Ground Clearance
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
...Proper throttle control and roll-on, corner entry, and body position all have a huge role in keeping the hard bits from touching down...study cornering theory and practice it. The goal is a continuous throttle roll-on and a late turn-in. Don't just sit there on the seat; get your body weight to the inside of the turn...
Yes, there are certain Harleys, like Deluxe and Heritage Classic, that have very low ground clearance and not much lean angle. However, even with these models, if you understand body position and how it affects lean angle, and you understand when to roll on, and you understand how to turn a motorcycle, there is no model that you cannot go bombing through the twisties on and have all the fun you want.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,059
Likes: 4
From: Florida
Funny. My Apples don't taste like oranges either.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 816
Likes: 57
From: Rijssen, the Netherlands
Take a 4x4 or a F150...Sure ground clearance enough...My Heritage Classic was known for his scraping sounds on roundabouts, corners and U-turns. Scared more the hell out of bystanders and other riding mates than it scared me. I knew how to scrape it safely..Disadvantage? Every two year new floor boards. The last pair I adapted with a renewable gliding strip, lifting the floorboard during scraping, preventing to get hooked behind stones and preventing the body of the floorboard to be grinded.
Last edited by Bart van der Meulen; Aug 30, 2015 at 06:59 AM.
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Joined: May 2013
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,896
Likes: 29,874
From: PNW
Proper riding techniques and bike setup will mitigate many of the problems experienced on a cruiser styled bike with ground clearance issues. My Wide Glide certainly isn't my R1 that I recently sold but it's no slouch in the corners either 
Proper throttle control and roll-on, corner entry, and body position all have a huge role in keeping the hard bits from touching down. Set your suspension to its stiffest settings, study cornering theory and practice it. The goal is a continuous throttle roll-on and a late turn-in. Don't just sit there on the seat; get your body weight to the inside of the turn...
Proper throttle control and roll-on, corner entry, and body position all have a huge role in keeping the hard bits from touching down. Set your suspension to its stiffest settings, study cornering theory and practice it. The goal is a continuous throttle roll-on and a late turn-in. Don't just sit there on the seat; get your body weight to the inside of the turn...
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 867
Likes: 160
From: Vermont
if I remember correctly I think Harley sets up the rear suspensions at the factory for a 180 lb rider. I haven't weighed 180 lbs since high school. Every Harley I've ever owned has required the rear suspension preload to be stiffened up a bunch to suit my weight and riding style. Mt latest and lowest softail Deluxe would scrape the footboards even when not riding aggressively. For the Deluxe I wound up having to go with full preload on the rear. The ride is a little stiff, but it no longer scrapes. As an added bonus I can now get my jack under the bike to lift it up. Before that it would not roll under.