Is there any real benifit to putting a little rake in the front end. Is the ride better or is it all cool factor. 07 FXST daily rider. Time to replace steering head bearings and thought id ask.

 

Cool factor. A buddy changed his trees out on his 08 FXDWG which increased the rake by 3 degrees and his coolness went up at least 3%.
Plus it looks better.

 

OK does it detract from handling 3deg that is.

 

Depends on how you plan on raking it (trees, cups, or chopping the neck), and whether you are starting with a stock-geometry bike.

 

The way I understand it, the more rake means bigger turn radius. Bigger turn radius means slow speed manuvering, u turns ect. will be a bit more difficult.

There are probably other effects as well that I do not know of.

 

Its stock so cups and many 3deg? Just looking into the rake thing. Im fine with stock.

 

More rake means slower steering response and more lethargic handling. It also means the front is more prone to brake dive and less able to absorb bumps. The only reason to rake the forks beyond 26-27 degrees is appearance and that comes with a performance penalty.

 

Thanks guys. Good to know. Guess ill stay in the small dick club. No braggin rights for me.

 

The trade off for slower steering response is greater straight line stability.

 

agree 100%. the bike tracks better and that was the reason from the start, not the "cool" factor.