[oic0]

I've got a VTX1800, the lean angle blows. What mods do people do to get some more angle? taller tires? stiffer springs? This pig needs all the help it can get in the corners! I cant get used to the slowing down bellow the speed limit thing!

 

[F4sSprintST]

Honestly, SELL IT and buy a bike that is designed to corner.


No offense, but it's an uphill battle to make something into what it's not designed to be


If you get more clearance, then you might find the suspension is too basic, you can end up chasing issues.


Also, I don't think you'll find too many VTX1800 owners here, might try a VTX1800 specific board

.

 

[Markk9]

It a cruiser, not really much you can do to improve the lean angle. It's made to go fast in a straight line. I have a V-Rod and run into the same problem

 

[Scissors]

Transition to a sport tourer.

Failing that, you can go with stiffer springs (which should be matched with proper shocks to account for the change in ride height), taller tires, and/or moving those items which hit first (if possible).

You can also lean off, assuming you aren't already. But on a cruiser, which usually has about 30 degrees of lean angle, there often isn't much you can do.

 

[oic0]

I don't want it to be like my supermoto (which I also occasionally scape ), I just want it to be enough that I don't have to think about it when driving a normal point A to B pace.

I found a set of springs for about $70 but they just bring up the front end. Wonder what that will do to the handling. Taller tires are a definite though next time it needs a set. Not sure how much taller I can go though since they like to sit the front fenders right on the tire on these things. Perhaps taller rear tire and taller springs in front. Wonder what that would do lol.

Also, I don't think you'll find too many VTX1800 owners here, might try a VTX1800 specific board

.

I know they are just enjoying a different part of the sport but overall they have a different mind set. In other words they seem to fail horribly on the technical side unless it involves making the thing shinier or louder, hence my inability to google up easy answers.

Also, I can't sell it. I inherited it because I was the only family member who would ride it. My intended purpose for it is highway travel since all my friends live a long way away. Its great at that, but even then it hurts just taking on ramps painfully slow lol.

 

[mrphotoman]

It a cruiser, not really much you can do to improve the lean angle. It's made to go fast in a straight line. I have a V-Rod and run into the same problem

I thought most cruisers were not made to go fast in any situation? Sure there are exceptions to the rule but aren't cruisers made to cruise aka putt around slow like a rolling couch?

 

[Markk9]

I thought most cruisers were not made to go fast in any situation? Sure there are exceptions to the rule but aren't cruisers made to cruise aka putt around slow like a rolling couch?

The V-Rod is a drag bike, made to go fast in a straight line. Stock V-Rod is a mid 10 second bike.

The rolling couch's are the touring bikes..................

 

[oic0]

I thought most cruisers were not made to go fast in any situation? Sure there are exceptions to the rule but aren't cruisers made to cruise aka putt around slow like a rolling couch?

Some run 14s and 15s. Most run in the 13s, the faster ones run 12s. The really fast ones run 10s and 11s. They pretty much cover the whole gamut. Most have very high torque instead of high hp which makes them feel very quick on the street if you actually put the motor to use instead of just putt putting. Most put an exhaust so noisy on it that they can't open it up without announcing to the entire state what they are doing. Ive got mine super quiet so I can play with 120ft lbs of low rpm torque all day without attracting cops.

 

[mrphotoman]

The V-Rod is a drag bike, made to go fast in a straight line. Stock V-Rod is a mid 10 second bike.

The rolling couch's are the touring bikes..................

It is a "drag inspired bike" what ever that means. Stock they are around 122hp/89 ft/lbs of torque and almost 700lbs. I don't think that would qualify as a drag bike.

It is fast compared to other harleys though, a sport bike it is not though. I would call any cruiser a rolling couch.

Nothing wrong with that though, some people like harleys, some do not.

 

[F4sSprintST]

I know they are just enjoying a different part of the sport but overall they have a different mind set. In other words they seem to fail horribly on the technical side unless it involves making the thing shinier or louder, hence my inability to google up easy answers.

Also, I can't sell it. I inherited it because I was the only family member who would ride it. My intended purpose for it is highway travel since all my friends live a long way away. Its great at that, but even then it hurts just taking on ramps painfully slow lol.

Fair enough, thanks for the explanation.

 

[OreoGaborio]

You may want to consult with a chassis/suspension specialist to see what can be done.
Stiffer and longer aftermarket shocks on there to raise the ride height a little in the rear?
Internal mods to the forks might get you some ride height up front?
Both may be possible but only a specialist will know for sure.

Increasing preload on the springs and taller tires will help a tad, too.

 

[oic0]

It is a "drag inspired bike" what ever that means. Stock they are around 122hp/89 ft/lbs of torque and almost 700lbs. I don't think that would qualify as a drag bike.

It is fast compared to other harleys though, a sport bike it is not though. I would call any cruiser a rolling couch.

Nothing wrong with that though, some people like harleys, some do not.

If you had an 11 second car that was very stable in a straight line and sucked at turning you would instantly call it a dragster. Doesn't matter if its not the fastest thing out there or is sort of heavy. A V6 camry will outrun a 396 chevelle, but which one looks more at home at the drag strip I agree though, harley coulda kept the weight down and given the motor some balls if they were going to go all modern with it.

 

[F4sSprintST]

If you had an 11 second car that was very stable in a straight line and sucked at turning you would instantly call it a dragster. .

So how about my stock Corvette that is an 11 second car (11.8) and can corner?




Sent from my Motorcycle iPhone app

 

[mrphotoman]

So how about my stock Corvette that is an 11 second car (11.8) and can corner?




Sent from my Motorcycle iPhone app

Or my supercharged srt6 that runs low 11's and also sees the road course running against Porsche, Ferrari and the like.

My opinion is a car/bike that can not go around a corner at least the speed limit is a boring ride. But I live in the mountains and every road is a big curve. if I lived in Florida or somewhere flat then you may as well have a cruiser. Everyone likes something different though and there is nothing wrong with that unless they constantly tell you why you should only like what they like which is what a lot of harley guys do lol.

 

[Markk9]

I have no problem taking curves at the posted speed limit with any of my bikes. On the same note I have passed just as many sportbikes as cruisers that can't take corners at speed.

Again it's the bar actuator that makes the difference.

 

[oic0]

Working on tightening the nut behind the handle bars. Still though, even in cruiser land, the VTX has horrible lean angles so I am going to try some of the things to increase its height.

*edit* - I took off the huge opaque windshield and the bags. Physically the bike is no different but just having a different view over the bars has me throwing it around a lot more. It feels less like a bus when I'm not peering over that huge shield with no view of the front wheel or the ground its about to hit. The lean angles still blow at low speed sharp corners but its fairly capable in higher speed stuff.

 

[Reinhardt]

Stock V-Rod is a mid 10 second bike.

no it isn't. whats with the people lying about hp and or 1/4 miles time when we have the internet at our disposal?

just googling the bike (1250cc or 1130 that 120cc isnt pushing anyone 1 seconds faster over the finish) anyone can see that it's mid 11s. if you see it at mid elevens then its not stock or someone is lying because there are 40 different sites or forums posts claiming mid 11s.

Harley-Davidson VRSCA V-Rod (2001-current) - Harley Davidson Motorcycle Reviews

btw my bike runs 7s stock no really


no, really





no, really :laugh

 

[kevin_stevens]

Hang off.

KeS