HarleyTechTalk

I have been thinking about doing this for awhile, adding a rear stabilizer to my  FLTR. I am going to be going on a trip this summer and I think now is the time to add that kind of product. I am looking to hear advice on which is product(s) are considered the top of the line? As of now I am looking at this product called Bitchen Baggers...http://bitchinbaggers.com/products/bagger-brace/ Does anyone have any experience with this product? If you do, please share.... Thanks a bunch as always....

    i have one on my 07 roadglide. seem to stiffin up the ass end of it a little bit. it was sort of hard to tell because i also replaced the rear shocks at the same  time.

   on my bike i had to beat the factory brace that connects the frame rails to install the brace. the bagger brace installs on the factory brace and if its not strait the new brace is going to be a pain in the ass to install.

   product is very good quality. no parts look cheap or low end. id buy one again

Had this on my 2008 FLHTCUI. Aligned the engine - trans before it put it in and immediately realized much more stable behavior in fast sweepers in particular with a fully loaded bike. Good well made piece and no comparison to the cheap stuff from Progressive Suspension. The eyelets fail after a few thousand miles.

Thanks guys,  they have one that works with my Baker Plus One pan and great price to boot.  just ordered it. 

I've had one on my RG for 2 years. Good product from good folks.

Pilgrim

Quote from: Pilgrim on March 12, 2013, 01:22:30 AM
I've had one on my RG for 2 years. Good product from good folks.

Pilgrim

Which one did you end up going with??

I added the bitchin bagger brace to my 07. It helped the handling and didn't add any extra vibration. Well made too.

Quote from: MBrown on March 13, 2013, 06:17:50 AM
I added the bitchin bagger brace to my 07. It helped the handling and didn't add any extra vibration. Well made too.

Thanks for the help. I do need to get one of those put on. I haven't really felt any issues but I will be going on my first long trip so maybe a PM thing..

Another option that you might strongly consider that I have great success with is the Glide-Pro stabilizing system. I can't overstate how much better the bike rides. For stabilizers, I use the Alloy Art TXR. I recently installed both the Glide Pro and Alloy Art on a 2002 Road King that I put a 120R and Baker OD6 in for a customer and the bike tracks like it is on rails! Made a world of difference!

Quote from: INDEPENDENT 1 on March 17, 2013, 07:24:59 PM
Another option that you might strongly consider that I have great success with is the Glide-Pro stabilizing system. I can't overstate how much better the bike rides. For stabilizers, I use the Alloy Art TXR. I recently installed both the Glide Pro and Alloy Art on a 2002 Road King that I put a 120R and Baker OD6 in for a customer and the bike tracks like it is on rails! Made a world of difference!

I am not really looking for a "system" I guess. I don't have motor mount issues so th the Glide Pro isn't what I am after. thanks for the info..

The motor mounts with the bagger death wobble ARE the issue.

Quote from: INDEPENDENT 1 on March 18, 2013, 07:11:57 PM
The motor mounts with the bagger death wobble ARE the issue.

Someone here with a big motor chewed up a set of GPs.. (John?) The Alloy art piece looks good as it can handle forward movement of the drive-train on a big motor with a heavy chassis... Will keep you from chewing up motor-mounts. Still its in a spot where it can be smashed..

Max

Bruce, if this was an 09 later bagger, those systems have recently been redesigned. I just installed the updated version on a 2012 Road Glide with a 124" that previously had the older version and the new version is working out much better. With the older version, the right side front mount almost bottomed out the bolt that comes in from the side against the frame. The new version centers that bolt perfectly and the ride has a "sportier, firmer" feel. Also the back swing arm and trans mounts have a metal plate that keeps them from rotating when torquing the pivot shaft nuts which helps with the install and probably ride quality as well. Overall, the new system for the late model frames is working out very well. Only time will tell how well they will hold the 124 cubes but its looking pretty promising. The new system for late models are yellow for the front mounts. If they are black, those are the old ones.

always ran the Sta-Bo and before the 120 with Baker plus one pan, I also had Progressive link on the bike with stock pan.  it was a great combo.  when added the Baker Plus pan, had to remove the Progressives, never had the wobbles but do ride hard on sweepers and never like the flexing w/o the link (heavy load with tour pak).  Alloy Art looks great,  but you have to give up quite a bit of ground clearance.  looking at the Bitching Bagger link plus one doesn't take away from the clearance.

Quote from: JohnCA58 on March 18, 2013, 09:15:24 PM
always ran the Sta-Bo and before the 120 with Baker plus one pan, I also had Progressive link on the bike with stock pan.  it was a great combo.  when added the Baker Plus pan, had to remove the Progressives, never had the wobbles but do ride hard on sweepers and never like the flexing w/o the link (heavy load with tour pak).  Alloy Art looks great,  but you have to give up quite a bit of ground clearance.  looking at the Bitching Bagger link plus one doesn't take away from the clearance.

You raise a good point. My bike has been lowered so this is a concern, to make sure everything is contained. I am leaning towards the Bitchen Bagger Brace.  I like that it is within the fram rails.

I have been running the Bagger Brace for 2 yrs. now. Great design and
Does as advertised. I have recommended to 3 friends that have installed
Them also and are very satisfied. Easy to install.
176

Quote from: INDEPENDENT 1 on March 18, 2013, 08:56:35 PM
Bruce, if this was an 09 later bagger, those systems have recently been redesigned. I just installed the updated version on a 2012 Road Glide with a 124" that previously had the older version and the new version is working out much better. With the older version, the right side front mount almost bottomed out the bolt that comes in from the side against the frame. The new version centers that bolt perfectly and the ride has a "sportier, firmer" feel. Also the back swing arm and trans mounts have a metal plate that keeps them from rotating when torquing the pivot shaft nuts which helps with the install and probably ride quality as well. Overall, the new system for the late model frames is working out very well. Only time will tell how well they will hold the 124 cubes but its looking pretty promising. The new system for late models are yellow for the front mounts. If they are black, those are the old ones.

I'm shattered.. You are telling me that the later model baggers don't handle well and need support??    Sounds like Jake hasn't quite finished his RnD also. The one I was witting about was an early one.. IIRC..  I pulled mine off when I became worried about the rubbers going and sold it while it still looked good.

Max

I used the Bagger brace on a Streetglide and it cured the rear wobble when hard in a turn. Rode like it was on rails but also put more vibrations into the frame. I would use it again but on a 2010 now and it doesn't need it.

I to have used the bitchin bagger brace on 2006 ultra conv. To a slammed  street glide with a 131 ci with more than giddy up go progressive front and back,new bushings in swing arm still have wobble over 100 mph,but I think it has something to do with the 16 inch apes so I don't do it don't have the nut bag to power through it because it will.

Quote from: Max Headflow on March 20, 2013, 04:34:39 PM

Quote from: INDEPENDENT 1 on March 18, 2013, 08:56:35 PM
Bruce, if this was an 09 later bagger, those systems have recently been redesigned. I just installed the updated version on a 2012 Road Glide with a 124" that previously had the older version and the new version is working out much better. With the older version, the right side front mount almost bottomed out the bolt that comes in from the side against the frame. The new version centers that bolt perfectly and the ride has a "sportier, firmer" feel. Also the back swing arm and trans mounts have a metal plate that keeps them from rotating when torquing the pivot shaft nuts which helps with the install and probably ride quality as well. Overall, the new system for the late model frames is working out very well. Only time will tell how well they will hold the 124 cubes but its looking pretty promising. The new system for late models are yellow for the front mounts. If they are black, those are the old ones.

I'm shattered.. You are telling me that the later model baggers don't handle well and need support??    Sounds like Jake hasn't quite finished his RnD also. The one I was witting about was an early one.. IIRC..  I pulled mine off when I became worried about the rubbers going and sold it while it still looked good.

Max

Max, how is the fix you did on your bike in your "drunken camel in a sandstorm" thread working ?

Thanks for the input gentleman, it seems that there are enough people that have use the Bitchen Bagger Brace to warrant me to give it a try. I really do think that I will need it as this will be my first long long ride with my bike fully loaded. I am planning on riding California HWY 36 and I do think that I need the stability that I can get... 

You will really notice a big difference when loaded and in cross winds. As said
Above the bike will ride like its on rails! It was by far the best upgrade I have done
To my bike. Enjoy your trip.
176

Quote from: hbkeith on March 23, 2013, 03:06:01 AM

Max, how is the fix you did on your bike in your "drunken camel in a sandstorm" thread working ?

http://harleytechtalk.com/htt/index.php/topic,60729.0.html

Quote from: JohnCA58 on March 18, 2013, 09:15:24 PM
always ran the Sta-Bo and before the 120 with Baker plus one pan, I also had Progressive link on the bike with stock pan.  it was a great combo.  when added the Baker Plus pan, had to remove the Progressives, never had the wobbles but do ride hard on sweepers and never like the flexing w/o the link (heavy load with tour pak).  Alloy Art looks great,  but you have to give up quite a bit of ground clearance.  looking at the Bitching Bagger link plus one doesn't take away from the clearance.

Major important point IMO.  I would not, could not add one of these linkalizers if it was designed in a way as to limit lean angle.  The reason I would be extra concerned is the fact that these kits have plates that tend to hang down below the right frame rail and drag the ground,  where they are located is close to the center-line of the bike which makes it easier for the rear tire to be leveraged off the ground compared to a part that normally drags early like floorboards etc.  I walked in a shop to visit a friend recently that has a 2006 SE UC and his had a kit with the plate hanging below the right frame rail with scars on it like all of them inevitably do. 

I would not run one of these if it is designed to where it is going to drag the road...I haven't seen or noticed the ones that fit between the rails but if they are up high enough not to drag and are effective for the intended purpose then I would consider one.    Rick

The only way it cound drag if you run it off a curb,the bitchin bagger I have are between the rails if that hits my motor fell out.