Fat Boy Front Wheel Wind Sheer?

RideFree692 · #1 04-20-2008, 05:18 PM

I'm looking to buy an '08 and Fat Boy is on short list of possibles--severalowners and friends of owners I have talked to over the last year or so expressed problems with wind gusts from the side catching the solid front wheel and causing stablity issues,so they replaced with non-solid wheel. A salesman responded to this question that there are "more rumours amongHarley owners than drunks in a bar" and that is not a legitimate concern Please let me know the facts based on your experience. PS--I suspect this has been discussed before but I am not sure how to search old threads, sorry.

anubisss · #2 04-20-2008, 05:20 PM

I still have the solid wheels and and disagree that it makes any difference at all. When it's too windy you get blown all over the palce regardless of what kind of wheels you ahve. Does a solid wheel make it worse? I dunno.

billfitt · #3 04-20-2008, 05:27 PM

i bought 04 fatboy last july. i replaced the solid rims with spoked rims this last march. i have noticed no difference between solid or spokes as far as wind goes. i wouldn't be concerned about the wheels at all.

bill

mikef · #4 04-20-2008, 05:31 PM

I just switched from solid wheels to aftermarket wheels. I think it made a small differenece. It could be in my head but if there was a differenece it was small. We get lots of wind in my area.

BEFORE....

AFTER.....

RideFree692 · #5 04-20-2008, 05:59 PM

Thanks much guys, and great looking bikes!

deadman77 · #6 04-20-2008, 06:03 PM

Its a myth. When its windy its windy.
It will move anything.
MikeM

07 J/E FatBoy · #7 04-20-2008, 06:10 PM

Yep, NP with my solid wheels vs. wind either (no more than any other wheel that is). Hard wind will blow you around either way.

atrain68 · #8 04-20-2008, 06:25 PM

I don't believe there is any wind effect on solid wheels. Wind is going to blow you around no matter what you ride. I've never had any stability issues on my Fatboy.

wallyn · #9 04-20-2008, 06:28 PM

Solid Wheels no Problem. Rode in 30mph cross wind and stay in my lane no problem. I do not think a different whel would have had any effect on the cross wind handling of the bike.

I think it is just in the head of those that complain about it. I think it is just an excuse to buy new wheels really.

texfatboy · #10 04-20-2008, 06:29 PM

i have owned a ridden about evey manfactured bike made from jap bikes to euro and harleys'. i have a 05 fatboy now and the wind is no worse than any other bike i have been on. on a windy day. i get this question almost evertime i stop at a bike shop on a windy day.. i dont think it makes that much difference..........just my opinion.....good luck on what ever you buy.. kerry