Springer Front end Handling?
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,275
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From: The Rust Belt!
Springer Front end Handling?
Hey folks on my last thread i posted Night train vs crossbones! But i really want to know more about the handling of the springer forks and how they handle? Before i drop the axe and trade my train for the bones. I live in the northeast and road conditions are some of the worst in the country! so just would like to hear from all springer owners on their opinions. esp crossbone guys just cause of the fat front tire i would think that would make a difference! And how much more mateneince do the springers need!
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Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Georgia
I like them myself. The skinny front tire seems to ride better than the ones with the fat front tire to me. I've had both skinny and fat front tires. My current STS is a fat tire as shown. They ride pretty well, similar to a glide front end.
Last edited by BigGdawg; Jan 5, 2011 at 11:30 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Arkansas
I have the Classic with the 16" tire. Slow speed handling isn't as good as others I have ridden but it does give a good ride and I can keep up with most in the twisties.
It does require more maint. The manual says to service it every 2500 miles which entails checking the steering head bearing along with the rocker bearing torque. If you have the tool the steering head bearing is no big deal. The rockers are a little more involved but a small price to pay for the experience of the springer ride.
As far as bad roads go....I rode mine round trip on the Alcan and it don't get much worse than that!! I performed flawlessly and can take a hell of allot of abuse.
It does require more maint. The manual says to service it every 2500 miles which entails checking the steering head bearing along with the rocker bearing torque. If you have the tool the steering head bearing is no big deal. The rockers are a little more involved but a small price to pay for the experience of the springer ride.
As far as bad roads go....I rode mine round trip on the Alcan and it don't get much worse than that!! I performed flawlessly and can take a hell of allot of abuse.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Smack Dab in the Middle of Louisiana
I have always liked the feel of a springer, to me their seems to be a certain type of flotation going on with them compared to a jounced and rebound with a telescoping front-end, by next year I plan on having an HD (brand) springer on my Fat-Bob.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Blairsville GA
Steering Fall Away and Rocker Drag adjustments can be a PITA, but there is nothing particularly hard or technical about them. There are specialty tools available for the job, but I have never used them and work-arounds are easy to figure out. My experience has been that if the fork is adjusted to specs the first time, it will stay in spec and not require attention for a long time. Your mileage may vary.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: The Rust Belt!
Every 2,500 seems like alot to be screwing with.. dont know if i want to deal with that kind of service schedual.
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Arkansas
I have to agree. I just talk em up cause I have one and don't want everyone to know what a dumbass I was for buying it. Only reason I still have it is that no one will buy it from me cause they all know what a piece of crap it is. I think they should stop making them and destroy all the ones they haven't sold yet.