Some of the HD softails have very fat tires, like the Breakout and the Fat Boy. My question is, how does this affect handling, such as U-Turns? It is not feasible for me to test ride one of these bikes, so was hoping that someone knowledgeable could fill me in. Thanks!

 

I have rode and owned. bikes with 240mm on the rears, and (to me) the handling is still sharp as ever. I have heard people say they lost the quick turn in, and lean angle from large rears, but my personal experience (with sizes up to 240 mm) is there is such a slight difference that it is neglegable. I think it is a non issue, and looks killer.

 

low speed handling on the fat tire bikes is extremely easy. It took me about 5 miles to get used to the slower cornering of my fatboy 114. give them a whirl I think you will like them.

 

My V-Rod has the stock 240 rear tire, and the low speed handling is pretty good. U-turns take more effort compared to other bikes I've owned, but I think it's more because of the rake of the front end.

 

The 240 rear is no issue. the 160 front on my Fat Boy just means being a bit more intentional when cornering. It wants to go straight. Extremely stable with the 160/240 combo.

 

Guess I am odd man out but used to that. Test rode a Breakout a couple years ago and the thing seemed to want to right itself in turns.

 

Go to you tube and type in Yamaha Raider on Tail of the Dragon. You will see how good a 240 can handle.

 

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.

 

The clearance on the Breakout is what gives me problems when make sharp turns. But I never felt the rear tire made it difficult to turn.

 

Not a Breakout but I have a vrod with a 300 rear and I dont have any problems with u turns. The vrod vid on my sig is on a very tight turns.