Long trips on the Harley Iron 883 Sportster? Can it go the distance? 

I rode a 1995 Sportster from Sturgis, SD to Denver, CO and back to Sturgis in a two day period. Forward controls and being able to move my feet back and forth to the passenger pegs worked out well. Sportsters my not be designed for touring, but they can definitely do it, they are rock solid mechanically. That trip was actually my longest, four hundred miles each way, something I don’t normally do.

My Iron 882 OTR KIT Im 5,9 / 185 lbs I installed a 31t sproket and recalibrated the speedo. Fricken Awsome! Slip from 4th to 5th 65-80 mph vibration mitigated! Engine smooths righ out. Installed 13 in progreessive shocks. Comfort level is very good! Installed crash bar with pegs. Legs out and comfortable. Installed mustang seat. Nuff said. Installed 4in riser Gives a Standard ride, with pressure off the hands and shoulders Installed Led lights all around. Result: long ride, low stress, easily manged Dyna riden machine.

Riders that own, or wanting to buy the Iron883, are planning long distance trips, because of you & other Iron883 RU-vidrs; ‘Great Egret’ did a long distance trip series on his Iron883 (Route 66). I hope you do a few more long distance rides on your Sportster. Yes, it’s tiresome to stop every 100 miles to gas up, but the experience enjoy riding long distance is priceless.

I drove the Alps starting from Munich Germany going down to Torino Italy over 700km under over three hours of raining weather and my Iron883 (2016) did never let me down! I do long trips even on really bad roads and the bike responds like a strong fit young wild horse ✌️

I feel your pain brother! lol 😂 I rode my stock 2020 Iron 883 from Orlando, FL to Raleigh, NC in one day. 6 gas stops and just over 600 miles. Definitely is a long day when you have to keep stopping to get gas for the long hauls. My next bike will definitely be a Sportsglide if I can swing it while keeping my sporty.

Great video, man! Let's talk Sportsters... Of course, not every motorcycle will do everything well. Every bike compromises something. A Sportster is obviously not a long-distance touring bike - wasn't designed to be. But a Gold Wing is not good around-town and in traffic, nor would it be fun in the twisties. When I get where I'm going, I prefer to be on my Sportster. So that's what I use for traveling. I've done the 2700-mile Florida-to-Washington State trip **twice** on my 883. Any Sportster will do 75-80 all day long. Mine are living proof of that. Okay, not "living" proof, but you get the idea. A long time ago (we're talking 1970's), BMW "sport touring" bikes taught us that for high-speed highway riding, it's better to be leaned forward onto narrow handlebars so the wind eases some of the pressure on your arms. (Not extreme "cafe racer" style, just a slight forward tilt to your upper body.) This is the opposite of the cruiser, "sit up and beg" riding position which gets really tiring after a while at speed because it's like you're doing a never-ending pull-up. Oh BTW, Sportsters are light motorcycles - they get pushed around a lot on the Interstate by crosswinds and gusts. If you don't want that to happen, buy a Gold Wing. Personally, for me it's not an issue. Me, I like standard "mid" controls, with highway pegs added on. Combined with the rear passenger pegs, this gives me **three** different positions for my feet on long trips. If you have a good, flattish seat, you can slide back and forth instead of being forced into just one single position in the "Harley scoop." A properly tuned 883 Sportster *should* give you 55-60 mpg. All three 883's of mine have - my 1200 only gets 45-50.. With the 3.0 gallon gas tank, you *should* get an easy 120 miles between fuel stops. Me, that's about as far as my butt and my bladder can go anyway. So having a bike with a 300-mile range wouldn't do me any good. I need to get off and pee. At the end of the day, you have to set up your bike for the type of riding you do mostly. Having a Sportster set up like an Electra Glide would not be good for me. But I don't like slammed cruisers with apes either. So my current Sportster (a '98 1200) is just what we used to call a "street bike." I would not hesitate to jump on it and head to the west coast again.

I love your videos! I am a total new rider. I have been riding for only 2 months but have picked it up very quickly. I too have a 2017 Iron 883. Perfect bike for me. Your videos have been a great help for a newbie like me! Keep them videos rolling.

5 speeds are fine, just swap your sprocket if you plan to run it north of 80 mph on long hauls. Baker used to make a 6 speed for the sportster, but a sprocket swap gets it done for a hundred bucks. If you're going with a 1275 kit you'll have plenty of power to push it. Another trick for extended highway riding is a quick detach windshield or fairing. You can find them small enough to fit in a saddlebag so you can pop it on for a long haul to cut the wind, then stash it in the saddlebag or backpack once you're back to running around town.

Dude I love your Channel I'm in the process of getting a sporter , learning so much from your channel keep it up

Thank you for this. It gave me more confidence. I’m planning to go from upstate New York to Titusville Florida next spring. I’m so excited!!

i have 2022 iron 883 and just recently got the 2023 lowrider s. im glad i have both. makes it fun to feel the size difference and power. i dont need the power all the time. fun to take sportster one day and lowrider the next... safe riding!

when talking about a 360 mile trip I remember talking to a guy I worked with who was a HD rider. He was telling me of the long ride he had done. His long ride was about 60 miles. I couldn't tell him that when my buddy and I go for a ride it is never less than 160 miles, usually more.

I love my sportster... it is as fast as a ford mustang until the 5th gear ahaha. I would love to have a 1275

Great inspiration. Looking at a Sportster S. You were great and loved your video.

I'm dying to see the 1275 in her!

I rode from Orlando to the Cabbage Patch during bike week, about 110 miles round trip, longest ride in the 3 weeks I’ve had my 883. The wind pushed me all around at times, I felt very uneasy at speeds over 55 with the windy conditions. Hoping that feeling goes away with more seat time!

Went from Berlin to London and back on a 883 Sporty (25 y old one). Only problem: the plastic air filter housing breaks due to age an backfire. If you don‘t mind the vibration, you can ride any distance on it …

There’s a website that is specifically devoted to changing the gearing on the 883 to handle those long highway rides. I can’t remember the name of the site right now but they have everything you need to re gear the 883. It’s a great website! It’s not anything I would be interested in doing because they tell you that you will lose your bottom end torque with a standard 883 engine. With the 1275 kit you’re doing, you’ll likely overcome that problem if you were to change the gearing. Gotta love the 883 sportster!!

I put a saddlemen on my forty eight with some sheepskin. Worked out perfect. Literally a cloud. I'll be taking mine on route 66 this year or next year depending. I'm prepared for the 25+ fuel stops. I'll have some fuel bottles also for longer areas like goldfield to tonopah etc if i go that way. Should be an interesting experience.

I bought my bike from NY. I live in CT. My ride took me 4 hrs. It handled well, it was a little rough, but still decent.

When I think of our sporty I think I can def do some long distance. Maybe not iron butt but 300 to 500 is obtainable with the right setup

The very best Harley for" bang for the buck"...Damn near bullet proof. Will do anything you want a Bike to do from in town hops to the Freeway Jams. No need to be cruising at 80mph on any Motorcycle on the Freeway unless you like paying the Highway Pirates. Yes, I have other Harleys, but I will never sell my Sporty. I'm working on a dual front brake system, like my Low Rider has, as that poor single front brake is my only complaint about it.

You know I’m gonna say go bagger for second bike...but the sport glide is sharp. I do agree you should keep the sporty. You’ve done too much to let it go.

Guess you can change the front Sprocket and resolve the high rev concern. Good information

Way back in 1982, I rode a 1981 Suzuki GS250T from Phoenix, AZ to Key West, FL and back in 6 days. Over 5,000 miles. I was 23 years old. I had no problems whatsoever. In 2004, I rode a 50cc Puch moped from Phoenix, AZ to Richmond VA and back, with a group of 5 other riders. It took longer, but we did not have any serious problems. By that time I was 45. Anybody who thinks riding 300 miles on an 883 motorcycle is a big deal is not a real rider. Windshields and fairings are for sissies. The whole point of riding a motorcycle is to be out in the wind. Riding a 2 wheeled car is not really riding.

I have done many long trips on my sporty. And many of them, my butt was going numb and i couldn't wait to get off the bike. I loved every mile i did though

Thanks for the honest opinion man, appreciate it👊🏼👊🏼

I haven a 2016 Iron (same Olive Gold as yours)_ .. I have travelled several times from Tallahassee to Crestview Florida, which is only 152 miles, one way but stock was brutal. The first and MOST important change was getting my "Saddlemen" seat. It's a solo as well, but that GEL is an ASS-SAVER. I have no fairings or shield either and you have to bear the wind, but hey, she looks cool as hell!!!

Many many years ago I had a sportster and my buddy had a 750 Honda. We rode from Phoenix to Vegas. Half way there after being vibrated all the way so far we swapped bikes for the ride into Vegas. I honestly about fell asleep on the Honda. It was smooth as glass. I’m sure they have changed since then, but I don’t know. Just saying from experience. I’m sure a crotch rocket would be uncomfortable these days for long rides for sure. Who wants to ride crouched down for hours and hours?

Hello Get Wrenchd It is nice to know you can really take some trips on a Sporty. I picked up an XLH 1200 from Port Richey HD and road all over central FL and loved every mile of it. a long and comfortable saddle and forwards I could and have ridden for hours, using gas station stops as a means to drink something. I have a 3 gal tank and was getting around 48 to a gallon and kept a gal jug on the back porch of the sissy bar. I was told by Mike at ThunderBay cycles it was better for the engine if I rode rte 301 instead of 75. hi-way was o.k. for short stretches but riding hours at a time was not the best for it, if ur not in a hurry and ride alternate routes, 60 instead of 4 etc. I take the wide glide for any real long hi-way trips but the Sporty between 35-60 is a blast to ride.

My longest 1day ride Was 611km with gas and 1 food stop , I ride a 06 Sportster custom with LePera Barebones seat and yes my butt hurt in the end but it was doable!

Bought one new in 87, still have it I like it that much. Great fun for a blast but 100 miles is about max for me. It's still in standard 87 config. Got another bike for longer trips.

Just bought one down here in Sarasota. I assume no issues with Florida summers and overheating? Thanks for your response my man. It is just that I have never owned an air-cooled.

Nice video Sr... I just start my journey last month with a 2019 Iron 883 Can I ask you what kind of jacket you wearing Thank in advance

What are the highway speeds like where you're from? The section of interstate I use to get anywhere is 80mph and I haven't taken my 09 883 down it yet.

I absolutely love my 883

I was wondering about what you use as communication equipment when riding in a group like in other videos you've made? Seems to have good quality and range.

How about the size of the tank? Get the seat changed and the tank .

You are a real hero! Woo eee whew.

as a beginner, would your recommend starting with a 883 or should I jump straight to a 1200 ?

Thanks for the information. I’ve yet to get on the highway, hopefully this summer. Can you let me know how do you switch from cameras?

I did some distance riding on a Street 500, I can image the 883 could do the same for me.

Another awesome video! I’m still somewhat new to riding and have an iron 883. When I go on the highway I get knocked around w crosswinds. Is iron 883 more susceptible to crosswinds than other styles of bikes? Other bikers would pass me and were seemingly unaffected. Might also just be my novice level riding skills.

Your 5th gear is your 6th... But I ride a Iron 1200. Fat Bob is gonna be my next. Stay safe Brother!

Small fairing n windshield resolves that wind issue ☠️👍

U can gear up the belt drive pulleys

What size hangers do you have on this bike?

Hey man! I got a weird noise coming from my new pipes and i was wondering if you had any ideas. It’s a 2015 sportster and I just added the same set of Bassani sweepers. Other than that the bike is bone stock. After being warmed up, there’s an odd bubbling sound at idle. Sounds exactly like a bike running with no exhaust on at all. Love the content!

I regularly do 6-7 hours in the saddle

Nice bike

Thanks

Which bars do you recommend...

Great content

what kind of suspension do you have

I just removed my T bars and installed Z bars Ride it once so far and noticed the bars were smaller (as in more narrow) theyre 8” bars Did you notice turning harder when you got your bars installed and did it affect much

Tampa here!

What handle bars are on your 883?

Alls you need is a bigger sprocket in front.

Put a 31 tooth front pulley on your belt. You won't believe the difference it makes in an 883.

The Sportster was never designed to be a long distance tourer, it's a city bike or a bar hopper. If you want to tour on a Harley, buy one of their many touring machines.

👍👍

I’m in ft.Myers let’s link up and ride

You don't need to keep saying "Iron 883". We get it.

Did you put those mirrors upside down, dammit man you just ruined the big safety feature of a motorcycle, knowing what’s behind.

States lol you went across 1 state only 300 miles try 700 miles a day

I want my 10 minutes back. 10 minutes of word salad, nothing learned at all.

I,ve ridden a 95 sportster since 1996 and added a 1200 kit. The crap that said about them by all you soft arses beggers belief. U ride wat u got. If it to hard 4 u drive a car.

No

Check out “Laura Danielle”, she does long distance on a 883