| Author | Message | ||
     Cowboycop419 |
Okay, being a sports-bike guy (years ago), when I had a chance to buy a Uly that had been lowered about 2 inches (rear shock replaced with a lightning shock and front forks dropped on the tree) I jumped on it. I have been thinking about putting it back to OEM specs for the added ground clearance but am really not sure as I have never ridden a Uly that is full height. I am long legged so the added 2 inches won't be a big deal for me but absolutely love the way it handles as is. Has anyone else done a simular mod? If so, was there a difference in the handling? If so, for the better or worse? | ||
| Etennuly |
I would say that coming from sports bikes you will be happier where you are. The longer suspension is softer but can still handle great depending on the rider. Most of the guys I know like the longer softer stock X suspension if they came from a dirt bike background, like me. | ||
| Trevd |
What do you want the added ground clearance for? Are you touching down on corners? | ||
| Cowboycop419 |
Thanks for the thoughts. I tell you what, this is my first Buell and I am sold! I was hurt in an on-duty crash as a cop in So-Cal and was told I probably wouldn't walk again but I love proving docs wrong. I still can't do a lot of the things I used to so getting back on 2 wheels has been more than fun, it has been freeing. I've only had it a month and a half and have put a little over 1000 miles on it just going for rides. In my opinion, best bike ever!!! Love it. I just wish HD had more sense than to stop making them. Wish they'd sell Buell back to Eric. I'd never buy anything else. | ||
| Cowboycop419 |
Not at all. My thinking was because a couple guys I ride with like doing the mountain fire-trail thing and are planning an almost completely trail trip from Texas to northern Colorado and was a little concerned. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Think of the bike/rider combination as an inverted pendulum. The longer suspension will result in slower left/right, right/left transitions since the pendulum lever is longer with a longer suspension. The ride will be "plusher" potentially because of more suspension travel. Unless you are doing aggressive sporting maneuvers, I doubt you'd notice the slower roll rates. | ||
| Catalan42 |
I have a stock Uly and really like the long-travel suspension when riding on dirt. On vacation in July, I actually hit a bad rut on a 2-track backroad and did bottom out the suspension. Compared to my Lightning, though, it is hard to notice the difference in corning vs the Uly. So, as long as you are comfortable at stop lights, I would recommend keeping it tall. Alan | ||
| Ratbuell |
+1 on keeping it tall. I run the Dragon (and similar back roads) with no problem, solo OR 2-up. I don't drag a knee or anything...but I'm not holding up the pack, either.  I also take it off pavement a TON, and have yet to ding the muffler. If you're good with the balance at a light...step it back up. You're gonna LOVE the remote rear preload adjust, when you put a proper Uly shock back on it!  | ||
| Aj_brooklyn |
I used to ride sport bikes and I am liking the stock uly long travel suspension its really plush and adjustable. I don't even worry about mid corner bumps just roll right over them and the uly soaks it up with no complaints. +1 on the rear preload adj | ||
| Cowboycop419 |
Thanks for all the input!! Okay, so I'm thinking I will go ahead and raise her up to stock this weekend so I can get used to the ride for a week before we leave on a short run (about 600 miles OK to Taos and back). That will be 2 solid weeks on it before the long trip. Thanks again! | ||
| Smac |
Go for it Cowboy! You'll still be able to ride it like a sportbike!  | ||
| Todd900ss |
This is my observation with long travel suspension, Although I do not own a Uly, yet. I have owned other big DS bikes. You can ride them just as fast if not faster on the street with the added benefit of going fast on rough roads. After my last trip this summer(GA, TN, KY, WV, NC)I have found that alot of the back roads in this part of the country are in bad shape & will be untill the economy comes back. IMO a big DS with long travel suspension is just the tool for back road & goat trail touring. Hope this helps. | ||
| Sweetfish89 |
Smac - You have a light out  | ||
| Motorbike |
Smac, you're still not dragging the pegs! You've got a couple degrees of lean left to go. Neat pic! Thanks. | ||
| Smac |
Yeah yeah...never heard that before! Palomar Mtn is so tight, you can darn near drag your knee riding anything! I've only dragged the pegs a few times on an off-camber turn...scared the crap out of me...good thing those pegs fold up, eh?! | ||
| Drunk_uncle |
I have the touratech 41 liter bags and had a moment on st hwy 60 I think it is where TWO campgroand is and drug the back taking out a city titty. Interesting experience. My peg feelers are almost gone. |
