Looking for the R18 lean angles so I can compare with other motorcycles. Google reviews or the user manual hasn't provided the answer.
R18 lean angles
- Thread starter Cheshire Cat
- Start date
R18Art
Member
I don't have the numbers but I had a 2019 Harley Fatboy and I could drag pegs on that as well as my 2017 Softail Slim S. I'm also a former roadracer and currently do track days. So dragging things is not unfamiliar to me.
On the R18 with the suspension preload set correctly for your weight and riding style, it's about the same as the 2019 Fatboy and way better than my 2017 Softail Slim S. I can go through the canyons here in Colorado easily 5 to 10 over the posted speed limit and not drag anything. And I can also drag pegs on those same corners if I'm trying to. So if you set the preload and ride "normal" it's not an issue...
On the R18 with the suspension preload set correctly for your weight and riding style, it's about the same as the 2019 Fatboy and way better than my 2017 Softail Slim S. I can go through the canyons here in Colorado easily 5 to 10 over the posted speed limit and not drag anything. And I can also drag pegs on those same corners if I'm trying to. So if you set the preload and ride "normal" it's not an issue...
That's very reassuring and many thanks for such a quick response. Always good to hear from those that have 'seen it, done it'. As it happens, my choice was between the Fat Boy and R18. The R18 for me was far more confidence inspiring than the Fat Boy. I absolutely loved the look of the Fat Boy but the R18 has definitely grown on me.
Black Dog
Well-known member
About the same as my 1949 Mercury but more than my 1959 Cushman Eagle.
If you are looking at an R18 for a track bike ...._________.....________ fill in the blanks.
If you are looking at an R18 for a track bike ...._________.....________ fill in the blanks.
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Recent review of the transcontinental says the regular R18 has a lean angle of 32 degrees. The TC an B have a lean angle of 35 degrees.
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Deleted member 770
Guest
To be fair,the difference in lean angle increase of 3degrees is relitive to increased ground clearance on the B and TC.They are taller machines.
I noticed the TC to have a higher center of gravity when I pulled it off the side stand.So,the increase has more to do with the bike sitting higher.
Found this description:
Increasing ground clearance on a street bike is usually done to increase the lean angle that can be achieved before scraping parts on the road surface. More lean angle allows a tighter turning radius. There are of course limits. You can lean so far that there is not enough tire surface making contact with the road to maintain traction and the bike leans right to the ground. Sport bikes come from the factory closer to this limit and with many there is little additional lean angle to be gained by raising the bike. But other types of bikes often have a useful amount of lean angle that can be gained by raising them. Sport cruisers are a good example.
Regards,Tom
I noticed the TC to have a higher center of gravity when I pulled it off the side stand.So,the increase has more to do with the bike sitting higher.
Found this description:
Increasing ground clearance on a street bike is usually done to increase the lean angle that can be achieved before scraping parts on the road surface. More lean angle allows a tighter turning radius. There are of course limits. You can lean so far that there is not enough tire surface making contact with the road to maintain traction and the bike leans right to the ground. Sport bikes come from the factory closer to this limit and with many there is little additional lean angle to be gained by raising the bike. But other types of bikes often have a useful amount of lean angle that can be gained by raising them. Sport cruisers are a good example.
Regards,Tom
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Deleted member 770
Guest
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Deleted member 770
Guest
Good to know,Thx.Do you know the ground clearance between the R18 & the TC/B?
Regards,Tom
Just collected my Classic with foot boards. Feel sure they are higher off the ground than pegs but haven’t actually checked.
/0.3 inches. That's 7.62mm.
//that's the caliber of the only ammunition the Nagant M1895 revolver could take.
///the same revolver used primarily by the Russian Empire!
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Deleted member 770
Guest
egret1000
New member
Hey Tom, how did you convert 0.3 inches to 3 degrees?
Randy Kahn
Active member
I don't think if your goal is taking twisties hard the R18 is the ideal bike...I just got the 2023 anniversary bike, I'm a canyon rider here in the Los Angeles area, but I'm not doing anything drastic. The bike seems to take the curves fine without pressing the envelope. I don't want to scrape the pegs or pipes, absolutely not. I've already done the sport bike and Harley thing, so this bike is a new experience. So far I like the bike a lot for what it is and the period of my life I'm in. I want a good stable powerful bike...that looks killer.....and that it is....
Cheers.
I’m with you regarding how to use the R18. Over the past two years I have got to feel really confident on the bike but this summer, a guy on a Fat Bob (my previous bike), left me for dust on the twisties. All down to confidence I would say.
The Fat Bob is one of the best HD models IMO and not really one I would feel poorly about if I was working hard on my R18 to keep a friend in sight if we were both reasonably competent riders and found ourselves on roads that were tighter/technical v. more open sweepers. The Fat Bob is at least 150 pounds lighter with an almost 5 inch shorter wheelbase and those two points explain a majority of his "advantage" in the tight stuff let alone the better suspension, etc.
The R18 is a bunch of fun and I love riding it "for what it is v. what it is not", but as to being left in the dust I can assure you your circumstances were likely nowhere near as bad as my gap was while chasing my friend on his R1250RT once we got into real spirited riding on truly challenging roads. It's more math rather confidence in those circumstances given one's proficiency is reasonably capable of getting the most out of what we happen to be riding. I can tell when I have reached the limit of "all the above" on the R18 so we both "rode our own rides" and in reality it was just a short wait for me after he cleared the section or road so we both enjoyed a great run even though we had quite disparate rides.
Scout70
Member
Download the BMW Motorrad app, connect it to the bike and go out and drive some twisties. The app will tell you your left and right lean angle on that specific ride and road. Keep bending the bike over until you get maximum scraping then check the app. Given your load and weight, you might get an accurate reading unless you gouge the road and end up in the ditch!!
Cheers for that. I knew the app keeps track of a few things but I was never bothered to drill into it. I just checked my last ride to the next village and saw the data. Pretty awesome. Thank you for flagging this.
On the curvy road going up and down the mountain towards Suches, GA it was easy to drag the pedal knuckles on both sides of the R 18 Classic.
Randy Kahn
Active member
If he left you in the dust...he's either going too fast, or your going as fast as you want to. I'm waaaaay past testing my life expectancy in or on a toy.....my 35 year marriage offers enough near death experiences!!!
As you know..no bike, car, boat, et..does everything. I'm going to re map the bike after the break in for optimal performance and call it a day. No more replacing everything for more speed, stopping power, et.et.et.
I spent too much time thinking about the mechanics of what my bikes could do rather than just being out there enjoying the ride. In reality....I wasn't really going or getting anywhere...and missed a lot of it head tripping about nonsense....
Enjoy the ride .....
Cheers.
Scott Semone
Well-known member
I wouldn't say I'm an expert rider, or even great rider... I have dragged my Floorboards on my R18 B and reviewed a couple of past rides in order to try and find the max lean angles where I remember dragging..
The below image shows 31°; however, I'm not positive that this is the ride when I remember scuffing the pin on the bottom of the Floorboards. I'll keep looking
The below image shows 31°; however, I'm not positive that this is the ride when I remember scuffing the pin on the bottom of the Floorboards. I'll keep looking
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