HD Handling???
- Thread starter Twotter
- Start date
I've followed some through some swiss passes. The handing looked shit. There's limits to how fast you can go round corners with a limited angle of lean available without bits of your bike hitting the deck - laws of physics and all that.
Of course, adding 300kg of tassles to each bar end can help.
Of course, adding 300kg of tassles to each bar end can help.
Deleted member TF
Guest
I took one up to Stevenage.
If it's great handling you're after,get a Ducati.
If you want to improve the handling of your Harley,Progressive Suspension shocks and springs with some decent tyres like Avon Venom or Metzeler ME880's.
If you're thinking of buying a Harley and want reasonable handling go for a Dyna,avoid Softails and the Ultras. An ElectraGlide Standard handles surprisingly well for a 350 kilo bike with hardly any ground clearance and in the right hands (not mine) can be hustled along quite well.
I hav'nt ridden an XR1200 but a mate has one and he gets it well keeled over.
If it's great handling you're after,get a Ducati.
If you want to improve the handling of your Harley,Progressive Suspension shocks and springs with some decent tyres like Avon Venom or Metzeler ME880's.
If you're thinking of buying a Harley and want reasonable handling go for a Dyna,avoid Softails and the Ultras. An ElectraGlide Standard handles surprisingly well for a 350 kilo bike with hardly any ground clearance and in the right hands (not mine) can be hustled along quite well.
I hav'nt ridden an XR1200 but a mate has one and he gets it well keeled over.
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chewey
Registered user
I took one up to Stevenage.
If it's great handling you're after,get a Ducati.
If you want to improve the handling of your Harley,Progressive Suspension shocks and springs with some decent tyres like Avon Venom or Metzeler ME880's.
If you're thinking of buying a Harley and want reasonable handling go for a Dyna,avoid Softails and the Ultras. An ElectraGlide Standard handles surprisingly well for a 350 kilo bike with hardly any ground clearance and in the right hands (not mine) can be hustled along quite well.
I hav'nt ridden an XR1200 but a mate has one and he gets it well keeled over.
i'll go along with that, a glide can be hustled along at a reasonable pace with practice.and an 1800cc motor helps a lot. if i try an ride my fatboy like i used to ride an XR1200 it is both fun and scary at the same time. sometimes miss the XR but it was so uncomfortable unless you were wringing its neck and not thinking about the seat ect.
Modern touring Harleys handle very well. Touching anything down isn't that easy on an Electra Glide Standard and in 3k miles I've yet to do it.
As for the Stelvio - in 10yrs of GS riding I didn't encounter a road that my standard wouldn't tackle - if the roads sealed then no problem.
My advice is book a test ride and find out for yourself.
As for the Stelvio - in 10yrs of GS riding I didn't encounter a road that my standard wouldn't tackle - if the roads sealed then no problem.
My advice is book a test ride and find out for yourself.
Mutley
Registered user
All harleys are limited by their ground clearance and brakes 
My Dyna has lowered but progressive suspension. I've improved the braking through better pads but I need to do more. Riding it is far more of an experience than the GS but it's also more fun at lower speeds.
I rented an Electra Glide in the states and was able to ride twisty roads decking the floor boards on both sides two up and laden with no problems at all. Brakes weren't up to much on that either.
I've never ridden a Softail but I know plenty who have. They are built for show not go. Avoid if you want to actually ride it anywhere. Most HD riders only buy one softail then they buy a Glide or a Dyna. Read into that what you will
As has been said, there's no point in buying an HD for performance and handling. It's an alternative way of travelling that suits some and not others. I'd happily ride my Dyna or an Electra Glide up the Stelvio, I'd just be slower than on my GS.
My Dyna has lowered but progressive suspension. I've improved the braking through better pads but I need to do more. Riding it is far more of an experience than the GS but it's also more fun at lower speeds.
I rented an Electra Glide in the states and was able to ride twisty roads decking the floor boards on both sides two up and laden with no problems at all. Brakes weren't up to much on that either.
I've never ridden a Softail but I know plenty who have. They are built for show not go. Avoid if you want to actually ride it anywhere. Most HD riders only buy one softail then they buy a Glide or a Dyna. Read into that what you will
As has been said, there's no point in buying an HD for performance and handling. It's an alternative way of travelling that suits some and not others. I'd happily ride my Dyna or an Electra Glide up the Stelvio, I'd just be slower than on my GS.
Mutley
Registered user
It says 'General Expert' under your name.
Never has the old saying been more true: 'X is the unknown factor and a spurt is a drip under pressure'
Restricted steering lock is the biggest disadvantage on Stelvio harpins. Something suffered by sports bikes also.
They handle pretty well for the type of bike that they are. Yes, ground clearance is limited and you wouldn't take one on a track day or green laning, but for a cruiser, they handle just fine!
Just enjoy the bike for what it is and you won't be disappointed.
Just enjoy the bike for what it is and you won't be disappointed.
I ran a 1999 FXDX Superglide Sport from new for six years, the first items changed were the front brakes to four pot billet calipers and stainless braided brake hose, also the rear shocks were changed to Koni dial a rides, front fork springs swapped to progressives and slightly heavier fork oil, and a fork brace fitted. This all helped to improve the handling and made the bike very comptent (considering it's weight) for blasting about on. I did a few alpine trips on it without wishing I was on something more agile.
I also fitted a big bore kit, hotter cams, K+N filter, big bore carb, and free flowing exhaust, which made it reasonably rapid. It was very comfortable too, with a sundowner seat and highway pegs for lounging back on the motorway.
I often regret selling it, I replaced it with a Tuono, faster, more nimble, but not nearly as comfy.
I also fitted a big bore kit, hotter cams, K+N filter, big bore carb, and free flowing exhaust, which made it reasonably rapid. It was very comfortable too, with a sundowner seat and highway pegs for lounging back on the motorway.
I often regret selling it, I replaced it with a Tuono, faster, more nimble, but not nearly as comfy.
Septimus
Registered user
My 09 StreetGlide handles really well for such a big bike (the 09s have stiffer frames) and the low speed handling is superb.
I can deck the footboards pretty easily, but then the StreetGlide is basically a stripped down and lowered ElectraGlide.
I think that it is just a case of riding it the way it is supposed to be ridden. In my case that is at a nice leisurely pace most of the time, but a ~1600 motor will let me hustle on a bit if I fancy it.
Horses for course I guess
But it does look good
I can deck the footboards pretty easily, but then the StreetGlide is basically a stripped down and lowered ElectraGlide.
I think that it is just a case of riding it the way it is supposed to be ridden. In my case that is at a nice leisurely pace most of the time, but a ~1600 motor will let me hustle on a bit if I fancy it.
Horses for course I guess
But it does look good
Balders1450
Registered user
Stelvio, Grossglock, Timmelsjoch
I've had every kind of Hog, Sportster,Superglide, Nighttrain, VRod, RoadKing Custom, Streetglide and FatBob. We have been going around Europe for the last 10 years taking them up all the passes, regards Stelvio...no probs at all...it's not the bike...it's the rider. See photos of Fatbob at top of Stelvio and Streetglide on Timmelsjoch
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