Cruiser Lean Angles
Gage Deltona
their bikes. Specifically, the Sportster 1200S lean angle is 37.5
degrees. How does this compare to other cruisers? Where can I find
lean angles for other bikes, both cruisers and non-cruisers? 37.5
degrees doesn't mean much to me since I have no basis for comparison
outside of the H-D line.
I'm interested because it seems to me that the lean angle is an
important component of how well the bike can corner. I've scraped
footpegs on my Virago 535 numerous times. I'm a fairly new rider, but
it's annoying when I'm limited by the bike design rather than my own
skills (it should be the other way around).
On a related topic, what's the general concensus regarding the
Sportster 1200S handling and cornering compared to other cruisers
(Shadow, V-Star, etc)?
Cheers,
Gage
Tilman Göttke
> I noticed on the H-D website that they have lean angles listed for
> their bikes. Specifically, the Sportster 1200S lean angle is 37.5
> degrees. How does this compare to other cruisers? Where can I find
> lean angles for other bikes, both cruisers and non-cruisers? 37.5
> degrees doesn't mean much to me since I have no basis for comparison
> outside of the H-D line.
I estimate the lean angle of my Ducati 996S is some 55-60 degrees or so.
Definitely not an issue to bother about for me. The first things to scrape
on the ground are the elbows and the rearview mirrors. Probably explicitly
documented lean angles will be hard to find outside the cruiser world ...
HTH
Tilman
--
Tilman
Landau, Germany
2001 Ducati 996S
Brian McLaughlin
>
> I noticed on the H-D website that they have lean angles listed for
> their bikes. Specifically, the Sportster 1200S lean angle is 37.5
> degrees. How does this compare to other cruisers? Where can I find
> lean angles for other bikes, both cruisers and non-cruisers? 37.5
> degrees doesn't mean much to me since I have no basis for comparison
> outside of the H-D line.
My TZ starts to drag pipes and body work at about 60 to
65 degrees of lean.
--
Brian McLaughlin AP #1 NGI #7 BmoZ #[classified]
TZ250E (1993-96) 2 strokes smoke,
R1100RTA (1997) 4 strokes choke!
EX250 Ninja (1998)
RC-51 (2000)
Roadracing school instructor http://www.learningcurves.com
StephG
<cce7f314.01111...@posting.google.com>:
>
>On a related topic, what's the general concensus regarding the
>Sportster 1200S handling and cornering compared to other cruisers
>(Shadow, V-Star, etc)?
Never ridden a Shadow or V-Star. But the 1200S has a short wheelbase,
fairly steep 30 degree rake (as opposed to most cruisers which have a 32-34
degree rake), is narrower and has a fairly high ground clearance. It also
has adjustable damping on the rear shocks and damping adjustable cartridge
forks on the front. The low pipes on the right will be your main limitation
on cornering angle, and those can be changed.
But it still can't lean as far as a sportbike designed for track racing.
--
~---(_)
(O/ Steph "The Mad Scientist" Greenberg BS#30
)/ Cautionary tales do not end with, "It was *sooo* COOL!"
(_)
Warren Allred
preload is pumped.
My '01 Electra Glide drags exhaust with full preload at about 40-45 degrees.
My friends Heritage Softail Classic drags the boards really early, probably
around 30-35 degrees.
"Brian McLaughlin" <tzr...@execpc.com> wrote in message
news:3bf43358$0$65162$272e...@news.execpc.com...
Youngblood
Youngblood
"Brian McLaughlin" <tzr...@execpc.com> wrote in message
news:3bf43358$0$65162$272e...@news.execpc.com...
jenner
"Gage Deltona" <gaged...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:cce7f314.01111...@posting.google.com...
> I noticed on the H-D website that they have lean angles listed for
> their bikes. Specifically, the Sportster 1200S lean angle is 37.5
> degrees.
Laden or unladen?
--
-- jenner
Road Glidin' Don
Bin laden or before laden?
--
Work to ride. Ride to work.
(remove _NO_SPAM_ to reply)
98 FLTRI
83 Nighthawk
Home page: http://members.home.net/langkd
Alaska trip: http://members.home.net/langkd/Alaska/
FLT Tech Info: http://members.home.net/langkd/Bikes/tech.html
mrdancer
news:tsZI7.33037$XJ4.19...@news1.sttln1.wa.home.com...
Accelerating or Decelerating?
--
Remove .your.underwear to reply
--
Sunny
news:3bf46a16.32435790@news...
> On Fri, 16 Nov 2001 00:53:45 GMT, "jenner" <j5n...@home.com> wrote:
>
> >
> >"Gage Deltona" <gaged...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >news:cce7f314.01111...@posting.google.com...
> >> I noticed on the H-D website that they have lean angles listed for
> >> their bikes. Specifically, the Sportster 1200S lean angle is 37.5
> >> degrees.
> >
> >Laden or unladen?
>
> Bin laden or before laden?
>
After being laid. Did I say that? ;)
Ken Abrams
> important component of how well the bike can corner. I've scraped
> footpegs on my Virago 535 numerous times. I'm a fairly new rider, but
> it's annoying when I'm limited by the bike design rather than my own
> skills (it should be the other way around).
>
A thought for you:
Max. lean angle (of the bike) is not the only factor in max. stable
cornering speed. It depends upon the distribution of the entire mass above
the contact patch, commonly called center of gravity (but that term may not
be technically correct. Lets NOT restart that discussion again).
Ever watch the super-bike racers? Note how they shift their body weight
inside and down in a curve? This allows them to hold the corner without
exceeding the max. lean angle of the bike. To a lesser degree, this also
applies to street riding. The more you lean your body, the less you have to
lean the bike. Conversely, if you don't lean your body at all, you must
lean the bike MORE, thus scraping metal on the pavement sooner. This may
be a factor in your scraping. When I changed bikes a few years back, I had
to change my riding style slightly to keep the pegs off the pavement.
Didn't take long to get comfortable with the slight extra body lean and I
seem to have better overall control with the bike in a slightly more
vertical position.
flstf_00
Gage Deltona wrote:
> I noticed on the H-D website that they have lean angles listed for
> their bikes. Specifically, the Sportster 1200S lean angle is 37.5
> degrees. How does this compare to other cruisers? Where can I find
> lean angles for other bikes, both cruisers and non-cruisers? 37.5
> degrees doesn't mean much to me since I have no basis for comparison
> outside of the H-D line.
>
> Well since you crossed posted to a HD newgroup, and I usually don't go
> to Jap sites looking up specs I can't help you there.
>
> I'm interested because it seems to me that the lean angle is an
> important component of how well the bike can corner. I've scraped
> footpegs on my Virago 535 numerous times. I'm a fairly new rider, but
> it's annoying when I'm limited by the bike design rather than my own
> skills (it should be the other way around).
>
What the hell is a Virago 535?.
One thing for sure, don't rub you hands on the underside of my floorboards
or you will get cut by the scraped up metal.
>
> On a related topic, what's the general concensus regarding the
> Sportster 1200S handling and cornering compared to other cruisers
> (Shadow, V-Star, etc)?
>
The Sportster 1200S is not a cruiser so it is in a different class
alltogether.
It is a Sport bike at the name implies.
Well now that I think about it the v-rod is half sport, so I guess the
sportster
has a little company now.
Lee Petersen
African or European?
--
Eat eggs, chips, and spam before replying by e-mail.
Timberwoof
"Ken Abrams" <klabrams@[NO-SPAM]home.com> wrote:
> A thought for you:
> Max. lean angle (of the bike) is not the only factor in max. stable
> cornering speed. It depends upon the distribution of the entire mass above
> the contact patch, commonly called center of gravity (but that term may not
> be technically correct. Lets NOT restart that discussion again).
Yeah, let's not. (For any real-world discussion of motorcycle steering
geometry at non-relativistic speeds, the difference between COG and COM,
if it exists at all, is insignificant.)
> Ever watch the super-bike racers? Note how they shift their body weight
> inside and down in a curve? This allows them to hold the corner without
> exceeding the max. lean angle of the bike. To a lesser degree, this also
> applies to street riding. The more you lean your body, the less you have to
> lean the bike. Conversely, if you don't lean your body at all, you must
> lean the bike MORE, thus scraping metal on the pavement sooner. This may
> be a factor in your scraping.
I'm trying to figure out how one would hang off a cruiser. Since one's
legs are way out in front, I'd think it would be hard to get up and over
without pulling on the bars.
>When I changed bikes a few years back, I had
> to change my riding style slightly to keep the pegs off the pavement.
> Didn't take long to get comfortable with the slight extra body lean and I
> seem to have better overall control with the bike in a slightly more
> vertical position.
What kind of bikes did you change from and to?
--
Timberwoof <timberwoof at infernosoft dot com>
a motorcycle faq: http://www.infernosoft.com/timberwoof/motorcycle/faq.shtml
McWideGlide
measure the angle. or wait till you drop it then do the same.
"Gage Deltona" <gaged...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:cce7f314.01111...@posting.google.com...
Road Glidin' Don
wrote:
You had such a good start, but you're slowly succumbing to our bad
influence, Sunny! ;)
Michael Young
news:timberwoof.spam-E2...@typhoon.sonic.net...
> I'm trying to figure out how one would hang off a cruiser. Since one's
> legs are way out in front, I'd think it would be hard to get up and over
> without pulling on the bars.
Encouraging the pillion to slide off with you would be the real trick. It'd
be a hoot to watch grandma and grandpa scoot through the inside line on the
entrance ramp, hanging off in unison on their Gold Wing.
Clutch
African or European? err.. whoops, wrong question
Clutch
"Lee Petersen" <LPetersen...@sbcglobalspam.net> wrote in message
news:3BF48A9F...@sbcglobal.net...
Doh!
That'll teach me to read the whole damn thread before I pipe in *LOL*
Andy Woodward
>> > their bikes. Specifically, the Sportster 1200S lean angle is 37.5
>> > degrees.
Do they have pivoting footpegs or do you have to take a lumphammer to
them to improve this?
Lee Petersen
Lumphammer? Oh, you mean the 2 lb. harley wrench.
Lee Petersen
Texas Pete
handling bike, don't buy a Harley. On the other hand, if you want a bike
that gives you an immense feeling of pride and satisfaction everytime you
ride, buy a Harley. As a plus, a Harley has a much higher babe factor. I'll
take the babes over the handling anyday. :)
"Gage Deltona" <gaged...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:cce7f314.01111...@posting.google.com...
Timberwoof
"Texas Pete" <Old...@TheRanch.com> wrote:
> Nearly every motorcycle will handle better than a Harley. If you want a good
> handling bike, don't buy a Harley. On the other hand, if you want a bike
> that gives you an immense feeling of pride and satisfaction everytime you
> ride, buy a Harley.
Oh, but what if I get satisfaction out of handling?
>As a plus, a Harley has a much higher babe factor. I'll
> take the babes over the handling anyday. :)
Btu I don't want a chick-magnet ...
Texas Pete
"Timberwoof" <sp...@spam.spam> wrote in message
news:spam-E44F46.1...@typhoon.sonic.net...
> Oh, but what if I get satisfaction out of handling?
I think I already answered your question.
I said: > > " If you want a good
> > handling bike, don't buy a Harley."
> Btu I don't want a chick-magnet ...
Are you gay or something? :-)
TP
Youngblood
news:BA8J7.40200$gu.8...@typhoon.austin.rr.com...
> Nearly every motorcycle will handle better than a Harley. If you want a
good
> handling bike, don't buy a Harley. On the other hand, if you want a bike
> that gives you an immense feeling of pride and satisfaction everytime you
> ride, buy a Harley. As a plus, a Harley has a much higher babe factor.
I'll
> take the babes over the handling anyday. :)
i dunno, my FXDX handles really good. it ain't no sportbike, but it's good
enough that it'll come down to the rider often times when i'm closing the
gap on someone.
Youngblood (full of bold statements today)
Sunny
> On Thu, 15 Nov 2001 19:57:58 -0600, "Sunny" <su...@nospampkriders.org>
> wrote:
>
> >Road Glidin' Don <langkd_...@shaw.ca> wrote in message
> >news:3bf46a16.32435790@news...
> >> On Fri, 16 Nov 2001 00:53:45 GMT, "jenner" <j5n...@home.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> >
> >> >"Gage Deltona" <gaged...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> >> >news:cce7f314.01111...@posting.google.com...
> >> >> I noticed on the H-D website that they have lean angles listed for
> >> >> their bikes. Specifically, the Sportster 1200S lean angle is 37.5
> >> >> degrees.
> >> >
> >> >Laden or unladen?
> >>
> >> Bin laden or before laden?
> >
> >After being laid. Did I say that? ;)
>
> You had such a good start, but you're slowly succumbing to our bad
> influence, Sunny! ;)
>
I'll get better... I promise. ;)
Road Glidin' Don
wrote:
>> Btu I don't want a chick-magnet ...
>
>Are you gay or something? :-)
Heh, heh. Just go to the Web page in Timber's sig file, click the
"Author's Home Page" link at the bottom and I'm sure you'll figure
this one out, Pete.
The confusing thing is, he's actually still a pretty good guy!
Who-da-thunk-it, huh? ;)
Texas Pete
http://www.infernosoft.com/timberwoof/motorcycle/index.html
"Men in Motorcycle Gear And some men not in motorcycle gear. (R-Rated.)"
I think I hit the nail on the head.............. Not that there's anything
wrong with it. :-)
TP
"Road Glidin' Don" <langkd_...@shaw.ca> wrote in message
news:3bf693f2.15204372@news...
Requiem
<spam-E44F46.1...@typhoon.sonic.net>:
>In article <BA8J7.40200$gu.8...@typhoon.austin.rr.com>,
> "Texas Pete" <Old...@TheRanch.com> wrote:
><snip?
>
>>As a plus, a Harley has a much higher babe factor. I'll
>> take the babes over the handling anyday. :)
>
>Btu I don't want a chick-magnet ...
My gay room-mate sez real men ride Harleys. Must be the phallic symbolism
of the bike.
Requiem
Redbeard Emeritus
>Btu I don't want a chick-magnet ...
Btu? You generate enuf heat by yerself?
--
R.E. #92 DOF#1 BC#1
'96 FLHTC-I "Mae" th' First, R.I.P.
'02 FLHTC-I "Mae B" (th' last) "Mae B'lene, won't you be true?"
'46 Chief "Sweet Thunder Woman" aka Hypatia
Dave U (Scot-on-a-Scoot)
> I noticed on the H-D website that they have lean angles listed for
> their bikes. Specifically, the Sportster 1200S lean angle is 37.5
> degrees. How does this compare to other cruisers? Where can I find
> lean angles for other bikes, both cruisers and non-cruisers? 37.5
> degrees doesn't mean much to me since I have no basis for comparison
> outside of the H-D line.
>
> I'm interested because it seems to me that the lean angle is an
> important component of how well the bike can corner. I've scraped
> footpegs on my Virago 535 numerous times. I'm a fairly new rider, but
> it's annoying when I'm limited by the bike design rather than my own
> skills (it should be the other way around).
>
> On a related topic, what's the general concensus regarding the
> Sportster 1200S handling and cornering compared to other cruisers
> (Shadow, V-Star, etc)?
>
> Cheers,
> Gage
Dammit, if you want a bike that you can lean dont buy a cruiser.
--
Dave U(Scot-on-a-Scoot)
BS#58 99FXDWG
http://www.hognorth.btinternet.co.uk
Take my ?malt? away to get my personal attention.
Ken Abrams
"Timberwoof" <timberw...@infernosoft.com> wrote in
>
> > Ever watch the super-bike racers? Note how they shift their body weight
> > inside and down in a curve? This allows them to hold the corner without
> > exceeding the max. lean angle of the bike. To a lesser degree, this
also
>
> I'm trying to figure out how one would hang off a cruiser. Since one's
> legs are way out in front, I'd think it would be hard to get up and over
> without pulling on the bars.
>
For a cruiser rider, no need to move your ass at all.
Just shifting the beer gut and fat head a little should do the trick! ;-)
> >When I changed bikes a few years back, I had
> > to change my riding style slightly to keep the pegs off the pavement.
>
> What kind of bikes did you change from and to?
Had a Honda CB-550. It rode good but was a little tall for me. Got a Kaw
ZL-600 Eliminator.
Overall it is 4-6 inches lower. Fits my short legs great but the pegs drag
a lot sooner if you stay
upright in the corners.
wolfpup
<klabrams@[NO-SPAM]home.com> wrote:
>Had a Honda CB-550. It rode good but was a little tall for me. Got a Kaw
>ZL-600 Eliminator.
>Overall it is 4-6 inches lower. Fits my short legs great but the pegs drag
So does that make you a midget or a dwarf?
--
wolfpup redh...@earthlink.net
AH#62 BS# 69 SENS
don't wanna get my little people mixed up, seeing as how they're so
sensitive and all....
Ken Abrams
"wolfpup" <redh...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> >Overall it is 4-6 inches lower. Fits my short legs great but the pegs
drag
>
> So does that make you a midget or a dwarf?
>
relative.
Can't quite figure out why you care and/or why you took the time to post
that crap.
Troll elsewhere.
Dave
<dave.u...@maltbt.com> wrote:
>Gage Deltona wrote:
>
>> I noticed on the H-D website that they have lean angles listed for
>> their bikes. Specifically, the Sportster 1200S lean angle is 37.5
>> degrees. How does this compare to other cruisers? Where can I find
>> lean angles for other bikes, both cruisers and non-cruisers? 37.5
>> degrees doesn't mean much to me since I have no basis for comparison
>> outside of the H-D line.
>>
>> I'm interested because it seems to me that the lean angle is an
>> important component of how well the bike can corner. I've scraped
>> footpegs on my Virago 535 numerous times. I'm a fairly new rider, but
>> it's annoying when I'm limited by the bike design rather than my own
>> skills (it should be the other way around).
>>
>> On a related topic, what's the general concensus regarding the
>> Sportster 1200S handling and cornering compared to other cruisers
>> (Shadow, V-Star, etc)?
>>
>> Cheers,
>> Gage
>
>Dammit, if you want a bike that you can lean dont buy a cruiser.
Why would he want to lean it? Wouldn't that make it unstable in the
trailer?
--
Dave (Dukes Sheep)
'01 FXDL 92 of 108 DOF#5
"Oh bother" said Pooh, as he was connected at 14.4kps
"Exactly what part of a chicken are it's nuggets?"
Dirty Harry
"Ken Abrams" wrote:
>
> "wolfpup" wrote:
> > >Overall it is 4-6 inches lower. Fits my short legs great but the pegs
> > >drag
> >
> > So does that make you a midget or a dwarf?
> >
> Either, both or neither, whatever trips your trigger. Everything is
> relative.
> Can't quite figure out why you care and/or why you took the time to post
> that crap.
Enquiring minds just need to know.
> Troll elsewhere.
You should take your own advice.
Dirty Harry, BS#59
wolfpup
Just wanted to be certain that I'd be politically correct and socially
sensitive when I rested my beer on your head.
--
wolfpup redh...@earthlink.net
AH#62 BS# 69 SENS
I do like those little mobile tables, ya know....
Road Glidin' Don
wrote:
>On Sat, 17 Nov 2001 03:36:00 GMT, "Ken Abrams"
><klabrams@[NO-SPAM]home.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>"wolfpup" <redh...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>>> >Overall it is 4-6 inches lower. Fits my short legs great but the pegs
>>drag
>>>
>>> So does that make you a midget or a dwarf?
>>>
>>Either, both or neither, whatever trips your trigger. Everything is
>>relative.
>>Can't quite figure out why you care and/or why you took the time to post
>>that crap.
>>Troll elsewhere.
>
>Just wanted to be certain that I'd be politically correct and socially
>sensitive when I rested my beer on your head.
<high five>
And I thought I was the only one that does that!
Brian McLaughlin
>
> just lay the bike on the gound and put a protractor,like in skool, and
> measure the angle. or wait till you drop it then do the same.
First you must remove the springs and then fully
compress the suspension.
--
Brian McLaughlin AP #1 NGI #7 BmoZ #[classified]
TZ250E (1993-96) 2 strokes smoke,
R1100RTA (1997) 4 strokes choke!
EX250 Ninja (1998)
RC-51 (2000)
Roadracing school instructor http://www.learningcurves.com
Joe Barrett
"Youngblood"
<bpav...@hotmailsucks.com>
wrote in message
news:tv8hqtt...@news.super
news.com...
: if you scraped anything on
my old TZ250 it meant you were
on the ground.
:
: Youngblood
:
: "Brian McLaughlin"
<tzr...@execpc.com> wrote in
message
:
news:3bf43358$0$65162$272ea4a1
@news.execpc.com...
: > Gage Deltona wrote:
: > >
: > > I noticed on the H-D
website that they have lean
angles listed for
: > > their bikes.
Specifically, the Sportster
1200S lean angle is 37.5
: > > degrees. How does this
compare to other cruisers?
Where can I find
: > > lean angles for other
bikes, both cruisers and
non-cruisers? 37.5
: > > degrees doesn't mean
much to me since I have no
basis for comparison
: > > outside of the H-D line.
: > My TZ starts to drag pipes
and body work at about 60 to
: > 65 degrees of lean.
: >
: > --
: