i see alot of posts regarding improving handling, this is my first road bike (08 s.b.) and it seems to handle just fine. what am i missing?

 

They all handle fine at low speeds or in a straight line.Try to push it through a high speed sweeper at around 80 and you'll understand.

 

+1 on handling just fine. Some here ride aggressively and are sensitive about a rather loose bike, or choppy ride.... or want to push the envelope with more confidence.

 

Like cars, most bikes are built for the comfort of the average driver/rider. Better handling usually means a stiffer ride which a lot of folks don't like. So if you're satisfied with the feel of your bike at speed, don't worry about it.

 

I have the SB 08 also. If feels fine during normal riding. Get agressive with it and you will feel the rear end running away from you. True Track or the Sputhe

 

Good question and some good answers. I've made improvements along the way to improve the ride and handling characteristics of the bike.

In I believe '06 HD made some significant changes to the frame,swing arm and forks to improve the ride and handling. With all the money they spent on R&D and retooling, I wonder wy they would ignore what seems to be a design flaw requiring a Sputhe or TT to correct?

 

If you obey traffic rules and only inch above the speed limit in corners, The bike is just fine. If you find yourself blasting corners,grinding pegs, and just want to go faster through the fun stuff, then the limitations of the bike become apparent. Reality of building a great handling dyna, the shocks you add, the tires you change, the front end work, will show a massively improved comfort level as well.

 

I wasn't happy with mine stock, now after only thousands of dollars it's ok.....

 

Because you almost have to exceed the posted speed limit to find this flaw and going fast around corners is not what a cruiser is designed for or what most cruiser riders care about so,..they can get away with it. And in the MOCOs defense the few bikes they built with quality suspensions the 1200S and the FXDX didn't sell all that great. IMO for what these bikes cost they should have ALLOT better suspension components than they do and they should have solved the rubber mounted swing arm issue by now.

 

Lateral stability on Dynas suck, especially in the situation you mention above.

I would give True Track a try. You're basically adding a stabilizer link to the front and the rear motor mounts. I'm told that it really helps handling by isolating the lateral movement of the engine/tranny/swingarm. This keeps the rear wheel in line with the front during those high sweepers at 80 mph +, and eliminates the wobble. Your mileage may vary.