Steerite vs EZ Steer

Steering effort needed will be about equal. One method modifies existing components, the other replaces with new parts.
Labor involved is equal. Steerite will need your trees delivered, modified and returned. EZ steer may or may not need lead time to provide their trees.
Compare cost and time factor and make your choice.
Either way you'll be glad you made the change.

Lonnie

towbiz - 5/7/2010 11:13 AM

I have a GL1500 with Champion car I've owned less than a year. I would like to reduce steering effort. I am considering EZ Steer or Steerite. I would appreciate feed back and informed opinions that may help. Thanks

towbiz.......I do not know anything about EZ Steer but the service I got from Side Effects Steerite was second to none. I ordered a set for my 1990 GL1500 and they were very helpful with advice all the way.They do a lot of GL1500's and they should be able to accommodate you. Either way you go will have the same effect in reducing steering effort. Just my 2 cents worth.

I've got EZ-Steer on my setup, I've no experience with SteerRite, so my bias would leanthat way. But I have become very comfortable with the VTX now, and I am comfortable with just fingertips on the handlebars with no drift, on the interstate, at least in the right lane. You will never want to go back, it's actually much akin to power steering on a car or truck. If they are actually basically the same function, then by all means go for the gusto, you won't like anything else. If possible try both to get your own feeling for control. I'm guessing there are few that have one that will lean toward the opposite, so your personal experience will be your best guide.

Doc

I have a 5% raked triple tree on my Dyna. It cost about $650, great quality and looks nice. I road with it installed with no sidecar for about a month. Handling was twitchy to say the least. With the sidecar on it's point and go. Stab it and steer it. On the freeway at 60 I can ride one hand with minimal input on the controls. At medium speeds around 30 to 50, it is very precise with little effort. I rode a friend's Harley sidecar setup once before I bought my hack , it had stock triple trees, and it was so heavy. That sold me on raked trees right there.

Anyone know where to start looking for raked trees for a H-D Cross Bones (Springer Front End). The only one I've found is Champion, for a grand plus.
Coyote

Ole Coyote - 5/9/2010 10:16 AM

Anyone know where to start looking for raked trees for a H-D Cross Bones (Springer Front End). The only one I've found is Champion, for a grand plus.
Coyote

You can try Side Effects and the Steerite tree. They take your stock tree and modify it. E-mail info@sidecars.ca and phone 250-573-2364. Web site http://www.sidecars.ca/. They are very helpful and gave me very quick service and lots of advice to make doing it myself much easier. Best to phone them direct as they tend to be busy in the shop and sometimes slow to respond to E-mail.

Hey Ole Coyote: Here's how Bueller modified the springer front end on his Cross Bones:

Copied from: http://www.sidecar.com/mbbs22/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=7939&posts=7&start=1:
... removed the Springer fork rockers, cut them, and extended them about 1 inch to reduce trail and make the bike steer a little easier. After I extended the rockers I found they made the front end sag because they had more leverage on the springs, so I had works performance make me a custom coil over shock to replace the stock damper (shock absorber) and provide more support for the front end. The end result is some reduction in steering effort and a front end that absorbs bumps and responds to irregularities better than the stock suspension setup ever did.

Thanks guys, I don't plan on doing anything right away because the riding season is here and I don't want to tie my bike up. I do plan on doing something this winter thou and I like options.
Coyote

I just ordered the steerite, it is less expensive and they are the greatest people to deal with! It is actually a liitle better than the other brands because they make adjustments to it specifically for the side cars. I also just ordered the the C/T for the rear. the 175/60/16 for my gl1500, they are on sale right now at tiresonline.com, the price is 50.55 and 20.00 shipping.

steerrrite is going to be bus. I just sent them a tree for my America today.
rudyr

The flagman - 5/12/2010 5:25 PM

I just ordered the steerite, it is less expensive and they are the greatest people to deal with! It is actually a liitle better than the other brands because they make adjustments to it specifically for the side cars. I also just ordered the the C/T for the rear. the 175/60/16 for my gl1500, they are on sale right now at tiresonline.com, the price is 50.55 and 20.00 shipping.

You will notice a big difference with the new tree. I just installed the Steerite Tree and C/T on my GL1500. I found that the C/T got real squirmy when over inflated. Reduced pressure to 35 PSI and much better. Still playing with pressure to find the best for handling. Are you doing the work yourself or getting a shop to do it?

I am doing it myself. I do not trust the shops around here!

Thanks to everyone for the replies. You're right, I talked with Peter @ Steerite, I'm sure that is the way I will go. Question concerning the use of the tire. I did not know there was one that would fit. Checked the Dark Side site, did not see it. Wingman what brand of tire did you use, are any modifications to wheel or suspension needed? Flagman, please let me know after you have installed it how it works. Thanks again guys, Towbiz

towbiz: There is only one size tire that is recomended for the gl1500 that is the 175/60/16, I have only found two brands that make them Federal and Dunlop. the Federal tire is on sale here: https://www.onlinetires.com/user/vehicle/tires/allbrands.html for 55.00 the only Dunlop I found was 149.00
I chose the Federal because it is less of an investment to see if I like it, they say it is easy to mount,and some say it is quieter than the Dunlop. The reason the GL1500 owners are using this tire is because it requires no modifications to your rim, it mounts right on. I will post my thoughts on the tire and the steerite once I have them on, but after everything I have read about both I am sure I will like them.