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Jackpot handling

23K views 57 replies 24 participants last post by  Kingpin50 
#1 ·
Ok so I don't know if it just me but I'm having a tough time trying to get used to the jackpot/wide tire. So bought the bike at the beginning of summer and had kind of a "accident" and burnt my arm hand and back at a camp fire. (Little to much fire water if you know what I mean) So I was out of work and riding the bike for a month, and so far have only put 1000 miles on it. At first I was having a problem with it leaning to the right a little to much went to dealer n they said it's normal actually removing the bazooka Joe exhaust helped a lot. But it still seams at high speed around corners it just feels a little sloppy. (I know it won't be as good as my gsxr was) but I just feel like I'm not going to make it around some left hand turns, I don't know maybe its me kind of still a little nervous after seeing a friend last year involved in a accident.

Also I sometimes get a weird feeling when I get over 40-50 it feels like I'm getting pulled off the bike and it's kind of wobbley. I just ordered a quick disconnect windshield to see if this helps any.

I really do like riding and enjoy it and love the look of my bike maybe I just need to settle down n put some more miles on her, but I've been trying to decide on maybe trading it is for a highball or judge or something with a smaller tire?

Has anyone else experienced this? All thoughts appreciated.
 
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#34 ·
FWIW - It's not necessary the back tire/size as much as the front AND rear tire/rim combo. A good test would be to ride a JP and a Hammer back to back.

Certainly a different ride...just better or worse, just different. As stated, a bit of counter steering and hip placement go a long way.

Ride hard.
 
#35 ·
I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.... the only street bike I've ever owned is my 2012 Hammer 8 Ball. I suppose if I rode a narrow tire bike, I would probably cross the center line on every left hand turn. LOL
On the bright side, it's pretty stable in the wind compared to my buddies on their narrow tires. Although 2 weeks ago I rode in my first heavy winds, and WOW. I was amazed how far I was leaning over to keep it straight.
 
#36 ·
In my humble opinion Dunlops suck. I have had them on my Harley and now on my Victory and both handled poorly. When I switched to Metzs on my HD it was like a completely different bike. Too few miles on the Dunlops on my JP but once I get around the 5,000 point off they come and Metzs will be my replacement tires.

As far as handling I am more comfortable with the handling of the bike but slow turn corners are still a weird feeling. Good luck.
 
#39 ·
I agree 180s handle better but you buy a JP because of the look. Overall it handles well just not great. I had a Vrod with 180 and switched to Metz 200 and standard front. Bike handled better, nicer ride and I felt way more confident in sharp turns. All a matter of what tire suits your bike and riding style. cheers
 
#40 ·
How did you feel about the exhaust on the V-rod? When I test rode one, that thing really cooked my right calf. It had the fat tire on it and was the worst handling bike I ever rode. The Hammer seemed like a race bike by comparison.
 
#41 ·
heavy

Yes this is suppose to be about tires. I never got to try the tires on the V-rod. Sat on the V-rod a few years ago at a bike show. I did really like the fact the pegs were in the mid-mount position,that did feel good for my short legs. Took the thing off the side stand. The bike fits the Harley HOG theme. That is one heavy feeling bike. Bike seemed very top heavy. Never took a test ride after that. Even though the x-bikes are not light in weight they are extremely well balance. I actually wanted to like that V-rod,but the way it is balanced it feels like it needs to loose about 100-lbs. to me. ---Back to tires, I am going to try the Avons on my XR when it is time.:D
 
#42 ·
The jackpot steering geometry is the issue more than the 250 rear tire that everyone is putting so much consideration into. Think about it - Rake + tall skinny front tire and add in the 250 rear = straight line bike. The bike wasn't designed to handle with that formula, it's designed to look good going straight...
 
#44 ·


Heres Metz. for ya. Left 08 Raider, right 09 Raider hard to see but Metz. produced thousands of backwards treads for 08 Raiders and wouldn't even replace them after safety complaints. Notice the the super bikes busas, 14s, and the like never use the over priced Metzs. And what an as*ho*l Co. to deal with.:(
Had the Pres. of American Metz. cussing at me.
And their made off shore now not in Germamy. You don't know what you'll get.:mad::mad::rolleyes:
 
#49 ·
I can tell you personally that a stock Kingpin handles alot better than a Jackpot. I've owned both this season. However, after a short amount of ride time, I can't even tell my Jackpot has a fat tire. I haven't been on my bike in 2 weeks and rode it yesterday without noticing any extra steering effort. . I notice more issues with the front feeling a little squirly at speed. I haven't read through all the replies to this post. So, if I'm suggesting ideas already discussed I'm sorry. I would check your wheel alignment with a tape measure between the swingarm bolt and rear axle on both sides to make sure the alignment marks are correct on the swingarm. What width handlebars are you running? Stock bars or something narrower? I hope you can figure it out.
 
#50 ·
Never had an issue with Screaming Eagle exhaust. Bike handled great but never felt like I had the bike I wanted. Nice in AZ with the liquid cool and fan
 
#53 ·
I don't have anything else to compare the Jackpot's handling with since this is my first bike. I've had it for almost 2 years now and this is the bike I learned to ride on. I'm part of a club so I've ridden friend's bikes for short rides but since I'm already used to my jackpot I find those other bikes not as confortable as mine.

A lot of people told me to buy a more "common" bike to learn on because I would have a very difficult time learning in this one because of the rear tire and I said "no way, this is the one I'm in love with" and 5 weeks later came a 600+ miles trip with a lot of curves, unpaved roads, rain and potholes to evade ( I live in Dominican Republic) and had no problems conquering those whatsoever.

Granted the Jackpot is not the best handler of the bunch, but that would only be visible if you were riding the bike to the extreme alongside a skinnier rear tire bike ridden the same way.

I found a couple of tricks that have helped with this and made my rides more thrilling. I've noticed that when turning, the Jackpot feels sloppy at low revs so before I enter a corner I brake a little and downshift (also to give me space from the rider in front) and then lean over, hit the throttle and counter steer. I lean over before counter steering and then control the angle with the handlebars. By the time I exit the curve I'm at the tail of the rider in front since I corner much harder than he does and the feeling of the bike sticking to the ground like that is awesome thumb up
 
#54 ·
As bad as some people think the Jackpot is or isnt at handling, try sitting and riding its Harley equivilant the Rocker. Now theres a wierd feeling motorcycle. It felt like it was teetering the whole time I rode it. Whatever the Jackpot feels like when you ride it you have to admit its a bike that needs your attention all the time. IMO thats what makes it a great ride, the feel of the road and the curves. I also think its the toughest looking production motorcycle on the market and thats why we ride them.
 

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#55 ·
As bad as some people think the Jackpot is or isnt at handling, try sitting and riding its Harley equivilant the Rocker.
That bike, with its wide rear tire and left-side-drive, has the primary spaced way out to the left. You sit on the bike and lean it a few degrees to the right... pick up your feet... and it STILL falls to the left! Terribly left side heavy.

The right-side-drive transmissions developed for wide tire "Harley Clones" have been used by Big Dog, Ironhorse, and most all production customs.... but the MoCo themselves don't use it.

Rocker:






Now look at a Right-side-drive bike. Even with a larger tire, the primary is tucked in tight:

 
#56 ·
i don't have any handling issues with my jackpot other that the bolts that attach the [aftermarket] forward controls to the frame scrape on hard turns. if you learn to counter-steer, the bike leans with ease. I amazed at all of the non-JP owners pontificating to us owners on JP handling.
 
#57 ·
I've had mine for a year and a half now and love the handling. Took a few days to get used to. Could it be better? Of course. Always room for improvement. Is it heavy in the corners at speed on hilly s curves roads? Of course. But once you learn how to balance the bike, use your body to lean correctly, you learn its actually quite a bit more nimble than everyone thinks. I bought it knowing it is not going to corner like my friend's R1 and that's fine. I wanted a muscle cruiser that was fast and reasonably good at cornering. No complaints here.
 
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