softail custom handling
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 201
Likes: 26
From: Italy
softail custom handling
Yesterday i was at the dealer shop, and I saw a nice bike which is a softail custom, used, with 20 km (14 miles)over it. I asked for price and it was very interesting. Now I ask your help in order to know about its handling and any riding complain. I wasn't allowed to testdrive it.
This kind ofbike isn't a bestseller in Italy (which the reason of the very good price) so I'm in troubles. I like the bike but I'm worried about its handling in twisted roads. Im 6,3 and 210 and this shouldn't be a problem.
Help me please,
Thanks
Fabrizio
This kind ofbike isn't a bestseller in Italy (which the reason of the very good price) so I'm in troubles. I like the bike but I'm worried about its handling in twisted roads. Im 6,3 and 210 and this shouldn't be a problem.
Help me please,
Thanks
Fabrizio
Novice
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From:
RE: softail custom handling
Ciao Fabrizio,
The custom handles the mountain roads here in Colorado just fine. You won't being going as fast as a sport bike due to the5" trail of the custom. But with some smart riding you can hammer the curvers.
The custom handles the mountain roads here in Colorado just fine. You won't being going as fast as a sport bike due to the5" trail of the custom. But with some smart riding you can hammer the curvers.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
From:
RE: softail custom handling
ORIGINAL: ancfaber
Yesterday i was at the dealer shop, and I saw a nice bike which is a softail custom, used, with 20 km (14 miles)over it. I asked for price and it was very interesting. Now I ask your help in order to know about its handling and any riding complain. I wasn't allowed to testdrive it.
This kind ofbike isn't a bestseller in Italy (which the reason of the very good price) so I'm in troubles. I like the bike but I'm worried about its handling in twisted roads. Im 6,3 and 210 and this shouldn't be a problem.
Help me please,
Thanks
Fabrizio
Yesterday i was at the dealer shop, and I saw a nice bike which is a softail custom, used, with 20 km (14 miles)over it. I asked for price and it was very interesting. Now I ask your help in order to know about its handling and any riding complain. I wasn't allowed to testdrive it.
This kind ofbike isn't a bestseller in Italy (which the reason of the very good price) so I'm in troubles. I like the bike but I'm worried about its handling in twisted roads. Im 6,3 and 210 and this shouldn't be a problem.
Help me please,
Thanks
Fabrizio
Being in Italy and my being very much into sport bikes I know the type of roads and riding some do in your country. I have a gsxr1000 and a cbr600rr and a 08 night train.
If you are use to sport bikes or even a good sport touring bike the harley line isn't going to handle the same. Heck I am so use to the brakes on my sport bikes that the HD is like not having brakes at all. The Standard does have a pretty good lean angle compared to other HD's and I find the night train a blast to ride.
Depending on what you want out of it I love my HD, I didn't expect it to be a sport bike and ride it accordingly. You can have fun on the back roads but if any of your friends are out dragging knee, no you aren't going to keep up! :-)
My brother-n-law has a standard and a zx-14. He had the HD for a few years before getting the zx and road it in the Colorado mountains and backroads near Moab and had a blast. He very much like the twisty roads and pulled all their was out of the HD, no tread left on the edges of those tires!
The 14 better suits his riding but he will never give up the HD!
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 953
Likes: 8
From:
RE: softail custom handling
I don't have a custom, but I do have the same type of bike in the Softail Standard. My bike handles great in the curves. I have never scraped my pegs once. I will say that skinny 21" front tire was a bit of a problem in ruts and such. Having lived in Italy for 5 years, I know theres lots of cobblestone roads. You may want to think about a fatter tire on the front to keep it smoother and rolling over those bumps rather than getting into the ruts.
Why can't you test drive it?
[IMG]local://upfiles/13603/F1F44DB922D2402581B2BD782FD98872.jpg[/IMG]
Why can't you test drive it?
[IMG]local://upfiles/13603/F1F44DB922D2402581B2BD782FD98872.jpg[/IMG]
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
RE: softail custom handling
Well my Custom is no Ferrari in the twisties, but it does a lot better than I expected considering thebike weighs over700lbs. and is setupto feel like a big recliner.
No way your going to keep up with the knee draggers on even the smaller 600cc sport bikes. But then again it was never designed for that kind of thing in the first place.
Also considering your height and weight, a Custom will be slower, but it will be a lot more comfortable ride. So you may not get anywhere as fast but you'll be still be out on the road enjoying the rideto wherever long after the guys on the crotch rockets have stopped to get thekinks pulled out of their backs.
But you may want to keep atooth brush handy so you canget the bugs out of your teeth because you couldn't stopgrinnin.
No way your going to keep up with the knee draggers on even the smaller 600cc sport bikes. But then again it was never designed for that kind of thing in the first place.
Also considering your height and weight, a Custom will be slower, but it will be a lot more comfortable ride. So you may not get anywhere as fast but you'll be still be out on the road enjoying the rideto wherever long after the guys on the crotch rockets have stopped to get thekinks pulled out of their backs.
But you may want to keep atooth brush handy so you canget the bugs out of your teeth because you couldn't stopgrinnin.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
From:
RE: softail custom handling
ORIGINAL: Citoriplus
Well my Custom is no Ferrari in the twisties, but it does a lot better than I expected considering thebike weighs over700lbs. and is setupto feel like a big recliner.
No way your going to keep up with the knee draggers on even the smaller 600cc sport bikes. But then again it was never designed for that kind of thing in the first place.
Also considering your height and weight, a Custom will be slower, but it will be a lot more comfortable ride. So you may not get anywhere as fast but you'll be still be out on the road enjoying the rideto wherever long after the guys on the crotch rockets have stopped to get thekinks pulled out of their backs.
But you may want to keep atooth brush handy so you canget the bugs out of your teeth because you couldn't stopgrinnin.
Well my Custom is no Ferrari in the twisties, but it does a lot better than I expected considering thebike weighs over700lbs. and is setupto feel like a big recliner.
No way your going to keep up with the knee draggers on even the smaller 600cc sport bikes. But then again it was never designed for that kind of thing in the first place.
Also considering your height and weight, a Custom will be slower, but it will be a lot more comfortable ride. So you may not get anywhere as fast but you'll be still be out on the road enjoying the rideto wherever long after the guys on the crotch rockets have stopped to get thekinks pulled out of their backs.
But you may want to keep atooth brush handy so you canget the bugs out of your teeth because you couldn't stopgrinnin.
On my night train however the seat at the back pushes on my butt to the point that it puts it asleep in no time. If I don't make a conscience effort to sit forward I am uncomfortable in no time. Sitting straight up doing 80 has its effects on the back also from fighting the wind.
On my sport bike the wind actually lifts me and I float.
Enjoy your HD as I do but I know many who ride from DC to Florida on sport bikes with no problems!
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
From: Phila, Pa
RE: softail custom handling
I have a Deuce, and its handlingreminds me of my Colnaga Road bike.
So Fab, my only recomendation would be, save your Ducati for the Auto Strada.
So Fab, my only recomendation would be, save your Ducati for the Auto Strada.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 201
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From: Italy
RE: softail custom handling
ORIGINAL: tail11
Why can't you test drive it?
Why can't you test drive it?
Thank for your help
You have a very nice bike!!
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 201
Likes: 26
From: Italy
RE: softail custom handling
ORIGINAL: Citoriplus
But you may want to keep atooth brush handy so you canget the bugs out of your teeth because you couldn't stopgrinnin.
But you may want to keep atooth brush handy so you canget the bugs out of your teeth because you couldn't stopgrinnin.
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 201
Likes: 26
From: Italy
RE: softail custom handling
ORIGINAL: WaterHog
I have a Deuce, and its handlingreminds me of my Colnaga Road bike.
So Fab, my only recomendation would be, save your Ducati for the Auto Strada.
I have a Deuce, and its handlingreminds me of my Colnaga Road bike.
So Fab, my only recomendation would be, save your Ducati for the Auto Strada.
Sorry, but I havent' a Ducati and to tell the truth I'll never get one, except, maybe,for the new 1098.In general, I dont' like sporty bikes. Moreover, in my country speed limits are going to be heavilyenforced so a sporty bike is going to beuseless (i like to preserve my driving licence).
bye