Hello From NC!
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Mount Holly, NC
Hello From NC!
Hey y'all! I'm new to the forum & just wanted to introduce myself...
My name is Lisa, just turned 40-something & as a result of yet another (and may they keep on comin'!) midlife crisis I traded in my beloved "Black Pir'l", an '04 650 V-Star (go ahead and snicker but she was a great bike) for my first Harley - a beautiful black 2008 XL1200C. Despite foolishly laying her down within the 1st 36 hours I decided to stay the course & took her on the Tail of the Dragon for our inaugural Birthday road trip together. I am amazed at how well she handles around the curves and her power is truly exhilarating! After 1 week and 1000 miles I have no regrets but I do have one question some of you might help me with. I'm sure I will get used to the drastic difference in weight distribution between my last bike and the Sportster but, after laying her down at a virtual stand-still, I am trying to decide if lowering her an inch is the answer or should I give myself a little more time to re-adjust? The '09 Customs came lowered as stock, which makes me think it was a pretty major issue, but does that mean by lowering my '08 I will lose some clearance and handling as a result?
My name is Lisa, just turned 40-something & as a result of yet another (and may they keep on comin'!) midlife crisis I traded in my beloved "Black Pir'l", an '04 650 V-Star (go ahead and snicker but she was a great bike) for my first Harley - a beautiful black 2008 XL1200C. Despite foolishly laying her down within the 1st 36 hours I decided to stay the course & took her on the Tail of the Dragon for our inaugural Birthday road trip together. I am amazed at how well she handles around the curves and her power is truly exhilarating! After 1 week and 1000 miles I have no regrets but I do have one question some of you might help me with. I'm sure I will get used to the drastic difference in weight distribution between my last bike and the Sportster but, after laying her down at a virtual stand-still, I am trying to decide if lowering her an inch is the answer or should I give myself a little more time to re-adjust? The '09 Customs came lowered as stock, which makes me think it was a pretty major issue, but does that mean by lowering my '08 I will lose some clearance and handling as a result?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,526
Likes: 601
From: Raleigh NC
Welcome from Raleigh....
Generally... lowering ANY bike, will effect ground clearance, and handling......You might try a lowered seat first...... sd they will get you loer, without messing with the geometry... but even if you lower the bike, it will still handle just fine
No need to fear any snickering.. the Yamaha is a great bike.....
Generally... lowering ANY bike, will effect ground clearance, and handling......You might try a lowered seat first...... sd they will get you loer, without messing with the geometry... but even if you lower the bike, it will still handle just fine
No need to fear any snickering.. the Yamaha is a great bike.....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,653
Likes: 9,114
From: Snow Hill, NC
Welcome to the forum from Down the road...
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
From: Levittown, PA
Welcome to the forum from Levittown, PA.
Check to see if your HD dealer has a fit shop.
+1 on the reduced reach seat idea: especially if your feet are not planted firmly and flatly on the ground at a stop. The "fit shop" can suggest the most economical way to get your fit to suit you best, if you need some adjustments. Don't worry too much about clearance and such - HD bikes are quite flexible in the 'fitment' department.
Check to see if your HD dealer has a fit shop.
+1 on the reduced reach seat idea: especially if your feet are not planted firmly and flatly on the ground at a stop. The "fit shop" can suggest the most economical way to get your fit to suit you best, if you need some adjustments. Don't worry too much about clearance and such - HD bikes are quite flexible in the 'fitment' department.
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