Slim scraping
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 421
From: Lansing mi
Slim scraping
My Road King is getting a bit to hard for me to handle for parking and slow maneuvering. I have balance problems with my ears. I have been driving a 16 Slim and it is so much easier to handle in slow maneuvering and much easier to back up. The only 2 things that I don't like is no cruse control, but I can buy cruse to take care of that, The other problem is I scrape the floor boards way to easy. On my King I can take the curves pretty hard with no problem. When I drive his Slim on the same curves I have to go slower or she scrapes. This problem don't look to be so easy to fix. I can get a great deal on this bike and I want to buy it, but the scraping so easy is holding me back.
I wish I could get a riser kit, a half inch would help a lot but I cant find any so far. Anyone make a riser kit ?? I welcome any advice.
I wish I could get a riser kit, a half inch would help a lot but I cant find any so far. Anyone make a riser kit ?? I welcome any advice.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
You can get different length shocks that might raise it a bit, but you can accomplish a lot with different ride technique. Shifting your weight on the bike towards the inside of the turn will significant increase how sharp/fast you can turn with less lean angle. Literally slide your butt over on the seat to the correct side (inside turn) for aggressive riding. Hang a cheek off if you need to. Similar to racers, but without trying to drag your knee...however throwing your knee outward into the turn will further increase your turn sharpness.
switching to pegs or narrow boards helps also.
switching to pegs or narrow boards helps also.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I understand where your heads at but on the slim you do have to adjust your riding style the RK spoiled you.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 421
From: Lansing mi
With a softail you don't have a lot of choices and any will be a compromise of some kind or cost $$$$. To actually solve the issue the suspension needs upgrading, better damping for the front and improved shocks for the rear. Sloptails have always been soft in the *** and the bike sits low bone stock.
I understand where your heads at but on the slim you do have to adjust your riding style the RK spoiled you.
I understand where your heads at but on the slim you do have to adjust your riding style the RK spoiled you.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,396
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Yes your right I loved my King so much. I'm buying my sons 2016 Slim. I have well over 300 miles on it, at least with the Slim I can keep from tipping over when parking on uneven ground. I got to get use to the buzzing feeling on the freeway speeds, my King was smooth as butter at them speeds. Looks like I have a lot of adjusting to do. No bike will ever make me as happy as the King did, I know this and I will deal with it, I'm happy I will still be on a Harley and 2 wheels.
Yeah, they spoil you
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
I hear you on “change”, but the first time you shift your weight a little in a turn and are amazed at the increased cornering and the lack of scraping I know you’ll be darn happy. It’ll give you a new lease on riding and it’s free. Fingers crossed for ya.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 5,120
From: SW Ohio
OP
I know of at least one newer Twin Cam Softail that came from the factory with the shocks set at zero preload. Get in your manual and review how to increase the preload with the special HD wrench. That will increase ride height and reduce early scraping. That said, it's a Softail so some of that is inherent to the breed. That doesn't mean they can't be ridden briskly, one member here I ride with can do it very well, but there are compromises to be made.
I know of at least one newer Twin Cam Softail that came from the factory with the shocks set at zero preload. Get in your manual and review how to increase the preload with the special HD wrench. That will increase ride height and reduce early scraping. That said, it's a Softail so some of that is inherent to the breed. That doesn't mean they can't be ridden briskly, one member here I ride with can do it very well, but there are compromises to be made.