Softail suspension rant.
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Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
RE: Softail suspension rant.
ORIGINAL: Citoriplus
Relax wilkilmer, nobody means anything personal. You just hit a nerve disparaging our favorite 'big boy toy". You also have to admit the comparison is a little silly. Kinda like comparing a Vette to a pickup, or apples and oranges. Of course the Sporty is going to handle the road better, especially with a modified suspension. Hell its probably better with the stock setup.
Rememberthe Softail was designed to LOOK like a hardtail, little consideration was given to the fact that the geometry needed to do it was not the best for greathandling. That it does as well as it does out of the box says a lot for somegoodmechanical engineers making what the pointy heads in the marketing department wanted, work.
Relax wilkilmer, nobody means anything personal. You just hit a nerve disparaging our favorite 'big boy toy". You also have to admit the comparison is a little silly. Kinda like comparing a Vette to a pickup, or apples and oranges. Of course the Sporty is going to handle the road better, especially with a modified suspension. Hell its probably better with the stock setup.
Rememberthe Softail was designed to LOOK like a hardtail, little consideration was given to the fact that the geometry needed to do it was not the best for greathandling. That it does as well as it does out of the box says a lot for somegoodmechanical engineers making what the pointy heads in the marketing department wanted, work.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 913
Likes: 1
From: Canary Islands
RE: Softail suspension rant.
You got a nice ride there dude. You seem to know your stuff. Glad you got the softtail where you want it.
I will say that, (not being a very experienced rider), I just rode a friend's sporty, and damn, that was an easy ride compared to mine.
Still love my baby though.
Your ride looks killer slammed.
I will say that, (not being a very experienced rider), I just rode a friend's sporty, and damn, that was an easy ride compared to mine.
Still love my baby though.
Your ride looks killer slammed.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 2
From: LAKESIDE CA.
RE: Softail suspension rant.
I have riden a few sporties and always hated the way I felt like I was on a dirt bike way up in the air
now my softy I love, did change the seat(wife hates it)
other than that no changes from stock and I even ride the twisties with crotch rocket -friend??
glad you got yours the way you wanted - good loking ride
[IMG]local://upfiles/5757/1D3DC6EFACA54C5FB696491AF0407A9E.jpg[/IMG]
now my softy I love, did change the seat(wife hates it
)other than that no changes from stock and I even ride the twisties with crotch rocket -friend??
glad you got yours the way you wanted - good loking ride
[IMG]local://upfiles/5757/1D3DC6EFACA54C5FB696491AF0407A9E.jpg[/IMG]
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 617
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Softail suspension rant.
my sporty about broke my back over anything more than a minor bump. them 1200s are fun to rip, but i can shove through the twisties just as good if not better on my softy. and the ride is so much smoother than the sportster.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 15
From: Pacific Northwest
RE: Softail suspension rant.
Don't pay any attention to some of the replies you'll get here and you don't have to apologize.Some people have issues and take themselves and HD far too seriously.
I have ridden older softails as well as anew one ('07 FLSTC)I got for my wife to ride. While the older ones seemed to have a hinge in them and vibrated this new bike was solid, handledvery well and was buttery smooth. Great machine. I also had to lower the bike so she could back it up. Used an Arlen Ness lowering kit out back and left the front stock. She's smiling so I smile.
Glad yours is where you want it. That's what it's all about.
I have ridden older softails as well as anew one ('07 FLSTC)I got for my wife to ride. While the older ones seemed to have a hinge in them and vibrated this new bike was solid, handledvery well and was buttery smooth. Great machine. I also had to lower the bike so she could back it up. Used an Arlen Ness lowering kit out back and left the front stock. She's smiling so I smile.
Glad yours is where you want it. That's what it's all about.
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
RE: Softail suspension rant.
ORIGINAL: wlkilmer
I know I disconnected, but I must say that with the mods I have made to the softail it handles and rides superior to the sportster.That is what tried to say!
ORIGINAL: Citoriplus
Relax wilkilmer, nobody means anything personal. You just hit a nerve disparaging our favorite 'big boy toy". You also have to admit the comparison is a little silly. Kinda like comparing a Vette to a pickup, or apples and oranges. Of course the Sporty is going to handle the road better, especially with a modified suspension. Hell its probably better with the stock setup.
Rememberthe Softail was designed to LOOK like a hardtail, little consideration was given to the fact that the geometry needed to do it was not the best for greathandling. That it does as well as it does out of the box says a lot for somegoodmechanical engineers making what the pointy heads in the marketing department wanted, work.
Relax wilkilmer, nobody means anything personal. You just hit a nerve disparaging our favorite 'big boy toy". You also have to admit the comparison is a little silly. Kinda like comparing a Vette to a pickup, or apples and oranges. Of course the Sporty is going to handle the road better, especially with a modified suspension. Hell its probably better with the stock setup.
Rememberthe Softail was designed to LOOK like a hardtail, little consideration was given to the fact that the geometry needed to do it was not the best for greathandling. That it does as well as it does out of the box says a lot for somegoodmechanical engineers making what the pointy heads in the marketing department wanted, work.
But be that as it may, I'll still take my Custom over one. But if I could afford another bike I'm sure it would be something like aNightsterjust for fun.