Softail lean limitations?
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 241
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta, GA
Exile Cycles now has a bolt on mid-control bracket for softails. You have to source the Dyna mid control parts and inner/outer primary covers yourself. You have to call the shop for info as its not on/in the website/catalog yet.
That kit with the RSD tracker pipe(or other high clearance pipe) will fix any softail lean issues if the bike isn't lowered.
That kit with the RSD tracker pipe(or other high clearance pipe) will fix any softail lean issues if the bike isn't lowered.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
So U come into the Softail Section the talk about the Dyna having a better suspension.
Well IMO it ain't flying unless Ur flying or racing.
I got out Heritage for the enjoyment of the ride... and their is not a DYNA that can match the overall ride of one...
,
Well IMO it ain't flying unless Ur flying or racing.
I got out Heritage for the enjoyment of the ride... and their is not a DYNA that can match the overall ride of one...
,
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Rochester
whoa whoa whoa ok I think I came off a little wrong here...I meant this all in comparison to a Dyna NOT a sportsbike. I'm not expecting to drag knee by any means...and Im sure this is gonna **** everyone off I dont own a softail or a dyna Im just comparing and contrasting. I was just wondering what to expect without and with the planned mods (I like mids so Im gonna run em' on whatever I get)
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,217
Likes: 90
From: Detroit
Dethklok, whatever else you move out of the way, frame contact with the pavement will ultimately limit lean angle, as the illustration in post #17 shows. Softails will handle fine up to that point, better than the rubber mounts in my opinion.
You can get a little extra clearance by hanging off the side of the bike, but without footpegs positioned approximately where a sport bike puts them, it's pretty darned hard to jockey your whole body around.
On either a Dyna or a Softail, because of where the clutch cover protrudes, even "mid-controls" are too far forward to do the "slide the entire body off to one side, and hang on to the seat with one knee" thing. That darned clutch cover sticks out almost exactly where you'd need to put the footpegs. And because of the position of that clutch cover, rear-sets would need to be almost ridiculously far back. Besides, the entire bike is so heavy, that body position makes less of a difference in lean angle than it does on a lighter bike.
Anyway, I've had questions similar to what you've had, have fooled around with various ideas quite a bit, and haven't come up with any easy solutions. Obviously, you don't want to lower the bike if you really want to go around corners, and stiffer-than-stock springs will reduce suspension compression in corners, helping maintain ride height and cornering clearance.
You can get a little extra clearance by hanging off the side of the bike, but without footpegs positioned approximately where a sport bike puts them, it's pretty darned hard to jockey your whole body around.
On either a Dyna or a Softail, because of where the clutch cover protrudes, even "mid-controls" are too far forward to do the "slide the entire body off to one side, and hang on to the seat with one knee" thing. That darned clutch cover sticks out almost exactly where you'd need to put the footpegs. And because of the position of that clutch cover, rear-sets would need to be almost ridiculously far back. Besides, the entire bike is so heavy, that body position makes less of a difference in lean angle than it does on a lighter bike.
Anyway, I've had questions similar to what you've had, have fooled around with various ideas quite a bit, and haven't come up with any easy solutions. Obviously, you don't want to lower the bike if you really want to go around corners, and stiffer-than-stock springs will reduce suspension compression in corners, helping maintain ride height and cornering clearance.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 139
Likes: 0
From: Canada
I ride alot with my wife and she has a 250 ninja, tried to get her s Sporty and she was having none of it but its a great time. She leads and when I have sparks flying to keep up with her it just adds to the day. I have an 04 Springer with forward controls and I am starting the season with fresh Pegs cause the old ones were "Worn out" for some reason. as long as they fold up intread of diggin in its been a great time.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 7,138
Likes: 26
From: Southern Oregon
You should have said: their is not a "STOCK" dyna that can match the overall ride lol
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 33
Likes: 1
From: Houston
Prior to getting my Softail Deluxe I was riding a Yamaha FJR 1300 which was a blast in the turns. My Softail just wasn't doing it for me in the turns until I installed a Shotgun Shock. I now raise it up all the way, then lower down just a pinch and it handles so much better in the turns. I can still scrape the boards a little bit, but I need to be hitting it pretty hard to do it.