Sporty touring.

[Triple]

It's that time of year again when I start making bad financial decisions.

I miss having a basic, practical standard for touring and commuting. Sportbikes are fine for playing in the mountains and day trips and the WR is probably the most entertaining bike I've ever owned, but nothing beats a sit-up straight ride with hard bags for going back and forth to work.

I've always liked standard Sportsters:

2009 Harley Sportster - $4500

2005 Harley Davidson Sportster - $2200



Of course, a stock 883's 35-rwhp is embarrassingly inadequate, so a 1200cc (or more) upgrade would be in order:

NRHS 883 TO 1200/1250cc Conversion Kit



And tough hard-bags would be a must:

Sideracks for Givi Monokey Sidecases



Add a Plexifairing III for the winter months:

Classic Plexifairing 3 Windshield



And a bigger tank to replace the stock peanut:

JustGasTanks Sportster Fuel Tanks



If Traxxion/Racetech/etc can provide some reasonably-priced suspension solutions, I think I could build a very capable commuter/tourer from one of these things. I'd be happy with 75-80 hp at the wheel, and with belt drive and no valve adjustments, maintenance should be kept to a minimum.

Never owned a Harley, but I'm thinking about it. Sportster only, though; everything else is too heavy and too expensive.