So, I've finally spent the money and time, and sorted the suspension, my R-K Classic handles a lot, lot, better. (I'll post that story later) Shown more than a few sports bikes the back light. BUT it's got me to decking out the frame mounted floorboard brackets which you all know is not good for long term survival. So my search is on for some spacer/sliders under the boards to give me some extra time between the frame (and me) meeting the tarmac, nylon/titanium maybe...any ideas welcome.
T

 

well, your boards should be loose enough so that they pivot up from the road...anything stiff can relieve traction from the rear tyre, esp. with a dip in the middle of the corner.

some have used 1" angle iron to put "skids" on the bottoms of the boards ( more for throwing sparks at night) drill mounting holes in the floorboard base plate

welcome to the forums

mike

 

Thanks Mike,
Yes the boards pivot up a treat, but as you know once you've worn them down a bit there's a lot less "lean" left before the fixed supports hit the deck ! Relieving traction isn't the desired objective well, not if you intend to stay in the seat, or out of oncoming traffic. The angle Iron solution is a good idea as a quick 'n dirty fix, but I just wondered given the huge variety of aftermarket parts in the US whether there was a more elegant solution.
Appreciate your welcome, I read a lot, but don't post much.
Tim

 

Tim,

I don't want to pee on your bonfire, but ya gotta slow down mate! Not being flippant, but once those board fixings dig in, you're roadkill.

Try adapting your riding style - if you've come from a sportsbike background your cornering technique may be a lot quicker in countersteering than a heavy beast can cope with. I know from experience that my R1 could be 'twitched' in at the last moment, as the lightness and geometry can cope without a sweat.

On a touring chassis, get lined up that little bit sooner and smooth the entire line out by balancing the acceleration on the throttle. It's a subtlety that needs practice, but it's very rewarding as it comes over as smooth as whipped cream.

The other thing I've noticed is to drop the corner speed down a little, and enter the start of the turn a shade slower but accelerate harder past the apex. Buggers your fuel consumption up, but it's great fun!

Think of any scraped boards as your final warning before impending doom..!

 

Thanks for that, actually you are not the first to make the "final warning" comment to me, and yes I have been changing to a less agressive, and slower tip in on bends.

Exit torque when you get on the throttle early is actually quite addictive, and I am learning to adapt to the fact that Tourers demand a different style.

I'll need to figure out some ptfe/nylon sliders anyway because if fitted with titanium inserts they will give me a chance to set fire to the guy behind me
Thanks
T.

 

I must be a wuss! I only scrape once in a while.

 

Try velcroing a knee slider puck under each floorboard. You can get them with mettalic particles imbedded for sparking.