More lean angle?
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 25
From: NorCal
More lean angle?
Saturday I bought an '11 Street Bob to go along with the Street Glide. I wanted something more fun to ride, more nimble, agile, etc. I also expected it to have more lean angle and corner better.
I rode up one of my favorite roads today, and discovered that instead of grinding off my floor boards and mounts on the SG, I'm grinding the forward muffler and foot pegs. I was surprised at how quickly it touched down.
I adjusted the sag as close as possible yesterday.
What are my options? How long can I go on the shocks without upsetting the handling? Should I also stiffen up the front end somehow?
I'm also going to have to swap out exhausts I think, although it's nice to be able to ride hard and not be heard a mile away...
I rode up one of my favorite roads today, and discovered that instead of grinding off my floor boards and mounts on the SG, I'm grinding the forward muffler and foot pegs. I was surprised at how quickly it touched down.
I adjusted the sag as close as possible yesterday.
What are my options? How long can I go on the shocks without upsetting the handling? Should I also stiffen up the front end somehow?
I'm also going to have to swap out exhausts I think, although it's nice to be able to ride hard and not be heard a mile away...
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: Long Island, NY
I came from a Kawasaki ZX1000R right to my StreetBob. The first thing I did was scrap the right side as well. I did two things. 1. I loosened the exhaust brackets and made sure everything was adjusted as high as possible and 2. I cranked the shock preload up two notches.
I also bought heavier front fork oil but since there is no drain screw and you have to remove and invert the forks I never did change it.
The changes made it livable but you still cant take a turn anything like my Ninja.
I also bought heavier front fork oil but since there is no drain screw and you have to remove and invert the forks I never did change it.
The changes made it livable but you still cant take a turn anything like my Ninja.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
From: Where Uncle Sam tells me to live!
i have a superglide which has rear suspension that sits about an inch higher than your streetbob. i also have a d&d 2-1 which is angled up a bit for ground clearance. when my rear shocks are at max stiffness i can lean that thing pretty well. my pegs, however, are ground down but i did that on purpose anyway. i can safely say that when compared to a fully stock superglide i can lean over another degree or two before i scrape anything hard.
my advice to you is to search the forum for guys who want to do a suspension swap. there are always guys around here that are looking to slam their dyna.
my advice to you is to search the forum for guys who want to do a suspension swap. there are always guys around here that are looking to slam their dyna.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 56
From: Knoxville, TN
I took a MSF Advanced Sportbike Rider's course on my 2011 Street Bob. They taught us to lean forward going into a hard turn as it shifts your weight to the front forks which, in turn, raises the frame a little. It worked.BTW, I out rode about half the sportbike 
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 8
From: Temecula, CA
I swear I LOOK at a corner funny and I'm dragging the pipes on my WG! Right turns are really a pain...I need PIPES!!!
Even so it's not much further before I start hitting my pegs on that side. One real downer to having lowered suspension...
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
From: Where Uncle Sam tells me to live!
interesting.... i will have to try that.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 368
Likes: 2
From: Oceanside
Raise the bike, mid controls with shorter pegs, 2-1 exhaust. You won't be dragging a knee but it will help. Also body position through corners helps. Without getting crazy about cornering because if you ride any bike you should have some idea about it. But shifting your weight into the inside will allow a higher cornering speed with out leaning the bike over as much. A good book to read is a twist of the wrist by Keith Code. I feel funny hanging off the seat on my dyna but its worth passing less experienced riders on sportbikes.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 25
From: NorCal
Raise the bike, mid controls with shorter pegs, 2-1 exhaust. You won't be dragging a knee but it will help. Also body position through corners helps. Without getting crazy about cornering because if you ride any bike you should have some idea about it. But shifting your weight into the inside will allow a higher cornering speed with out leaning the bike over as much. A good book to read is a twist of the wrist by Keith Code. I feel funny hanging off the seat on my dyna but its worth passing less experienced riders on sportbikes.
I hear ya... You ought to see the looks I get when doing that on my Street Glide!
I was hoping to stick with the stock exhaust for a while, but I guess a Thunderheader is on my short list. Darn! And the shorty sportster pegs.
I'm not trying to race anyone, there's just a "pace" that I'm comfortable riding, and it's faster than either of my bikes want to go right now (corner speed).
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 8
From: Temecula, CA
I do this and it helps a ton but yea, feel a little funny sometimes.