Best handling Harley?

[xlcr]

whats the handling diff between a FXR and a FXRXT?? I hear the fxr = Rubber mounter super glide and fxrxt = super glide "t" sport. Whats the diff mean??

FXR was derived from the original FLT Rubber Glide.

FXD - and FXDX/T - was designed to address complaints about the "Japanese look" of the FXR by imitating the look of the original Superglide. Reducing assembly time by allowing the power train to be assembled outside the frame was another goal of the redesign. The compromise was that the Dyna put more stress on the inner primary which could lead to cracking. (see Carlini Torque Arm - Note that the application uses a then year-old Dyna for the illustration even though the FLT had been around for 15 years.)

 

[Keith]

Here's my 2000 sporty converted to a street tracker. I built mine relatively cheap and did a few things to add ground clearance. I put sportster "sport" legs and shocks on too which can be had pretty cheap and make a big difference.
Bridgestone BT045 tires are great and are a 2 compound Bias-ply.

Sweet, what wheel setup is on that thing?

 

[GAJ]

Harley just released info on a new XR1200 with upgraded shocks and forks. Probably fits the bill (even the old one did though I am sure).

Motorcycle USA just did a test of the bike which comes with major suspension upgrades, brake upgrades and a $1,000 higher tab.

Too bad they didn't make any other changes because, evidently, the chances of hard bits touching down and possibly levering the tires of the ground are greater than ever in a bike that promises better corner carving.

Dumb stuff that would have been easy to fix at the factory....but no.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/113/7.../2011-Harley-Davidson-XR1200X-First-Ride.aspx

"...new suspension front and rear, with Showa’s 43mm Big Piston Fork gracing the pointed end. This came as somewhat of a surprise as said Showa fork is advanced in even the most hardcore sportbike circles. Fully-adjustable dual 36mm Showa rear shocks completed the suspension changes. As for brakes, the 292mm front rotors are now floating while still being gripped by the same potent 4-pistion Nissin calipers as last year’s bike.

It was a bit unnerving for awhile, as once easily past the footpeg feelers we were into the exhaust heat shield and then the exhaust itself. And though the footpegs are folding and forgiving, the exhaust definitely is not.

The brakes had good initial bite when cool, though that lasted for about two laps before they began to overheat. Even so, they remained consistent and didn’t do anything scary as the performance slowly trailed off during longer sessions."

 

[jdubau]

Sweet, what wheel setup is on that thing?

18x4.5 rear(rev tech) and 19x2.5 front(stock)

Front brakes are HD badged v-rod 4 puck Brembos, they bolt right on

 

[Beauregard]

Too bad they didn't make any other changes because, evidently, the chances of hard bits touching down and possibly levering the tires of the ground are greater than ever in a bike that promises better corner carving.

Dumb stuff that would have been easy to fix at the factory....but no.

I really want to stand behind Harley Davidson, but as much as I enjoy their bikes their R&D seems non-existent regarding handling development. Seriously, I'm going to go out and drop big coin on an XR only to step off the showroom floor and need to remove and replace parts if I want it to fulfill its intended purpose?

That is so frustrating.

 

[ob1ventura]

I really want to stand behind Harley Davidson, but as much as I enjoy their bikes their R&D seems non-existent regarding handling development. Seriously, I'm going to go out and drop big coin on an XR only to step off the showroom floor and need to remove and replace parts if I want it to fulfill its intended purpose?

That is so frustrating.

Understand. Probably will always have at least one in my garage but have considered them kit bikes more so than most other brands. Foturnately there are lots of factory and aftermarket options.

 

[Beauregard]

New project started.... the inverted Showa forks off a YZ should compensate for the hard tail.

Not.

 

[jdubau]

Hey OP, if you are still in the market this looks like a good deal.
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/mcy/1832204182.html

 

[jroymcd]

Just installed new front springs and oil in my forks. Also added a fork brace. Already had installed new rear shocks.

mine handles about as well as a Harley can without putting a ton of money into it.

 

[firstbuell]

jdubau,

wow - that really is right up the OP's alley, IF he wants a Sporty

great find

 

[Demon2Alpha]

Here's mine. I recently put Progressive shock on it. Way better than the stock ones. Great bike for riding around town.


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[TheRobSJ]

I've had two cruisers, a '96 Magna and a '03 V-Rod. With a CBR1100XX and a RC51 inbetween them. The cruisers run out of lean angle really quick. I touched down the hero pegs on the Magna on a regular basis..stuff that would leave great big chicken strips on a sportbike. The V-Rod had decent clearance on the left side, but awful clearance on the exhaust side. My dad lowsided the damn thing on just a simple on ramp. Thanks Dad. For what it's worth though the V-Rod was pretty easy to turn. Just can't turn it very far or risk touching down hard parts.

 

[AOW]

I've had two cruisers, a '96 Magna and a '03 V-Rod. With a CBR1100XX and a RC51 inbetween them. The cruisers run out of lean angle really quick. I touched down the hero pegs on the Magna on a regular basis..stuff that would leave great big chicken strips on a sportbike. The V-Rod had decent clearance on the left side, but awful clearance on the exhaust side. My dad lowsided the damn thing on just a simple on ramp. Thanks Dad. For what it's worth though the V-Rod was pretty easy to turn. Just can't turn it very far or risk touching down hard parts.

you must have had a VRSCA model. The VRSCR VROD has much higher ground clearance and you have to be very determined to drag the hard parts. For my AW (a VRSCA w/240 rear) I modified the stock exhaust to a 2:1 and gained some clearance, but still scrape the exhaust with little to no effort. VRSCR (Street Rod) is the best choice and zero issues overheating no matter how many hours you spend on the track

 

[blackOnblack]

simple answer. Harleys dont "handle". they just go in a straight line.

 

[jdubau]

simple answer. Harleys dont "handle". they just go in a straight line.

blah

 

[TheRobSJ]

you must have had a VRSCA model. The VRSCR VROD has much higher ground clearance and you have to be very determined to drag the hard parts. For my AW (a VRSCA w/240 rear) I modified the stock exhaust to a 2:1 and gained some clearance, but still scrape the exhaust with little to no effort. VRSCR (Street Rod) is the best choice and zero issues overheating no matter how many hours you spend on the track

I did have the A model. The Street Rod definitely looked like it could handle for sure with those rear set (for a Harley) foot pegs and controls, upswept pipes, higher ride height, and USD fork. Just kinda ruined the look of the bike to me though.

The Night Rod Special. Or the newer V-Rod Muscle...now those are some bad ass looking bikes.

 

[Beauregard]

simple answer. Harleys dont "handle". they just go in a straight line.

And having never ridden one you know this how?

Oh yeah, I forgot, internets told you right?

What a tool (rolleyes).

 

[louemc]

simple answer. Harleys dont "handle". they just go in a straight line.

Blanket statements tend to have flaws

 

[167mph]

I say the MV Agusta is the best handling Harley.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Agusta
Type: Private
Industry: Motorcycle
Founded: 1945
Headquarters: Varese, Italy
Key people: Claudio Castiglioni, President
Products: MV Agusta Cagiva
Parent: Harley-Davidson
Website: mvagusta.it

 

[Blind_Io]

simple answer. Harleys dont "handle". they just go in a straight line.

Just like a bullet.

I say we start a campaign to rename Harleys "Bullet Bikes" because I'm sick of people saying it about my moto.