springers, how do they handle?
Banned
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 202
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They handle OK for what they are(and old style front suspension setup), and if you ride conservatively they will be fine, but compared to good cartridge inverted forks or even basic oil damped units on stock Harley's they are inferior. More for looks and nostalgia in reality.
Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,481
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From: Georgia
They handle OK for what they are(and old style front suspension setup), and if you ride conservatively they will be fine, but compared to good cartridge inverted forks or even basic oil damped units on stock Harley's they are inferior. More for looks and nostalgia in reality.
I don't know if you know what you're talking about because they do handle pretty well.
Guess you need to get back to the rice pages.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 202
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Like I said, if you ride conservatively, they will be just fine, but they dont smooth out bumps as well as typical forks do.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 907
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From: Ontario
I love that springer front end too. I have no issues with handling, with typical HD riding I don't expect you'd ever really be in a position to have the springer be a disadvantage. They aint street bikes...
I'm a peg dragger, my commute is 70% highway and 30% twisties. Handles fine at speed and when I'm draggin pegs.
I'm a peg dragger, my commute is 70% highway and 30% twisties. Handles fine at speed and when I'm draggin pegs.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Malvern, Pa
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Orange VA
GunmetalBlueNT seems pretty convinced Springer front ends are inferior. Owning a couple Sportys, a Deuce, and a Springer I can say I actually prefer the Springer to all of them.
My only complaint would be the OEM single piston caliper that is, in GunmetalBlueNT's defense, a leftover of the 70's/80's Evo's. Its definitely not going to allow you to do stoppies. Although if you were doing those on a Softail I imagine you'd have bigger issues.
Why they have upgraded front calipers on every model except the Springer is beyond me. Common myths suggest it is because Springer front ends will collapse or fold up under hard braking with solidly grabbing pistons. Not sure I concur. Never heard of that happening even with aftermarket caliper with much greater stopping power.
My only complaint would be the OEM single piston caliper that is, in GunmetalBlueNT's defense, a leftover of the 70's/80's Evo's. Its definitely not going to allow you to do stoppies. Although if you were doing those on a Softail I imagine you'd have bigger issues.
Why they have upgraded front calipers on every model except the Springer is beyond me. Common myths suggest it is because Springer front ends will collapse or fold up under hard braking with solidly grabbing pistons. Not sure I concur. Never heard of that happening even with aftermarket caliper with much greater stopping power.
