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I've talked to two professional racers, and they both told me that going to 13"-14" will dramatically improve the handling, and no additional length in the front suspension is necessary.
Of course, if you want to improve the performance of the front forks, by all means do some upgrades, but the key point is that you don't need to go longer in the front because you go longer in the rear.
In fact, one of the best changes from going longer in the rear and no change in the front is that the front fork rake and trail changes make the bike corner and respond much better.
At the moment I'm pretty much decided on 13.5" Hagons. Can't wait!
Did the "racers" only consider the rake, or the bike as a whole?
I know most other bikes have a steeper rake than the Fat Bob, and all other Harleys for that matter. But most other brands are also ( IMO ) better designed AND better built than Harley. I've had my fair share of rounds around the Nuerburgring and local racetracks With Kawasaki ZXRs. The dyna already have some stability-/wobble-issues before alternating the rake ( that's why I mounted the True-track ).
Anyways, I allready ordered the "liftkit", and I'm sure it'll be fine
Does anyone know the stock length of the front forks of a 2003 FXDWG? Ive replaced the 11" aftermarket shocks and put 13" shocks on the rear and I'm trying to figure out if the previous owner had lowered the front like he had lowered the rear.
Handling on the front is not as easy as you guys make it to be. Your F.B. has a -0.5ş steering stem rake. The steering stem offset is also a major calculation that also controls your trail along with neck angle. There is no blanket statement here.
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I've talked to two professional racers, and they both told me that going to 13"-14" will dramatically improve the handling,
That blanket statement is simply not true with your Harley due to the 28.5ş (Measured on other Dyna's) and (their specifications 2015 FXDF)
Rake (steering head) (deg)29
Trail4.9 in.
There is not a dramatic improvement, maybe subtle. On sport bikes they run 22ş~23.5ş of head rake and sometimes 1" of steering stem offset, much different than your 2.25" and - 0.5ş.
I run adjustable length 14.5" #6 shocks on two of my bikes and if you go to my site you will see many examples of different length shocks. Talking is much easier than doing.
Pictured above is a 14 1/4" shock & standard length forks (800mm).
If you want to improve handling, get air under your bike to increase lean angle and purchase triple trees that will decrees your trail. My inverted fork triple trees (which can be used on 49mm forks) will give you 4.0" of trail using a level frame.
This is a 14"~14 1/2" (adjustable height) shock but has a different angle and also ratio. The jack is stabilizing the bike vertical but not lifting it up.
You won't be disappointed!
I put 14" Hagons on a couple of months ago and I couldn't be happier.
Same here. I have 13" Hagon 2810's and they're everything I need. Weight-matched spring and adjustable damping. My ride is perfect for me, and without spending $1k.
You won't be disappointed!
I put 14" Hagons on a couple of months ago and I couldn't be happier.
Originally Posted by BobberG
Same here. I have 13" Hagon 2810's and they're everything I need. Weight-matched spring and adjustable damping. My ride is perfect for me, and without spending $1k.
Thanks for the input!
I need to give them a call and have a conversation, because it's not clear from the web site descriptions exactly what are the differences between the 2810's and the Nitro model, other than cosmetics. Not that the colors aren't cool!
I need to give them a call and have a conversation, because it's not clear from the web site descriptions exactly what are the differences between the 2810's and the Nitro model, other than cosmetics. Not that the colors aren't cool!
Still BobberG here, weird I know. haha The admins wouldn't respond to my username change requests. Anyway, I know that the Nitro's are fully rebuildable and the 2810s are not. Also you have greater damping and preload adjustment capability in the Nitro, and the Nitro comes with 73 mm (pretty wide) diameter springs. You can choose from 3 different spring diameters with the 2810. I had the same conversation with them a while back and those were my big take-aways. Ultimately I decided I didn't need a TON of adjustability in my shocks since I'm not racing around the track or anything, and I didn't really like how wide those Nitro springs are. When I got my 2810s I went for a ride then stopped and increased my damping by two clicks (with finger, quick and easy). Not sure how much that actually changed haha but I do know I won't be changing my setup any time soon. It's perfect!
Last edited by Dyna_Dave; May 29, 2015 at 03:06 PM.
Thanks to all of you for your answers.
I was also thinking to add extension fork tubes in order not to scratch the macadam with pegs and exhaust too. Because longer shocks aren't enough to avoid it.
Thanks to all of you for your answers.
I was also thinking to add extension fork tubes in order not to scratch the macadam with pegs and exhaust too. Because longer shocks aren't enough to avoid it.
If you're tall enough to add height to the front too then I say go for it. It'll only help.
I need to give them a call and have a conversation, because it's not clear from the web site descriptions exactly what are the differences between the 2810's and the Nitro model, other than cosmetics. Not that the colors aren't cool!
Google Dave Quinn Motorcycles, He's the US distributor for Hagon shocks and he is very knowledgeable about motorcycle suspension.
He's a real nice guy too!
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