Can I Use A 72 Sportster As A Commuter Bike?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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I enjoy riding the Sportster on longer trips. I don't do ultramileage, but anything

up to about 400 miles in a day

is tolerable.

What is a 72 Sportster?

The Harley-Davidson Seventy-Two® is

a classic chopper inspired by the 70s

. It's part of the Harley-Davidson Sportster® lineup, and it offers retro chopper style and Harley-Davidson performance. Plus, it's available right now here at Riverside Harley-Davidson in the Los Angeles and Inland Empire, CA area.

How can I make my Sportster more comfortable?

If you have any back issues,

a seat with a backrest

can be a lifesaver. AirHawk seat pads are a nice addition for really long rides, no matter what seat you might have. The biggest issue with the Sportster when it comes to riding comfort is the short wheelbase. It tends to pitch the bike around a lot.

Can a Sportster 1200 keep up?

With a few additions and modifications, it can be transformed into a competent touring motorcycle.

A bike that can keep up with the bigger, purpose-built Baggers

. Even Harley believes that the Sportster is capable of long miles. Their Sportster 1200T was introduced to help fill the void as a light touring model.

How far can a Sportster go on a tank of gas?

The Sportster series from Harley-Davidson seems to have the most fuel-efficient models than the other series like the sport-tourers, for example. The Harley XL 883L Sportster, for example, has a 3.3-gallon fuel tank but can easily reach about

45 to 55 miles per gallon

on a full tank of gas.

What is the most unreliable motorcycle?

  • Yamaha/Star (11% failed)
  • Suzuki (12% failed)
  • Honda (12% failed)
  • Kawasaki (15% failed)
  • Victory (17% failed)

How long does a Sportster engine last?

How Long Does A Sportster Last? Harley Davidson models of today that are well maintained should have an expected age of over 200,000 miles and a range of

20+ years

.

Is Harley 48 good for long distance?

The Harley-Davidson Sportster 48 is among the most popular Sportster models. It gets its good looks from the iconic fat front tyre and a low profile. But

it's smallish 8-litre tank makes it better suited for urban riding than long distance touring

. But if it is style you want then the 48 is the bike you need.

What type of bike is a Sportster?

The Harley-Davidson Sportster is

a line of motorcycles

produced continuously since 1957 by Harley-Davidson. Sportster models are designated in Harley-Davidson's product code by beginning with “XL”. In 1952, the predecessors to the Sportster, the Model K Sport and Sport Solo motorcycles, were introduced.

How do you adjust the shocks on a Sportster?

Adjust the front and rear shocks by hand-turning the pre-load setting ring at the base of the shock (just above the bottom bolt hole and below the spanner adjustment area) forward to stiffen the shock or toward the rear of the bike to soften it.

How can I make my iron 883 more comfortable?

What is an Ironhead Sportster?

The ironhead was

a Harley-Davidson motorcycle engine

, so named because of the composition of the cylinder heads (Iron instead of Aluminium). The engine is a two-cylinder, two valves per cylinder, pushrod V-twin. It was produced from 1957 until 1985 and was replaced by the Evolution engine in 1986.

What year did Harley make the 72?

As soon as you settle into the

2014

Harley-Davidson Sportster 72's immensely comfortable solo saddle seat, grab a hold of the mini-ape handlebars, and put your boots on the forward mounted footpegs, the ergonomics set the tone for some laid back cruisin' good times.

Are Sportster 1200s fast?

Top Speed. Motorcycle.com tested the 2011 model XR1200R Sportster, and the top speed attained by the bike was

122 mph

. Older versions of the Sportster don't attain this speed. The 2001 Sportster 1200 Customs have a top speed of 106.9 mph.

Can you ride 2up on a Sportster?

How long do Sportster brakes last?

How Long Do Harley Brake Pads Last? Harley brake pads can be expected to last for

10,000-15,000 miles

.

How many MPG does a Harley Sportster 1200 GET?

Engine and Powertrain

Both get a five-speed transmission. Both crank out 70.8 lb-ft of torque and are rated by Harley-Davidson at

48 mpg combined in mixed riding

. It's worth noting than the 1200 Custom has a 4.5 gallon fuel tank, while the Forty-Eight

®

only has 2.1 gallons worth of capacity.

What is considered high mileage for a Harley?

For small sports , 20,000 to 30,000 is on the high side. For larger bikes,

50,000 miles and up

is considered high motorcycle mileage. But before you write off any models, consider that a properly maintained bike can last well past 100,000 miles!

How many miles does a Harley get?

For sports bikes,

25,000 miles

can be a lot. Harley-Davidson® motorcycles are built to last much longer. If a bike has good maintenance records, no signs of damage and no oil leaks, even a bike with 40,000 to 50,000 miles can be expected to last a long time.

What motorcycle holds its value best?

Bikes made by

Harley-Davidson

, BMW, and Ducati, in fact, seem to hold their MSRP value better than any others. By brand, according to data compiled by the Kelley Blue Book Official Motorcycle Guide, Harley-Davidson motorcycles retained an average of 84% of their value over a five-year period.

What is the number one selling motorcycle in the United States?


Harley-Davidson

is the number one motorcycle manufacturer in the United States.

Which motorcycle lasts the longest?

  • 8 Indian Scout (2015+) …
  • 7 Yamaha VMAX (2009+) …
  • 6 Triumph Tiger 955i (2001-2005) …
  • 5 Honda RVT1000R (2000-2006) …
  • 4 Kawasaki ZX-6R (1995-2004) …
  • 3 Suzuki SV650 (1999-2012) …
  • 2 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883 (All) …
  • 1 Kawasaki Vulcan 1500FI Classic (2000-2007) via AutoTrader.

Is 10000 miles a lot for a Harley?

Is 10000 Miles A Lot For A Harley?

The high side is 20,000 to 30,000 for small sports bikes. The low side is 50,000 to 60,000 for larger bikes

. The motorcycle mileage alone is not enough to consider the whole package.

How long do Harley brake pads last?

Typically, your Harley brake pads will last

30,000 miles

for both front and rear.

Are Harley-Davidson motorcycles reliable?


Harleys are VERY reliable

, but you need to take care of them correctly, and failing to do so will result in unreliable bike. If you're gonna service your bike yourself, do it correctly and do the complete service.

David Evans
Author
David Evans
David is a seasoned automotive enthusiast. He is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering and has a passion for all things related to cars and vehicles. With his extensive knowledge of cars and other vehicles, David is an authority in the industry.