Older touring frame ?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
Pardon me for asking but...... If you run out of cornering room didn't you enter the turn in wrong position and at the wrong speed?
True baggers aren't meant to drag boards but they obviously can. I still as of yet have not found the elusive bagger wiggle, waggle, wobble whatever you want to call it out here we have some truly great mountain roads.
Long sweepers shouldn't be a problem either with the right entry point.
True baggers aren't meant to drag boards but they obviously can. I still as of yet have not found the elusive bagger wiggle, waggle, wobble whatever you want to call it out here we have some truly great mountain roads.
Long sweepers shouldn't be a problem either with the right entry point.
The HD touring frame is an excellent handling platform when set up properly. If some want to ride it a little faster and explore the upper limits of cornering what difference does that make to other riders that would rather tour at a more leisurely pace? Some guys leave em stock, some hot rod the motor, some lower them, some put loud sound systems in them, some put on high performance suspensions, some go chrome, some go black, it's all good!!!!
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
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From: Bedford UK
Whatever. I am a cruiser. Baggers aren't made for corner carving. If she looks good, sounds good, and cruises nice, I'm sold.
That said, I went from a VERY nice DYNA( 2005 generation) to this new 2011 Streetglide. This is TWICE the bike. With the 103 powerpack and cruise, and you have the basis for a bike that can tour the world, if wanted.
I am absolutely sold on this 2011 model.
~Joe
That said, I went from a VERY nice DYNA( 2005 generation) to this new 2011 Streetglide. This is TWICE the bike. With the 103 powerpack and cruise, and you have the basis for a bike that can tour the world, if wanted.
I am absolutely sold on this 2011 model.
~Joe
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 7,439
Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
This was pre-coffee this morning and comes off much snarkier than I'd intended. My point being that the new frame handles amazingly well, and that the limitations aren't the chassis or the tires, rather the restricted lean angle caused by all the stuff hanging off the bike.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,598
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From: Naples FL / Pine TWP PA
This was pre-coffee this morning and comes off much snarkier than I'd intended. My point being that the new frame handles amazingly well, and that the limitations aren't the chassis or the tires, rather the restricted lean angle caused by all the stuff hanging off the bike.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,615
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From: Baton Rouge, LA
The earlier frames (ending with '08) are subject to frame flex that's most noticeable on sweepers with undulations in the pavement. I never considered it a safety issue but it's there, and the good news is that some of this can be eliminated by installing a stabilizer. There are several on the market but IMO the best design is the TWR, Ride Str8, or Progressive Touring-Link. Ride Str8 may not be on the market any longer, as their website is no longer working, but the Progressive unit is the least expensive at $200, the last time I looked. If you own an older bike I would install one of these, even though it won't eliminate the tail-wagging behavior entirely.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
IMHO the 'frame flex' is in the rubber mounts, the rear one of which is not provided with any lateral support. That allows the engine/trans/rear-wheel to twist in the frame, giving that uneasy feeling. The frame design is hardly leading edge, but is fine and fitting a stabilizer link will provide the missing lateral support. My preference is the True-Track, original and best! It also comes closest to Erik Buell's original 3-stabilizer design and matches the other two stabilizers on the stock bike. I've had them on two bikes for over three years now and there is no going back!
My experience on pre 09 is limited to rentals and loaner bikes, with that said I think there is a night and day difference with how the bikes handle. The pre 09 feels like that the front and rear of the bike are not connected like the front and rear where tracking differently, I even think the ground clearance is less on the pre 09, was not confident inspiring. I had a loaner bike (low mileage bike) and took the same road in and out and I couldn’t believe how much differently they handled and this was within an hour so both were fresh in my mind.
I don’t ride like it’s one of my old imports but I also don’t ride like I’m sitting on a Lazy Boy in my living room having a beer.
I don’t ride like it’s one of my old imports but I also don’t ride like I’m sitting on a Lazy Boy in my living room having a beer.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: earth
IMHO the 'frame flex' is in the rubber mounts, the rear one of which is not provided with any lateral support. That allows the engine/trans/rear-wheel to twist in the frame, giving that uneasy feeling. The frame design is hardly leading edge, but is fine and fitting a stabilizer link will provide the missing lateral support. My preference is the True-Track, original and best! It also comes closest to Erik Buell's original 3-stabilizer design and matches the other two stabilizers on the stock bike. I've had them on two bikes for over three years now and there is no going back!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,532
Likes: 132
From: SoCal
The earlier frames (ending with '08) are subject to frame flex that's most noticeable on sweepers with undulations in the pavement. I never considered it a safety issue but it's there, and the good news is that some of this can be eliminated by installing a stabilizer. There are several on the market but IMO the best design is the TWR, Ride Str8, or Progressive Touring-Link. Ride Str8 may not be on the market any longer, as their website is no longer working, but the Progressive unit is the least expensive at $200, the last time I looked. If you own an older bike I would install one of these, even though it won't eliminate the tail-wagging behavior entirely.