Riding the Twisties
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
You're on the internet, look it up. Or take an advanced riding class or track school. A lot of new riders use all the available ground clearance on a cruiser motorcycle by essentially counter weighting and counter steering the bike at the same time. They keep their body upright and counter steer the bike around the corner. Because their body is upright and furthest from the apex of the turn the counter steer must be more pronounced, thereby using most, if not all the available ground clearance. This also uses up tire contact patch as well. That's why leaning the upper body toward the apex of the corner produces the opposite effect. Meaning it conserves lean angle and contact patch.
I'm really not one for debate on internet forums. But, I won't let a statement stand that an inexperienced rider might find, take as gospel and at the least keep struggling and at the worst have a mishap and not know why.
Last edited by Campy Roadie; Aug 14, 2014 at 06:46 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 66
Likes: 1
From: RIGBY , IDAHO USA
Nomadmax , what you are saying is correct , we are really saying the same thing . New riders do try and sit up straight on curves . This is a technical error and exhibits a lack of experience and or training . The body should be at the same lean angle as the motorcycle is on curves , especially high speed curves . Anyone that has ever had a passenger on the bike that wants to sit up straight in the curve will either correct their behavior in a nice way or they will eventually find a new girlfriend . All of this has to do with the laws of physics . I have not yet met anyone that can change the laws of nature . The more you understand what you are doing , the better the experience will be .
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 205
Likes: 11
From: Arkansas
I've got my dyna set up to do the twisties as best I can, and I still tag my mids from time to time (scares the crap out of me every time, never gets better) I'm gonna go to a taller rear shock as my front is already taller than stock (race-tech). As for a softail stand point its really not built to blast through turns. As stated above, enjoy the ride take turns a little slower and you'll be alright. When I ride my road king I take the same rides, just gotta go a little slower.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 373
Likes: 1
From: WI
Well--glad I'm not alone in the scrape it up department. LOL. I just really thought the softail custom had more lean angle to it than I've discovered. And no I'm not a biker noob. Had a Honda cbr 954 rr few years back and NO chicken strips!! With this HD, I can tell I have more rear tire than can be used. There's about an 1/2 inch of outer edge of tire that will never see pavement.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 15
Softails have the worse lean angle at best 26 ,tour bikes have 31 or 32 ,Dyna 30 ,v rod 32 degrees. Ducati 899 or 1199 lean angle 56 to 58 degrees with traction control . It is crazy but the touring bikes are the better of the Harleys as far as lean angle but they are heavy . Like someone said get a Ducati for the super twisties.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,906
Likes: 145
From: SE Louisiana
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,601
Likes: 189
From: east texas
well , some peoples actually lower softails..
it is the "look " they want .
then they scrape in mild turns.(mine doesn't)
so choice one is "looks"
choice two is "ride "
Your choice
it is the "look " they want .
then they scrape in mild turns.(mine doesn't)
so choice one is "looks"
choice two is "ride "
Your choice
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
Nomadmax , what you are saying is correct , we are really saying the same thing . New riders do try and sit up straight on curves . This is a technical error and exhibits a lack of experience and or training . The body should be at the same lean angle as the motorcycle is on curves , especially high speed curves . Anyone that has ever had a passenger on the bike that wants to sit up straight in the curve will either correct their behavior in a nice way or they will eventually find a new girlfriend . All of this has to do with the laws of physics . I have not yet met anyone that can change the laws of nature . The more you understand what you are doing , the better the experience will be .
In the end, if he already employs this skill and still drags I'd say he needs a second bike more suited for that kind of riding.
Last edited by Campy Roadie; Aug 14, 2014 at 04:52 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
Agreed. What I wanted the OP to know is that lean angle can be conserved by leaning the body into the apex PAST the center line of the motorcycle, so it remains more upright.
In the end, if he already employs this skill and still drags I'd say he needs a second bike more suited for that kind of riding.
In the end, if he already employs this skill and still drags I'd say he needs a second bike more suited for that kind of riding.
