The front end geometry has more to do with it than the tire width IMO. First time I rode a 2018 Fatboy I expected to have to really heave it over to get it to turn tight, but that was not the case. Ride something like a Breakout or VROD that has more rake and trail and you'll feel they're more reluctant to turn. Not that they won't do it, you just need to be more deliberate.
Exactly. A few years ago when the twin cam era was coming to an end, I decided to test ride a few models as well as a VROD Nightrod Special. I had never ridden a twin cam or a VROD, so this was the time to do it before the M8 would come out and the VROD would be discontinued.
For reference, my bike is a 1995 Heritage Softail Classic.
I didn’t like the feel of the dyna wide glide due to the skinny front tire.
I found the Fat Boy to be alright until I took it around some curves. I still could handle it, but hated feeling like the bike was fighting me.
The VROD Nightrod Special rear tire was the same width as the rear tire of the Fat Boy. Despite this, the bike handled really well, I loved the brakes, and just about everything about it to the point I thought about trading my corvette in on it but figured I would likely kill myself on the thing so I didn’t. I really loved that bike.
The twin cam Heritage seemed familiar but I found it was lacking in power but handling etc was the same as my old bike.
I rode some other bikes that day but the point is look at how different my impressions were on two bikes that use a 240 rear tire.
You really need to test ride bikes because what I see as a major problem another person sees as a barely noticeable nuisance and vice versa.
Only handling issues I've ever noticed with my back tire was when it was close to the end of it's service life. Stock tire so it's the Dunlop 200 on my bike. I'm an interstate type of guy so my center line is usually worn out and the tread on the edges is in good condition. Riding like that it feels like the tire squares itself instead of being rounded so going into a lean and a turn sometimes feels a little sluggish like you have to get the tire over the worn flat part in the center and onto the side tread. Could just be a mental thing with me though lol.
Last edited by MilsurpShooter; 12-24-2019 at 07:28 AM.
I watched ALOT of YouTube videos when I had my mind set on a new Breakout. I promised myself to test ride BEFORE I bought one. I did , and found this......people make WAAAAY too big a deal of it. Love the bike, love the look. Cool as hell. The Breakout has a lil different rake, it feels, than others. You'll notice that, but again no biggie. You'll be used to it before the day is out.
Big tires are for the look. If you are into really "hard" riding you wouldn't be on a HD. I've ridden Big Dogs with 330's, and by then they take some getting used to but for my general riding they handled fine (although anything over a 230 looks wrong to me). The 230 was the last wide high profile tire. I liked the looks and the handling. The low profile tiles make handling "off". Big tires look good and tend to make me the complete riding package. I also rode an Exile Bulldozer which runs a 230 in front and back...now that will make riding twisties a challenge. Big is relative like when I describe my johnson.
On my 05 Fatboy, I have run 130 and 140s on the front. I prefer the thinner tire as it is easier to flick around in and out of traffic. It is noticeable to me.
I test rode the new Fatboy when it first came out. Almost took out some when turning right, went waaaaay wide. I saw alot of others do it too. I'm sure you adjust, but ill pass.
12-23-2019, 10:10 PM
