How hard can I corner a Softail?
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 10,114
Likes: 29
From: Vancouver B.C. Canada
How hard can I corner a Softail?
I rode a Sportster 1200 for a while, ride it like I stole it, corner as hard as I could. I am just wondering how hard can I corner a Fatboy, do I have enough ground clearance? By the way, stock height. Thanks Alex
Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 111
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From:
RE: How hard can I corner a Softail?
You can bank pretty hard on it, about as hard as the sportster, it's just wider and the seating position will make it moire noticle, but drag them floorboards all day. I hit my heels often
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: Chesapeake, VA
RE: How hard can I corner a Softail?
Lean it over till it scrapes.
I usually hang my toes slightly over the edge of the floor board so I know when the scrape is coming. The lower edge of frame below the pivot on the left and the lower boss on the primary above the drain are pretty much gone after 20 years.
Enjoy
I usually hang my toes slightly over the edge of the floor board so I know when the scrape is coming. The lower edge of frame below the pivot on the left and the lower boss on the primary above the drain are pretty much gone after 20 years.
Enjoy
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,523
Likes: 312
From: Out of Commiefornia!
RE: How hard can I corner a Softail?
It may scare the crap out of you the first time or two... [:-] \\;
 \\;for a big bike, they handle surprisingly well though!
 \\;
Roger
 \\;for a big bike, they handle surprisingly well though! \\;
Roger
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 734
Likes: 1
From: Nova Scotia
RE: How hard can I corner a Softail?
Since I had the fatty, I have scraped the boards a total of three times. The first time, I lifted my foot and thought, WTF. As mentioned, you can lean into the turns, but it takes more room. On my rear tire, there is a wear pattern about 3/4" to 1" to the end of the tread area, I think the crotch rocket riders call it the chicken strip. Oh well, I guess I'm chicken to see if the boards will catch and throw out the rear wheel as it did a friend of mine and scare the livin bejesus out of him.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
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RE: How hard can I corner a Softail?
You can lean it til you scrape the boards. \\; \\; Go much lower than that, and you will start hitting hard parts...and that's not good
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 391
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From:
RE: How hard can I corner a Softail?
Last weekend my friend and I went up to Alice's in Woodside CA. To get to this restaurant in the middle of the woods there is this infamous road called "La Honda" CA-84, it has some very sharp turns and and long banking curves. I rode up front with my FatBoy and my friend followed in his Sportster. He said he cringed every time he heard me scrap my floorboards, but the first few times he would panic and tap his brakes. On a few long loops I dragged board for over 30 feet. The bike can handle the toughest of turns but the floorboards will drag, it's unavoidable if you push it. Below is a good video to illustrate how hard you'd have to push it to scrape the floorboards. The Sportster had plenty of ground clearance.
Watch this link, I found a clip of the ride up to La Honda CA-84
Watch this link, I found a clip of the ride up to La Honda CA-84
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,364
Likes: 3
From: East TN
RE: How hard can I corner a Softail?
lean angle isn't that great on softtails. scrape till you get to hard parts. you will feel \\;it when you get to the floorboard brackets. enjoy the fatboy....