Hi there,

I recently sold my FXDL and started looking at Sportsters for my next Harley. The reason being that I realized I like lighter and narrower Sportster than Dyna. I test drove 1200C, but its lean angle was not even as good as FXDL, and the engine didn't pull as much as FXDL either, although it's 100 lbs lighter.

Did anyone achieve 30+ lean angle out of 1200 models? Also what engine mod (or cam) is popular here to get stronger pull?

Thanks
Dansel

 

The only way to get more lean angle is to raise it.

As far as the pull, you may be riding it like your Dyna.............dont Sportsters make their power higher in the rpm range.

 

My 72 had decent stock lean angle, but like Rog said...higher is better. A nice used XR might be a good fit, or just just raise whatever model you like the look of best. Plenty of pep too, but gotta be broken in first. Then blast away...even a stage 1 will do a lot before you start worrying about swapping cams...but yeah, plenty of ways to make them go much faster...

 

If you spend a little time in here you will discover a few things that answer your query. One is that the ride quality of many Sporty models isn't the most comfortable, so some of us use longer rear shocks. In addition the forks sag more than they should, so we also correct that. The result is a bike that rides a little taller, giving better cornering clearance.

A further feature, which is dead easy to put right, are the spikes on the footrests. If the bike you tested still has those, they screw off with a wrench. They are a 'safety' feature which IMHO isn't safe to leave on!

Popular engine mod for an 883 and a bit more go? A 1250cc conversion kit. Simply replaces your stock cylinder and pistons, boosts compression and adds significant oooomph! If that sounds attractive simply use Search for 1250 and start browsing. There are a few threads which describe installing one, complete with photos and handy tips.

 

Thanks for all the great suggestions.
I like Harley, but I am not loyal to certain brands. However, I cannot think of getting Indian and Victory due to the lack of such big community support.
I will start looking up what are suggested.

 

13.5" shocks in the rear and raise the front 1.5" and the cornering will be better just like the rest said. On the newer Sportster you can replace the damping rods with Roadster rods which will lift the front 1.5". You'll need new springs and has not been tested on 2016 models that I know of. I am not sure of the 48s either since they have different forks.

 

Look for a good used XR1200. Ride one any you will know why I suggested it.

 

i actually came to post my sporty joy and saw this post.

lean... you fxdl has/had no lean, lol
raise the suspension of the new sportster to standard height. 13-14. not that stupid lowered backbreaking crap people love so much.


pull? no idea. i just tore up my backroads on my sporty and it accelerates faster than my dyna. my 1200 stage 1 was an 883 before conversion and maintained the 883 gearing. you could maybe gear your prospective bike with 883. it blows my dyna away in the twisties and outright acceleration under 70mph. it is fun as hell to ride. .. the dyna just gives that torque pull feeling longer and its all amplified by the thumping engine.





smile machine

see the standard rear shocks?