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Message started by cheapnewb24 on 01/03/16 at 22:19:20

Title: Hard Tails
Post by cheapnewb24 on 01/03/16 at 22:19:20

I noticed that someone is selling struts for making hardtails. I remember talking to a mechanic who does custom Harleys, and he prefers hardtails.

So, tell me your opinions on this matter. I gather a lot of people can't stand hardtail bikes and the whole Easy Rider quote about leaving one's kidneys down the road or something. Anyone here prefer riding hardtail most of the time? Why? Better handling? Lower center of gravity? Just Looks?

Title: Re: Hard Tails
Post by jcstokes on 01/04/16 at 01:56:53

I'm not a motorcycle historian, but a reasonably educated guess says hard tails were on most bikes before WW2 and they had for the most part been abandoned before 1950. Road holding and comfort were the main reasons. The people that do them now want nostalgia, or possibly the awful "cool" factor without paying the price of an antique bike. The S40 can be a good platform for conversion, but I doubt there is much to be gained for practical purposes and certainly not for long distance riding.

Title: Re: Hard Tails
Post by pg on 01/04/16 at 02:02:51

but I doubt there is much to be gained for practical purposes and certainly not for long distance riding.

Well said, my other bike is dual sport with just over 7 inches of travel in the front and back. I can honestly say I have done two 800+ mile days crossing Texas.

Best regards,

Title: Re: Hard Tails
Post by arteacher on 01/04/16 at 05:16:35

I never found a hard tail with a properly sprung and fitted seat to be any less comfortable than a sprung rear wheel. The problem inherent with them is the fact that there is a lot more unsprung weight which makes handling on anything less that good surfaces worse.

Title: Re: Hard Tails
Post by MMRanch on 01/04/16 at 08:46:34

I had a SX650 (Yamaha) in a Hard Tail Frame for a couple of years. I learned to run 15 lbs of air in the rear tire (400/18 tire). It handled just fine. The frame was 8" stretched with a (10" over/10 deg. rake) front end. Yes it was LONG . ::)

After I got my next bike (Yamaha RD-250) I didn't miss the hard tail at all ! ;)

Title: Re: Hard Tails
Post by Kris01 on 01/04/16 at 19:11:32

15 psi! :o I run at least 35-40 in the rear or it feels real squirrelly!

Title: Re: Hard Tails
Post by MMRanch on 01/04/16 at 21:56:03

kris

I'll be running 35 + in the dark-side tire this year . but that old 400/18 had stiff walls (it could have been a 6 ply ). Seem like all those old 18 inch tires had stiff walls ! I remember they lasted longer , probably because they were taller.

:)

Title: Re: Hard Tails
Post by Kris01 on 01/05/16 at 17:22:26

2D3F2D3F32212E2328600 wrote:

I remember they lasted longer...

That applies to nearly everything these days! :)

Title: Re: Hard Tails
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 01/06/16 at 06:22:36

Personality, riding style, the roads,
They all matter. Would I Ride a hard tail? Yeah, but I don't want one. I like taking chances that I wouldn't take without a suspension. I watch guys drive low riders, it's cool, just not for me.

Title: Re: Hard Tails
Post by Serowbot on 01/06/16 at 07:05:38

It may come from my dirt background,.. but I like the look of big, beefy, exposed, shocks...

Grrr! Arghhh!.... ;D