Hi

is there a way to improve cornering clearance ?!?

to be honest i wouldn't lower a superlow.....it scapes too much !!!

ciao
Paolo fm. italy

 

Paolo, welcome to HDF from the UK!

My wife has a new SuperLow and I have been taking a close look at it. I have taken off the 'spikes' from the ends of the footrests, as they are just a nuisance. I have also noticed the pipe-clamps that hold the heatshields to the front muffler are scraped, so will be turning them to get them out of the way. So those are two tips.

The rear shocks have only about 2"/50mm travel and when my wife sits on it they sag half of that. So adjust the pre-tensioners to give only 1/3rd sag, or around 16mm sag. That will give a valuable bit of extra rear ground clearance.

Now the front forks! They have about 3"/75mm of total travel, but when sitting on it they have only about 1 1/4" or barely 30mm travel left. They should have only 1"/25mm sag when sitting on it. I haven't decided what to do about them yet. There is an inch/25mm of extra clearance to be had there.

Hope that helps!

 

FIT4LIFELU: I have a nightster and I know it was a different feeling for me than the superlow. Although I started with a yamaha 650 custom, it was a lighter bike and it helped build my confidence. I'm only 5 feet tall I remembered things that were important to learn in the beginning such as stopping, practicing on hills and especially on slopes, and definitely master feathering the clutch! Go to an empty parking lot to practice also.

I don't have any issues with being flat footed on my bike....(maybe because my legs are strong?). I personally do the "old school" way of stopping as tekdiver described above....primarily because my hands get tired from holding in the clutch. If you're worried about it all, maybe you need to get on a smaller bike like a rebel to gain the skills. You're definitely worrying about a lot...and that in itself is a dangerous thing! All the best to you...be careful!

 

Practice in a calm neighborhood just going slow, starting and stopping.. Try to see if you can keep your right foot on the brake lever and stop with just your left down solid instead of both feet down shaky.
Another thing to do is try to keep your feet on the pegs, as long as possible when stopping.
On dirt bikes one of the skills learned was, when in a situation you felt like putting your feet down, we were taught to stand up on the pegs. This allows you to control the bike with your feet and knees, which gives you much more slow speed control. That is also why you see most stunters on sportbikes standing up most of the time. It is a lot easier to control a bike with all your weight on the pegs.
Of course you cannot really stand up on a cruiser because of the peg and handle bar placement, but if you keep as much weight as possible on the pegs and slightly un-weight your seat you have more control of the bike..

While on my Sportster I can reach both feet easily, on my touring bike it is a stretch for me, but it doesn't bother me. I originally learned how to ride on dirt bikes, and most of those are so tall it was impossible to touch both feet at all. Of course they are much lighter, but it did help with the basic skills.

 

I dont think i would lower mine if anything i want to raise mine a bit with some standard rear shocks< i just love the wheels thats what sold it to me< and i am a bloke who has been riding for a very long time!

 

So sorry guys for not responding (hope no one thought i bit the big one out there). ....BUT I've been busy puttin 2500 miles on my SUperlow in 9 weeks!!

Graham thank you ...your original response made a lot of difference for me...it just did.

So, in this time....I wrecked in a turn.(didn't have the pressing thing down and the next day went to a lot and got it down, by myself)....learned a lot from that one.....got hit smack in between the eyes by a bird.........bit by a bee....LOL, I just keep checking it all off the list.

My confidence has grown tremendously, but I remain very humble. I did my first group ride about a month ago....260 miles, and I did great. I do most of my riding alone because my boyfriend has been doing a lot of overtime. So I map out rides.....and fear or not, I do them. Last week...I put 400 miles on in three days. I handle that bike well.....MY MAIN PROBLEM now is inclines and backing the bike AND after a little experience I can say without a doubt this is due to not being flat footed and not having the bike lower. I did a benefit ride yesterday and we pulled into one place and it was all dead grass and rocks...well I went to park on a little hill behind those in front of me and the woman in front of me was getting off her bike so I had to stop...and I do have my foot on the foot brake on inclines.....but I stalled and it is sooooo hard to get your footing on a surface like that especially with two in boots with a tapered heel......and over she went. Throughout the day people said, why don't you lower it there has got to be a way. But after reading this....like before, and gaining the experience I have..I remain convinced that is not the answer. I just have to avoid parking on an incline...find a spot that is flat and if there isn't one..perhaps leave or park across the street.

See, a lot of people say well I am 5' feet, and I know they mean well...but folks let's face it TWO INCHES in this situation makes a huge difference..I am only 4' 10".

So, I am happy to report, I am living my dream....and I ride every second I can..even being a single mom of three. And the best knews is that I meet a woman who is starting a women's MC in my area...and we have that going now.

God bless all and hope everyone is enjoying their SUMMER!!!!

Oh yeah, and I have my sights set on the 2011 CVO Softail Convertible (Vivid Black/Inferno Orange). Oh yes.....she will be mine someday!

 

fit4lifelu, I knew we could do it! The horizon is not so far away....

My wife and I have ridden from the UK to Budapest Hungary since May. The World is your oyster now!

I can't back up when sitting on my Glide. I put it on the jiffy, get off it, put the jiffy up (it will have the bike over if you leave it down), then push the darned thing backwards, put the jiffy down and walk away, all nonchalent like. Been doin' it that way for 40 years! Ignore what ANYONE else says!

 

I know this is an old post but I just had to respond to fit4lifelu and say, wow, great job and awesome tenacity. Most would of given in to their fears but you did not and I am guessing there are many more miles on that bike now!!?? Add another thousand miles and you will laugh at your old concerns-- good like with the CVO!

Dave