Fat Bob insight / experiences?
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Oakland
Ah - good to know - thanks!
Oaklander,
In a right hand turn, you will drag the lower muffler along the road before you drag the peg (I have forward controls). Haven't managed to touch on the left hand side.
I have over 4000km on the FB and find the bike to be easy to ride and very "chuckable" into a corner. I have the rear shocks set to 3, a good compromise for one or two up.
Colin.
In a right hand turn, you will drag the lower muffler along the road before you drag the peg (I have forward controls). Haven't managed to touch on the left hand side.
I have over 4000km on the FB and find the bike to be easy to ride and very "chuckable" into a corner. I have the rear shocks set to 3, a good compromise for one or two up.
Colin.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,983
Likes: 49
From: Hell's Gate
Yeah, but for $300 you can buy the Black Rush Slip-ons and a can of Header Spray Paint and you're in business! Really set off the look (and sound) of mine.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 10
From: TX
I sold my Ultra and bought a fat bob and have not looked back.
Great handling and riding bike, I do miss some of the comforts of the Ultra, but do not regret the purchase for a moment.
I have my shocks set at 4 all the time and it is working out great
Great handling and riding bike, I do miss some of the comforts of the Ultra, but do not regret the purchase for a moment.
I have my shocks set at 4 all the time and it is working out great
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
From: West TN
I have a 2008 Fat Bob that I bought about 5 weeks ago and have put over 2000 miles on since then... This is coming from several UJMs... (universal Japanese motorcycles).
The overall experience is great. I love this motorcycle and it's a blast to drive. The forward controls took about 2 weeks to become comfortable... still doesn't feel quite natural to me even now.
But, it doesn't handle anywhere near as well as any other motorcycle I've owned. It "wallows" about in any serious corner over 45 MPH. The first few times this freaked me out. Corners that I was used to taking at 70+ on my Vstrom are only comfortable at about 55/60. And faster and it really starts moving around on me. I've just learned to slow down a bit. And yes, I did check the air pressure. The rear shocks are set at 4, I believe.
I have forward pegs and Rush slip-ons and I've dragged the kury pegs on both the left and right side... mostly on nice sweeping interstate on-ramps. I've yet to have my exhaust drag.
The bike is a blast to drive and I'm researching ways of making this bike handle like I want it handle. In my opinion it needs better front springs and heavier fork oil. I think the "true track" style of stabilizers would help, too.
Still... this bike has so much more character, I love it despite the flaws.
tstyles
The overall experience is great. I love this motorcycle and it's a blast to drive. The forward controls took about 2 weeks to become comfortable... still doesn't feel quite natural to me even now.
But, it doesn't handle anywhere near as well as any other motorcycle I've owned. It "wallows" about in any serious corner over 45 MPH. The first few times this freaked me out. Corners that I was used to taking at 70+ on my Vstrom are only comfortable at about 55/60. And faster and it really starts moving around on me. I've just learned to slow down a bit. And yes, I did check the air pressure. The rear shocks are set at 4, I believe.
I have forward pegs and Rush slip-ons and I've dragged the kury pegs on both the left and right side... mostly on nice sweeping interstate on-ramps. I've yet to have my exhaust drag.
The bike is a blast to drive and I'm researching ways of making this bike handle like I want it handle. In my opinion it needs better front springs and heavier fork oil. I think the "true track" style of stabilizers would help, too.
Still... this bike has so much more character, I love it despite the flaws.
tstyles
Last edited by tstyles; Oct 31, 2008 at 09:57 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Oakland
The wallowing I'm pretty sure is due to a lack of rebound damping. I get the same thing. I think it's a little over sprung, too (to compensate for touring and 2-up loads). I'm thinking about going with Progressives in the back and Progressive springs in the front.
I agree that the amount of character the bike has compensates for the handling - and I'm pretty sure the handling issue is fixable. . .
I agree that the amount of character the bike has compensates for the handling - and I'm pretty sure the handling issue is fixable. . .
I have a 2008 Fat Bob that I bought about 5 weeks ago and have put over 2000 miles on since then... This is coming from several UJMs... (universal Japanese motorcycles).
The overall experience is great. I love this motorcycle and it's a blast to drive. The forward controls took about 2 weeks to become comfortable... still doesn't feel quite natural to me even now.
But, it doesn't handle anywhere near as well as any other motorcycle I've owned. It "wallows" about in any serious corner over 45 MPH. The first few times this freaked me out. Corners that I was used to taking at 70+ on my Vstrom are only comfortable at about 55/60. And faster and it really starts moving around on me. I've just learned to slow down a bit. And yes, I did check the air pressure. The rear shocks are set at 4, I believe.
I have forward pegs and Rush slip-ons and I've dragged the kury pegs on both the left and right side... mostly on nice sweeping interstate on-ramps. I've yet to have my exhaust drag.
The bike is a blast to drive and I'm researching ways of making this bike handle like I want it handle. In my opinion it needs better front springs and heavier fork oil. I think the "true track" style of stabilizers would help, too.
Still... this bike has so much more character, I love it despite the flaws.
tstyles
The overall experience is great. I love this motorcycle and it's a blast to drive. The forward controls took about 2 weeks to become comfortable... still doesn't feel quite natural to me even now.
But, it doesn't handle anywhere near as well as any other motorcycle I've owned. It "wallows" about in any serious corner over 45 MPH. The first few times this freaked me out. Corners that I was used to taking at 70+ on my Vstrom are only comfortable at about 55/60. And faster and it really starts moving around on me. I've just learned to slow down a bit. And yes, I did check the air pressure. The rear shocks are set at 4, I believe.
I have forward pegs and Rush slip-ons and I've dragged the kury pegs on both the left and right side... mostly on nice sweeping interstate on-ramps. I've yet to have my exhaust drag.
The bike is a blast to drive and I'm researching ways of making this bike handle like I want it handle. In my opinion it needs better front springs and heavier fork oil. I think the "true track" style of stabilizers would help, too.
Still... this bike has so much more character, I love it despite the flaws.
tstyles
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, OH
I feel the same way about my Super Glide wallowing in the corners. It's a good handling Harley, but not a great handling bike. Compared to other stuff I've owned, well, there is no comparison.
But, Progressive front springs and heavier oil will set you back only about $70. I'm convinced that will make a huge difference. Oh, might as well add a fork brace while you're at it, those suckers are great bang for the buck.
Plus the Fat Bob gets really nice tires and a dual front brake setup (why oh why do all Dynas not get this?!!?!). Two big plusses right there. The Fat Bob is my favorite Harley, but it was out of my price range when I was shopping. I'd own one in a second if I could afford it.
But, Progressive front springs and heavier oil will set you back only about $70. I'm convinced that will make a huge difference. Oh, might as well add a fork brace while you're at it, those suckers are great bang for the buck.
Plus the Fat Bob gets really nice tires and a dual front brake setup (why oh why do all Dynas not get this?!!?!). Two big plusses right there. The Fat Bob is my favorite Harley, but it was out of my price range when I was shopping. I'd own one in a second if I could afford it.
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
From: Toronto
Hmm ya, I would definetely change the exhaust on it, probably to a vance and hines 2 into 1 big radius, from all the youtube vids I've watched it sounds pretty deep and beefy.
If I decide not to go for the CVO Id also get the screamin eagle big bore stage 1 103 cc kit.
I was thinking about making an all black Fat Bob, black denim, and a black vance and hines 2 into 1 big radius, should look pretty cool
So this peg dragging business, would forward or mid controls drag less pegs? Or the same? Dumb question but do all Harleys more or less drag pegs? Or are there some models that don't?
If I decide not to go for the CVO Id also get the screamin eagle big bore stage 1 103 cc kit.
I was thinking about making an all black Fat Bob, black denim, and a black vance and hines 2 into 1 big radius, should look pretty cool
So this peg dragging business, would forward or mid controls drag less pegs? Or the same? Dumb question but do all Harleys more or less drag pegs? Or are there some models that don't?
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 0
From: Brunswick, OH
I'll tell you this, I can drag my forwards on my Super Glide (stock height shocks and springs) without even thinking about it. It's a shame too, because you can tell the bike itself could lean over much further, but the pegs and the right lower exhaust bracket don't allow it. I think I scraped my right peg the first time I ever rode my Super Glide I also owned a V-Strom 1000 and an FZ1 this year, and no matter how hard I tried, I only dragged the pegs on the V-Strom once, and never on the FZ1. And that included two rides through the Tail of the Dragon!
I also owned a V-Strom 1000 and an FZ1 this year, and no matter how hard I tried, I only dragged the pegs on the V-Strom once, and never on the FZ1. And that included two rides through the Tail of the Dragon!