am saving up for it now. I am saving for emergency repairs gas hotels/ camp sides I can’t wait to do this
You at least change the oil though?
Brave man. That’s a badge of honor, sleeping in tents, cross country, after long rides on a sportster. Much props.
The newer Sportsters have rubber mounted engines. I put Road King air shocks on my rubber mounted Sportster, with forward controls, and can go cross country VERY comfortably lol
That’s a damn good idea.
Always wondered how it would help the ride. I bought a set of air ride shocks off of ebay for my 2004 XL1200C. Never put them on. Ended up trading the bike before I did. I resold them on ebay a few months later and made a $20 profit after shipping! hahahaha! I am thinking of getting another XL1200C. Kinda miss that old bike. A lot really.
His comment about Harley’s obviously didn’t take into account post 2004ish models when engines got the rubber mounts 😊 also the sportster is not a touring bike but tougher guys than me do tour with them -and I love your idea about the air shocks 👍🏻👍🏻 I have a 2007 1200 and might try that 🙏🏻 thank you
When I was 21 in 1975 I rode my brand new 1000cc Sporster from Daytona Beach to El Paso Tx, it was daunting and yes I even said what was I thinking, but looking back I have fond memories of that great Adventure. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.
You and I are the same age Sam. I had a Sportster then too and there was nowhere I wouldn't ride to. I had a blast on that bike. I have a Road Glide now because, frankly a Sportster would kill me, but the memories are priceless
Youthfulness+a little stupidly+ spontaneous Adventures.@@suffolkmike1 Now ride a Indian Springfield and have ridden almost 20K on it the last 2 1/2 years. And yes I still camp When I have to. Seems the mom and pop hotels in small towns are the only affordable ones. I had to cut my trip back east short because of expensive lodging costs.. an not many places let you tent camp... We have it good out west. Motor on man.
Mistake???? You will look back at the experience and have fond memories to tell.
Agreed
Two years ago I rode a coworker's BMW R1200 from near St Louis down to his new home in Houston. He didn't have room in the moving truck, and he knows I'm crazy, so I delivered the bike in exchange for a Southwest ticket back. Did I mention it was July?
Memories:
1. Monsoon rains most of the way across Arkansas that hit so suddenly I couldn't get my rainsuit on in time. So I rode 3 hours in driving rain without rain gear. Memorable.
2. Stinking heat in east Texas. I stopped for lunch and AC at a Whataburger when I started getting lightheaded. So hot when I met my guy at the Hobby airport cell phone lot, I tossed my helmet and mesh jacket in the nearest garbage can.
3. Talking to a 6'6 black dude at a gas station along US 59 with a 1911 on his hip. I'm 6'3 and felt decidedly undersized and unarmed.
Would I do it again? Sure. In fact I'm riding my dad's old '82 Gold Wing on a 1300 mile round trip to South Dakota later this month. I hate that bike. But I like a challenge. The Vegas line puts the odds of a trip ending breakdown at about 2:1 with an over/under at the 800 mile point. Like I said, crazy. But not crazy enough to ride a Sportster from Iowa to SoCal.
Your first trip on a bike, any bike, is educational. And later on, when you reflect on the things you learned along the way, you do smile. Good times.
ABSOLUTELY!
no he won't. he's a puss.
Evo Sportys actually make very good long distance tourers when set up correctly. Suspension, bars, seat and a Dyna gas tank can dramatically make things better. I made at least a dozen cross country trips on my Sporty back in my twenties and loved every one. Grouping all Harleys the same is like grouping all people the same.
People sleep on sportsters without ever realizing how awesome they are. I’m planning on riding my Harley 1200 to Canada from Florida in May! Liked and subbed for a fellow sportster
Redbeard The Kilted Rider 😎
Let me know I will ride
Canada welcomes you...👍🇨🇦
Yes!!!!
@James Owsley i'm down here in hollywood, james, lived in west palm for 30 years...i'm ready to get my suzuki s40 (looks like i might've found a decent deal on a used), and i'm considering driving up to the berkshires in massachusetts in june...any tips on doing the trip? it'll be my first long jaunt on a bike, and the s40 IS the bike i'm getting, so it's either i ship the bike or ride it, no option of getting a bigger bike :D
Good for you.
I just ride my classic 1988 Harley Davidson XLH Sportster, 1471 miles from Minnesota to Albuquerque, NM.
Was a great ride.
So I make a comment about watching my brother riding 1800 miles from Litchfield Mn to Rio Rancho NM only to see his comment with the exact mileage without mentioning the exact city starting and ending points. Small world this TH-cam universe is.
@@nunyabidness9100
Apparently, giving an EXACT beginning city (Litchfield, MN) and final destination city (Rio Rancho, NM) escaped your grasp.
I didn't realize that I was under any obligation to provide YOU with all pertinent information regarding my exploits.
I promise to do better Sir,
Oh wait, no the fuck I went !!!
@@drewc8796 I was just saying I made a comment then I see far down the comment thread that you made a similar statement with the exact milage and I gave an estimated mileage Bubba!
@@nunyabidness9100
Is this Steve ????
@Drew c could be, or it might be your twin Mike but probably not seeing as how he passed in '88
I just did an 1100 mile trip on mine in 3 days. I enjoyed every minute of it. Bout to do another 900 miles in a few days. Been riding for 20 years and this is my first cruiser. It was one of the easiest bikes to ride long distance out of all the ones I’ve owned. The only other bike that I’ve had that was better at it was a BMW R1150RT.
I had a 2006 Sportster 1200, rode it to Sturgis several times, even did the Ironbutt Saddlesore 1000 on that bike. It had an aftermarket seat so comfort wasn’t an issue with me. Wish I never sold it.
Your 2006 was also rubber-mounted unlike this model. Big difference in comfort.
I bet the dudes trailering their baggers in thought you were crazy. You did it the right way
@Sam Stone Yeh, but if your doing Ironbutts your not normal to start with. Apples and oranges.
The first loooong trip is always the most difficult, challenging, but certainly most exciting. Thank you for sharing and inspiring us motorcyclist to overcome our doubts and fears! Abundant Blessings to you and your family always.
I ride cross country on my 1999 RoadKing, twice a year, alone, and I love it, I meet people I normally don't, make alot of new friends, I wouldn't trade my Harley for anything
Oh amen I love my 2018 road king
One day I hope to take my FatBoy on a similar journey. 👍🤗
Try it on a sportster!!..lol..!!
Back in 92', I got a job with a Motorcycle Testing Facility, to 99'. We rode for Harley Davidson too. We would ride a pre-planned route 500mi a day, and I hated riding the Sportsters.
But now now in 2019' I own a Harley-Davidson Nightster (Sportster) XL1200N. "Love that motorcycle!"
I ride it rain or shine,
to and from work.
The Nightster has a very low seat height, and the rear shock-absorber doesn't have alot of travel. I can relate to trying to ride 2000mi on a trip!!..lol..!!
You obviously have never ridden a Honda ST a Yamaha FJR , or a Kawasaki Concourse You should try it and discover what a good bike is like!
Randy Hutchinson, Brother you are so correct !!!
You can setup a Sportster to go fast, or to tour, or both. My bike: '08 Low rubbermount, Ricoh Intiminators in the forks, fork brace, HD air shocks on the rear, La Pera Sonora seat, PowerVision fuel tuner, Patriot Defender exhaust, and Hammer Performance 1250 big bore kit, cams, air cleaner, and a Buell crank giving me 105 HP at 6500 rpm. Fast! In 15 minutes I can change it to a fast/touring bike with a Mustang Wide seat, QD (quick disconnect) windshield, QD sissy bar with rack, and QD saddle bags. This 68 yr. old man has no problems riding several times a year from San Diego to San Francisco in a day, in comfort. Dan Casey was right about you needing a new seat.
I’m 53 and I just rode 4520 miles in 13 days from Omaha to Key West and back on a 20 tear old 883 Sportster. Also I’ve tried all brands of spark plugs, E3 is easily the best performance longest lasting!
One day I will do one of these on my 1200. Brutally and painfully loving every moment!
Sportsters and leaking tanks...i feel you there. Much respect for the journey and for documenting your travels.
Rode my 1970 XLCH (883cc) in the Fall of 1970, from Bremerton, WA to West Chester, PA in 3 days each way. Navy dude on leave at that time. Greatest trip of my life.
Joe Skovrinski I’m from Lancaster and currently stationed at Ft Carson CO. I’ve done the ride on a sportster. Soooooo boring.
Great ride, and great pictures. Certainly something you will remember.
Looks like fun actually.... I love taking long trips on my sportster 1200
I have an 08 1200 Custom with factory 4.5 gallon tank & rubber mounted engine. Longest ride so far less than 100 miles, after watching this video & reading comments I wouldn't hesitate to cross a few states.
Awesome vid, I have the exact same bike & agree that the vibes in the seat & bars can be very annoying but I love my bike so much & will never let it go. I ride mine pretty hard & it never lets me down. I've done 300 mi days with no problems, I'd love to do a trip like you did, nice job, not easy on that bike only because of the vibes!
well ... it's certainly not for whiners )))
thanks for video the journey. i’ve driven cross country a few times and never forget my camping pillow to sit on while riding. glad u made it safely home
sb in arkansas
Awesome trip! Thanks for posting! I just found it. I felt like I was along for the ride! In 1992 I rode an 82 Magna from Miramar to the Grand Canyon and back in less than 24 hours. During the trip, I slept on the ground. I had no tent and little money. I had wanted to see the canyon, and I did, for 15 minutes. I arrived exhausted and hot. There was no place in the park for me to rest. I simply started home again. It was on July 4th and hotter than h@ll driving through the desert in California. Brutal trip! Great memory!
Great story, respect for the ride. I to have a Sportster, changed the "cow milking" handle bars for the mini apes, a great improvement.
I had "buckhorns" on a Honda Magna and hated them. Twisting the throttle inwards caused my hand and wrist to ache like a toothache. I switched them to the same ones I had on a Suzuki GS650 which ironically enough, are the same style as on my standard 2005 Sporty which are very comfortable. My 2005 rubbermount 883 has very little vibration anywhere, only noticeable at very low rpm's. The 1200 in the same model does have more vibrations than the 883 but not nearly as bad as the "rigid" mounts.
Done a few trips on my bike .Every trip was fun and great. Wont stop.Looking forward to the next trip...
A great adventure ! I love it . That's what life is all about man . Wish I had more time for these kinda journeys . Thanks for sharing it with us .
Been there. Done that. The old 1200 is a good bike, and perfectly capable of long distances. Just get good apehangers, a decent seat, and a gas can.
I have a Dyna Wide Glide tank on my Sportster, holds over 3 gallons, perfect fit too.
used a superglide tank on mine for long trips.
The reason that Harley lasts so long is because of a bunch of fools keeps rebuilding them every few miles. The pyramids have lasted a long time too , but I wouldn't want to live in one. I have a friend who bought a new Harley two years ago and he has spent over three thousand dollars on repairs already , and it only has 8,800 miles on it. I have a Yamaha FJR and it has 74,000 miles and nobody has ever seen the engine except the people who built it. Fuck that Harley junk!
@@MrJimmy1437
Your reference to the pyramids only validates your ignorance, due to the fact that they have never been rebuilt in their 4000 years of existence.
As for my Harley, it also has never been rebuilt in its 31 years of existence, and it still runs and looks like brand new, which only destroys your claim.
Have a happy time riding your rice burner, and feel comfortable knowing everyone whom reads this is laughing at your IGNORANCE.
Ignorance my ass, I am not the one riding that outdated, ill handling, Harley crap!
I ride a soft tail deluxe. I am 65 and can do 4 to 5 hundred miles a day easy.
I dug it. The video. The journey. I'm a little jealous. You know.. the trips where everything goes as planned don't leave you with many stories to tell afterward. Trust the adventure!
Made that trip a few times myself. I had fun adventures on that Sportster. Building number 7 right now for new road trips to come.
I laughed and felt your pain through the entire video. Very down to earth and entertaining. Well done, CKF.
My buddy got transferred from Norfolk to San Diego. Rode his Sporster the entire trip.
Jer Lewis damn
Hmmmm , I am 70 ever heard the phrase bad to the bone? your not
I ran 1.224 miles in 24 hours on my 60th birthday !!! Nice to hear from a 70 year old who is still out here in the wind
*you’re
watching the intro I didn't think he was a motorcycle guy, but after just watchin him back out the garage and pull out the driveway he impressed me!
GAWD I love your take on that bike and reading the comments from all of the Harley is funny as hell
The key to do a trip like this on a Sporty is to mod it for comfort. I rode mine 4,500 miles on a round trip Route 66 trip. I was super comfortable. I documented it a 40 episode series on TH-cam. New Mexico was a lot of fun!
I dig those Biltwell bars you put on. I think I'd also prefer the mid control/hwy peg setup you have. Forward controls just aren't for me it seems.
@@camerakungfu s lot of riders swear that forward controls are more comfortable. I feel the mids give me better control of the bike and they are pretty comfortable. Your joke about your handlebars making you feel like you're milking a cow made me laugh pretty hard 😂
@@GreatEgret Agreed about the control issue. I've only ever ridden mids and rear sets my entire life so it's what I'm used to I guess. I might change my mind if I had a platform or something at the mid position. But there was a set of railroad tracks in Texas I couldn't stand up going across and it hurt... man did it hurt.
@@camerakungfu being able to stand up on the mids is a big part of my riding style. Those spine-jolting bumps are never fun!
My tuned , high compression Sporty used to vibrate so bad that bits of the bike used to snap off regularly ! It was fun /pain. These days I ride a 750 shadow phantom.
In 1977 I rode a Kawasaki 650 from Denver to Erie Pa in two days. I was never more beat apart than after that ride. The first day I rode in 90 degree heat wearing only a pair of shorts and shoes. I got sunburned so bad and I couldnt even tell it was happening. That night I was so cold and sick I didnt think I was going to make it. Despite having thick leather gloves my hands were so blistered I could barely grip the bars. Lots more happened to me but one things for sure: I never forgot that trip. Youll never forget it I assure you.
Thats a memory maker for sure. I will have to tell my oldest son to watch it. He just bought a 2019 Sportster 1200. I have a 2019 Sportster 883. Reminds me of the time I was in the Navy. I was transferred from Scotland to San Francisco. My Triumph Spitfire broke down in Laramie WY. They ended up rebuilding my engine because it overheated on the east coast and took until I got in the higher elevations with like 3,000 more miles on it to have ti bit the dust. I was a trip I will always remember. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I have a 99' sportster 1200 and a suzuki boulevard s50 804cc. Two different animals at all.
I drove them for periods and always they look as a new experience, and allow me to appreciate their lovely individual characteristics. Best Regards, riders.
From the edit, it appears you rode mostly back roads and stayed off the highways - good choice. The embedded images were amazing; really like your vision. I thought the blank sign was a great observation.
@Eric Jacobson It's just my opinion. But, as a smaller bike for a long trip, it's easier on the equipment and rider. For the photography, there are more accessible subjects via the back road. For the experience of seeing more of America than just the freeway. Plus it has an old school vibe; highways didn't gain huge affluence until the mid-to-late 60's so a two lane road is more nostalgic.
Great video. The fact that you were on 2 wheels and it was a gift from your father makes for a great story on journey!!
In 1986 I drove from Montreal to California to Vancouver back to Montreal staying in Canada all the way back home on my xlh 1000 rigid. It took me most of the summer working my way home, and I would do it again tomorrow if I was in my 20's, and my back could take it lol. You're right on about not the smoothest ride around, and eating bugs at 70 MPH is no picnic but who said riding was always suppose to super easy. I think that's what makes the adventure what it is. nice looking bike. Keep the shiny side up.
I ride an 05 Sportster with the rubber mounted engine. Huge improvement. So much less vibration. Custom touring seat with a gel, and memory foam pad. Pure comfort. Have done 3000+ mile trips, no problem. Nice video.
Gel seat with memory foam pad? Sound super plush. Who makes that? Once I get a new tank and bars I'll be seriously looking at a seat. I felt like I was just sitting on metal most of the time.
@@camerakungfu I had a Corbin seat made for my long legs. The cushion was made for cars, I got it at Costco for $30 bucks, I had a black faux sheep skin cover made for it. Really makes all the difference in the number of miles I can ride in a day. This video shows the cushion before I had it covered, and slightly cut down in size. th-cam.com/video/zF6HPEBq0PQ/w-d-xo.html
@@camerakungfu ….Mustang seats... reasonable price, great selection for sportsters, durable, style and comfort... way better than my stock seat was.
I really enjoyed tbe Texas section. Pretty much summed it up.
It's a great video! I always remember the adversity from my trips. Strange but no one tells stories of the perfect day during a trip.
Well I'm convinced I'm going to take my 79 Roadster on a trip all the way around Lake Michigan Thanks for the inspiration love you pictures I got Road fever because of you thank you
Foghat?
I really liked your video. What a great story and told well. Congratulations on a safe and interesting trip. You stated, “why the hell do people ride HD’s across the country.” They ride these wonderfully less reliable motorcycle for the adventure and the stories the bike help’s create my friend! What fun is it to ride a goldwing that’ll travel 1000 miles between fuel stops and never break down?! All you see is the interstate and the countryside from afar? Not for me sir, no that’s not for me at all. Also you are correct, the sportster is not the best cross country bike; I think the less comfortable the ride the more interesting the story gets. The larger bikes are exceptionally comfortable for long distance travel. I guess like many before me have said, it’s the story the bike helps make the adventure, and I’m rough around the edges just like my Harley Davidson. Again, I’m glad you made it home safe and you captured the trip and shared with all of us. Thank you.
Nice filming and editing..... A '69 Sportster XLCH kick start, chain drive was my first bike. Rode from Pittsburgh to Virginia Beach with a honey on the back! But that was about 45 years ago when I was 19, ha ha! I guess I should be glad the 2 gallon tank gave me a lot of rest stops for gas.
Last Fall I used an HD Street Glide to go to LA. Try that. you'll like it!
Great story, great video. You just proved any bike is an adventure bike, doesn't need to be a BMW GS, a KTM or an Africa Twin Swiss-Army-Knife-of-a-bike. The memories you make make the ride. I rode my 2010 Yamaha Stratoliner DLX 1900 7000 mi. through 21 stares in 17 days in 2012 with good friends. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. My dream trip is Palm Springs, CA to Deadhoarse, AK. Don't know if it'll happen, but I can hope & plan. Ride on!
Had a 78 Sportster. Rode it about 50 miles on the highway with 2 Goldwings. My exhaust broke and fell off from the vibrations. Had trouble with the clutch in traffic. I had that bike two years and fixed one thing after another. It did have a nice paint job. Sold it and bought a Goldwing. Never had one problem. I just added playing cards to the wheels to get that loud exhaust sound that was so popular in the 3rd grade.
I went in a Harley dealer in 73. I was a kid just looking at those cool bikes. They sporsters were looking good until I saw the oil pans under a couple on the showroom floor.
I’ve had ridden and owned several bikes throughout my life. The best one? My 2002 sportster 1200c by far has outclassed even my other Harley’s I had. The 2004 models and up have the rubber mounts which make them more comfortable but as far as Harley’s being lousy travel bikes well…you just have to take the right one out for the long haul.
Respect for riding that non-rubber mounted beast that far. Agreed with other posters, you can deck out a Sporty for longer travel but if long trips are your thing, better to just pony up for a street or road glide. Night and day difference at hwy speeds.
I would but most of my trips tend to include a mix of on and off road. Mostly I ride a KLR 650 but I do hear the siren song of larger displacement.
@@camerakungfu Good point. A nice Harley will take you cross-country. A nice dual-sport tourer will take you cross-continent. Safe travels bro!
In May of ‘71 I road my Yamaha R5 350 2cycle from Ann Arbor, Michigan to Bend, Oregon, for a summer job with the Forest Service. Later that summer I sold it and bought a ‘71 Yamaha 650. A friend also bought the same bike. We left Bend in October for Texas. I had relatives and he had relatives there. He went back to Oregon and I went back to Ann Arbor. Of course that was the days of no cell phones. Today I have a 2000 Harley Heritage that I have put 75,000 miles on. I have had a 1200 Sporster and Suzuki 1500. I guess I have to add I am only 5’3” which presents a lot of challenges.
nice video. my 91 sportster 1200 has very little vibration and is a blast to ride. glad u made it.
wow, 94/5 you did a great job on video. hope you did well with your life after this. great trip. I'm 72 and gonna start doing the same thing, no destination, just ride till i get tired.
Jonny, I bought my first bike two years ago and now though I'm retired now, I plan to put a lot of miles on my 2017 Heritage Softtail. To me she rides very well and handles nice on the highways. Happy trails to you,
Jonny Gross ...I'm 67 and went back to riding four or so years ago. I got tired of the VA telling me there was nothing they could do for me (constant pain, hips shot, knees shot etc.) and allergic to narcotic pain killers. Sure, I dropped the bike four or so times the first month but now I'm good as new. Don't know why, maybe the vibration or the fact you have to work a bike but life is good now. I get to ride with my son.
Most people ride their touring bikes for those long trips.. you on a sportster...yeah, I bet it was brutal but don't hate on Harley's guy... you just rode the wrong bike long distance...
I just rode what my dad had. And believe me I wish it was a touring bike. But honestly, having taken the ride, I'm less down on Harleys and their riders than ever. I met many really nice self proclaimed "Harley guys and gals". We shared beers and stories and in general had a good time. So - don't judge until you ride 2000 miles on their saddle I guess is the take-a-way. Cheers.
@@camerakungfu I owned a 2008 Sportster 1200 Custom. It had bags, windshield, highway pegs and touring seat. I loved that bike and it had many unique and charming qualities that made it a dream. I wish I still had it.
That said, it had some striking flaws. The ride was terrible and the skinny front tire made the handling a little dicey. I took it on a 1000 mile trip to Sturgis. Ran fantastic. NOT a touring bike. My girlfriend and I had a very hard ride and were exhausted by the time we got back.
I own an 2018 Road Glide now. That thing is a couch. Ride all day, no problem and handles like a dream.
Riding a China Davidson more than 100 miles has to a Torturous Experience. Anyone that Endures that Painful Ride needs a Trophy for > Not Ending Up In A Psychiatric Ward!😳🤔🤣😂😁!
Camera Kung Fu enjoyed the video. We are going on a ride in June from Tennessee to New Mexico. Then up to Idaho and coming back across through Montana and North Dakota before dropping back down to Tennessee. 10 of us are going. I’ll be on a street glide but I feel bad for my buddy on my old 98 1200 Sportster. Everyone else will be on StreetGlides or Electraglides
@@camerakungfu I started riding in the 60's with a minibike, and worked my way up. I've had yamahas, suzukis and hondas before getting into harleys. My last sporty was an 08 custom. It had a windshield, sundowner touring seat, and throw over bags. Made many trips from florida to the mountains of North Carolina for week long camping trips. I am now on my 3rd Ultra Limited. I can carry more, including a much larger tent and a nice folding chair. That is the only difference. except all of the extra stuff that comes stock on the limited. I wish I had never gotten rid of my sporty! Whatever you do....as in getting a touring bike...never get rid of the sporty, unless you trade it in for a newer sporty that has fuel injection and a rubber mounted engine! They ride much smoother! Oh, get a newer one without the skinny front tire.
Great story. Thanks for the ride along
I too love NGK's box. For some reason they bring back childhood memories, back when anything made in Japan was junk. Well that has certainly changed. I keep the boxes and display them on the beams in my shed.
I had a 91 Sporty 1200. Tried touring. 1.75 gallons and a rigid mount engine. I went 1000 miles one weekend. Then I bought an FLH and never looked back. Fun bike, tho.
You got to be tough to ride a Sportster long distance. I know I ride mine a lot. People respect a long distance Sportster rider.
LOL, I don't know if its a matter of respect or of utmost sympathy.:/ Sportsters are NOT xcountry bikes for anyone not into pain. Its a bar hoppin machine. Seer
I am 65 yr old I have had my Sportster for 17 years, it is the only bike I own. I am retired now so I plan on riding a lot of trips.
You definitely have to be tough to ride a sporty cross country. My brother rode his 1800 miles from Litchfield Minnesota to Rio Rancho New Mexico last July and watching his progress while my wife and I drove her van was an eye opening experience. No way in HELL would I ever try riding a Sportster that long of a distance. For a ride like that I'll stick to my cruiser!
If you think that's tough, try a Honda 450!
Sing it, Gary, much respect but I wouldn't want to do it, I like my comfort too much. Lol
I have a 91 1200 super E S&S carb teardrop filter, man I dig that bike, no rubber steel eng. mounts, no windshield has sissy bar and saddlebags, all in all a fun bike to ride. Thumbs up on ur ride.
As a fellow SD 1200 daily rider, good on ya, and welcome home.
My best day was 700 miles on my '04 Sportster, but it has a rubber mounted engine and I added a Mustang seat (best purchase ever for that bike). I have a Road King now, so the sporty will be a short range bike.
Don't do that. It probably misses you.
What an adventure. On a sportster 1200 brutal
14 years and 62,000 miles on my 1200 Sportster Custom, bought it new in 2003, last year of the solid eng. mount bike still.. never had a leaky tank issue, ,,stuff happens.. done more than a few 700 mile plus days on her in going places. the 3.3 gal tank is a bonus for longer runs... Glad you made it, Sportster is an experience, not all the same, thanks to share yours...ride on.
I’ll be riding my Dyna from Tallahassee to Cedar Falls in June. This video helped me quite a bit! Thanks for the Vlog!
Ppl have ridden cross country from FL to socal on ninja 250s. If u want to u can do it
How many of 'em did ya need?
user_mac01 😂😂😂
I rode 30 miles on a Ninja 250 once. It was terrifying. It's like riding an overdriven scooter on the freeway.
I heard of someone riding a Honda 50cc ruckus across America.
@@Spacejunk57 While I love the exposed / open frame on the Ruckus, riding one on the open highway sounds like something from a Dumb and Dumber movie.
th-cam.com/video/TViEzHJrMcM/w-d-xo.html
From Chicago, Illinois to Bovina, Texas 19hrs 1300 miles did an accidental detour threw Oklahoma left at 3am got there at 11pm 2 half hour rest stops same day on a 1995 xl1200 Sportster. 😎😈
Wow! Beautiful bike! I wish i had one with those handlebars! Brings back memories of my '85 Honda Shadow 700.
My farewell trip (due to health) was in 1999 on a BUELL White lightning. Connecticut to Wisconsin for a Buell factory homecoming, then on to Detroit to meet up with AMA riders. From there to the AMA museum grand reopening, and a short tour of the Adirondack mountains, and then home. An awesome ride with great people! It matters not what you ride, just do it!
Good bars and good shocks would transform the ride. The sporty has a great engine, pretty much bullet proof.
No matter how bad you thought it was you will always remember and smile LoL
AGREED!
I don't want a pickle...
I rode my cousin's '03 Sportster Custom XL1200 Anniversary Edition from Baldwin, Mich back home to Perth Amboy, NJ for my wife. I made the trip in 2 days, 500+ miles day 1 and 300+ miles day 2. It was brutal and had lasting effects on my body for weeks. But, looking back to those early August days last year, it was still a great time and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything! Had I a choice in the planning, knowing what I know now, I definitely would've made the journey in more days, giving myself more chances to break, sight see, and enjoy it more than endure it. You seem down on Harleys in general and that's a shame. I hope you find a way to appreciate your father's bike more and/or find a ride you can thoroughly enjoy.
Maybe I did start off a little down on Harleys, to be honest, their riders around here don't help in that regard. Combined with my previous motorcycle experience being mostly vintage European and British bikes I was absolutely prejudiced against them. That said I met several nice people on the ride, either Harley owners or former owners, shared beers and stories with them, and I came away with a newfound respect for Harleys and their community. So all together a positive experience.
There are lots of stories of negative cliques within the Harley community: snobs, elitists, purists, etc. Personally I've never understood any of the animosity or conflict between who rides what, when, how... I've always put my focus on if you ride and if you ride safely, responsibly. I'm only down on riders who needlessly and relentlessly put themselves and others at risk of harm, injury, and/or accidents. That brings us all down in the eyes of the public. Here in NJ, for example, lane splitting is currently illegal. So any time I see a biker cutting their way through traffic between cars, I try to say something if I can, to remind them to be safe not just for their sake but for others as well. I'm glad you met some folks who you could share some good times with and help bring you around to a different perception and appreciation. Ride on, brother, ride on!
Awesome, I rode my Harley Ultra Limited from Los Angeles to NYC Times Square in May of 2016. The most amazing journey ever. Plan on doing it again..in the next few months. Keep pounding those miles brother!
Awesome! Keep the rubber side down and give my regards to Broadway.
I'm about to do 650 mi, wondering if you can share your sissy bar/luggage rack combo? Anything you would have done differently on those pieces?
If it was easy everyone would do it. That is not the bike to ride across the country but it worked.
I think you have big balls to do that. I can imagine the back pain you got, but not a lot of people have your perseverance. Thank you for the video
It's perseverance. There's no need to be a pervert about it. It has nothing to do with what's between your legs, unless it's the bike. Think, before commenting.
I road 600 miles this past weekend from south Texas through the hill country and back on my 48. Awesome ride. Definitely got the attention of bagger riders. Plus with a hardtail conversion.
You have now made a memory that will be with you forever, courtesy of the trials and tribulations you have experienced. Ride Safe and enjoy!
Haha music stops in Texas. As a truck driver from Texas, that stretch of I40 is not really worth mentioning.
You will look back on this adventure and smile. Not many do it on a sporty anymore. Yes the older sportster's were vibration kings LOL. You've learned a lot, First trip you took way to much, but you know that now. Looks like you stayed off the highways. Thanks for sharing,
I could tell some stories about an old, hard-tailed Indian Chief with a springer front end I rode all over. Of course I was much younger then and could soak up punishment better. So know I ride my '93 883 Sporty. Better shocks, springs and handlebars make a big difference.
@@johnoakes3106 I can understand, I've been riding since I was 19, 72 now still riding, still have my 1980 shovelhead, been all over with it, have a nice Roadglide now for comfort. I;m too big for a Sporty now, bought one new in 68 when I can home from Vietnam, Enjoy the ride.
hell yeah i got the same factory paintjob on my 94 sporty XLH1200, its an awesome bike. Done a bit of modding to make mine a longer distance camping bike, cant wait for my first serious trip.
Yes, I saw on the video the position of the handlebars and that wicked bend in them. My 1970 Sportster with 2 piece bars was very comfortable compared to yours. Mine was a 900cc and my longest ride was from southern Virginia to northern Connecticut. That trip wasn’t without trials though. Rain in New Jersey with the semi-trailers all over the place and a lay down in a mud puddle. I didn’t have forward controls and the left footpeg mount saved the day with no damage to the bike at all! It looks like you got one of the 8 out of 10 Haleys that the flywheels weren’t trued properly on. That’s Harley Davidson. Hey, you did it.
When I got out of the Army in ‘77 I rode my 550 Honda home from Oklahoma to Miami, FL. I’ve since toured 49 states and 9 provinces of Canada on 4 Goldwings and 4 Harley dressers.
I bet the goldwings were quite the upgrade from the honda 550
Cross country on a solid mount Sportster is incredible, the new ones aren't bad at all with the rubber mounts. That had to be one hell of a trip, you feel everything and I mean everything on those solid mount bikes.
Great ride, thanks for sharing!👍
Riding the Harley made it epic. If you rode a BMW it would have just been another 2000 mile bike ride bike ride.👍
Nah, with the BMW you could go on trails to see things you'd never see in an HD. There's a reason why their called "adventure bikes".
Not all Harleys are equal, do that ride on an Ultra, and 500-600 miles a day are a pleasure. (unless the weather sucks), but that goes for any motorcycle. Sportsters however are egg beaters, not meant for long distance riding.
I rode my 1964 FL in a Denver Choppers rigid frame all over, out west, back and forth to Oklahoma City. I-40 is a long, lonely road. Or at least it was in the early 90s. Good times. Looks like fun!
Great video and congrats on your first cross country ride!
next time try the Road King. A Different animal. You may even enjoy the trip.
K Lum try a Ducati multistrada and really enjoy the back roads! !! Works everytime for me !!!😄😄😄😄
My dad is from Newton and he rode HD too!
I rode a Yamaha XS650 from San Diego to Forest Grove , Oregon and back. My 1980 Sportster to Forest Grove , from Whidbey Island lots of Weekends. Still ride a 1983 FXWG, love that shaking, vibrating 4 speed Shovelhead.
I have a '98 Sporty and got a little chuckle as you pulled into your first gas stop. "Yep, he'll be doing that a lot." was my thought ;) Great video, I enjoyed it a lot.
You cant judge harleys comfort off a 1994 sportster? My road glide is so comfortable I have no problem riding 700- 800 miles a day.
Even the newer sportsters are more comfortable than the older ones.
I'm not trying to beat up on ya great video and great adventure!
Oh I know, honestly having mid controls (with the option of highway pegs) and different bars would have gone a long way towards my comfort. There were a couple railroad tracks in Texas where I thought I'd snapped my coccyx and standing on pegs would have really helped. And I'd totally do the trip again on Road Glide, Road King, Tri Glide anything but a '94 Sportster. Thanks for watching!
I did 700 miles on a '84 XR-1000. It beat me up but no worse than some hard-tails I've ridden
to me windshields are always good. sportster kinda small for a long ride, i have an older heritage which is not bad. harleys only.
I had a fun trip when I was 17 I rode my Suzuki X6 hustler from Chicago to Pensacola Florida and back. Now that is a cruiser!
Man I love those X6’s all 30hp of ‘em. But damn, Chicago to Florida and back. I hope you stayed a while in Pensacola and took it easy.
When I was a kid on a Honda 360, a Harley 74--- a 1200--- was a mind blowingly massive motorcycle. "There is no bigger street bike" was a popular print ad for the Super Glide. I rode my Honda 500 4 to Cali from Little Rock twice in 6 months. You can ride cross country on anything. I eventually got a new 82 Super Glide, after my 750 was totaled. Rode the Harley to NYC & back several times, 100,000 miles in five years. Rock solid. My daily rider is a 1982 Sturgis.
Careful with that Sturgis, isn’t that kind of a collectors item?
@@camerakungfu Yes, for an H-D, its model run was extremely short-lived, three years, 1980-82. It was the first belt drive Harley (of the modern era), running not only rear belt, but also in the primary. It's shockingly smooth. People like to give the AMF-era crap (69-1981), but Harleys were fairly innovative for the time with enclosed rear chain drives, belt drives, five speeds, new Sportster & Glide frames, rubber mounts, development of the Evo motor and Softail, & was the first manufacturer to offer triple disc brakes. HD set the Absolute Land Speed Record for motorcycles at Bonneville in 1970 with an ironhead Sportster, a record which stood for five years, during the height of the Japanese invasion, and which was the last time that the record was set with a single engine bike. HD started the 70s with only two heavyweight bikes, the Sportster and the Electra Glide and by the time of the buyback in 81, there was the FXS Low Rider, FXB Sturgis, FXEF Fat Bob, FX Super Glide, FXWG Wide Glide, FLHS Sport Glide, the XLCR Cafe Racer, XLS Roadster.... the list goes on. Those types of bikes had an effect on the bike industry still felt today. The Sturgis was the belt drive version of the Low Rider, kind of the ultimate Low Rider, which was my favorite HD til the Sturgis. I would have no qualms riding it to either coast, right now. I'm kind of a purist, I believe Harleys should have kickstarters, so anything after 1986 doesn't interest me. LOL
Here’s a funny story about land speed records, and my ignorance. For years I had a business next to a machine shop in San Diego. It wasn’t until a Harley loving friend of mine came over and saw the name Tatro painted crudely on the cinder block wall. At that point I learned about some oddly specific land speed records involving single cylinder iron sportsters .