Would you run the IBA... On a Sporty

[Kev m]

What's the weight of a stock 06' Sportster?

as a Sporty fan and a former Jackal owner...aren't they pretty similarly proportioned?

They are much more similar than not.

Rubbermount Sportys weigh in the 550-585# range depending on model and trim.

With decent suspension handling is similar, as is power.

IIRC the Tonti Calis have a tad more wheelbase and better forks, plus feel a little lighter at the steering input.

But they're more similar than not. 

[Lee Bruns]

Heard about this, very cool. There is a Iron butt Sportster at wheels through time. It is very purposely built. I can see some true advantages. Good fuel economy, light weight and evidently....reliab ility.  I think the sportster is very underrated and a great blank canvas.
What I don't like about sportsters is the recent trend of little to no suspension.. put some boingers on there and it can be a great bike.

I would Iron Butt a Sportster.......pro bably with much less miles.

The sporty at Wheels Through Time is Brett Donahues bike. Great guy.

[Sheepdog]

The article is very well done, Kev. Good photos and easy to read...

Just looking at the title of this thread, I thought, "There would have to be a generous payday for me to do that!" However, I found myself feeling a great deal different after reading the story. That fellow is right; you don't need a gigantic bagger to take a long ride. His preparations were excellent and his pragmatic approach is refreshing. When I travel on my Vintage, I get a surprising number of questions about traveling on a bike that is "just an 1100." It seems I'm in good company...

[charlie b]

Many of us have traveled long distances on 'just' an 850 or 700.  Never felt like I needed a heavier bike to do long distances.  Long days on the T5 were very comfortable, after I rebuilt the seat  :)

And, yes, I always got the questions about traveling on a 'small' bike.