I have a 2017 883 iron and I have done a bunch of trips. As long as you aren’t in a rush and like to take the back roads it’s fine. They are really good bikes. I have ridden with mates who all have sportsters and the small tank forces you to take breaks and rest and relax enjoy the ride. Invest in a detachable sissy bar you can attach bags to it stops them moving around. I use a Harley storm suit in my bag worth the money. We all use textile jackets and pants now lots of vents and 100% better then leather mine is waterproof as well.
Yeah I agree, as long as you take your time you can ride practically any bike on a long trip. For me, stopping frequently for fuel was kind of nice actually
Hey man, major props to you for doing such a long trip on a Sportster! They are, as you discovered, perhaps not the best long-distance bike around. But they can be made into a...well...an "okay" tourer. The biggest problem with Sportsters is that they are cramped. They used to be called a "full-size motorcycle"...back in the 1960's. But not anymore. Things have changed. When I was a kid, the Gold Wing hadn't been invented yet. 650's and 750's were considered big bikes. Then, from Harley you had Sportsters and Electra Glides and that was about it. No Super Glides, no fancy BMW sport-tourers in 1970. Before the Honda 750 came along, bikes were pretty small. And even that one was small in comparison to today's bikes. First and foremost, to tour on a Sportster you have to have to have to have alternate places for your feet. You really must have mid-controls, highway pegs *and* passenger footpegs - all three! I prefer the flatter handlebars like you have, so I can put my feet on the passenger pegs and lean forward into the wind. Secondly, you have to have at least three gallons of gas. The 2.2 peanut just won't cut it for touring. All three of my 883's have gotten 55-60 mpg on the highway. My current 1200 doesn't do that good - only about 45-50. I'd be curious to know what gas mileage you got. But you have to do at least 100 miles between gas stops or the trip will take FOREVER. Also, you have to have a seat that allows you to move around, back and forth. Many Harley seats have a little scoop that you sit in. Not good. All of my (four) Sportsters have the flattest seat I can find. You *have* to move around. No, Sportsters aren't great touring bikes, but they can be used for it. One year, to get up to a summer job, I did a Florida to Washington State trip - 2,700 miles one way - on my '05 883. Then 2,700 miles back at the end of the gig. It was challenging. If I'd had another bike I would've taken it, but all I had was my Sportster, so that's what I rode. Would I do the trip again? Sure! On a Sportster? Sure. Great video and story! I look forward to seeing what other adventures you find yourself on.
Hey thanks for sharing! I’m not sure what gas mileage I was getting but I do remember stopping every 1.5-2 hours for gas. It was a nice break from the scoop seat like you’re saying. I had an airhawk cushion which helped but mannnn it was rough. I can feel the pain now just thinking about it haha
What a great trip! There’s no more rewarding way to travel than by motorcycle. I actually enjoy the adversity; finding places to hide from the rain, escaping from sketchy motels etc. the sense of adventure makes me forget the pain in my back and numbness in my ass. Well almost! Keep up the good work!
My first brand new Harley was an '87 883. No one told me I couldn't ride that thing all of the country. That I did......47k miles before I felt the need to get a "big" bike. Funny thing is that after all these years of the "big" bikes. I've sold them all and picking up a garage queen XL1200C this week end. Can't wait to get back to my roots!
Thank you. Loved the video. Something about a sporty, they hold a special place in my heart. Used to ride the Poconos in PA on a Sportster. 520 miles each way. Great memories.
I have experienced two of your "trials": I too bought some frog togs for my first long distance motorcycle trip and had to grin as they disintegrated on the ride in the midst of a torrential downpour. I also took a long trip on a sportster. Let's just say I appreciate my streetglide so much more now. Great Video!
I love my 1999 883 Sportster. I have it equipped for day trip. I laugh when people talk about 500 Miles being a long way because from where I am it is a thousand miles just to get to the Georgia border out of Florida. I found a stock grips transmit a lot of vibration to your throttle hand. I got a new throttle grip with the rubber insert from a swap meet because someone stole the matching one to it and it was like night and day difference with the vibrations transfer to my throttle and went down to almost nothing. I now have almost 400,000 miles on the bike. I don't ride at nights because we have lots of wild pigs running around loose. Some of the wild pigs down here are as big as a car. One guy left the VFW on his Ultra and hit a big one and it took all three of them out.
I am a big guy and love my Sportster 1200! I want to take longer trips, when I was younger I took her on a 15 hour ride in one day and survived! I want to put another 20k on this old bike! But I am keeping her!
Man finally a real rider who shows the discomfort the agony of wind and how it wears you down to the bone . The unpacking after and how you just slowly walk to your room. This is by far the best and closest to how it was for me on a 3,000 mile ride. Hats off to you brother ! It’s crazy how badly the wind and roads wear you down. Especially solo. But you find out what you’re made of when you’re stripped from everything you know love and the things that protect and distract you from you . Beautiful ride brother .
21:42 bro next time try putting the gas tank inside the front end of the sissy bar then a thicker bag . That way the thicker bag is nothin but cushion to lean back on. I did it with a two gallon tank and it worked amazing!
I rode my 1972 Norton 750 Commando to Alaska in the mid 80s with no kickstand and went to So Cal first. Ran out of fuel in Montana and was stranded on the Alaskan Highway for 5 days by a landslide. 2 changes of clothes, water, tarp, sleeping bag, collapsible fuel bags. Never spent a night in a motel. Never got a chance to do it on my 71 XLCH.
That was cool and a great example of how to follow your instinct when in ABQ, I stayed in one of them in Hawthorne LA once and I was glad that the car was still there in the morning 😎
Great video man! I enjoy trips on a sporty. While challenging it is rewarding after. Did 1900 miles last summer and would do it again in a heartbeat. Respect to you, not everyone can or would try that.
A really good video for your first go at it! I retired, got my Covid Vaccinations, and bought my first motorcycle, a 2014 Yamaha V Star 250, in 2021. I did four trips that year. They totaled over 18,000 miles. I only use rain gear if it’s cold. Otherwise I use all synthetic clothing that dries fast. I know blue jeans seem right, but NO COTTON ANYTHING! Not even your underwear! I also have light weight water repellent pants and jacket that I can wear under my mesh armor if it’s just a little cool and/or wet. When it’s hot, get on the road early and get off the road early. When it was hot, I was off the road as soon as I could get into a motel room, usually by 3-4:00pm. I met a few guys who wouldn’t leave the motel until after 10:00 and then were trying to ride through the hottest part of the day! Just before sunrise is a good time to start if it’s a long mileage day. A long day on the bike can wear you down, but that’s why God gave us Tylenol. Over 12,000 miles on 600cc Honda Shadow in 2022. Im hooked! Even a girl can ride a Gold Wing or Harley bagger cross country :) If you want comfort, get a Lexus. :) P.S. When I was younger, I was an ultra marathon bicyclist, so that helps :)
Way to go, dude! I made ONE long trip on my Sportster (1200 miles)... it was brutal! But I felt a huge sense of accomplishment, and I was with friends. Also... I trade up for a Road King not long after. 😂 This was a fun and relaxing video. Fun Fact: I live about 30 min from Yorkville. Crazy!
I have a 2006 1200 custom sporty and I love it. She runs very good and she’s very fast. Nothing like riding a Harley, but after about 3 or 4 hours my butt starts hurting lol have to take a break.
took my longest trip yet on m yamaha mt03 naked bike, 900+ miles was definitely getting my ass beat the whole time but i hope to work my way up to this type of trip, thanks for posting:)
Nice video. I started riding all over the place on a '99 883, the biggest lesson I learned was highway bars and pegs nd forward controls are a must. It makes the ride easier when you can stretch your legs out.
Nice to see someone taking a cross country trip on something besides an Iron 883. I've been across the country on many different motorcycles over the past 4+ decades, including a 2006 Sportster 1200L, which I still have. Last year for carbureted Sportster. I've never owned a computer bike and never will. I noticed your bike has tube type tires. I learned the hard way to never ride very far from home on a bike with tube type tires. I could almost write a book about all the misery and grief that flats with tube type tires have caused me. One flat tire once cost me almost $1000 in towing charges, 2 day motel stay, and having the tire and tube replaced by a dealer. Had it been a tubeless tire, I would have plugged it, reinflated it, and been on my way. I have not had much luck with those orange earplugs, which I use for shooting. I found some from Cycle Gear that work a lot better. I live near Phoenix, AZ, but during the insanely hot summers I spend a lot of time up north. Too bad you weren't able to check out the Grand Canyon, only 70 miles from Flagstaff. Glad you made it. I would rather do it on a Sportster than on a Goldwing. I've done that too, and it was pretty much the same as driving a car.
I never thought this would be so cooooooooool I took this same route a few times in my truck shooting B&W film on my Hasseblad 500cm. I think I wanna go do this, yea
I did 1500 miles on my 02 1200 Sporster 10 years ago at 59 yr old, it was rough for sure. After the first day it wasn't too bad. I would like to think I could still do it, and I still have my Sportster. If I try it again I will take my 95 Wide Glide. You did good.
You got a subscribe by not starting the video "Whats up guys"..lol. Spontaneous motorcycle riding is great! Ive stayed at the Shamrock Country Inn, in Shamrock. The Rt 66 trips are always fun. Tom Hanks filmed the ending scene from "Castaway" not too far from there.
You may want to invest into a locking cruize control and a Saddleman bag that mounts to your seat with a built in backrest. I use one on mine and it works great!
@@leogrigioI've put "Throttlemeister 3 of my bikes & if I have the need for a mechanical throttle lock which doesn't actually lock the throttle but gently holds it using ORings which you can nudge the throttle up or down to maintain a steady speed if say you're in hilly country for example. You can release it or override it so easy that you'll quickly realize it's beautifully machined workings are way ahead of any competition. They're located in Milwaukee. They come with 2 barends & of course the one on the right is the controller. Their weighty & smooth, not cheap flimsy garbage that won't last & may stick like some of the garbage that screws into the throttle. I threw away that garbage on a 2005 Softail & put a new Throttlemiester on and rode from Western Kentucky to the 84th Laconia Bike Rally & it was a piece of cake. I'll always remember the jerk off 1%er that was over a shop calling anything that wasn't in the Harley Catalog junk. Buddy, he & I as my dad used to say, we didn't gee & haw. I put it on even though I left that piece of crap factory screw in just in case I ever had a problem & needed to jam the throttle for some reason. I promise, google Throttlemister & go with them. I promise they Are an excellent Manufacturer. If you know a little about good machine works you'll enjoy just looking at this product before it's installed & it Will last a lifetime with the exception of after a very long time simply change out the old ORings & put in new ones & you're good to go for another mill mile.👍🇺🇲
I used to run heavy wreckers in NM and AZ. We call that setup a Guatemalan Express. Central and South Americans come to the U.S., buy vehicles and random, stuff. They'll hook up and head back south to resell.
Nicely done video. Great vibe. No unnecessary flapping about anything just for the sake of talking, which is nice; just simple narration where it counts. Rad helmet & goggle combo, too! For a long ride, you might consider a full face with a shield or a modular. A lot less fatiguing for the big miles.
Memphis shades windscreen, Mustang seat, sissy bar, and a Coleman rain jacket from Walmart (and rain pants with boots). Optimally, install highway bars. You’re set.
I've ridden bikes all my life. However, the longest trip I ever made in one day was roughly 700 miles. I rode from Little Rock Arkansas to Cincinnati Ohio. At least, I was riding a 1988 Honda Goldwing 1500. Round trip was 1400 miles. Enjoyed the video!
Loved the video! I'm impressed with the fact that you indeed took the time to record while going thru the pain and suffering on your Sportster! Ha! Honestly, you gave me courage to take the trip from Kansas City to Washington DC on my Road Glide Limited. Although my bike is suited for touring, I am quite abit older that you are. But, thanks to you, now I know I can do it. 👍 I was hoping you'd edit in your ride thru Barstow CA but I understand you can't show your whole trip. I grew up in Barstow. Thanks again for your video. Looking forward to see your off road video.
Great video and adventure. Thanks for sharing. Regarding the school bus towing the truck and wood chipper, if you have a commercial driver's license I'm told it's legal in some states. The driver that told me this has said he's had to explain it to cops before, but hasn't had a problem after doing so. I took a 1250 mile tour on a Kymco Spade 150 mini moto for the challenge. It was one of the funnest tours that I'll remember for a lifetime. I did keep my days to around 250 miles on back country highways though, except the last day was around 400 miles.
Thanks David and that makes sense about towing doubles. I just looked up the kymco spade and I have to say that must have been one hell of a trip. Where did it take place?
@Leo Grigio Gresham Oregon to Mountain Home Idaho. Going there through country roads south of I84, then back through Hills Canyon area and paralleling 84 on the Washington side.
nice story! trip of a lifetime I've done it 3 times now :) Once in my '72 F-100 (in 1995) once on my VFR800 (in 2004) and once in my 98 GMC (in 2011 with my Speed Triple loaded up) but stopped in Arizona and never left haha
Enjoyed your video Leo, thanks for posting. I've motorcycle camped cross country a few times now and agree it's a learning experience. What gear you take, camp or motel, what bike you ride and what kind of distance daily is really a personal choice. For me, the more comfortable I am riding equals more distance I can ride if that's my goal for a day. Currently my bike is a Yamaha FJR and it seems to suit me well.
I had the older FJ 1200cc ABS in England. The older you get camping sucks . Not when you can find motels and not carrying tons of crap on a bike obviously in my opinion. 👍🇬🇧🇺🇲😎
So I had a 1991 5 speed belt drive 1200cc Evo Sportster. And I had a rear hydraulic lifter go out on it, the factory hadn't dried the frame before painting it so it developed rust spots . Had to have a new bike totally stripped down and powder coated . It was a good looking bike but a pain in the ass with that small gas tank . I tell you all this because I swore I'd never buy another Harley Davidson. Then when I got into the tourers it was night and day . They seemed to be far more reliable and in the extreme heat once in Vegas never missed a beat. I have a 14 Streetglide and 05 Deuce . And the bigger bikes are the way to go for any trip like you just did. In my opinion after 47 years of riding. 👍🇬🇧🇺🇲😎
I’m not halfway through yet, enjoying the video. Looks like you’re mainly on the highway so far…. I made that mistake going from ohio to florida. I should have allocated more time and taken secondary roads and enjoyed the journey instead of bombing thru just to reach my destination
I actually enjoyed every minute of this video. I’ve always thought it would be very nice to make such a trip but others, besides you, have said it’s not for the faint of heart and I am the faint of heart.😂 I hope you continue to share any other trips in the future whether they’re long or short!
What a great low mileage find, so many of my used bikes were low millage almost all of them under 5K miles one was even only 550 miles and it was a 06 in 2014 if anyone askes I will tell all. At almost 69 I would have have to dare myself to take a ride like that. Man you are brave! Next time buy a cruiser, low millage of course. LOL
I really enjoyed this video. My wife thinks I'm crazy for wanting to take a solo trip west on a motorcycle. I know a few people who have ridden from TN to CA and they've told me it was the most fun they've ever had. I don't know if I'd do a trip like that on my Sportster.
Great trip ! I just came across your channel in my feed actually. I'm happy to support your efforts and those of other fellow moto content creators. I look forward to seeing and hearing more from you in the future ; keep up the great work and ride safe out there.
Preparation is key. 4.5 gallon fuel tank is also imo a must. Parrothead on the XL Forum has done coast to coast a few times and has his two sportys set up appropriately. He prefers them to his softail and he’s not a small dude I’ve met him in person. Love your video and hope you enjoyed your trip! Edit: haha the bus/truck/wood chipper tow convoy was hilarious! I’ve never seen such fuckery here in New England!
Years ago, my cousin Michael and I worked on a plan to ride from Detroit to my home in Arizona, then on up to California. He on his Triumph, me on my Harley. Well, we waited too long. Life happened, he got sick and died, and now I'm 71 years, sold my bike and will probably never make that trip. My advice: Don't wait till "whenever". It will never arrive. Thanks for making this video.
First Great video man. So I’ll be making a similar trip as far as distance goes on my 2014 iron sportster early next year. I purchased My bike brand new and is far from stock as I’ve had more time to customize it throughout the years. ie suspension, engine,wheels backrests etc. My only question for you is Gas… I’ve made this trip several times in a car and remember there not being a gas station around for a while! I get about 90-95 to the tank. Thx again!
You will have a blast! I had a couple close calls with gas but I was carrying a gallon of extra fuel. That should be more than enough to get you to the next stop.
@@leogrigio I'm meeting up with someone in three days to start planning everything out. Should be an intense journey. I got 16 days total to make it from chicago and back from santa monica pier. We're probably going to camp out every night which should be interesting.
First I focus on maintenance and then I figure out what luggage I’m taking and practice mounting it. I should have done a few test rides with the luggage before heading out but it all worked out
Ft. Hood Texas to Blythe California 1250 mile trip one way then back 1250! I was 18 turned 19 at Home! All done on a HONDA 550Four fully Dressed HOT! Did it in June 1981.
I think a comfortable ride on a sportster would be 200 miles one way for the day. I have a sporty as my first Harley and I've traveled from Reno Nevada to San Francisco a few times, 200 miles each way, that would be as long as I'd feel comfortable sitting in any position on any bike. Sporty's are best as you know are built to be nimble and fast and get you where you wonna go reliably. If I were to take on a long journey I might consider doing it on a a trike as they provide much more cargo room and comfort along the way than a bagger or cruiser. Whatever suits your needs, having a stable of bikes would be the bomb ! Right right.
Bruh don't lick and twist your ear plugs, that makes them useless... press them against your hand and roll them carefully, raise your ear and they'll fit right in!
I enjoyed the video man. Too bad the go pro roached some footage (side note, alot of creators are moving to the DJI action cam due to this very reason). I have had a sportster for 7 years and rode it pretty darn far, maybe not as long as you.. and i feel you when you say its not the right tool for the job. I tried my hardest to make it a touring machine and its just not in the cards. I recently bought a Pan America and last weekend did a 1000 mile trip (spread over a few days). I can't believe what i was missing. I still need to set it up more for my comfort but damn, i couldnt believe the difference. Anyway, look forward to more adventures, ride safe.
Challenging trip, I too ride an xl1200c and most miles I've done in a day's ride is around 150m. I think you qualify for the "Iron Butt", check if it still exists.
@@leogrigio Indeed they must be documented, if you have receipts of the places you dined or stayed overnight, photos etc. you may qualify. Just a thought! Thanks for sharing your experience!!! Ride safe.
@@octavioquilichini874 you have to register with the iron butt association there is a fee...I did 1065 miles in 22hrs. on my MV Agusta 800 Dragster RR and got a certificate.
Yeah, Iron Butt Assoc. is 1000 miles in 24 hours. Heck of a ride either way. Lots of days plus lots of miles each day, no wonder your back was starting to hurt.
Huge effort! Well done 👏. I can only ride for short stints as my back starts to get strained. I noticed an airhawk cushion seat on your bike, did it help the comfort level? My latest sportie is a 2013 xl1200c fantastic bike but the seat gets a bit hard after awhile. I admire your 'can do' and sensible attitude! Thoroughly enjoyed seeing the sights from your trip. Thankyou for sharing from a new subscriber. All the best from Tasmania, Australia
The air hawk was great but there’s a trick to it! I would let out a bit of air as I got uncomfortable until it was empty and then ride until even that became uncomfortable. I would then stop, fill it up and do it again. The different amounts of air change your pressure points so it gives a bit of a break to each area. Hope to share some more great trips in the near future.
How are your mirrors so clear? (especially at 20:23). I have a solid mount sportster too and the mirrors vibrate so much you can barely make out what's in them.
@@leogrigio It's a 2003. It's totally stock. I don't think the bars are rubber mounted. I don't think anything on the bike is! My mirrors are blurry at any speed.
The "I know I'm in Texas BUT... is this legal!?" Had me cracking up! If anyone says something like, "that's not that bad of a trip, that looks easy" or any of that nonsense, i guarantee they've never been on a long distance trip on a bike like that. The pure exhaustion you get after a few hours of the sun, wind, and vibration is enough to put anyone's dick in the dirt! I was literally nodding my head in agreement the whole time you spoke of the torment lol Doesn't matter who you are, this is a character building experience! Congrats on making it and filming what you could. Excellent edit and commentary. Cheers!
@@leogrigio oh i'm smilin, just wish i was young and dumb again too lol I mean that in a very good way but man the nightmare you would have been in had Barney Fife pulled you over. Glad you got there safe and sound, also really enjoyed the vid.
@@leogrigio that’s awesome and very inspiring. I know it’ll be fun riding with others but I think I may have to tackle this challenge on my own. Hopefully I’ll be able to take off for that length of time,because I’m gonna have to ride back home
Hi, instead of the Music, let us hear the Bike. Another thing you can do, is show us the Bike and what you did to it to prepare for the Trip. Show interesting Places that you find along the way. You may want to watch other Motorcycle Trip Videos. Thanks anyway for this Video, I subscribed.👍👍
What were some of the biggest issues along the way? You speak as if this was very challenging but it doesn't look like you had mechanical issues. Is this a comfort thing?
Almost lost my right peg on the highway, windscreen broke off the mounts and had to JB weld, almost ran out of fuel twice, clutch lever pin fell out and used some wire from the side of the road to hold it together for the rest of the trip. Other than that there was a lot of discomfort. I would say those were all minor issues and I’m pretty happy with the preventative maintenance I did before leaving.
great video Dude lots of miles awesome adventure how said we can't tour in a Sportster?? i do it on mine all the time and mine is a 883... i love it!!! keep posting i am a new Subscriber to your channel good luck and ride safe
I have a 2017 883 iron and I have done a bunch of trips. As long as you aren’t in a rush and like to take the back roads it’s fine. They are really good bikes. I have ridden with mates who all have sportsters and the small tank forces you to take breaks and rest and relax enjoy the ride. Invest in a detachable sissy bar you can attach bags to it stops them moving around. I use a Harley storm suit in my bag worth the money. We all use textile jackets and pants now lots of vents and 100% better then leather mine is waterproof as well.
Yeah I agree, as long as you take your time you can ride practically any bike on a long trip. For me, stopping frequently for fuel was kind of nice actually
@@leogrigiostop for fuel bathroom and coffee talk to people take some pictures. Enjoy the journey.
One has to stop (Sportster) every hr to fuel and give your ass a break.
Hey man, major props to you for doing such a long trip on a Sportster! They are, as you discovered, perhaps not the best long-distance bike around. But they can be made into a...well...an "okay" tourer. The biggest problem with Sportsters is that they are cramped. They used to be called a "full-size motorcycle"...back in the 1960's. But not anymore. Things have changed. When I was a kid, the Gold Wing hadn't been invented yet. 650's and 750's were considered big bikes. Then, from Harley you had Sportsters and Electra Glides and that was about it. No Super Glides, no fancy BMW sport-tourers in 1970. Before the Honda 750 came along, bikes were pretty small. And even that one was small in comparison to today's bikes.
First and foremost, to tour on a Sportster you have to have to have to have alternate places for your feet. You really must have mid-controls, highway pegs *and* passenger footpegs - all three! I prefer the flatter handlebars like you have, so I can put my feet on the passenger pegs and lean forward into the wind. Secondly, you have to have at least three gallons of gas. The 2.2 peanut just won't cut it for touring. All three of my 883's have gotten 55-60 mpg on the highway. My current 1200 doesn't do that good - only about 45-50. I'd be curious to know what gas mileage you got. But you have to do at least 100 miles between gas stops or the trip will take FOREVER. Also, you have to have a seat that allows you to move around, back and forth. Many Harley seats have a little scoop that you sit in. Not good. All of my (four) Sportsters have the flattest seat I can find. You *have* to move around.
No, Sportsters aren't great touring bikes, but they can be used for it. One year, to get up to a summer job, I did a Florida to Washington State trip - 2,700 miles one way - on my '05 883. Then 2,700 miles back at the end of the gig. It was challenging. If I'd had another bike I would've taken it, but all I had was my Sportster, so that's what I rode. Would I do the trip again? Sure! On a Sportster? Sure.
Great video and story! I look forward to seeing what other adventures you find yourself on.
Hey thanks for sharing! I’m not sure what gas mileage I was getting but I do remember stopping every 1.5-2 hours for gas. It was a nice break from the scoop seat like you’re saying. I had an airhawk cushion which helped but mannnn it was rough. I can feel the pain now just thinking about it haha
What a great trip! There’s no more rewarding way to travel than by motorcycle. I actually enjoy the adversity; finding places to hide from the rain, escaping from sketchy motels etc. the sense of adventure makes me forget the pain in my back and numbness in my ass.
Well almost!
Keep up the good work!
Haha I appreciate the kind words!
My first brand new Harley was an '87 883. No one told me I couldn't ride that thing all of the country. That I did......47k miles before I felt the need to get a "big" bike. Funny thing is that after all these years of the "big" bikes. I've sold them all and picking up a garage queen XL1200C this week end. Can't wait to get back to my roots!
They’re just so fun to ride! Thanks for sharing.
I hate it when people act like you can't tour without a $25,000 + motorcycle. Good on you bro.
Thank you
Thank you. Loved the video. Something about a sporty, they hold a special place in my heart. Used to ride the Poconos in PA on a Sportster. 520 miles each way. Great memories.
There’s just something amazing about a sportster
I have experienced two of your "trials": I too bought some frog togs for my first long distance motorcycle trip and had to grin as they disintegrated on the ride in the midst of a torrential downpour. I also took a long trip on a sportster. Let's just say I appreciate my streetglide so much more now. Great Video!
Haha those damn frog togs
I love my 1999 883 Sportster. I have it equipped for day trip. I laugh when people talk about 500 Miles being a long way because from where I am it is a thousand miles just to get to the Georgia border out of Florida. I found a stock grips transmit a lot of vibration to your throttle hand. I got a new throttle grip with the rubber insert from a swap meet because someone stole the matching one to it and it was like night and day difference with the vibrations transfer to my throttle and went down to almost nothing. I now have almost 400,000 miles on the bike. I don't ride at nights because we have lots of wild pigs running around loose. Some of the wild pigs down here are as big as a car. One guy left the VFW on his Ultra and hit a big one and it took all three of them out.
Wow that’s a crazy a mount of miles. I’ve heard wild pigs are a big issues out there.
I am a big guy and love my Sportster 1200! I want to take longer trips, when I was younger I took her on a 15 hour ride in one day and survived! I want to put another 20k on this old bike! But I am keeping her!
Hell yeah!
Man finally a real rider who shows the discomfort the agony of wind and how it wears you down to the bone . The unpacking after and how you just slowly walk to your room. This is by far the best and closest to how it was for me on a 3,000 mile ride. Hats off to you brother ! It’s crazy how badly the wind and roads wear you down. Especially solo. But you find out what you’re made of when you’re stripped from everything you know love and the things that protect and distract you from you . Beautiful ride brother .
21:42 bro next time try putting the gas tank inside the front end of the sissy bar then a thicker bag . That way the thicker bag is nothin but cushion to lean back on. I did it with a two gallon tank and it worked amazing!
I was worried about the tank leaking all over me if I put it in the front
I rode my 1972 Norton 750 Commando to Alaska in the mid 80s with no kickstand and went to So Cal first.
Ran out of fuel in Montana and was stranded on the Alaskan Highway for 5 days by a landslide.
2 changes of clothes, water, tarp, sleeping bag, collapsible fuel bags.
Never spent a night in a motel.
Never got a chance to do it on my 71 XLCH.
Wow, now that’s a trip!
Hey great fun. There is no pain just joy of riding.keep it up🎅🏼🏍🇺🇸
Thank you!
Ii ride a 2012 roadglide but i have always loved the sportster just excellent bikes
That was cool and a great example of how to follow your instinct when in ABQ, I stayed in one of them in Hawthorne LA once and I was glad that the car was still there in the morning 😎
Haha you never know what you’ll wake up to
I am very proud of you, excellent trip!!! 👏💪🏼♥️
Great video man! I enjoy trips on a sporty. While challenging it is rewarding after. Did 1900 miles last summer and would do it again in a heartbeat. Respect to you, not everyone can or would try that.
Thanks Keith!
A really good video for your first go at it!
I retired, got my Covid Vaccinations, and bought my first motorcycle, a 2014 Yamaha V Star 250, in 2021. I did four trips that year. They totaled over 18,000 miles. I only use rain gear if it’s cold. Otherwise I use all synthetic clothing that dries fast. I know blue jeans seem right, but NO COTTON ANYTHING! Not even your underwear! I also have light weight water repellent pants and jacket that I can wear under my mesh armor if it’s just a little cool and/or wet. When it’s hot, get on the road early and get off the road early. When it was hot, I was off the road as soon as I could get into a motel room, usually by 3-4:00pm. I met a few guys who wouldn’t leave the motel until after 10:00 and then were trying to ride through the hottest part of the day! Just before sunrise is a good time to start if it’s a long mileage day. A long day on the bike can wear you down, but that’s why God gave us Tylenol. Over 12,000 miles on 600cc Honda Shadow in 2022. Im hooked! Even a girl can ride a Gold Wing or Harley bagger cross country :) If you want comfort, get a Lexus. :) P.S. When I was younger, I was an ultra marathon bicyclist, so that helps :)
Totally agree with riding early on hot day. You figure that out pretty quickly when riding through states like Arizona lol
Great video. Planning a trip from Minnesota to Arizona and back on my ‘05 Road King. Looking forward to seeing some of the same sights as you did.
Good luck! Ride safe
Great video. Pretty ballsy thing flying out and riding back - so many unknowns with a used bike. From I could see, damn nice looking scoot as well!
It just felt right
Way to go, dude! I made ONE long trip on my Sportster (1200 miles)... it was brutal! But I felt a huge sense of accomplishment, and I was with friends. Also... I trade up for a Road King not long after. 😂 This was a fun and relaxing video. Fun Fact: I live about 30 min from Yorkville. Crazy!
Thank you! I will also be riding something a little more comfortable in the future.
I have a 2006 1200 custom sporty and I love it. She runs very good and she’s very fast. Nothing like riding a Harley, but after about 3 or 4 hours my butt starts hurting lol have to take a break.
I agree with people, if you are not in the rush and like to stop every 90 miles, this is the kind of ride you want.
True
took my longest trip yet on m yamaha mt03 naked bike, 900+ miles was definitely getting my ass beat the whole time but i hope to work my way up to this type of trip, thanks for posting:)
wow that's impressive on an MT03 great job!
Nice video. I started riding all over the place on a '99 883, the biggest lesson I learned was highway bars and pegs nd forward controls are a must. It makes the ride easier when you can stretch your legs out.
Absolutely
Awesome journey brother. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
Great vid ive traveled 1000s of miles on sportsters great bikes please were all the gear all the time. be safe brother
Thanks man
Nice to see someone taking a cross country trip on something besides an Iron 883. I've been across the country on many different motorcycles over the past 4+ decades, including a 2006 Sportster 1200L, which I still have. Last year for carbureted Sportster. I've never owned a computer bike and never will. I noticed your bike has tube type tires. I learned the hard way to never ride very far from home on a bike with tube type tires. I could almost write a book about all the misery and grief that flats with tube type tires have caused me. One flat tire once cost me almost $1000 in towing charges, 2 day motel stay, and having the tire and tube replaced by a dealer. Had it been a tubeless tire, I would have plugged it, reinflated it, and been on my way. I have not had much luck with those orange earplugs, which I use for shooting. I found some from Cycle Gear that work a lot better. I live near Phoenix, AZ, but during the insanely hot summers I spend a lot of time up north. Too bad you weren't able to check out the Grand Canyon, only 70 miles from Flagstaff. Glad you made it. I would rather do it on a Sportster than on a Goldwing. I've done that too, and it was pretty much the same as driving a car.
Thanks for sharing Gerald. I didn’t realize those were tubed tires
I never thought this would be so cooooooooool
I took this same route a few times in my truck shooting B&W film on my Hasseblad 500cm. I think I wanna go do this, yea
You should!
Really enjoyed this. Thanks for going to the trouble of putting this together
Thanks for watching!
Great to see, made the same on a Road King last year. Stay Cool
Love my 2014 1200t ! Enjoyed your video. Thanks
Thanks!
I did 1500 miles on my 02 1200 Sporster 10 years ago at 59 yr old, it was rough for sure. After the first day it wasn't too bad. I would like to think I could still do it, and I still have my Sportster. If I try it again I will take my 95 Wide Glide. You did good.
Thanks you Gary. The wide glide sounds like the right choice
You got a subscribe by not starting the video "Whats up guys"..lol. Spontaneous motorcycle riding is great! Ive stayed at the Shamrock Country Inn, in Shamrock. The Rt 66 trips are always fun. Tom Hanks filmed the ending scene from "Castaway" not too far from there.
Hahaha
I had a 2006 1200 Sportster that I bagstered. Frequently rode 2-300 mile outings on it. No issues with the right seat and floorboards.
Yeah they can be made pretty comfortable
You may want to invest into a locking cruize control and a Saddleman bag that mounts to your seat with a built in backrest. I use one on mine and it works great!
I tried a throttle lock and it was terrible. I think the atlas might be the only thing worth buying.
@@leogrigioI've put "Throttlemeister 3 of my bikes & if I have the need for a mechanical throttle lock which doesn't actually lock the throttle but gently holds it using ORings which you can nudge the throttle up or down to maintain a steady speed if say you're in hilly country for example. You can release it or override it so easy that you'll quickly realize it's beautifully machined workings are way ahead of any competition. They're located in Milwaukee. They come with 2 barends & of course the one on the right is the controller. Their weighty & smooth, not cheap flimsy garbage that won't last & may stick like some of the garbage that screws into the throttle. I threw away that garbage on a 2005 Softail & put a new Throttlemiester on and rode from Western Kentucky to the 84th Laconia Bike Rally & it was a piece of cake. I'll always remember the jerk off 1%er that was over a shop calling anything that wasn't in the Harley Catalog junk. Buddy, he & I as my dad used to say, we didn't gee & haw. I put it on even though I left that piece of crap factory screw in just in case I ever had a problem & needed to jam the throttle for some reason. I promise, google Throttlemister & go with them. I promise they Are an excellent Manufacturer. If you know a little about good machine works you'll enjoy just looking at this product before it's installed & it Will last a lifetime with the exception of after a very long time simply change out the old ORings & put in new ones & you're good to go for another mill mile.👍🇺🇲
Badass trip! I live 30 minutes east of yorkville, hoping to do this trip or a Florida run on my sportster.
Do it! You’ll never regret it
AWESOME. I enjoyed that.
Thank you!
I used to run heavy wreckers in NM and AZ. We call that setup a Guatemalan Express. Central and South Americans come to the U.S., buy vehicles and random, stuff. They'll hook up and head back south to resell.
Sounds profitable
Hey bro rookie rider here… I have an 03 sportster 1200. Great video.. I can’t wait to ride in your confidence level.. regards from Chicago ✌🏼😎
Thanks man! Best of luck to you 🤙
Nicely done video. Great vibe. No unnecessary flapping about anything just for the sake of talking, which is nice; just simple narration where it counts.
Rad helmet & goggle combo, too! For a long ride, you might consider a full face with a shield or a modular. A lot less fatiguing for the big miles.
Thanks Rush! Yeah that helmet was a huge mistake lol.
Memphis shades windscreen, Mustang seat, sissy bar, and a Coleman rain jacket from Walmart (and rain pants with boots). Optimally, install highway bars. You’re set.
All you need. I bought cheap frog toggs and they were fine for this ride
Very inspiring dude. Need to get out on my sportster more. Cheers, Arran, Ireland 🇮🇪 👍
Thank you, cheers!
Great Video, I like the Footboards. Could you do a walk around video of your bike explaining the mods please. I have the same 03 Custom
No longer have the bike unfortunately
I've ridden bikes all my life. However, the longest trip I ever made in one day was roughly 700 miles. I rode from Little Rock Arkansas to Cincinnati Ohio. At least, I was riding a 1988 Honda Goldwing 1500. Round trip was 1400 miles. Enjoyed the video!
Thanks for sharing! Always wanted to try a goldwing.
Loved the video! I'm impressed with the fact that you indeed took the time to record while going thru the pain and suffering on your Sportster! Ha! Honestly, you gave me courage to take the trip from Kansas City to Washington DC on my Road Glide Limited. Although my bike is suited for touring, I am quite abit older that you are. But, thanks to you, now I know I can do it. 👍 I was hoping you'd edit in your ride thru Barstow CA but I understand you can't show your whole trip. I grew up in Barstow. Thanks again for your video. Looking forward to see your off road video.
Thanks Ron! Once I got in California my gopro started having issues with the heat. Lost a lot of footage including barstow area
I like your video. It was a good trip.Thanks for sharing,Ride safe buddy. [From Thailand]
Thank you!
I absolutely Loved this video! Great work!
Thank you!
seems like your enjoying the trip after the rain the sporty seems to run good
It was a relief to make it past that rain.
Great video and adventure. Thanks for sharing.
Regarding the school bus towing the truck and wood chipper, if you have a commercial driver's license I'm told it's legal in some states. The driver that told me this has said he's had to explain it to cops before, but hasn't had a problem after doing so.
I took a 1250 mile tour on a Kymco Spade 150 mini moto for the challenge. It was one of the funnest tours that I'll remember for a lifetime. I did keep my days to around 250 miles on back country highways though, except the last day was around 400 miles.
Thanks David and that makes sense about towing doubles. I just looked up the kymco spade and I have to say that must have been one hell of a trip. Where did it take place?
@Leo Grigio Gresham Oregon to Mountain Home Idaho. Going there through country roads south of I84, then back through Hills Canyon area and paralleling 84 on the Washington side.
nice story! trip of a lifetime
I've done it 3 times now :) Once in my '72 F-100 (in 1995) once on my VFR800 (in 2004) and once in my 98 GMC (in 2011 with my Speed Triple loaded up) but stopped in Arizona and never left haha
Haha that’s arizona is a good place to stay
Enjoyed your video Leo, thanks for posting. I've motorcycle camped cross country a few times now and agree it's a learning experience. What gear you take, camp or motel, what bike you ride and what kind of distance daily is really a personal choice. For me, the more comfortable I am riding equals more distance I can ride if that's my goal for a day. Currently my bike is a Yamaha FJR and it seems to suit me well.
I haven’t done any moto camping but I’m really excited to start soon! The FJR looks like a comfy bike!
I had the older FJ 1200cc ABS in England. The older you get camping sucks . Not when you can find motels and not carrying tons of crap on a bike obviously in my opinion. 👍🇬🇧🇺🇲😎
FJR the supreme motorcycle for long distance traveling.
So I had a 1991 5 speed belt drive 1200cc Evo Sportster. And I had a rear hydraulic lifter go out on it, the factory hadn't dried the frame before painting it so it developed rust spots . Had to have a new bike totally stripped down and powder coated . It was a good looking bike but a pain in the ass with that small gas tank . I tell you all this because I swore I'd never buy another Harley Davidson. Then when I got into the tourers it was night and day . They seemed to be far more reliable and in the extreme heat once in Vegas never missed a beat. I have a 14 Streetglide and 05 Deuce . And the bigger bikes are the way to go for any trip like you just did. In my opinion after 47 years of riding. 👍🇬🇧🇺🇲😎
Never rode a tourer but might try one out one day.
I’m not halfway through yet, enjoying the video.
Looks like you’re mainly on the highway so far…. I made that mistake going from ohio to florida.
I should have allocated more time and taken secondary roads and enjoyed the journey instead of bombing thru just to reach my destination
Same here. I think my next long distance trip will have more time to enjoy secondary roads
Absolutely! Interstate only if necessary! Secondary highways also have better cheap motels, and better places to eat.
So , a must for every long haul rides... a windshield.
Must have for sure
I actually enjoyed every minute of this video. I’ve always thought it would be very nice to make such a trip but others, besides you, have said it’s not for the faint of heart and I am the faint of heart.😂 I hope you continue to share any other trips in the future whether they’re long or short!
Thank Dean I appreciate that. Can’t wait to take on some more trip to share with everyone
@@leogrigio Please do and ride safely!
What a great low mileage find, so many of my used bikes were low millage almost all of them under 5K miles one was even only 550 miles and it was a 06 in 2014 if anyone askes I will tell all. At almost 69 I would have have to dare myself to take a ride like that. Man you are brave! Next time buy a cruiser, low millage of course. LOL
There are always good bikes out there. Hoping to find a new ride soon!
Great video!! About the bus situation. Here in Canada, I think you have to have a B-train( long combination) license.
I really enjoyed this video. My wife thinks I'm crazy for wanting to take a solo trip west on a motorcycle. I know a few people who have ridden from TN to CA and they've told me it was the most fun they've ever had. I don't know if I'd do a trip like that on my Sportster.
The experience is worth the pain of the ride
I enjoyed your video , I am going to do this one day from NYC !
Best of luck to you!
Great trip ! I just came across your channel in my feed actually. I'm happy to support your efforts and those of other fellow moto content creators. I look forward to seeing and hearing more from you in the future ; keep up the great work and ride safe out there.
Thank you!
@@leogrigio youtube.com/@leogrigio👍
Preparation is key. 4.5 gallon fuel tank is also imo a must. Parrothead on the XL Forum has done coast to coast a few times and has his two sportys set up appropriately. He prefers them to his softail and he’s not a small dude I’ve met him in person. Love your video and hope you enjoyed your trip!
Edit: haha the bus/truck/wood chipper tow convoy was hilarious! I’ve never seen such fuckery here in New England!
Oh yeah, it can be done with very little.
I still can’t believe I saw that combo haha
Youre a trooper. Im bout to do my longest ride so far. Goin from CENTRAL PA TO DAYTONA FLORIDA
Best of luck to you!
Very Cool Video! I really like it
Thank you!
Years ago, my cousin Michael and I worked on a plan to ride from Detroit to my home in Arizona, then on up to California. He on his Triumph, me on my Harley. Well, we waited too long. Life happened, he got sick and died, and now I'm 71 years, sold my bike and will probably never make that trip. My advice:
Don't wait till "whenever". It will never arrive.
Thanks for making this video.
Thanks for sharing that Lawrence, you’re exactly right and that’s what helped me do it.
Know when to hold 'em, know when to fold'em. Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You made a wise move by leaving the dope motel behind. 💀👍🖤
Absolutely lol
what tank bag is that? looks awesome and i might get it, is it waterproof?
Awesome content. Loved it and subscribed if you make more future content
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Feel it now.💪
Hell yeah
I couldn't do it, traded my 883 for a 23 Lowrider S. Best choice I ever made. Such a sweet ride 😍
Can’t blame you. I rode my friend’s low rider and it was a beast.
First Great video man. So I’ll be making a similar trip as far as distance goes on my 2014 iron sportster early next year. I purchased My bike brand new and is far from stock as I’ve had more time to customize it throughout the years. ie suspension, engine,wheels backrests etc. My only question for you is Gas… I’ve made this trip several times in a car and remember there not being a gas station around for a while! I get about 90-95 to the tank. Thx again!
You will have a blast! I had a couple close calls with gas but I was carrying a gallon of extra fuel. That should be more than enough to get you to the next stop.
Where did you get the tank bag,??
I'm watching this from Santa Monica....
Hell yeah!
I would love to take my sporty 48 cross country. One of my goals to achieve eventually.
You can do it man!
@@leogrigio I'm meeting up with someone in three days to start planning everything out.
Should be an intense journey. I got 16 days total to make it from chicago and back from santa monica pier. We're probably going to camp out every night which should be interesting.
Hey that’s great! Plenty of time to get it done and enjoy all the great places in between. Best of luck to you
As someone who was raised in Albuquerque, you made a smart move. Some cool things there but the crime is so bad
That’s sucks because it seems like a nice place.
How do you prep. Your bike for a long trip?
First I focus on maintenance and then I figure out what luggage I’m taking and practice mounting it. I should have done a few test rides with the luggage before heading out but it all worked out
I was expecting to see RT66 but it appears you missed it. I did it a while ago and there's some beautiful two laners though the mountains...
I might have missed a couple small sections yes but it was a great ride anyways.
Ft. Hood Texas to Blythe California 1250 mile trip one way then back 1250! I was 18 turned 19 at Home! All done on a HONDA 550Four fully Dressed HOT! Did it in June 1981.
Very cool! Those are great bikes.
@@leogrigio had two Honda’s, two Triumph and ordered/paid off & sold a HD Sportster sight unseen as I was in Germany and didn’t want s Bike in Europe
I think a comfortable ride on a sportster would be 200 miles one way for the day. I have a sporty as my first Harley and I've traveled from Reno Nevada to San Francisco a few times, 200 miles each way, that would be as long as I'd feel comfortable sitting in any position on any bike. Sporty's are best as you know are built to be nimble and fast and get you where you wonna go reliably. If I were to take on a long journey I might consider doing it on a a trike as they provide much more cargo room and comfort along the way than a bagger or cruiser. Whatever suits your needs, having a stable of bikes would be the bomb ! Right right.
Multiple bikes is the way to go!
Bruh don't lick and twist your ear plugs, that makes them useless... press them against your hand and roll them carefully, raise your ear and they'll fit right in!
Yeah you’re right haha
Its really all about the seat on any motorcycle.
It does make a big difference
How is the music quality on the SENA 20s EVO?
Pretty bad actually but it was better than nothing
I enjoyed the video man. Too bad the go pro roached some footage (side note, alot of creators are moving to the DJI action cam due to this very reason). I have had a sportster for 7 years and rode it pretty darn far, maybe not as long as you.. and i feel you when you say its not the right tool for the job. I tried my hardest to make it a touring machine and its just not in the cards. I recently bought a Pan America and last weekend did a 1000 mile trip (spread over a few days). I can't believe what i was missing. I still need to set it up more for my comfort but damn, i couldnt believe the difference. Anyway, look forward to more adventures, ride safe.
The Pan America looks like a dream! Good luck to you!
@@leogrigio Thanks.. the PA's are worth a test ride. Never gave em a second thought until i put my butt on one.
@tvd1188 I should do that
Cool bro…. What speed you at all the time.
I started slow around 65 on day one just getting used to the bike but the rest of the trip was around 75-80.
The video was very clear . I heard at the end that you used GoPro cameras Which GoPro are you using for your recordings?
I was using a Hero 9 Black on the bike but I used a Cannon EOS M50 for everything else.
Challenging trip, I too ride an xl1200c and most miles I've done in a day's ride is around 150m. I think you qualify for the "Iron Butt", check if it still exists.
I think 150 is probably more than most. I’ve heard of it but I believe you need to prove your miles or something like that right?
@@leogrigio Indeed they must be documented, if you have receipts of the places you dined or stayed overnight, photos etc. you may qualify. Just a thought! Thanks for sharing your experience!!! Ride safe.
@@octavioquilichini874 you have to register with the iron butt association there is a fee...I did 1065 miles in 22hrs. on my MV Agusta 800 Dragster RR and got a certificate.
Yeah, Iron Butt Assoc. is 1000 miles in 24 hours. Heck of a ride either way. Lots of days plus lots of miles each day, no wonder your back was starting to hurt.
@@49studebaker my ass and the bottom of my feet from the metal pegs...
Nice 👍
Huge effort! Well done 👏.
I can only ride for short stints as my back starts to get strained. I noticed an airhawk cushion seat on your bike, did it help the comfort level? My latest sportie is a 2013 xl1200c fantastic bike but the seat gets a bit hard after awhile.
I admire your 'can do' and sensible attitude! Thoroughly enjoyed seeing the sights from your trip. Thankyou for sharing from a new subscriber.
All the best from Tasmania, Australia
The air hawk was great but there’s a trick to it! I would let out a bit of air as I got uncomfortable until it was empty and then ride until even that became uncomfortable. I would then stop, fill it up and do it again. The different amounts of air change your pressure points so it gives a bit of a break to each area.
Hope to share some more great trips in the near future.
Hi again
Thankyou so much for replying with that good tip about the airhawk.
I hope to test it out soon.
All the best.
How are your mirrors so clear? (especially at 20:23). I have a solid mount sportster too and the mirrors vibrate so much you can barely make out what's in them.
Are you handlebars rubber mounted? What year is your bike?
@@leogrigio It's a 2003. It's totally stock. I don't think the bars are rubber mounted. I don't think anything on the bike is! My mirrors are blurry at any speed.
The "I know I'm in Texas BUT... is this legal!?" Had me cracking up! If anyone says something like, "that's not that bad of a trip, that looks easy" or any of that nonsense, i guarantee they've never been on a long distance trip on a bike like that. The pure exhaustion you get after a few hours of the sun, wind, and vibration is enough to put anyone's dick in the dirt! I was literally nodding my head in agreement the whole time you spoke of the torment lol Doesn't matter who you are, this is a character building experience! Congrats on making it and filming what you could. Excellent edit and commentary. Cheers!
Thanks Jerry!
he's curious if thats legal but he's ridin around on a bike not yet in his name and on dead tags from another bike smh
Damn Bill smile a little hahaha
@@leogrigio oh i'm smilin, just wish i was young and dumb again too lol I mean that in a very good way but man the nightmare you would have been in had Barney Fife pulled you over. Glad you got there safe and sound, also really enjoyed the vid.
I even sub'd so you don't think i'm a hater lol
amazing video what brand and model goggles are those!
Thank you. These are the 100% Barstow Goggles Deus Ex Machina Edition.
Nice video, respected challenge 👍👍👍 do a review on the sportster. Walk around etc to see if it was worth to go out of state for it.
Thanks!
You know, Leo, this could easily have been the BEST Sportster video on YT had you not ruined it with music. No vicarious experience here. Exiting out.
Sure, if you love the sound of wind smashing a microphone doing 70 mph. I didn’t have a motovlog set up at the time so music was the best option
What tank bag do you use for your sportster?
Some cheap amazon bag. The brand is Dracarys. The magnets were kind of weak but it held on the whole trip.
Damn on a sportster?impressive !!! And I’m thinking twice on a roadglide. also, curious, what was your max speed you were running on that sportster
You should give it a shot especially on a road glide! I was cruising at 75-80 most of the trip and still had power to pass cars.
@@leogrigio that’s awesome and very inspiring. I know it’ll be fun riding with others but I think I may have to tackle this challenge on my own. Hopefully I’ll be able to take off for that length of time,because I’m gonna have to ride back home
Best of luck to you!
Hi, instead of the Music, let us hear the Bike. Another thing you can do, is show us the Bike and what you did to it to prepare for the Trip. Show interesting Places that you find along the way. You may want to watch other Motorcycle Trip Videos. Thanks anyway for this Video, I subscribed.👍👍
There was way too much wind noise for a lot of the clips so I had to cover them up. Thanks for the tips!
Done something similar on my 82 Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster 25th Anniversary
What were some of the biggest issues along the way? You speak as if this was very challenging but it doesn't look like you had mechanical issues. Is this a comfort thing?
Almost lost my right peg on the highway, windscreen broke off the mounts and had to JB weld, almost ran out of fuel twice, clutch lever pin fell out and used some wire from the side of the road to hold it together for the rest of the trip. Other than that there was a lot of discomfort. I would say those were all minor issues and I’m pretty happy with the preventative maintenance I did before leaving.
😍😍😍
Really enjoyed this... is the bike an 883 or a 1200? And how was the vibration?
Thank you! It’s a 1200 and the vibrations weren’t bad honestly. I expected it to be worse
great video Dude lots of miles awesome adventure how said we can't tour in a Sportster?? i do it on mine all the time and mine is a 883... i love it!!! keep posting i am a new Subscriber to your channel good luck and ride safe
Thank you! I’m hoping to do more of these long trips with “inadequate” bikes
@@leogrigio thays whats all about..and proof
everyone wrong. Cheers Dude