How can I improve handling?

[greenbarn]

I'll check the brand & model of tires I have on the bike tonight.

Check on the mfg date as well.  If the tires have some age on them, they tend to not do so good, and I'd replace them.

Should be a long number following "D.O.T......"   The date should be the last 4 digits - should be set off by themselves in their own little oval-shaped mold (they change the date every week so the mold is it's own separate mold) .  The date is in week-year format.  For example this is the 22nd week of the year, so this week they're stamping 2214 in the tires.  A 3-digit code is PRIOR to 2000.

Examples:
2214   week 22 of 2014 (today)
1111   week 11 of 2011
0113   week 1 of 2013
309     week 30 of 2009

[Boaski]

I'll check the brand & model of tires I have on the bike tonight.

[greenbarn]

A couple of thoughts:
How are the neck bearings?    and How is your seating/ handlebar position?

I noticed a big difference on how comfortable I am in handling the 800 vs the 1500- the 800 seems to handle a lot easier for me.

One thing is the neck bearings are bad in my 1500 - makes it handle terrible in corners.

I'm also having to reach forward a lot more with the stock handlebar position.  I'm either going to change bars or add handlebar risers (800 has risers).

These 2 things make a big difference for me.

EDIT:  Baron Nostalgia bars claim to improve handling by lowering your center of gravity and making the bike handle much better...  For what it's worth.

[CDNRatMan]

  Troll is right I had Maxxis tires on the bike when I bought it and they were old, did not like the cornering on the machine, and first cruiser I owned that you sat "on" not in, if that makes sense. Had no real confidence like yourself.
Went to Metz tires and the correct inflation mad a huge difference, but still not happy, over this winter I did replace the original fork springs with progressive 1500 ones as per the recommendation of Sir GreenBarn. Only thing I differed from was I added a 1/4" to the spacers, because I am 235 lbs.
I have as yet not had a chance to go and give it the cornering test I want to but perhaps this weekend I will get the chance, and will be able to tell you if it has made a change.

[Troll]

What tires are you running? /the right tire changes everything!

[Boaski]

This past Saturday a group of us went for a ride. We hit a few new roads with one of them having quite a few blind curves combined with quite few hills. As I was about to crest a hill I noticed my son (who was ahead of me) started to turn to the right & then adjusted for something in the road. As I crested the hill I noticed a patch of loose stone on the road so I swung to the left (wrong move). Long story short, I was headed rapidly toward the ditch on the wrong side of the road. I really did not think I was going to avoid going head long over the edge, but I was finally able to get the bike cranked back around to the right. I'm also thankful there wasn't any oncoming traffic or I would have been a hood ornament. I'm also thankful I hit the bathroom before we left or it would have been a real uncomfortable ride back home...

All that to set the stage for the need to get my bike to handle better. I have never felt much confidence with this bike when cornering. Have you guys that have put different springs in the forks noticed any improvement?

I realize I put myself in a bad position this weekend, I can't fault the bike for that. I just have always thought the bike could do better. After Saturday I realize something is going to have to change.