OK, I'm lovong the hell out of my new Fat Boy, but I have a question thats based on the fact that
I never rode a motorcycle at highway speed before now.

At 55 mph (my current max speed till I'm past the 500 mile break-in period) I am getting a good solid buffeting from the wind.
It feels like its "wobbling" me around a bit.
There isnt any shaking or vibration in the handlebars and I'm not wandering around the lane at all, but I
just feel like the wind is kind of wiggling me around some in an irregular, random way
Its not a steady wind pressure but constantly fluctuating and so it "wiggles" me.

Barring a day with gusty wind, I had sort of expected a smoother steadier pressure from the wind when at highway speeds.

1. I feel silly asking this, but is that irregular, wiggly buffeting normal?

2. How much of that is based on my irregular body shape and clothing, jacket, etc

3. Does the more regular, smooth shape of the windshield give a smoother ride?

I AM getting a detachable windshield in 2 weeks, just trying to determine what I should be expecting.

 

It should be a little better with the windshield but wind at 55-70 mph does some pretty wierd things.


Terry

 

To be completely honest wiht you, the buffeting feeling that your getting is most likely from the solid wheels that your Fatty has. Whenever you get a gust a wind come from the side of you (passing car, etc.) you'll feel yourself get thrown a little bit than you should, and that because the wind likes to push on your wheels, and it'll sumtimes try 2 turn your front end, where if you had spoked wheels the wind would just go right through and you wouldn't have much of a problem. I hope this helps!

 

I gotta go with Danny!The solid wheels on the Fatty will cause some wind problems.I've seen it blow a Buddy of mine around a bit on his Fatty.It's not to bad as long as you're are aware of it.

 

>>>>At 55 mph (my current max speed till I'm past the 500 mile break-in period)

You might want to read this so you don't have an oil user,

http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

 

I've seen this issue (solid front wheels and wind) debated before with people on both sides.
Some say it makes a difference and some say they never noticed anything.

Just to clarify, the wobbling I described is not related to other vehicles passing me but is more of a continual
thing once I hit around 50 mph hwether there are other vehicles passing me or not.

Too bad I cant just throw on another wheel and test the theory right now.
If I had the $$ I might be tempted to do just that. Should it turn out that there reakky
is a difference, I'd probably keep the solid wheel anyway because I like how it looks
and the wabble I was describing isnt something that is a real "problem" nor is it iunterfering
with my control of the bike.

Either way, I'd feel a lot better about it if someone could tell me
"I know exactly what you mean, and its perfectly normal"
That way I can stop being paranoid and wondering if there something wrong with
my brand new bike

 

If, as the page suggests, that the first 20 miles are the most important,
then at 140 miles I'm already well past that point.

Why is there such a disparity between what this guy says and what the MOCO recommends?

Now I'm just confused, and if this guy is right I'm also pissed because its too late to follow his recommendations.

 

Don't worry about the wind. You'll get used to it. The windshield will help some, but when vehicles pass you and are in front of you for a ways, you get some pretty wierd air, depending on the direction of the wind. But again, you will get used to it.

There are as many opinions regarding break in as there are regarding exhaust. For the most part, if you don't rev the engine at a too high RPM, don't lug the engine and vary your speed, you are OK.

 

Pat,

My exact take on a good break-in. Has worked well on all the bikes I have had.

Regards,

Bill

 

solid wheels