Why must Harleys set so low
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
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From:
There isn't one model I've ever sat on where my legs are even remotely extended at a stop and I'm only 6'1. My old rice burners sat much higher and rode way better. It just seems HD targets shorter people in there bike design. I even read a lot of posts where people want them even lower. Has anybody ever raised their suspension?
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 548
Likes: 1
From: Cardboard Box
You're comparing apples and oranges. The height on sports bikes has nothing to do with rider height and has everything to do with cornering and high speed geometry. You are comparing that to a bike that is traditional designed to cruise on and simply "look cool"?
On that note, not everyone goes that route. In the Dyna and Sportster segments there are plenty of people that increase ride height for the sake of performance. I don't have the cheddar at the moment, but once I do I'm going for 13-13.5" shocks in the rear to increase my height and give me more cornering clearance. Then again, 90% of the stuff I've done to my bike has been grounded in performance and my suspension changes will be no different.
Anyway, the point is, you can't compare the geometry of a sports bike to a Harley and complain that a Harley doesn't sit more like a sports bike. Two different bikes for two different worlds and if you want sports bike height and geometry, well, get a sports bike.
On that note, not everyone goes that route. In the Dyna and Sportster segments there are plenty of people that increase ride height for the sake of performance. I don't have the cheddar at the moment, but once I do I'm going for 13-13.5" shocks in the rear to increase my height and give me more cornering clearance. Then again, 90% of the stuff I've done to my bike has been grounded in performance and my suspension changes will be no different.
Anyway, the point is, you can't compare the geometry of a sports bike to a Harley and complain that a Harley doesn't sit more like a sports bike. Two different bikes for two different worlds and if you want sports bike height and geometry, well, get a sports bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 1
From: -
because of weight. A Harley is easily 250lbs heavier than a rice rocket. A Touring Harley 400lbs heavier than a rocket.
Among many other reasons, having a low center of gravity makes it possible to handle these bikes at low/walking speed or whilst standing. You can tilt them a bit right and left and still be able to hold them up. If the weight/center of gravity was 4/5 inches higher like in a sport bike,you'd have no chance being able to tilt the bike slightly sideways, no matter how tall you are or how often you go to the gym.
Among many other reasons, having a low center of gravity makes it possible to handle these bikes at low/walking speed or whilst standing. You can tilt them a bit right and left and still be able to hold them up. If the weight/center of gravity was 4/5 inches higher like in a sport bike,you'd have no chance being able to tilt the bike slightly sideways, no matter how tall you are or how often you go to the gym.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,311
Likes: 1
From: -
You're comparing apples and oranges. The height on sports bikes has nothing to do with rider height and has everything to do with cornering and high speed geometry. You are comparing that to a bike that is traditional designed to cruise on and simply "look cool"?
On that note, not everyone goes that route. In the Dyna and Sportster segments there are plenty of people that increase ride height for the sake of performance. I don't have the cheddar at the moment, but once I do I'm going for 13-13.5" shocks in the rear to increase my height and give me more cornering clearance. Then again, 90% of the stuff I've done to my bike has been grounded in performance and my suspension changes will be no different.
Anyway, the point is, you can't compare the geometry of a sports bike to a Harley and complain that a Harley doesn't sit more like a sports bike. Two different bikes for two different worlds and if you want sports bike height and geometry, well, get a sports bike.
On that note, not everyone goes that route. In the Dyna and Sportster segments there are plenty of people that increase ride height for the sake of performance. I don't have the cheddar at the moment, but once I do I'm going for 13-13.5" shocks in the rear to increase my height and give me more cornering clearance. Then again, 90% of the stuff I've done to my bike has been grounded in performance and my suspension changes will be no different.
Anyway, the point is, you can't compare the geometry of a sports bike to a Harley and complain that a Harley doesn't sit more like a sports bike. Two different bikes for two different worlds and if you want sports bike height and geometry, well, get a sports bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: usa
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: NE Philly
There isn't one model I've ever sat on where my legs are even remotely extended at a stop and I'm only 6'1. My old rice burners sat much higher and rode way better. It just seems HD targets shorter people in there bike design. I even read a lot of posts where people want them even lower. Has anybody ever raised their suspension?
I have.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,128
Likes: 51,461
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
You all missed it , some tool in the past made slammed low the next " must have " in thing and the factory copied it to sell more bikes to the clueless masses and you have to admit it keep the parts boys busy supplying new chrome to replace all that scratched up stuff 
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Well, if you want your legs more expended at a stop, you can do 2 things: taller (larger dia. tires), and change the suspension (longer shocks, longer front forks or more preload on the springs). Hope this helps