Can a Deluxe handle?
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 808
Likes: 1
From: Southern Cal
...no, Softails don't handle and never will... that's not why you buy them...
The dynas will handle the best of the Big Twins. Your basic FXD will handle the best of those. The others have lower shocks that can be replaced to match the FXD, and then they will all handle decently.
Sportsters will handle even better... ...then the VRSCs go at the top, but if you're going for Delux like style...
The dynas will handle the best of the Big Twins. Your basic FXD will handle the best of those. The others have lower shocks that can be replaced to match the FXD, and then they will all handle decently.
Sportsters will handle even better... ...then the VRSCs go at the top, but if you're going for Delux like style...
Good luck, ride safe!!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,583
Likes: 96
From: Eastern North Carolina
Yeah, always catching some heil for riding like an ol' lady in the sharp turns - "Why you so S L o W Steve?!"
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 902
Likes: 6
From: STL
nice to read so many honest answers here. trying to make a Deluxe (or any other Harley) handle is lighting money on fire.
the best of the HDs are the sportys but again your money would be better spent on something designed to lean. Anybody who is "keeping up with sport bikes" thru the twisties is riding with clowns.
the best of the HDs are the sportys but again your money would be better spent on something designed to lean. Anybody who is "keeping up with sport bikes" thru the twisties is riding with clowns.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 25
From: NorCal
I ride a softail fatboy and also ride a K1200GT. One is an apple and one is an orange. Your not going to get apple performance from an orange. You sound like you need two bikes! A Deluxe and a RT. If that doesn't work for you, then you need to rethink this whole thing. I don't care what HD you get it will never perform like a RT or a GT. Good luck!!!!
Ah, someone gets it!
+1000 here Monk. JCleary you stepped off a fine handling bike (BMW) and sounds like you know how to ride. Harleys handle like PIGS!! I'm going to catch some $hit here but c'mon they do. I absolutely love my Deluxe but I don't think for a minute it can do what my Ducati does and I don't try to make it do it either. Me...Low, slow... wind in my face and just having a great time.
Good luck, ride safe!!
Good luck, ride safe!!
nice to read so many honest answers here. trying to make a Deluxe (or any other Harley) handle is lighting money on fire.
the best of the HDs are the sportys but again your money would be better spent on something designed to lean. Anybody who is "keeping up with sport bikes" thru the twisties is riding with clowns.
the best of the HDs are the sportys but again your money would be better spent on something designed to lean. Anybody who is "keeping up with sport bikes" thru the twisties is riding with clowns.
There's no way a Softail could keep up with sport bikes with riders that 1/2 way know what they're doing. But I want a Softail that doesn't impede the flow of traffic on busy motorcycle roads. Again, too much to ask?
Back to my original questions:
Rear shock with preload, compression and rebound?
Can anything be done with the fork?
LOL, maybe I'm beating a dead horse here... But I'm sure there's some potential in that chassis, one way or another.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: East Texas
I'm going to say +1 to url8 and Sleeko. Low and slow. Man the Deluxe is for styling and profiling. I understand you like the looks of them, but I think your asking to much from the model. Hey I'm 43 and I have rode fast. Now it is time to make it last. Good luck with your decision.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 902
Likes: 6
From: STL
With regard to your tech questions, you are pretty limited. You can go progressive rate springs in the fork and a stiffer oil, and progressive shocks in the rear but to my knowledge your only adjustment will come from weight of fork oil and preload in the back (sag). Dont worry about stuff dragging, it is going to unless you fabricate rearsets (and even then if you are doing it right ;-) ) Any effort there is wasted. Instead if you are dead set on improving performance, sticky tires and brakes that actually work would be a much better investment.
Despite what most folks think, the vast majority cant push a stock softail to its limits. If you can, that is great. You should then be able to define what the weakness is for your personal riding style and address it.
good luck with the new purchase
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 102
Likes: 0
From:
I'm no dragon slayer, but I do like to get into it a bit. The first set of tires didn't last me very long. I go a little easier than I used to though. Not looking forward to any more road dirt tattoos. The body doesn't take it as well anymore. I'm pretty happy with my Softail hot rod.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,024
Likes: 1
From: East Tenn.
...no, Softails don't handle and never will... that's not why you buy them...
The dynas will handle the best of the Big Twins. Your basic FXD will handle the best of those. The others have lower shocks that can be replaced to match the FXD, and then they will all handle decently.
Sportsters will handle even better... ...then the VRSCs go at the top, but if you're going for Delux like style...
The dynas will handle the best of the Big Twins. Your basic FXD will handle the best of those. The others have lower shocks that can be replaced to match the FXD, and then they will all handle decently.
Sportsters will handle even better... ...then the VRSCs go at the top, but if you're going for Delux like style...
Advanced
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: NY USA
Ohlins is the finest suspension money can buy.
I am almost certain that Ohlins makes shocks for the softails,,
and RaceTech can re-valve and re-spring the front end to your liking
(as well as install some sort of Gold Valve cartridge fork emulator).
You're looking at about $3,000.
Money well spent. Probably your best option
short of swapping the forks out for Ohlins USD.
I am almost certain that Ohlins makes shocks for the softails,,
and RaceTech can re-valve and re-spring the front end to your liking
(as well as install some sort of Gold Valve cartridge fork emulator).
You're looking at about $3,000.
Money well spent. Probably your best option
short of swapping the forks out for Ohlins USD.