Can a Deluxe handle?
Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 650
From: San Ramon, Ca
My wife had a 93 1200 Sporty before her Heritage. I hate to say it, but the Sportster would clean house on the Heritage across the board. Mostly in the fast department. Just not a comfortable distance motorcycle. She did however ride it from the bay area to Bridgeport and Laughlin AND Utah.
I had my heritage lowered for awhile. (only 1 1/4") It RUINED it. I couldn't even go around a corner on that sick thing. I triied those Prog Susp shocks too. While the rebound was better (set a the stock ht setting) it still rode like a Mack truck.
I had the opportunity to ride a friends Roadking Classic a year ago. It handled more like a Sporty than a big touring bike. If you want classic looks like a Deluxe with the better ground clearance and less neck angle, the RK Classic is your best bet. Plus you can remove the windshield in one second. Get some saddlebag fillers (to fill that one foot gap btwn the bags and the rr/fender) and get some decent handlebars, and POOF !!
(See I'm selling myself on the idea here)
I had my heritage lowered for awhile. (only 1 1/4") It RUINED it. I couldn't even go around a corner on that sick thing. I triied those Prog Susp shocks too. While the rebound was better (set a the stock ht setting) it still rode like a Mack truck.
I had the opportunity to ride a friends Roadking Classic a year ago. It handled more like a Sporty than a big touring bike. If you want classic looks like a Deluxe with the better ground clearance and less neck angle, the RK Classic is your best bet. Plus you can remove the windshield in one second. Get some saddlebag fillers (to fill that one foot gap btwn the bags and the rr/fender) and get some decent handlebars, and POOF !!
(See I'm selling myself on the idea here)
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,796
Likes: 36
From: Toronto, Ontario
I have an FXST, I did lower the rear, and went 2"+ on the front fork (you can also install a front fork Cartridge that will give you lots of adjustment range), the bike handles like a dream
And yes, it may not be as my old Ninja or R1, but I am only a fraction slower on the curves now
Once you go with a front wheel that is under 21 (like FXST or FXDWG) your bike is low and scrapping on curves
And yes, it may not be as my old Ninja or R1, but I am only a fraction slower on the curves now
Once you go with a front wheel that is under 21 (like FXST or FXDWG) your bike is low and scrapping on curves
Madame Moderator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 25,140
Likes: 12
From: The Peach State
I think the 883 Sporty and the Deuce have the best lean angle of all the HD's and then the Dynas. My husband's road king has better lean angle than my Deluxe, which has the least lean angle of any HD out there, so no, it's really not a bike for riding the twisties at speed. Beautiful, classy bikes but not the most nimble at speed in tight turns but as others have said, that's not what it was designed for anyway.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 902
Likes: 6
From: STL
sorry S Girl but lean angle discussions are about as silly as a bunch of weekend warriors babbling about countersteering.
All Harleys are capable of much more than the average (or even above average) rider can throw at them.
Check out this video of a cop riding through the course. http://www.neverboredonline.com/showthread.php?t=7410
again, a good rider, is a good rider, is a good rider.
All Harleys are capable of much more than the average (or even above average) rider can throw at them.
Check out this video of a cop riding through the course. http://www.neverboredonline.com/showthread.php?t=7410
again, a good rider, is a good rider, is a good rider.
Madame Moderator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 25,140
Likes: 12
From: The Peach State
If you say so. Sure you can lean them over further, but then you just start scraping all the expensive shiny stuff up, or even off. A friend of ours has about worn the bottoms off his expensive V&H Big Radius pipes cutting up on turns on his '07 HC, among other things.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,275
Likes: 3
From: Arizona
Fatboys can handle it.
I have an '07 Fatboy that has never scraped on the twisties. I have been on HWY 9 between Santa Cruz and SF on my '93 FLSTN and never scraped metal. You must be riding it pretty hard. HWY 9 is some of the most beautiful road in the world and is heavily covered by the CHP and sheriff.
I also have read about installing ajustable shocks on softails also. Have fun - enjoy the ride!
Danny D
I also have read about installing ajustable shocks on softails also. Have fun - enjoy the ride!
Danny D
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 14,849
Likes: 7
From: Fortville, IN
If you are riding the twisties right you are going to drag something. Anything with a floorboard is going to drag before something without. Check out the Wideglides. They sit a little higher. Of course I drag my pegs and pipes in the twisties all the time. I'd suggest not putting a lot of that expensive shinny stuff on whatever you go with.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 25
From: NorCal
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.
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.
I have an '07 Fatboy that has never scraped on the twisties. I have been on HWY 9 between Santa Cruz and SF on my '93 FLSTN and never scraped metal. You must be riding it pretty hard. HWY 9 is some of the most beautiful road in the world and is heavily covered by the CHP and sheriff.
I also have read about installing ajustable shocks on softails also. Have fun - enjoy the ride!
Danny D
I also have read about installing ajustable shocks on softails also. Have fun - enjoy the ride!
Danny D
If you are riding the twisties right you are going to drag something. Anything with a floorboard is going to drag before something without. Check out the Wideglides. They sit a little higher. Of course I drag my pegs and pipes in the twisties all the time. I'd suggest not putting a lot of that expensive shinny stuff on whatever you go with.
Stiffer springs, stiffer oil, and compression/rebound adjustment would make me happy (yes, I *am* a nutbag)
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Supporter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,714
Likes: 650
From: San Ramon, Ca
I have an '07 Fatboy that has never scraped on the twisties. I have been on HWY 9 between Santa Cruz and SF on my '93 FLSTN and never scraped metal. You must be riding it pretty hard. HWY 9 is some of the most beautiful road in the world and is heavily covered by the CHP and sheriff.
I also have read about installing ajustable shocks on softails also. Have fun - enjoy the ride!
Danny D
I also have read about installing ajustable shocks on softails also. Have fun - enjoy the ride!
Danny D
One of my favorites is Niles Cyn rd. It's just too short. And I don't bother tryin to ride the Heritage too fast thru there. I loved the comment earlier about taking the Porsche off road !! 'bout sums it up.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,132
Likes: 25
From: NorCal
Agreed on the Hwy 9 comment. Awesome road!! Skyline is nice too, then 84 over to the coast !!! Yep, done it once or twice. Soquel SJ Rd too.
One of my favorites is Niles Cyn rd. It's just too short. And I don't bother tryin to ride the Heritage too fast thru there. I loved the comment earlier about taking the Porsche off road !! 'bout sums it up.
One of my favorites is Niles Cyn rd. It's just too short. And I don't bother tryin to ride the Heritage too fast thru there. I loved the comment earlier about taking the Porsche off road !! 'bout sums it up.