Lean Angles Softails
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
From: Clarkston
I lowered my rear with the shotgun and ride almost slammed with the Harley goodies board extenders and don't really rub all that much. I ride pretty hard and use all of the rear tire too. When I do rub it just lifts the board a bit as it pivots so it's not anything to worry bout. Body positioning really helps keep the bike less leaned over too so keep that in mind
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 1
Most of these responses are ridiculous. Gotta be from newb HD owners. Buy a bike that's appropriate for the riding you want to do. If lean angles are a concern then maybe you're looking at the wrong bike. Other than a Sporty the rest of these Harley's are dogs in turns to start with. Yes, they're fun to cruise but they all handle like crap. Good luck to all of you that believe if you ain't sparkin you ain't riding. Please stay away from me when you're out there.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 168
From: Potsdam, NY
Hi I am new to this forum. I have ridden 41 years since I got my liscense at 16 owned HD in past (Dyna Convertable 1998 which circumstance forced me to sell after 3 years ) and , after a lapse of several years have resumed riding (currently Honda Sabre Shadow 1100) . I am considering eventually changing to another HD and am looking at a few options: The most practical for my needs is the Road King (either standard or Classic) , but the bike that speaks to my soul is the Softail Deluxe. (Can't afford both !) . I am concerned , however, about the limited lean angle and ground clearance on the Deluxe. . I understand that it is possible to raise the bike about 1 " with either HD "Comfort Flex" shocks (probably the same ones used on the ST Heritage ) or with Progressive 422's. All well and good. But I am still puzzled by one thing.
How is it that the Softail Deluxe with much lower ground clearance has about the same lean angles (26-27 degrees or so) as the higher ST Heritage? Anybody know? And does any body know what happens to lean angles with the deluxe if you raise it 1 " in the back. (Higher angles I am guessing, but how high?) I have been spoiled by the great cornering on both my old Dyna and my current Sabre, and though I love the look of the Deluxe, I don't really want to give up the handling.
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
How is it that the Softail Deluxe with much lower ground clearance has about the same lean angles (26-27 degrees or so) as the higher ST Heritage? Anybody know? And does any body know what happens to lean angles with the deluxe if you raise it 1 " in the back. (Higher angles I am guessing, but how high?) I have been spoiled by the great cornering on both my old Dyna and my current Sabre, and though I love the look of the Deluxe, I don't really want to give up the handling.
Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
But it does a lot less on a 700 to 800 pound bike than it does on a 500 pound sportbike, and it's pretty hard to switch between hanging your azz of one side and the other if the footrests are forward of the seat.
Actually, I'm happier pushing turns with my hardtail than I was on a rubbermount Sporty. And Sportsters (aside from the XR) don't have cornering clearance to brag about. Around the same as a bagger.
Last edited by Warp Factor; Sep 12, 2012 at 04:19 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,905
Likes: 2,506
Shocks can be designed to work equally well in either direction, so there's no inherent deficiency in these being "backward". And the rear swingarm section is pretty darned rigid, compared to the rubber mount swingarms, so you're not giving anything up there either.
The softails can handle pretty darned well if you get some scraping accessories out of the way. As a former sportbike canyon carving maniac, I was impressed. Much less so with any of the rubber mounts.
The softails can handle pretty darned well if you get some scraping accessories out of the way. As a former sportbike canyon carving maniac, I was impressed. Much less so with any of the rubber mounts.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,905
Likes: 2,506
Most of these responses are ridiculous. Gotta be from newb HD owners. Buy a bike that's appropriate for the riding you want to do. If lean angles are a concern then maybe you're looking at the wrong bike. Other than a Sporty the rest of these Harley's are dogs in turns to start with. Yes, they're fun to cruise but they all handle like crap. Good luck to all of you that believe if you ain't sparkin you ain't riding. Please stay away from me when you're out there.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,805
Likes: 47
From: Lake Tahoe California
To the question of the OP: No one can tell you what is right for you. Here is my perspective: My buddy's Ducati 999 handles, accelerates, and stops better than my Harley. I know, I have ridden them both!
That said, I enjoy riding my Harley more.
Its because I am in a more relaxed state of mind when I ride due to the fact that I am not trying to apex every turn at the bike's limits (actually my courage is a greater limiting factor than the Ducati's capabilities). My FLSTSI can handle most, if not all turns at speeds well in excess of the posted caution speeds, and often way faster than my relaxed state of mind desires. The floorboards fold, so when they begin to scrape, there is plenty of lean angle left. Magnesium strips secured to the underside of the floorboards puts on quite a spark show to boot!
No bike is perfect for all riding conditions. There is always some compromise. I do not find any troubling compromises on my H-D. Bar-hopping, city riding, mountain roads, 500 mile days, all works great with my bike. O.k., there is one compromise: My wide bars make lane splitting not practical, but that is a problem of my own making. The bike didn't come with 43" wide bars. But I don't lane split either, so no problem.
Perhaps you need/want two bikes.
