Hi all

I know all of you have some awesome knowledge and experience and I would like to tap it...

I haven't bought a Harley YET, and I've been looking at the Sporty/48 options, but I am thinking the fuel range on a sporty won't get me far enough when I need to traverse Australia.

So, the question is, do any of you know if it's possible to fit a Road King or other tourer tank to a sporty? Has anyone done it? Do you have pics/info on how to?

Thanks in advance.

A tourer or dyna would be the best to traverse OZ.

Yeah, but it's a money thing... if I buy new. It may just be a matter of buying a bit older bike first time round.

The most i have done in one day on my sporty is 850k's (with mini apes) and just recently did a 2 day 1250k ride on the long weekend with 14 apes. I came off ok on it. Sportsters are not the kinda bike you want to be doing trips like this on, a dyna would be the preferred bike. I got my bike new, if i was to do it again i'd buy secondhand and a dyna something with 6-15000 k's on it. For what you pay for a new sportster you will find a dyna with a few extras secondhand, and to be honest your body will most likely thank you for it.

T1

Fair enough. Good advice. Thanks.

If you do want to buy new and get a sporty have a look at www.mcas.com and check out the tanks for Harley they have some absolute pissers there.

I read so many posts about changing tanks / fuel range etc.

One of the reasons I brought the custom. about 17? Litres, fuel light comes on around 200 - 220 Kms and should get about 240 - 250? never really tested it.

Never tried an economy run, that wouldn't be any fun. Get what you can afford and have fun.

 

Personally I think any other tank than stock looks wrong on a 48 or 72. Maybe the tank of the Iron.
To stay in style I would look at the Customs sporty or a Customs tank on an Iron.
Or a bigger bike all together.

on my last big trip i simply carried two 5 litre plastic jerry cans . worked a treat for the days i knew i needed extra .  If carrying capacity is a problem then a fuel bladder cell .

 True, a tank change would change the look/style of the bike.

Fuel bladder or jerry cans would be a possibility. A larger bike (albeit second hand) is also looking like a strong possibility than a new bigger bike. We'll see what happens in the next year or so.

Thanks for all the thoughts. :-)

a nightster tank looks good on a 48, its an option for you.

T1

there was a sporty in for sale section with wide-glide tank a couple of months ago.

i run a nighster tank on the 48, with some hard riding getting about 180kout of a tank ,11.5litres

was looking at bigger options but dont think they would suit the style of the 48 imho.

i would prob go the dyna route as they make for a more enjoyable ride on the longer runs

I just did about 600ks over the weekend with my 48. I have the 12.5L iron/nightster tank on it and it was fine. I was filling up after around 150k's and putting about 8 liters in each time. I tend to only last about that distance before my ass wants a break from the saddle

You could go the big 17 L tank but you loose the peanut style and personally i dont mind the stopping for a break anyways. I guess the only issue would be if you were in more remote areas where there are less fuel stops.

If you want the sporty frame with the longer range just get a custom. One of the limited editions this year is pretty much a 48 with the big tank and mini ape hangers and everything blacked out.

 Rode to Perth & back on my 1200c a while back, 17 lt tank just about right as every 2 to 2 1/2 hours I needed a rest anyhow. 220 ks before smoko -petrol, 220 ks before lunch - petrol, 220 before afternoon tea - petrol & another 220 to night camp. 880 k or therabouts is a reasonable days riding. You could prolly squeeze in another 220 in the longer daylight days for well over 1,000k days.

1000k's in a day? pass thanks. i cant go much more than 500k's a day ata  stretch.

 There you go Sida you certainly don't need a big tank, you're out there to smell the rose's so to speak.

Dermie,

that would have been fantastic.
at least these days fuel stops are all over the place...just plan your trip.
ive only ever done 500k one way on a trip (piss poor i know) but i was on the piss before lunch .

I run a 17 litre XL1200C tank on my Iron which has the 1250 kit fitted and I'm getting 300km from that highway cycle, with a bit to spare. My wife has a Superlow with the same 17 litre tank and over the same distance her fuel light comes on before mine. Its amazing I have 367cc more capacity however my bike has been dyno'ed, runs more aggresive cams so a good tune works wonders.