Question about very fat tires
#31
12-31-2019, 04:25 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
Personally I feel like the fatter tire bikes handle worse than the skinny tire bikes. I've owned 7 HDs and my current 09 with the 180 tire is the first with a wider tire (its funny that I remember when a 180 was a fat tire LOL).
Any way, I think the older 140 tires on my 03 and 04 baggers handled better. The 180 feels like I need to hold it down more than I ever did with the skinnier tire bikes. Not like its trying to stand back up when I'm in a curve or anything, just that it takes more effort to hold a line when I push the bars to make my turn.
I can also "feel" when the 180 starts to reach its sidewall. Theres a spot in the tire where the middle flatter section of tire transitions to the curved rounded sidewall and I can feel when my bike hits that point.
Any way, I think the older 140 tires on my 03 and 04 baggers handled better. The 180 feels like I need to hold it down more than I ever did with the skinnier tire bikes. Not like its trying to stand back up when I'm in a curve or anything, just that it takes more effort to hold a line when I push the bars to make my turn.
I can also "feel" when the 180 starts to reach its sidewall. Theres a spot in the tire where the middle flatter section of tire transitions to the curved rounded sidewall and I can feel when my bike hits that point.
#32
01-02-2020, 11:56 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
To answer one impolite fellow, no I am not in prison but I don't like to test ride bikes unless I am really in the market for a new one which I absolutely am not at the present time. But I was curious about this fat tire issue -- for a particular reason, by the way. I have been working on my U-Turns with my Road King, and I was wondering how fat tires might affect that. I have finally got my Road King U-Turns down to where I can do a U Turn into a two-lane road. May not sound like much, but I used to need 3 lanes.
#33
01-05-2020, 09:08 AM
My 13 Fatboy had a 200 rear and it handled fine but wore out at less than 4K. I'm an old fart, don't ride aggressively and keep pressures correct. I replaced it with a Michelin Commander and it had 7K and lots of tread left when I traded it last fall. Personally I don't like the looks of the new Fatboy which is why one isn't in the garage. Tires, nacelle, etc. suck IMHO.
To each their own though.
To each their own though.
#34
01-05-2020, 09:28 AM
Road Warrior
Personally I feel like the fatter tire bikes handle worse than the skinny tire bikes. I've owned 7 HDs and my current 09 with the 180 tire is the first with a wider tire (its funny that I remember when a 180 was a fat tire LOL).
Any way, I think the older 140 tires on my 03 and 04 baggers handled better. The 180 feels like I need to hold it down more than I ever did with the skinnier tire bikes. Not like its trying to stand back up when I'm in a curve or anything, just that it takes more effort to hold a line when I push the bars to make my turn.
I can also "feel" when the 180 starts to reach its sidewall. Theres a spot in the tire where the middle flatter section of tire transitions to the curved rounded sidewall and I can feel when my bike hits that point.
Any way, I think the older 140 tires on my 03 and 04 baggers handled better. The 180 feels like I need to hold it down more than I ever did with the skinnier tire bikes. Not like its trying to stand back up when I'm in a curve or anything, just that it takes more effort to hold a line when I push the bars to make my turn.
I can also "feel" when the 180 starts to reach its sidewall. Theres a spot in the tire where the middle flatter section of tire transitions to the curved rounded sidewall and I can feel when my bike hits that point.
#35
01-05-2020, 11:24 AM
The first time I rode my 2018 Breakout it was a whoa! moment as I couldn’t lean in and turn sharply in the parking lot on the way to the street. Immediately noticeable. Now I’m used to it and can u-turn or whatever. It is slower in turns... not as flickable as other bikes on winding country roads, but that suits me fine. And I do scrape the pegs now and then but that’s OK too as part of the relatively poor lean angle. Though the Softail suspension was VASTLY improved in 2018, this is still no sport bike.
I understand that earlier years had a flatter-crowned tire which made it worse, causing even slower response to leaning, plus the stand-up that some describe, which is why going with different tires on those older models is apparently popular. Makes sense but I don’t have personal experience.
Finally, the rear tire has to be replaced during every 5,000 mile service. They don’t last. All that being said, I enjoy this bike very much for what it is. Sport bikes are better at sport riding and touring bikes are better at touring. This one is it’s own kind of fun and with unique customizations to suit my needs, is highly satisfying in ways that sport and touring bikes are not.
I understand that earlier years had a flatter-crowned tire which made it worse, causing even slower response to leaning, plus the stand-up that some describe, which is why going with different tires on those older models is apparently popular. Makes sense but I don’t have personal experience.
Finally, the rear tire has to be replaced during every 5,000 mile service. They don’t last. All that being said, I enjoy this bike very much for what it is. Sport bikes are better at sport riding and touring bikes are better at touring. This one is it’s own kind of fun and with unique customizations to suit my needs, is highly satisfying in ways that sport and touring bikes are not.
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#36
01-05-2020, 02:59 PM
Outstanding HDF Member
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#37
01-05-2020, 04:41 PM
Club Member
So it's feasible that you can take a demo ride, you just don't want to bother a dealer and take a brand new bike out on the road that you currently have no intention of buying. I can accept that, that's actually admirable that you don't want to waste the dealers time and put miles on a new bike that someone else will have to buy.
But that is also exactly what the Demo Truck is for. They have a bunch of bikes they take around the country for people to try out.
Another option is to test ride a used bike. Next time you are at a dealership and they have a fat rear tire bike sitting there be straight up with them, say "I have no intention of buying that, but I've always wondered how they handle, can I take it out for a ride?" I've done that in the past and every time the salesman has happily let me take the bike out. Just an FYI, salesman don't just have to sell bikes, they have to look like they are tying to sell bikes to their sales manager. If it's a slow day, middle of the week and the salesman are sitting around doing nothing the sales manger gets on their ***.
But that is also exactly what the Demo Truck is for. They have a bunch of bikes they take around the country for people to try out.
Another option is to test ride a used bike. Next time you are at a dealership and they have a fat rear tire bike sitting there be straight up with them, say "I have no intention of buying that, but I've always wondered how they handle, can I take it out for a ride?" I've done that in the past and every time the salesman has happily let me take the bike out. Just an FYI, salesman don't just have to sell bikes, they have to look like they are tying to sell bikes to their sales manager. If it's a slow day, middle of the week and the salesman are sitting around doing nothing the sales manger gets on their ***.
#38
01-07-2020, 10:33 AM
Besides the look, which I of course like, I think it's a smoother ride than on skinnier tires.
Last edited by mmancuso; 01-07-2020 at 10:34 AM.
#39
01-07-2020, 11:12 AM
Seasoned HDF Member
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Mallard Slayer (01-07-2020)
#40
01-07-2020, 11:42 AM
Stellar HDF Member
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Superdog3:16 (01-07-2020)
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