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The rear tyre is a 260 Metzeler which fits the standard rim and with enough clearance on the swing arm and drive belt no problems. I too found I would ground out both pegs with the standard shocks. With the weight of the machine and myself and ‘gunning’ the throttle on bends to drive her round she would have a tendency to squatt reducing ground clearance drastically. The Shotgun Shock eradicated that but it takes some time to familiarise yourself with the settings you desire. I can’t really offer much advice about improving handling apart from enjoy it for what it is and don’t spend too much seeking ‘handling Nirvana’ or trying to turn the bike into something it is not! Another second bike is the simplest solution or sell the B.O as it obviously doesn’t gel.
The rear tyre is a 260 Metzeler which fits the standard rim and with enough clearance on the swing arm and drive belt no problems. I too found I would ground out both pegs with the standard shocks. With the weight of the machine and myself and gunning the throttle on bends to drive her round she would have a tendency to squatt reducing ground clearance drastically. The Shotgun Shock eradicated that but it takes some time to familiarise yourself with the settings you desire. I cant really offer much advice about improving handling apart from enjoy it for what it is and dont spend too much seeking handling Nirvana or trying to turn the bike into something it is not! Another second bike is the simplest solution or sell the B.O as it obviously doesnt gel.
I fear you are right, live with it or firm up the suspension...but I like a soft ride so as to avoid a jarred back. I find that the BO suspension even with its bad *** low profile tyres and rock hard tyres can soak up the bumps pretty well. I watch the front forks coping pretty well so can't really diss them. I was thinking 2inch overs up front will raise the front end about inch after taking in to account the rake angle. I wonder if anyone has fitted a 20" rear on a BO? That would lift the rear....
I have two riding buddies I head out often with both ride modified Harley Davidsons. If we are heading out using major roads I will take the B.O.
Nevertheless if we are taking rural backroads or the coastal route to get somewhere often Ill take the FTR and due to the fact Im not wrestling with my own B.O I get to witness how much of a struggle it can be. I quite enjoy having a bike that you have to work at and work with to get the best out of it but there does come a point where you do just want to enjoy the ride rather than have to keep your concentration levels off the chart just to get somewhere and keep your bike on the road.
A good condition Buell was also on my potential list as a second bike too but good examples can be hard to find. Here are a couple that I see locally out and about and quite often.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
