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.

 

I had a deluxe for 33,000 miles. Most comfortable bike I've ever owned, but the lean angles are a problem. Very limited. The floor boards make it even worse. Not sure 1" will make a huge difference. It's one of the reasons I sold it and bought my Dyna Fatbob. If you are already worried about it I'd suggest getting a test drive on one because it just may be a deal breaker for you. It was for me.

 

Lean angle isn't just determined by ground clearance when vertical, but also by how far things stick out to the side. You can lean some softails until the frame scrapes. With others, other parts will start to scrape first.

 

Change the footboards to forward controls. The boards on my Fatboy were like razors because of all the scraping !

 

If handling is your first priority, get the Road King. That Deluxe is a cruiser and a nice bike but the fact is, Baggers, and of course Dynas, are way better in the twisties than any Softtail, especially a Softie with footboards. I own both and live in Colorado. I ride a lot in the Rockies, so I know a little about lean angles. Softtails actually handle pretty well considering that the rear shock works backward and the swing arm design is for form more tha function. Most people like the softie's look over a tourer, but they just don't handle like that Road King will.

 

Softails and lean angle should not be used in the same sentence. However, softails and the feeling of sitting in the bike should be! I ride twisties a lot also and am always scraping or having to adjust riding position to not scrape when others bikes are not.

 

The inch lower on the Deluxe makes all the difference to the scraping, just learn to ride differently, or maybe get a Shotgun, which will still scrape but less so.
I put a set of Eddie Trotta boards on mine and scraped them first time out, just gotta live with it, the first scrape is the hardest, after that you just dont care.

 

Go for it! I bought a Deluxe, and have to say, I've had the most fun I've had in a long time riding it. I also live and ride the Rockies, and have had ZERO problems. It took me a couple of rides to learn where in the lean I touch down/scrape, especially in the switchbacks. But, now I love it and can manipulate the turns right at the edge without touching. Yes, you could run faster on a sportbike. But, as I said, I have had more fun on my Deluxe this year!!! I have a stable of bikes (and believe everybody should have a stable of different rides) and have to honestly say I have had NO desire to take my cafe or sportbike on any of the rides anymore. In fact, I will probably sell them and end up with a (say it isn't so) bagger so I can take my wife on rides with the rest of the bagger nation around here. I have had that much fun on my stupid, slow, scraping Deluxe. I can now scrape it at will and it is funny to do so to get people to back off or see the looks on their faces as I pass! Replacing worn foorboards if I ever have to is worth the price of admission!! Either bike will net you the fun you are looking for!!! Do it!

 

Been riding close to 40 years now. My Deluxe is the best bike I ever owned and or rode. I dropped progressive monotubes in the front and the shotgun shock on the back. I have NEVER had this much fun riding. Just learn how to ride differently, it's not that big of a deal. I also have been told if you ain't throwin spraks, you ain't ridin!!! I also do not plan on racing my bike on old country roads but if I do I just pump up my shotgun on the fly and go. I got it to cruise and because it's the best riding, looking bike out there, IMHO!!!

 

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.