Turning sportster into mini road glide?

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Turning sportster into mini road glide?

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micathia
4 years ago

Hi
Just want to discuss the potential pro/con if I turn my Iron 883 into a mini bagger either baby Street Glide or Road Glide.

There are fairings, saddle bags, tour pack etc on the market. So it can be done. And I know people have done that before.

I know adding those stuff aren't cheap. But I am wondering if there are some real benefits other than a mere hobby. Theoretically...

1. I can carry stuff around, its just like a real bagger;
2. It is potentially 100kg lighter than Street Glide/Road Glide, should be more nimble around metro.
3. With 1200cc, it can be really fast.
4. With some after market shocks, it can also be confortable.
5. A bigger tank, you can ride long distances too.

Any potential issues that I miss?

(I know people would say, if you want a bagger then buy a bagger. But this idea cost $20k less to own and 100kg lighter.)

Mr.Mow
4 years ago

Quoting micathia on 12 Mar 2020 01:30 PMedited: 12 Mar 2020 01:32 PM
Hi
Just want to discuss the potential pro/con if I turn my Iron 883 into a mini bagger either baby Street Glide or Road Glide.

There are fairings, saddle bags, tour pack etc on the market. So it can be done. And I know people have done that before.

I know adding those stuff aren't cheap. But I am wondering if there are some real benefits other than a mere hobby. Theoretically...

1. I can carry stuff around, its just like a real bagger;
2. It is potentially 100kg lighter than Street Glide/Road Glide, should be more nimble around metro.
3. With 1200cc, it can be really fast.
4. With some after market shocks, it can also be confortable.
5. A bigger tank, you can ride long distances too.

Any potential issues that I miss?

(I know people would say, if you want a bagger then buy a bagger. But this idea cost $20k less to own and 100kg lighter.)

Buy the used street glide here on the forum, it’s cheap low mileage and will be a better bike with no fckin about

paulybronco
4 years ago

Quoting micathia on 12 Mar 2020 01:30 PMedited: 12 Mar 2020 01:32 PM
Hi
Just want to discuss the potential pro/con if I turn my Iron 883 into a mini bagger either baby Street Glide or Road Glide.

There are fairings, saddle bags, tour pack etc on the market. So it can be done. And I know people have done that before.

I know adding those stuff aren't cheap. But I am wondering if there are some real benefits other than a mere hobby. Theoretically...

1. I can carry stuff around, its just like a real bagger;
2. It is potentially 100kg lighter than Street Glide/Road Glide, should be more nimble around metro.
3. With 1200cc, it can be really fast.
4. With some after market shocks, it can also be confortable.
5. A bigger tank, you can ride long distances too.

Any potential issues that I miss?

(I know people would say, if you want a bagger then buy a bagger. But this idea cost $20k less to own and 100kg lighter.)

Quoting Mr.Mow on 12 Mar 2020 08:37 PM
Buy the used street glide here on the forum, it’s cheap low mileage and will be a better bike with no fckin about

Have to agree, Sporty is not designed to take all that extra crap.

JR888
4 years ago

Quoting micathia on 12 Mar 2020 01:30 PMedited: 12 Mar 2020 01:32 PM
Hi
Just want to discuss the potential pro/con if I turn my Iron 883 into a mini bagger either baby Street Glide or Road Glide.

There are fairings, saddle bags, tour pack etc on the market. So it can be done. And I know people have done that before.

I know adding those stuff aren't cheap. But I am wondering if there are some real benefits other than a mere hobby. Theoretically...

1. I can carry stuff around, its just like a real bagger;
2. It is potentially 100kg lighter than Street Glide/Road Glide, should be more nimble around metro.
3. With 1200cc, it can be really fast.
4. With some after market shocks, it can also be confortable.
5. A bigger tank, you can ride long distances too.

Any potential issues that I miss?

(I know people would say, if you want a bagger then buy a bagger. But this idea cost $20k less to own and 100kg lighter.)

Quoting Mr.Mow on 12 Mar 2020 08:37 PM
Buy the used street glide here on the forum, it’s cheap low mileage and will be a better bike with no fckin about

Quoting paulybronco on 12 Mar 2020 09:44 PM
Have to agree, Sporty is not designed to take all that extra crap.

Sadly, I have to agree with PB. Don't get me wrong, I loved my sporty. Did just over 30,000km two up towing a camper, still managing to get to 140kph at times (just not up hills). Only thing was, by the end it was basically dead. Using way too much fuel and starting to trow oil, things cracking and wanting to fall off - you get the picture.

paulybronco
4 years ago

Al the mounting brackets etc are factory done with many years of development and refinement on the tourers.

Smokey61
4 years ago

Sportsters are Sportsters and Hogs are Hogs and the twain should never meet.

skirtster
4 years ago

I have written 4 relies to this but not sent, don't waste your time , money or effort you will not be happy with the results. I love my sporty and have ridden it around Australia, but not next time. You don't send a boy to do a mans job.

Ratbob
4 years ago

In response
1. I can carry stuff around, its just like a real bagger;
YES
2. It is potentially 100kg lighter than Street Glide/Road Glide, should be more nimble around metro.
BUT it’s also less powerful and baggers have fantastic handling.
3. With 1200cc, it can be really fast.
PURE theory, I’m thinking a fully loaded 1200cc won’t keep up with the same kit on a 1700cc SG
4. With some after market shocks, it can also be confortable.
PROBABLY
5. A bigger tank, you can ride long distances too.
YES and then you’re losing some of that weight advantage.
On balance though, why not, having a special personalised Harley is half the fun.

Krash Kinkade
4 years ago

Quoting Mr.Mow on 12 Mar 2020 08:37 PM
Buy the used street glide here on the forum, it’s cheap low mileage and will be a better bike with no fckin about

Quoting paulybronco on 12 Mar 2020 09:44 PM
Have to agree, Sporty is not designed to take all that extra crap.

Quoting JR888 on 12 Mar 2020 11:23 PM
Sadly, I have to agree with PB. Don't get me wrong, I loved my sporty. Did just over 30,000km two up towing a camper, still managing to get to 140kph at times (just not up hills). Only thing was, by the end it was basically dead. Using way too much fuel and starting to trow oil, things cracking and wanting to fall off - you get the picture.

you buy a sporty for a nimble fun lightweight.

Far Canal
4 years ago

Go for gold Micathia and follow your dreams.
Historically speaking 1200cc is a big motorcycle motor.
I have often wondered why some manufacturer (including HD) does not make a smaller touring bike with the fairings and hard bags.
Did a lap of Aus on a 850 Guzzi in 86, two up for most of it and treasure the memories.
Do what you want to do.

RossW
4 years ago

Quoting Far Canal on 13 Mar 2020 11:15 AMedited: 13 Mar 2020 11:36 AM
Go for gold Micathia and follow your dreams.
Historically speaking 1200cc is a big motorcycle motor.
I have often wondered why some manufacturer (including HD) does not make a smaller touring bike with the fairings and hard bags.
Did a lap of Aus on a 850 Guzzi in 86, two up for most of it and treasure the memories.
Do what you want to do.

Have to agree there. If my small block Guzzi could do it, a Sportster should be able to.

tussuck
4 years ago

Im not adverse to the idea and there are some bloody good points made already to be aware of.
- if your planning a trip around the country then buy a bigger bike
- if its bar hopping or generally city riding then use the Sporty

I have seen some awesome bagger Sporties in the USA and they even have a discussion forum on the "XLforum.com" site. My only negative is that pretty much ALL the fairings/Top and Side Bags are all built to the scale of a larger Touring bike etc, so they just do not seem to sit right on the bike - ie they are ALL a little bit big so over power the aesthetic of a Sporty. Perhaps the right paint scheme could make the bits look smaller and matched + it depends if you're 5'2" or 6'2" (that yellow bike still has Mids fitted and a short seat so if the ride is vertically/weight challenged then perhaps the entire look works.

At the end of the day though we see NO bagger Sporties in Aussy, so why not build one anyway and say fuck you to the naysayers! I'm converting my Sporty into a nice 60's/70's chopper - just because thats the look i like.

paulybronco
4 years ago

Hey do what you want to do but be mindful that if you really intend doing a long haul you need the best gear possible for the job. Pretty hard to hold a snapped off pannier under your arm for a few hrs after the mounting broke!

Krash Kinkade
4 years ago

You could do it, but sporty motor, different than the big twin. but if you changed two area's that tend to make the sporty need higher rev's. you would have a stronger motor that pulls down low more. sporty flywheels lighter & 1200 sporty 2004 up got same heads as big twin 2007 up, so for a 1200 you got same size valves as a 103. I've never tried it but cheapest way I could see to get more pulling power for heavier weight. would be to put the small valve 883 heads on the 1200. you would need to adjust compression ratio to match won't be as fast , but it would be quick, in pick up pulling the load.
I'm saying this if your genuinely going to load the sporty up and add those bags and so on. if it's just for the style ....

Smokey61
4 years ago

Quoting tussuck on 13 Mar 2020 10:06 PMedited: 13 Mar 2020 10:07 PM
Im not adverse to the idea and there are some bloody good points made already to be aware of.
- if your planning a trip around the country then buy a bigger bike
- if its bar hopping or generally city riding then use the Sporty

I have seen some awesome bagger Sporties in the USA and they even have a discussion forum on the "XLforum.com" site. My only negative is that pretty much ALL the fairings/Top and Side Bags are all built to the scale of a larger Touring bike etc, so they just do not seem to sit right on the bike - ie they are ALL a little bit big so over power the aesthetic of a Sporty. Perhaps the right paint scheme could make the bits look smaller and matched + it depends if you're 5'2" or 6'2" (that yellow bike still has Mids fitted and a short seat so if the ride is vertically/weight challenged then perhaps the entire look works.

At the end of the day though we see NO bagger Sporties in Aussy, so why not build one anyway and say fuck you to the naysayers! I'm converting my Sporty into a nice 60's/70's chopper - just because thats the look i like.

To me, a Sportster is, and has always been, either a bar hopper, a red light dragster, or good for the twisties outside of town.

A Sportster done up as a chopper looks like a boy wearing his father's clothes. A Sportster done up as a bagger looks like a boy wearing his mother's clothes.

I had a very nice 1982 Sportster back in the 80's. I wanted to ride around Oz, so I traded it on a Softail.

steelo
4 years ago

Haha. That’s very funny Smokey.

paulybronco
4 years ago

Quoting steelo on 14 Mar 2020 12:09 AM
Haha. That’s very funny Smokey.

Umm makes me think you like playing dress ups Steelo...

micathia
4 years ago

nice points. I will keep my 883 the way it is, no more bagger dream.

Far Canal
4 years ago

Bagger dream kaput.

tussuck
4 years ago

Quoting tussuck on 13 Mar 2020 10:06 PMedited: 13 Mar 2020 10:07 PM
Im not adverse to the idea and there are some bloody good points made already to be aware of.
- if your planning a trip around the country then buy a bigger bike
- if its bar hopping or generally city riding then use the Sporty

I have seen some awesome bagger Sporties in the USA and they even have a discussion forum on the "XLforum.com" site. My only negative is that pretty much ALL the fairings/Top and Side Bags are all built to the scale of a larger Touring bike etc, so they just do not seem to sit right on the bike - ie they are ALL a little bit big so over power the aesthetic of a Sporty. Perhaps the right paint scheme could make the bits look smaller and matched + it depends if you're 5'2" or 6'2" (that yellow bike still has Mids fitted and a short seat so if the ride is vertically/weight challenged then perhaps the entire look works.

At the end of the day though we see NO bagger Sporties in Aussy, so why not build one anyway and say fuck you to the naysayers! I'm converting my Sporty into a nice 60's/70's chopper - just because thats the look i like.

Quoting Smokey61 on 13 Mar 2020 11:35 PM

To me, a Sportster is, and has always been, either a bar hopper, a red light dragster, or good for the twisties outside of town.

A Sportster done up as a chopper looks like a boy wearing his father's clothes. A Sportster done up as a bagger looks like a boy wearing his mother's clothes.

I had a very nice 1982 Sportster back in the 80's. I wanted to ride around Oz, so I traded it on a Softail.

Sort same here... I have a Sporty and an FXR and theres no way I need a 3rd bike and definitely not messing with a stock (ish) FXR as they are golden.
Sporty is a daily ride and suits a chopper style - classic look and feel wearing my old mans clothes! lol I just hope I finish the conversion before the mileage gets too high and I need to sell it.

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Turning sportster into mini road glide?

Turning sportster into mini road glide?

micathia

Mr.Mow

paulybronco

JR888

paulybronco

Smokey61

skirtster

Ratbob

Krash Kinkade

Far Canal

RossW

tussuck

paulybronco

Krash Kinkade

Smokey61

steelo

paulybronco

micathia

Far Canal

tussuck