Softail Custom handling & lean angle
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Softail Custom handling & lean angle
Hey all,
Still looking for the right HD for me, and I'm really enamoured with the chopper style look HD has one some of its bikes, namely the Wide Glide. Fits me well, love the looks, however my concerns were that the bike is lowered from the factory, and I've heard it drags really easily. The lean angle on HD's site for the right side is 28 degrees or so. Reviews also report how easy it is to drag the exhaust.
However I saw a Softail Custom at the dealer the other day and it really drew my eye... started looking up the specs and it really has me pondering. It's got some great style and the proportions seem like they'd be really good.. more seat height, more suspension travel, but what surprised was the lean angle. Hell aside from the XR, I don't think any other HD has a lean angle of 35 degrees.
Is the Softail Custom really that good of a bike in the twisties? I'm not looking to seriously push my bike, but I'd also be a bit disappointed if I were able to drag hard bits really easily.
Also, are there any differences to the 09 compared to the '10 that would cause any changes to this? I noticed the 09 specs are pretty different.
Lean Angle (per SAE J1168):
Right 34°
Left 31°
Compared to '10
Lean Angle (per SAE J1168):
o Right 34.2°
o Left 35.5°
Obviously specs can't really tell all that much about the bike, but it has made me curious. And there's a local '09 that I'm quite interested in.
Thanks
Still looking for the right HD for me, and I'm really enamoured with the chopper style look HD has one some of its bikes, namely the Wide Glide. Fits me well, love the looks, however my concerns were that the bike is lowered from the factory, and I've heard it drags really easily. The lean angle on HD's site for the right side is 28 degrees or so. Reviews also report how easy it is to drag the exhaust.
However I saw a Softail Custom at the dealer the other day and it really drew my eye... started looking up the specs and it really has me pondering. It's got some great style and the proportions seem like they'd be really good.. more seat height, more suspension travel, but what surprised was the lean angle. Hell aside from the XR, I don't think any other HD has a lean angle of 35 degrees.
Is the Softail Custom really that good of a bike in the twisties? I'm not looking to seriously push my bike, but I'd also be a bit disappointed if I were able to drag hard bits really easily.
Also, are there any differences to the 09 compared to the '10 that would cause any changes to this? I noticed the 09 specs are pretty different.
Lean Angle (per SAE J1168):
Right 34°
Left 31°
Compared to '10
Lean Angle (per SAE J1168):
o Right 34.2°
o Left 35.5°
Obviously specs can't really tell all that much about the bike, but it has made me curious. And there's a local '09 that I'm quite interested in.
Thanks
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
Not sure exactly what you are looking for, but a Softail of any kind isn't ever going to give a Sporty (with a decent rider) a hard time in tight turns.
It can do them, but you need to be careful of grabbing too much throttle while your leaning the bike over.
The engine has lots of torque at low rpm's and that big fat tire out back isn't quite sticky enough to handle everything the engine is capable of dishing out.
I got a rude surprise the first time I made the mistake of twisting the throttle a little too hard in a simple right turn and nearly dumped the bike when it started skipping sideways over some tar strip's.
The skinny front wheel isn't as bad either in tracking grooves or hard turns as some make out. But if you plan on playing hard with it, I suggest you get a good fork brace to reduce the flexibility of those nice long but skinny fork tubes.
Overall the bike is surprisingly 'limber' for something as big and heavy as it is and you can have a lot of fun surprising the kids on crotch rocket's with it.
But always remember that the Softail's as a group were never designed or intended for hardcore knee dragging.
It can do them, but you need to be careful of grabbing too much throttle while your leaning the bike over.
The engine has lots of torque at low rpm's and that big fat tire out back isn't quite sticky enough to handle everything the engine is capable of dishing out.
I got a rude surprise the first time I made the mistake of twisting the throttle a little too hard in a simple right turn and nearly dumped the bike when it started skipping sideways over some tar strip's.
The skinny front wheel isn't as bad either in tracking grooves or hard turns as some make out. But if you plan on playing hard with it, I suggest you get a good fork brace to reduce the flexibility of those nice long but skinny fork tubes.
Overall the bike is surprisingly 'limber' for something as big and heavy as it is and you can have a lot of fun surprising the kids on crotch rocket's with it.
But always remember that the Softail's as a group were never designed or intended for hardcore knee dragging.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, ND
The softail custom is a sweet looking bike. Im assuming it handles similar to my 03 night train and i LOVE the way my bike rides and handles. Take it for a test ride and id be willing to bet the bike sells itself.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Thanks all, yeah I'm not looking for something crazy, but I still want it to be comfortable in the turns. Hoping to see if I can find a demo ride, but they usually dont have the Softail Custom, and the dealers here are doing demo rides in August for the 2011 models.. and yeah I heard the Custom isn't making a return 
I'm actually looking at a seriously low mileage '09, I think it must've been sitting at the dealer for a while and someone bought it just recently.
Still trying to figure out what differences there were between 09 and 10 that would cause the clearance differences at lean. '10 had the new helical cut 5th gear.. I wonder if they changed the transmission case at all to be a little less obtrusive?
I'm actually looking at a seriously low mileage '09, I think it must've been sitting at the dealer for a while and someone bought it just recently.
Still trying to figure out what differences there were between 09 and 10 that would cause the clearance differences at lean. '10 had the new helical cut 5th gear.. I wonder if they changed the transmission case at all to be a little less obtrusive?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,415
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, Republic of TEXAS
not knowing where you're located, BUT, a local San Antonio dealer has a new '10 they'll make a great deal on. it's been sitting on the showroom floor for over 3 months - and it's a great color, Red Hot Sunglo. no one can figure why it hasn't sold.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
From: N.J. !!!!!
I just got a 2010 FXSTC, love the looks.
But, I can tell you with that 200 rear tire you have to push harder than normal to get it to lean. Overall you have to consider softails are not designed for twisties.
If you want a big V-Twin that handles you should look into a Dyna SuperGlide IMO. Smaller rear tire, less rake in the front, different suspension, etc. than a FXSTC.
But, I can tell you with that 200 rear tire you have to push harder than normal to get it to lean. Overall you have to consider softails are not designed for twisties.
If you want a big V-Twin that handles you should look into a Dyna SuperGlide IMO. Smaller rear tire, less rake in the front, different suspension, etc. than a FXSTC.
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Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Oddly enough, that's what i have a deposit on, and was planning to seal the deal on it.. the bike seems sensible enough for my needs but doesn't really speak to me like some of the other bikes do, namely the Wide Glide and Softail Custom. So that's what stopped me from pulling the trigger on the FXD..
but the Wide Glide drags hard parts really early, and has a lowered suspension, and I think even more rake than the Softail. Those are what's keeping me unsure of that bike as well.
Anyway, thanks for the feedback.
Would love a red hot sunglo Softail Custom! Unfortunately I'm nowhere near there
but the Wide Glide drags hard parts really early, and has a lowered suspension, and I think even more rake than the Softail. Those are what's keeping me unsure of that bike as well.
Anyway, thanks for the feedback.
Would love a red hot sunglo Softail Custom! Unfortunately I'm nowhere near there
Have your dealer look around for you, and if there isn't any close by, have them ship that one to your dealer.
Both auto and motorcycle dealers do this all the time.
They will buy one from another dealer and have it sent to them to sell to the customer that wants it.
It doesn't cost the dealer anymore than what it would cost to buy it from the factory.
Ask your dealer if he can do this for you, sure wouldn't hurt to ask.
Bobby.
Both auto and motorcycle dealers do this all the time.
They will buy one from another dealer and have it sent to them to sell to the customer that wants it.
It doesn't cost the dealer anymore than what it would cost to buy it from the factory.
Ask your dealer if he can do this for you, sure wouldn't hurt to ask.
Bobby.