is that extra inch?
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 234
Likes: 1
From: southern california
is it that extra inch?
normally ride a street glide but tried an electra yesterday and it felt a bit more nimble than the street glide in the twists. would think lowering the bike would make for more responsive handling. anyone else experience the same thing? it could, of course, just be a total subjective thing. i will say the electra was a lot softer. that's probably that extra inch plus the seat.
Last edited by iamfree; May 28, 2012 at 01:44 PM. Reason: left out word
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 637
Likes: 3
From: Laurel, Maryland
What year Street Glide?
The frames on the touring models were redesigned in 2008 (I think).
If your SG is older, that would explain it.
If not, it's probably the difference between riding something you're use to and something brand spanking new.
All the touring models, EG, SG, RG, RK are basically the same bike with different crap bolted to the frame. Ya know?
GSF
If your SG is older, that would explain it.
If not, it's probably the difference between riding something you're use to and something brand spanking new.
All the touring models, EG, SG, RG, RK are basically the same bike with different crap bolted to the frame. Ya know?
GSF
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
lowered bikes do not handle as well.
although the center of gravity is lower, the reduced lean angle affects handling greatly
( in the Ride like a Pro videos, riders are advised to keep the suspension high, and to raise the floor boards as much as possible to increase clearance)
as does reduced shock travel, on an SG the shock travel is reduced by 30% ( or so), so all the same stuff has to happen in less distance and less time.
and as you notice, the seat.
BTW the frame change was for 09
Mike
although the center of gravity is lower, the reduced lean angle affects handling greatly
( in the Ride like a Pro videos, riders are advised to keep the suspension high, and to raise the floor boards as much as possible to increase clearance)
as does reduced shock travel, on an SG the shock travel is reduced by 30% ( or so), so all the same stuff has to happen in less distance and less time.
and as you notice, the seat.
BTW the frame change was for 09
Mike
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
I ride ( amongst others) an 09 FLHTC.
In town I use SG shocks and Sg seat ( tour pak off) and -3 windscreen
touring I swap to stock shocks, stock seat and -1 windscreen.
I tune for a floaty cadillac ride to stay comfortable for 8 or 10 hours days, day after day.
the "sg" set up works fine in town and for rides up to 4 hours- at 6 hours the sg seat is painful!
mike
In town I use SG shocks and Sg seat ( tour pak off) and -3 windscreen
touring I swap to stock shocks, stock seat and -1 windscreen.
I tune for a floaty cadillac ride to stay comfortable for 8 or 10 hours days, day after day.
the "sg" set up works fine in town and for rides up to 4 hours- at 6 hours the sg seat is painful!
mike
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 36
From: Georgia Mountains
I ride ( amongst others) an 09 FLHTC.
In town I use SG shocks and Sg seat ( tour pak off) and -3 windscreen
touring I swap to stock shocks, stock seat and -1 windscreen.
I tune for a floaty cadillac ride to stay comfortable for 8 or 10 hours days, day after day.
the "sg" set up works fine in town and for rides up to 4 hours- at 6 hours the sg seat is painful!
mike
In town I use SG shocks and Sg seat ( tour pak off) and -3 windscreen
touring I swap to stock shocks, stock seat and -1 windscreen.
I tune for a floaty cadillac ride to stay comfortable for 8 or 10 hours days, day after day.
the "sg" set up works fine in town and for rides up to 4 hours- at 6 hours the sg seat is painful!
mike
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 234
Likes: 1
From: southern california
+1 to rdam's question. and here's mine: how long does it take to swap out shocks, seat, windscreen and remove the tour pac? why not get gas shocks and adjust ride that way?
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Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Stock shocks are very poor quality. SG stock shocks are short travel very poor quality shocks. As you may have noticed shocks get discussed in here a lot, so take a look through recent threads and see how you can transform your ride.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7,776
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From: wet coast BC
SG is my ride, stock shocks with 1" lower kit. with 400 lbs load I set to 35 psi. Prior to last weekend ride I was reading other shock discussions so I was watching for the back end shock action this trip. my conclusions are that at 60+ MPH hitting a pot hole feels like a bottom out, but really there was no time for the shocks to respond. hitting a dip and I could estimate up to the two inch cushioning of the shocks, with a occaional bottom outs. Conclusion, I am keeping the stock shocks.
