I'm now convinced that the Sportster CAN be tamed (w/o breaking its spirit) to be a decent touring bike. But it can be a complex endeavor, especially if you are new to Harley's (as I was). Even in this forum, there are hundreds of threads dealing with the various elements that contribute to enhancing the Sporty for touring. So why don't we pull it all together in this thread? To help those folks still in the process, what are some of the upgrades you have made thus far on your touring Sporty and how has it worked out on your long-haul rides?

Here are my upgrades over the last 3 months:

1) Comfy seat -- got two, a Corbin Solo and a H-D Pillow Touring for 2-up. Both passed the 300+ mile butt test w/o complaint.
2) Rear shocks -- 12.5" Progressive 440's (verdict still out, may change to 418's or Air Shocks)
3) Front fork springs -- Progressive standard length w. forks raised 1/2"
4) H-D Detachable Touring windscreen, along with relocating front turn signals
5) Hi-way pegs -- got the Iron City adjustable pegs, great quality/price
6) Kuryakyn ISO hand grips and ISO foot pegs, they actually work
7) 2.5" pullback handlebar risers - just enough for "R" model w/o hurting looks of bike
8) JP Cycles chrome headlight bracket modified to relocate tach & speedo due to pull-back risers.
9) 4.5 gal 1200C fuel tank and matching fenders (rear bobtail) -- got off eBay
10) Nelson Rigg saddle bags and tank bag -- great quality for the money
11) Detachable solo luggage rack for one-up, and sissy bar & back rest for two-up

Those are the upgrades thus far, mostly thanks to info and advice I got right here on the forum. For the most part I'm happy with how the Sporty is now behaving on two 300+ mile rides. The Progressive 440's are still being dialed-in and remain a bit stiff for my preference.

And now for the power upgrades -- Stage 1. Looking at the SuperTrap 2:1 SuperMeg and the RamFlo A/C. I hear the SuperMeg has great low-end torque for getting those heavy loads up to speed, and it's also tuneable, making it quieter as compared to other performance exhausts. The RamFlo seems the best A/C for the money. I tour in the Southwest U.S., so I'm not too concerned with the RamFlo's vulnerability to rain. :tour

If you get a chance to hear a set of Krome Works slip ons, go for it. They aren't that loud, have good power, look great, use ceramic internally and are tuned, as you would tune a pipe organ, to take the exhaust note down about an octave. People who hear it ask if it's an 88, or if I've stroked it.

Do you have a pic of these Krome Works slip ons? How much, where, etc.?

I fitted a Harley touring seat, lowered shocks, detachable screen, forward pegs, sportster leather/ plastic panniers, crash bar, and I got an Oxford tank bag cheap, have the anti vibe pegs and grips, + the screaming eagle conversion, longest run I've had is 357 miles last year in France, on my way down to the HOG rally in St Tropez. I hadn't any problems with a sore bum,and I could turn sharper than my mate on his Dyna! I also got about 70 to the gallon. The 883 is a great touring m/c. Dave

If you get a chance to hear a set of Krome Works slip ons, go for it. They aren't that loud, have good power, look great, use ceramic internally and are tuned, as you would tune a pipe organ, to take the exhaust note down about an octave. People who hear it ask if it's an 88, or if I've stroked it.
I have the Khrome Werks muffs and couldn't be happier with the sound and performance, deep sounding and they seem to be quieting down the more miles I add. Added a NHRS AC a Dyno-jet kit, Dyno-tuned it, no more carb farts and all you have to do is touch the start button and it fires up after it's warmed. Sounds better than alot of BT's.

Photon, good list. I would add an oil cooler. It not only adds a little more oil capacity, but when traveling over really hot spots or idling in heavy traffic, it helps keep oil temps to a manageable level. My oil cap also doubles as a themometer.

I don't know if they're requirements, but I like having the extra light to light my way from my aux's and also to be well seen from behind (high vis brake/running lights).

Photon, good list. I would add an oil cooler. It not only adds a little more oil capacity, but when traveling over really hot spots or idling in heavy traffic, it helps keep oil temps to a manageable level. My oil cap also doubles as a themometer.

Actually, an HD oil cooler was the FIRST upgrade added to my new bike, even before I picked it up at the dealer. Since I didn't install it, I forgot to put it on the list. I agree, hauling heavy loads in stop & go traffic or even pulling long inclines up mountains here in the Southwest, an oil cooler takes the heat/friction load off the engine -- even with synthetic oil.

I'm thining about getting a second sportster to compliment my Cafe Racer, and I'd like to go the touring route - something that can do me solo very well, but can also handle 2-up for a good distance without much problem.

There's guy down the road from me selling what looks like another '04 roadster, only it's black. I may go see what he's looking to get for it.

I would do some sort of windshelf for it, highway pegs, maybe a crash bar (just for the looks of it), then a 2-pice Mustang wide solo with the wide pillion. For solo, I'd like to run one of the new solo Tourpacks you can get with the backrest on them, and for two-up I already have a detachable high sissy bar, I'd just add a luggage rack to the back I think so I could put a bag on there. I'd also do some sort of saddlebags to match the tourpack. I really think after that I'd be all set. I have my old SE A/C that I would install, and I'd probably just "gronk" the stock mufflers. Shocks and fork spring would be upgraded as well - I know all too well the difference that can make.

Any input on this setup?

I would do some sort of windshelf for it, highway pegs, maybe a crash bar (just for the looks of it), then a 2-pice Mustang wide solo with the wide pillion. For solo, I'd like to run one of the new solo Tourpacks you can get with the backrest on them, and for two-up I already have a detachable high sissy bar, I'd just add a luggage rack to the back I think so I could put a bag on there. I'd also do some sort of saddlebags to match the tourpack. I really think after that I'd be all set. I have my old SE A/C that I would install, and I'd probably just "gronk" the stock mufflers. Shocks and fork spring would be upgraded as well - I know all too well the difference that can make.
Any input on this setup? Sounds like you have a well thought-out touring package planned. The one addition I made to my 1200R "Touring Sportster" was to swap the 3.3 gal fuel tank for a 4.5 gal tank off an '04 Custom. You can then spend more time looking at the scenery and less time looking for a gas station. You need a shorter seat to match up with the longer tank, but since the stock seat needs to be upgraded for touring anyway, no problem. I went with a Corbin Classic Solo. Great seats -- comfortable and well-made.

Other minor upgrades to enhance comfort and convenience on the long haul would be better hand grips and footpegs, a mounted clock and thermometer, a tank bag with map holder on top for easy viewing, maybe a bar-mounted GPS, and a Com system for two-up riding.

Also put some thought into protective outerwear that's versatile for rapidly changing riding conditions -- heat, cold, dry, wet, wind. While touring, you can experience all of this within a few short hours. Hope this helps and have fun putting together your ulitimate touring Sporty.