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HD Dark Custom Blackline?

Discussion in 'Motorcycle Tech Talk' started by HellBoy, Feb 18, 2011.

  1. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

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    I like the look of the new Softail Blackline. I love the Harley Davidson logo that's incorporated into the tank paint, instead of a metal stick-on. The lines are good. I'm a DYNA guy though, and the only Softail I've ridden was wobbly, and being 6'4", I'm a little worried it might sit too low.

    Now, my main question is, what's up with the small rear tire, and how does it affect the ride?

    Dark Custom? Blackline? | Dark Custom? Motorcycles | Harley-Davidson USA
    HellBoy, Feb 18, 2011
    #1
  3. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    the black should ride good , same for the small rear tire , as for your height you'll have to to a dealer & set on one to see , or check when demo days are comming there & ride one :D
    cowboy, Feb 18, 2011
    #2
  4. JohnnyBiker

    JohnnyBiker Well-Known Member

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    In most cases the smaller rear tire is better for the ride of the bike. What soft tail was it that you rode that was wobbly? I like the blackline as well minus the ugly pillion on it.
    JohnnyBiker, Feb 18, 2011
    #3
  5. AFNurse

    AFNurse Moderator Staff Member

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    It is my understanding that the wider the rear tire, the better the ride....but only if you are going in a strait line. Have been told (not sure if fact or opinion) that 140 to 160 rear tire is good for curves...over 200 starts to not work as well.....??!! Good looking bike. I would second the motion to go to dealer and sit the bike....and maybe spend a $100 and rent one for the day and ride it!
    AFNurse, Feb 18, 2011
    #4
  6. JohnnyBiker

    JohnnyBiker Well-Known Member

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    Wouldn't you think that the handling suffers period because of the greater contact surface that the larger tire has? Harder to lean the bike???
    JohnnyBiker, Feb 18, 2011
    #5
  7. Tomflhrci98

    Tomflhrci98 Active Member

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    The rear tire on the Blackline is a 16 inch MU85. That's the same tire I've had on my RoadKing for the last 10 years. It runs GREAT.
    Tomflhrci98, Feb 18, 2011
    #6
  8. AFNurse

    AFNurse Moderator Staff Member

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    That sounds familiar...or similar enuf....to the tire that I run on my E-Glide Standard....works VERY well for me. Handles great!
    AFNurse, Feb 18, 2011
    #7
  9. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

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    Now we're talkin'. That's just what I was curious about JB, AFN,Tom, thanks. Good to hear from everyone here.

    I do ride in the city a lot, and I know the Fat Bob would probably work nicely, with that wide front tire, but this new Softail has me interested. I will definitely do a demo ride at some point. No rush, the streets here still have icy patches and thousands of potholes from the nasty winter that isn't finished with us just yet.

    Much as i like the look of a 180 tire, I do like to lean a bit ;-) so this might be cool.
    HellBoy, Feb 18, 2011
    #8
  10. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

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    Agree the pillion's ugly, would change that and certainly the stock pipes. Probably get those black V&H Big Shot types, with a race tuner. Too bad this doesn't come stock with a 103 or even a 110!
    HellBoy, Feb 18, 2011
    #9
  11. hotroadking

    hotroadking Super Moderator Staff Member

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    You would probably want to put extenders on the forward controls
    for more leg room, I've sat on it at 6'2 its a light bike, kind of a modified
    softail standard (used to be the base softail)

    Softails ride different than dynas or fl's
    you'll just have to get out on a demo day
    but they are not bad, you can put on aftermarket shocks
    for better dampening...

    I like my heritage, on a softail you fit into
    the bike, vs my RG where you ride on the bike...

    I think the softails are the best looking bikes in the
    HD line.
    hotroadking, Feb 18, 2011
    #10
  12. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

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    I agree HRK, I love the looks of the softie, but I am a ride "on" the bike guy, not so much a melt into it guy. I am looking forward to trying it though. Funny, I never rode the Rocker, but it fit me for some reason, where other softails didn't. This time around I'd get my forward controls even 2" further out, maybe have to look at an after market Arlen Ness type thing.
    HellBoy, Feb 18, 2011
    #11
  13. JohnnyBiker

    JohnnyBiker Well-Known Member

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    I agree, I would put a set of VH two into two's big radius! That would look sick!!:cool:
    JohnnyBiker, Feb 18, 2011
    #12
  14. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

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    Yep!
    HellBoy, Feb 18, 2011
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  15. cowboy

    cowboy Moderator Staff Member

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    Ya they would ,I realy like the looks of this bike :cool:
    cowboy, Feb 18, 2011
    #14
  16. JohnnyBiker

    JohnnyBiker Well-Known Member

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    I like the one that has a two tone to it. I just like the combo of orange and black.:cool: I think another thing that I would do with this bike is put a set of apes on it and if I were to get the solid black one, I may put the orange and black panhead tank emblem on it.:cool:
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2011
    JohnnyBiker, Feb 19, 2011
    #15
  17. HellBoy

    HellBoy New Member

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    The two-tone is sweet.
    HellBoy, Feb 19, 2011
    #16

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