2018 Softail Lean Angle
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 314
Likes: 130
From: US
I can only compare with my '03 Softail Standard. I now have an '18 Breakout 144. I'm still in break-in miles, but most are on winding country roads and hills. I wore down the pegs of my '03 and it was not a confidence-inspiring bike to lean into turns. This bike is completely different. It's sure footed. I braked hard to test the anti-locks and there is no front-end dive. Easy to maintain control. The rear suspension is tuneable with a **** and I currently have mine on the firm side. Still a nice shock absorber, but not mushy at all. I lean-in with confidence past what would be asking for trouble on my old bike. Even hitting bumps in the asphalt while leaning has not caused me any concern or doubt. And I 've yet to touch a peg to the asphalt. I touched the heel of my boot once, but not a peg yet.
I'm not going to say that this is a sport bike, but it is a cruiser with the heart of a sport bike. And there are Softail models with more lean angle than a Breakout. I bet the Fat Bob is a kick through the hills. This suspension is a big step up from my old bike and I look forward to more winding roads with it. This is one fun cruiser!
I'm not going to say that this is a sport bike, but it is a cruiser with the heart of a sport bike. And there are Softail models with more lean angle than a Breakout. I bet the Fat Bob is a kick through the hills. This suspension is a big step up from my old bike and I look forward to more winding roads with it. This is one fun cruiser!
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 164
From: Northern California
I can only compare with my '03 Softail Standard. I now have an '18 Breakout 144. I'm still in break-in miles, but most are on winding country roads and hills. I wore down the pegs of my '03 and it was not a confidence-inspiring bike to lean into turns. This bike is completely different. It's sure footed. I braked hard to test the anti-locks and there is no front-end dive. Easy to maintain control. The rear suspension is tuneable with a **** and I currently have mine on the firm side. Still a nice shock absorber, but not mushy at all. I lean-in with confidence past what would be asking for trouble on my old bike. Even hitting bumps in the asphalt while leaning has not caused me any concern or doubt. And I 've yet to touch a peg to the asphalt. I touched the heel of my boot once, but not a peg yet.
I'm not going to say that this is a sport bike, but it is a cruiser with the heart of a sport bike. And there are Softail models with more lean angle than a Breakout. I bet the Fat Bob is a kick through the hills. This suspension is a big step up from my old bike and I look forward to more winding roads with it. This is one fun cruiser!
I'm not going to say that this is a sport bike, but it is a cruiser with the heart of a sport bike. And there are Softail models with more lean angle than a Breakout. I bet the Fat Bob is a kick through the hills. This suspension is a big step up from my old bike and I look forward to more winding roads with it. This is one fun cruiser!
Have owned several true touring bikes, don't really care about a radio, heated stuff, cb or intercom. Want a more basic bike that can tour or cruise. Would love seeing a comparison between a 17/18 road King vs a 18 Heritage Classic. It's my guess that the Heritage would come out on top. It has a much more advanced frame and rear suspension. Lighter too!
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 314
Likes: 130
From: US
Ok, I did it! I went for a ride after work on a winding road through the hills near my home. And this time I finally touched the sacrificial scraper-thing that hangs off the peg to the asphalt when leaning heaviliy into a turn.
The situation: It happened during a "fun" amount of lean on a fairly sharp bend in the road. Then, right in the middle of the lane, a very large, poorly repaired pot-hole (more like sink hole... both tires were in it) more than a few inches deep, appeared in front of me. The bike dropped in and then, bouncing up out of it, it momentarily bottomed-out the suspension and scraped the peg during the lean.
It was an abrupt event for sure. No bike/rider would hit that hole while leaning through a turn and not get a jolt. But the bike stayed on it's line and felt stable the whole way through. It handled it very well. However...
I learned that I probably need to experiment more to determine the ideal rear suspension adjustments for different kinds of riding. Right now it's somewhat firm but comfortable, good for everyday or road trips. But I'm thinking that when I head specifically for the winding roads through the hills, I probably want to stiffen it up a bit more. There's plenty of room for more adjustment left and I can see that I have more to learn about this new bike.
Very happy that the event only heightened my senses and gave me a dampened jolt but was never scary nor gave any sense of control loss. Just kept going and a moment later it was past and I was still leaning through the rest of the bend, except smiling that I dragged my first peg scraper. Not by leaning so far that I touched it, but because of a big deep hole in the ground that I hit during the lean. The hole was big, but it was no biggie.
Love this bike!
The situation: It happened during a "fun" amount of lean on a fairly sharp bend in the road. Then, right in the middle of the lane, a very large, poorly repaired pot-hole (more like sink hole... both tires were in it) more than a few inches deep, appeared in front of me. The bike dropped in and then, bouncing up out of it, it momentarily bottomed-out the suspension and scraped the peg during the lean.
It was an abrupt event for sure. No bike/rider would hit that hole while leaning through a turn and not get a jolt. But the bike stayed on it's line and felt stable the whole way through. It handled it very well. However...
I learned that I probably need to experiment more to determine the ideal rear suspension adjustments for different kinds of riding. Right now it's somewhat firm but comfortable, good for everyday or road trips. But I'm thinking that when I head specifically for the winding roads through the hills, I probably want to stiffen it up a bit more. There's plenty of room for more adjustment left and I can see that I have more to learn about this new bike.
Very happy that the event only heightened my senses and gave me a dampened jolt but was never scary nor gave any sense of control loss. Just kept going and a moment later it was past and I was still leaning through the rest of the bend, except smiling that I dragged my first peg scraper. Not by leaning so far that I touched it, but because of a big deep hole in the ground that I hit during the lean. The hole was big, but it was no biggie.
Love this bike!
Tourer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 329
Likes: 56
From: Fulltime RVer, Wherever!
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