From Yellarosa, Texas to Goodniceburg, Iowa flew the Wheelman clan. Like all family gatherings, things went smoothly until one cousin uttered "What's that supposed to mean?"
No matter, back Friday to attend to long-neglected Sportster in my home-away-from-work. I noted the inspection sticker was about 18 months overdue. A call to the H-Dealership revealed they had time on Saturday to do the deed. For the record, that's the only service the dealership has ever performed in 8 years of Sporster ownership.
Now Yellarosa Harley is only 15 miles from Casa I Wheelman, but it's freeway/interstate almost all the way. Around town - residential streets - it's always a surprise how danged HEAVY this smallest Harley-Davidson feels after weeks on the Elite. I have trouble pulling a U-turn in a city street with the Sportster. I can do the same on the Elite within a parking space. Big bikes are clumsy, clunky, loud instruments ill-suited to the errands I like to run. I can be back from some trips on the Flash before the Sportster has time to fully warm up!
Once on the highway, the Sportster's role is clearer. Stable, power to spare (3000 RPM at ~70 MPH) and a freigh-train attitude. Downshift to fourth to rocket ahead of blind-spot lurkers and Cellphone yackers at will. 70 to 100 doesnt take long. Still, it's tiring with only a quarter-fairing between me and that 70-MPH gale. Dealer inspection found nothing wrong at 15,000 miles. Coming due for an oil change is all. I can't wait until all my toys are under one Deepinnaharta roof. Rest assured the Elite will get its share of saddle time.
