Fatboy handling

slimjim47 · Apr 2nd, 2009, 12:12 AM

Don't worry about treading on anyones toes. There's nothing wrong with an unbiased opinion, if it's truly unbiased. Just curious...what prompted you to make the suspension changes? Did the stock set up not get the job done or was it just squirrely? English roads aren't any different than some of the roads here so just curious why you felt the need to make suspension changes. Thanks

Jim

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battersea

My first post on this forum so I hope I don't tread on anyone's toes.

I hear similar remarks here in England, 'Softails don't handle, 'are uncomfortable' etc etc, this is rubbish imo.

I find my Fatboy handles well, its never put me in a situation that has caused me to think otherwise. This is on English roads as well, not the best in the world I can tell you.

Modifications have been made to iron out everything on the bike I thought needed improvement, in respect of handling this only involved stiffening-up the rear shocks and fitting 20grade fork oil.

Edit: Also fitted Avon Venom tyres. The standard Dunlop's are hated over here, it maybe something to do with our roads, but almost everybody replaces them asap.

Hobbit · Apr 2nd, 2009, 09:45 AM

he live's in Devon, man i would not even walk on some of those roads let alone ride a bike

, last time i was down that area i was on a softail copy (VL800 Volusia) and i had trouble with the suspension bottoming out also on some of the corners it was possible to drag the lower frame rails due to the horrendous camber and hair pin bends Lynton/Lynmouth and Porlock Hill spring to mind - great on a Downhill MTB tho

Battersea · Apr 2nd, 2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimjim47

Don't worry about treading on anyones toes. There's nothing wrong with an unbiased opinion, if it's truly unbiased. Just curious...what prompted you to make the suspension changes? Did the stock set up not get the job done or was it just squirrely? English roads aren't any different than some of the roads here so just curious why you felt the need to make suspension changes. Thanks
Jim

Hi Jim - Adjusted the rear shocks because I mainly ride 2 up and sometimes with luggage and the rear bottomed out too easily. The forks worked pretty well but I read on another US forum that a heavier oil worked well and I would now concur with that view.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobbit

he live's in Devon, man i would not even walk on some of those roads let alone ride a bike

, last time i was down that area i was on a softail copy (VL800 Volusia) and i had trouble with the suspension bottoming out also on some of the corners it was possible to drag the lower frame rails due to the horrendous camber and hair pin bends Lynton/Lynmouth and Porlock Hill spring to mind - great on a Downhill MTB tho

Can only agree with you about Porlock Hill especially

. Fatty still handled it OK though

Hobbit · Apr 3rd, 2009, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battersea

Can only agree with you about Porlock Hill especially

. Fatty still handled it OK though

im going to be down that way again in June on my 1000mile IBA run

slimjim47 · Apr 4th, 2009, 02:31 AM

Thanks for all the responses. I'm planning to wait until July and see if there's anything special that comes out on the 2010 Fatboy. Once I know what's in store with the 2010's I plan to rent a Fatboy and a RK Classic, then decide from there. I've always been a big fan of the Fatboy but the RK is tugging at me too. I think, hope anyway, that spending a day on both of them will help. I usually do an equal amount of time buzzing around town as out on day trips, so it's a hard choice between the two. I guess my biggest concern is getting 3 or 4 hundred miles down the road and then finding out I bought the wrong bike. Anyway, thanks for posting.

smitty901 · Apr 4th, 2009, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slimjim47

Thanks for all the responses. I'm planning to wait until July and see if there's anything special that comes out on the 2010 Fatboy. Once I know what's in store with the 2010's I plan to rent a Fatboy and a RK Classic, then decide from there. I've always been a big fan of the Fatboy but the RK is tugging at me too. I think, hope anyway, that spending a day on both of them will help. I usually do an equal amount of time buzzing around town as out on day trips, so it's a hard choice between the two. I guess my biggest concern is getting 3 or 4 hundred miles down the road and then finding out I bought the wrong bike. Anyway, thanks for posting.

You have a wide range between those two bikes. The RK is a touring bike while not dress out it is a touring frame. The FB is a softail while I know weekend trips can be run on a FB I have done it many times, it is not a touring bike. Choosing between a FB and a RK id like choosing between day or night.
It will take more than a test ride to short that out, you need to figure out how you will use the bike most of the time.
No madder what HD you jump on and test ride it will tug at your heart.

gs34 · Apr 4th, 2009, 07:40 AM

The fatboy is a fine ride, and I love it around town. But if I'm going on a serious ride, I'll take my EGC every time.

mqhybrid · Apr 4th, 2009, 10:02 AM

I have an 06 fatboy and i have never ever had an problem on corners. This sound very strang to me.

slimjim47 · Apr 6th, 2009, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smitty901

You have a wide range between those two bikes. The RK is a touring bike while not dress out it is a touring frame. The FB is a softail while I know weekend trips can be run on a FB I have done it many times, it is not a touring bike. Choosing between a FB and a RK id like choosing between day or night.
It will take more than a test ride to short that out, you need to figure out how you will use the bike most of the time.
No madder what HD you jump on and test ride it will tug at your heart.

You're right about either one tugging at my heart. That's why I'm taking my time. This will be my third Harley so I know a Sporty or Dyna is out of the question. These days I'm more interested in long rides with the occasional buzzing around town.

zach · Apr 7th, 2009, 02:05 PM

Hi, I ride an 04 Fatboy with Dunlops fitted, it can be a bit wobbly when the front pressure isn't right, but I can honestly say that it handles really well, it just needs commitment in the turns and sometimes strange lines through the curves is the way to go!
It has stock shocks and ride height, I run the pressures at 36 psi front and rear.

Apr 2nd, 2009, 09:45 AM	#22
Hobbit Retired Moderators Ride: 09 CVO Ultra Classic Join Date: May 18th, 2007 Location: The Shires UK Posts: 8,863 My Mood:	Re: Fatboy handling he live's in Devon, man i would not even walk on some of those roads let alone ride a bike , last time i was down that area i was on a softail copy (VL800 Volusia) and i had trouble with the suspension bottoming out also on some of the corners it was possible to drag the lower frame rails due to the horrendous camber and hair pin bends Lynton/Lynmouth and Porlock Hill spring to mind - great on a Downhill MTB tho __________________ :good Please stop by the "self help section" for maintenance tips, diagnostic codes and much more. >>Self Help Information and Tips<< click me!

Apr 4th, 2009, 02:31 AM	#25
slimjim47 Start The Engine Ride: Dyna Join Date: Mar 26th, 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 35	Re: Fatboy handling Thanks for all the responses. I'm planning to wait until July and see if there's anything special that comes out on the 2010 Fatboy. Once I know what's in store with the 2010's I plan to rent a Fatboy and a RK Classic, then decide from there. I've always been a big fan of the Fatboy but the RK is tugging at me too. I think, hope anyway, that spending a day on both of them will help. I usually do an equal amount of time buzzing around town as out on day trips, so it's a hard choice between the two. I guess my biggest concern is getting 3 or 4 hundred miles down the road and then finding out I bought the wrong bike. Anyway, thanks for posting. __________________ Young riders pick a "destination" and go. Old riders pick a "direction" and go.

Apr 4th, 2009, 07:40 AM	#27
gs34 Contributor$ Ride: 2007 FLHTC Join Date: Apr 25th, 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 652	Re: Fatboy handling The fatboy is a fine ride, and I love it around town. But if I'm going on a serious ride, I'll take my EGC every time.

Apr 4th, 2009, 10:02 AM	#28
mqhybrid Warming The Wheels Ride: 2009 street glide Join Date: Mar 22nd, 2008 Location: calgary, alberta Posts: 115 My Mood:	Re: Fatboy handling I have an 06 fatboy and i have never ever had an problem on corners. This sound very strang to me.

Apr 7th, 2009, 02:05 PM	#30
zach Start The Engine Ride: 04 Fatboy Join Date: Apr 6th, 2009 Location: oxfordshire uk Posts: 10 My Mood:	Re: Fatboy handling Hi, I ride an 04 Fatboy with Dunlops fitted, it can be a bit wobbly when the front pressure isn't right, but I can honestly say that it handles really well, it just needs commitment in the turns and sometimes strange lines through the curves is the way to go! It has stock shocks and ride height, I run the pressures at 36 psi front and rear.

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Fatboy handling

Softail Models