Motorcycle Safety & Driveability: chopper driveability, custom chopper bikes, head angle

Question
I see these custom chopper bikes with the front end raked out and the frame stretched. my question is how rideable are these bikes, low speed and high speed maneuverability?


Answer
I've never ridden one so I really should not comment.

A longer wheelbase will make the bike more stable but harder to turn. A long steering head angle like that will do the same thing. So my guess is they're a bitch at low speeds, but handle about as well as a car at higher (30+) speeds.

I take it back. I did ride something like that once. The motor wasn't running, I just coasted it down a hill to get it from a photo shoot to a trailer. I remember it was really hard to steer and felt like it wanted to fall over at low speeds.

But lots of people ride 'em just fine, I suppose it's just a matter of getting used to the quirks--like getting used to any bike, really.

Pat