Softail suspension rant.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Softail suspension rant.
I bought the 04 Heritage Classic last year because the wife refused to ride with me on the sporty. Well I’m used to riding a sporty lowered with Progressive front and rear, and, my opinion is the “softtail” road terrible. The bike sat much too high for I could not get my feet out far enough past the rear foot rest to move the bike around. As to handling, I felt as if I were steering instead of riding her. And does buckboard ring a bell? Solution: After much homework and thanks to HDForums.com and its search button, she rides and handles well beyond what I expected. I installed Progressive Airltail with the pump, Progressive fork lowering kit 1”, and Race Tech Gold Valves. I called Race Tech and got a few hints on setting up their valves with progressive springs. Weather permitting, I go for test rides and it took awhile to get the air suspension right. She takes bumps beautifully and floats over railroad tracks. I’ve practiced emergency stops and never felt out of control. I had to do this post to thank you guys for making it so easy. Here is a picture where she is slammed to the max but I would never ride like that.
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 983
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
RE: Softail suspension rant.
I'm confused why anyone would want to try and compare riding solo a sporty with modified suspension to riding a stock heritage 2up .... Unless I have that wrong quite frankly that just sounds stupid. glad you have since "fixed" it.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 774
Likes: 4
From: SC
RE: Softail suspension rant.
Well Wlkilmer, it not like you didn’t ask for it. You come on here bashing Softails and naturally you are going to touch a nerve. I love the way mine rides and I wouldn’t change it for anything. I’m glad you finally got yours the way you want it. Nice pipes.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,110
Likes: 119
From: NC
RE: Softail suspension rant.
Never a prob with my fatboy's stock suspension - glad you got yours where you want it...
Trending Topics
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
RE: Softail suspension rant.
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.
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.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
RE: Softail suspension rant.
Hi all, I apologize, I bought the bike used and one or both of the shocks could have been bad. Plus the foot rests are out farther then normal because of adapters for the bag guards. Thanks again for all your help and if I do post again I will think it through.