Lean Angle Improvement
Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 304
Likes: 43
From: hhhhh
Harley-Davidson motorcycles have the least lean angle clearances of any motorcycle being manufactured today. It is what it is. For the record, I've had three Sportsters. I love Sportsters, and if I had the garage room and the extra cash, I'd have a new Roadster.
2. Not free: Taller shocks. Unfortunately, while it's easy to get taller rear shocks, this will change the rake and trail of the front suspension a little bit, which will change the handling characteristics. Not a lot, but a little. Making the front suspension taller to match the changes to the rear can be very pricey. Most riders just do the rears, and it should be just fine.
2. Not free: Taller shocks. Unfortunately, while it's easy to get taller rear shocks, this will change the rake and trail of the front suspension a little bit, which will change the handling characteristics. Not a lot, but a little. Making the front suspension taller to match the changes to the rear can be very pricey. Most riders just do the rears, and it should be just fine.
Still liking that old Honda avatar. . . . Sometimes I wish I still had my '67 305 scrambler.
Last edited by JayTee2015; Jun 6, 2017 at 12:25 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,468
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
Agree with all you say . .. Front springs aren't too expensive if you don't mind some economy springs like Progressive has. About $80 to $90 last time I checked on Amazon and much less than rear shocks. Well, at least for my 2009. Not sure what they ae or even available for 2016-17 Sportsters.
Still liking that old Honda avatar. . . . Sometimes I wish I still had my '67 305 scrambler.
Still liking that old Honda avatar. . . . Sometimes I wish I still had my '67 305 scrambler.
Upgrading front springs to progressive type or otherwise will definitely improve the handling, but not the ride height. Going to something that will increase the ride height is where the money starts to ramp up.
Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 304
Likes: 43
From: hhhhh
Ha! I still wish I had it as well! Darn things have gotten pretty pricey lately!
Upgrading front springs to progressive type or otherwise will definitely improve the handling, but not the ride height. Going to something that will increase the ride height is where the money starts to ramp up.
Upgrading front springs to progressive type or otherwise will definitely improve the handling, but not the ride height. Going to something that will increase the ride height is where the money starts to ramp up.
i agree. . .
And. . you mean bike prices like these ? $4,200 to $7,400 . . .
https://www.smartcycleguide.com/L49965187
https://www.smartcycleguide.com/moto...-305-scrambler
Last edited by JayTee2015; Jun 6, 2017 at 01:07 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 934
Likes: 54
From: Elm City, NC
I wouldn't go raising the rear of a new bike until you ride it enough to know how it's supposed to handle. Raising the rear without raising the front might only change the handling "slightly", but it makes a difference; I wouldn't want to make that change until I had a feel for the bike to know whether or not the change is enough to warrant biting the bullet and raising the front.
Just my 2 cents.
Just my 2 cents.
The custom is one of taller sportsers... or was...yes?
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 882
Likes: 126
From: Hahira Ga
New guy here...
I'm considering a '17 1200C, but I'm not thrilled with the lack of cornering clearance.
Anyone know of a way to increase the lean angle? I'm not a MotoGP type rider, but my limited experience with a Harley had me very frustrated with the cornering ability. I get that this is not what the Sportster is all about, and I don't expect miracles, but an increase of 8° to 10° would be great.
Thanks in advance.
I'm considering a '17 1200C, but I'm not thrilled with the lack of cornering clearance.
Anyone know of a way to increase the lean angle? I'm not a MotoGP type rider, but my limited experience with a Harley had me very frustrated with the cornering ability. I get that this is not what the Sportster is all about, and I don't expect miracles, but an increase of 8° to 10° would be great.
Thanks in advance.
Last edited by Switchback12; Jun 6, 2017 at 01:50 PM.
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: Parker, CO
I may have to face the fact I'm no longer a 21-year-old MX'er
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 882
Likes: 126
From: Hahira Ga
I'm 50!, some in expensive 1.5" risor extensions and an $89 iron bar and I am very nearly vertical. (5'11"). I had a 13 custom for two years, bought it new, never damaged, tried different tires but it always seemed to prefer to go straight. I did put 12.5" progressive 430 shocks on the rear, but the handling was same before and after, plush ride though. Main reason I moved on, in all likelihood it was something to do with that particular bike, but fat front wheels like that don't exactly help in the handling arena. The front end on the Roadster is the big difference for me, much better performance there.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 934
Likes: 54
From: Elm City, NC
Yea, the Roadster is a great looking bike, but the two back surgeries say no way I could handle the ride position for very long. That's really why I've been considering the 1200 Custom, the ride position was very comfortable for me.
I may have to face the fact I'm no longer a 21-year-old MX'er
I may have to face the fact I'm no longer a 21-year-old MX'er
