This is not meant to be a snub agin either. And while its seems reasonable that if one were to use a bagger for touring long distance and a Sportster for local bar hopping are there any who advocate a Sportster for touring and a bagger for leisure jaunts around town?

To hear some posters, many bagger owners simnply do that...just ride aroiund town...seems like such a waste for the bikes intended purpose. I think touroing on a Sportster would beat one to death.

What are some of the pros's/con's for touring on a Sportster and what are some of the pro's/cons for just riding around town on a bagger. It goes w/out saying ....you bought it you can do what you want with it. For conversation purposes...any opinions?

I think this is a great topic. And my initial feeling is that the concept is not as clear cut as we might first imagine.

For example, MoCo itself built a 'touring Sportster' with a larger tank and bags early on. People still tour on Sportsters. They still make saddlebags, larger fuel tanks and gas shocks for Sportsters. Obvious enough people purchase these things to create a market.

As for Sportsters in stock trim that ride long distances, I am in that category. All four of my Sportsters did highway miles. Back in the day my Sporties went all over the state on helmet repeal business--and numerous guys rode their Sportsters with me. Not a lot of people have numerous bikes, having the luxury or picking the right bike for the use. They ride what they have.

As for short-distance baggers, *sigh* that issue is one that should not muddy the water in this thread. The overall concept of HRF has always been dedicated to the guys who ride their Harleys. I do not believe that hard-use Sportsters and ego-baggers are opposite ends of the debate. Anyone can own a bagger if they don't ride it, even a widow owns a Harley.

The real discussion is Sportsters that are ridden and baggers that are ridden. There are both groups, there are millions in each camp, they pile on the miles, and they have legitimate perspectives.

In my 20's I had a XLS Sportster 2 tone metallic silver and grey...MOCO's "Touring" Sportster. 3.2 superglide gas tank and stock forward controls. It was $4200 back then, that was a alot of money...it was all I had. I thought I was riding it alot back then taking at the most 2-3 day rides. I was content and happy not knowing any better. And a dresser was a garbage barge and I would never be seen on one never mind owning one. Then I met my wife. While dating we tooled around together on that bike and some how made it happen with a tent and 2 sleeping bags and more 2-3 day ride together. Once married we pooled our resources and bought the Sport Dresser,6200$. Our families went nuts..we should have been buying a van or a station wagon. Still only riding 2-3 days at a clip. Even if I had the money I wouldn't touch a bagger with a 10 foot pole. I was to be cool more than comfortable...in hind sight. Cool was paramount thru my late 40's early 50's, hence the 1963 rigid pan for 20+ years.

Finally at 50 and kids gone (I'd always had a bike even if it was "Work to ride and ride to work") After further discussion and input from my wifes position on the matter, we decided it was time to get out of riding or upgrade all around. Bikes and riding gear. We ended up with 2 used Ultra's for the price of one new one. Bought some killer Tourmaster/Goretech jaclkets and pants, varying types of helmets from full face flip to beanie and 3/4 and boots. I went went with a brand new pair of Georgia non steel toe work bootsm, she with HD boots..women....

I have to tell you that at 55 and a veteran of 6-10 multi day and multi week rides over the last 3-4 years now, I feel like a dumbass for forgoing owning a dresser cause I perceived them as not cool. I cannot express enough good things to what a Ultra brings to the touring experience. Of course back then the MOCO didn't have such things as docking systems that allowed one to sport out there ride for local and then tour pac it back up for touring.

Moral of the story is yeah, sure, to each there own. But also don't get so caught up in your own narrow thinking that you cheat yourself out of a great experience. How can you say cavear suxs if you don't try some. In my defense I toured or thought I was touring on a Sportster and at the time thought it was the best. Having owned and ridden Ultra's for 4 years now boy did I miss the ball on that one.

I think the ego's are owner riders who can't step beyond their life time of limited actual perceptions and lack of experiences. That was me anyways. Man if I could have had a Ultra when I was in my 30's wow!

And Ultra and a Goldwing are 2 different things. I prefer the Ultra, or course I've never ridden a GW, the dealer wouldn't let me. And who drop 25,000$ on a bike and doesn't ride it? Not me.

I don't think I am cheating myself out of a riding experience. Perhaps some members here don't know that I also own a big twin. As for riding, I just wore out a second tire.

And I have no issue with long slab distances on a Harley dedicated to touring. I have looked seriously at the Deluxe and the Fat-Boy. But for right now the options on the Fat-Bob make it a bettter bike for me.

I don't use glass and I don't carry enought to warrant the use of saddlebags. A rack with a middle-sized roll is all I need for now.

My usual criteria is that if a day's ride is 150 miles, I use the Sportster. If it's about 200 to 300 I use the big twin. I'm doing day trips now.

My bad...good point Tourist. No reason owning an Ultra if you are unable to utilize it for its made purpose. Seems silly to me to have an Ultra just to ride around town or even day trips. I mean how much stuff does one need to take for one day that simple saddle bags on a Sportster of Fatbob can't handle?

That's my feeling. And don't think that I have mapped out numerous loops around my area to maximize the saddle time I can squeeze in.

The guys here should also know that due to my wife's knee surgery and inability to stabilize herself in deep downward curves to the right--like some offramps--I've even considered coverting Betty to a trike.

I've seen the trunks on those things. I don't think I own enough clothes in total to fill that thing!

But like any serious motorcyclist, I will purchase and modify a bike for the need. I will apply the same ideas to a long distance dresser that I did for Spinner. In that regard, ask the boys who travel up the slab to various summer bike events if they've ever been passed by a girl on a boated out Sportster.

Knowing that, last summer I grabbed my gas card and took Spinner on the biggest circle I could do before getting home to kennel duties. I found that in my area I never was more than 8 to 10 miles away from fuel on the slab (but it's really expensive) and my knowledge of back roads made getting to anywhere very easy.

I left my home taking HWY 19 out the back and got to the competing Harley dealer with fuel to spare. I stopped once for gas, and made it all the way to my dealer on the slab--granted, the little yellow light was on. No seat blisters, no leg cramps, no poing-poing handling, plenty of power.

It is my belief that a guy using adjustable gas shocks and a bigger tank can tour to any destination.

Spending 3 weeks on the Ultra and with all its creature comforts was max taxing..I can't imagine doing that on a Sportster. Just keeping it real.

Of course being fit is a big part of that touring on a Sportster equation. I'm not as fit as you, not even close. I'm working on it though. Getting back in shape should make my touring experience even better.

Remember when I get there to Madison this year and you're leading the way I'm not blindly follwing as you rip thru where ever we go. I'm not saying you will but if you do.

Hey, I'll still have to do day trips. If we do the House on the Rock the wife will have to stay home. Besides we have to schmooze a bit. Like they said in the movie 300, "There's no reason we can't be civil, is there?"

I'm only there for a day, 2 at the most. Being as I'll have ridden 1000 miles to get there you'll be chomping at the bits to ride...me not so much.

I ducked out for a bit and my wife and I googled info on THotR. It seems it's 90 minutes from my house, a day event, and 90 minutes back. And you're an old guy.

I was thinking hitting the obvious sites. You might need something from the bike shop, a meal, etc.