2011 Fat Bob questions...please chime in
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, Illinois
2011 Fat Bob questions...please chime in
I'm sure the more experienced riders on this forum will torch the **** out of me for posting this but I have some questions I hope you all don't mind answering. I received my new Fat Bob on May 27th and I have been overly surprised as to how easy the bike was to get used to and ride. I had more trouble on the Buell in the MSF course riding that bike but on the Fat Bob it has been as easy as I could have ever hoped. I am a new rider, I've been on dirt bikes in the sand dunes in the past, but on the street my experience is practically nothing.
Small slow tight turns are a cinch and with the Vance and Hines Sideshots everyone in traffic knows I'm there. The last thing I am is the invisible man.
Are all Dyna's this easy to ride? Or is the Fat Bob known to be more maneuverable than other Harley's? Did you all find riding your first HD just as easy?
Dealing with traffic has been simple. I ride to and from the VA at North Chicago several times a week (except in the rain) and the bike handles like a champ, even in the hands of a beginner. The one time I did get caught in the rain riding I couldn't believe the hold the bike had on the ground. I figured I'd slip and slide all over the street but the Fat Bob got me home safe and sound with no problems at all.
Am I taking too much for granted so far? I know my head is still in the clouds with that new bike honeymoon phase but the only problem I've encountered is getting off the bike when the ride is done.
I also don't understand the complaints that HD's can't corner. What are your thoughts on that? I've hit a few turns on the expressway a little too fast and was able to handle the bike with no trouble despite the fact I scarred the **** out of myself.
(I hope I'm not giving anybody the wrong impression). Please tell me about your Dyna's and how riding went for you when you first got yours.
Here is the bike when I first got it.
Small slow tight turns are a cinch and with the Vance and Hines Sideshots everyone in traffic knows I'm there. The last thing I am is the invisible man.
Are all Dyna's this easy to ride? Or is the Fat Bob known to be more maneuverable than other Harley's? Did you all find riding your first HD just as easy?
Dealing with traffic has been simple. I ride to and from the VA at North Chicago several times a week (except in the rain) and the bike handles like a champ, even in the hands of a beginner. The one time I did get caught in the rain riding I couldn't believe the hold the bike had on the ground. I figured I'd slip and slide all over the street but the Fat Bob got me home safe and sound with no problems at all.
Am I taking too much for granted so far? I know my head is still in the clouds with that new bike honeymoon phase but the only problem I've encountered is getting off the bike when the ride is done.
I also don't understand the complaints that HD's can't corner. What are your thoughts on that? I've hit a few turns on the expressway a little too fast and was able to handle the bike with no trouble despite the fact I scarred the **** out of myself.
(I hope I'm not giving anybody the wrong impression). Please tell me about your Dyna's and how riding went for you when you first got yours.
Here is the bike when I first got it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 4
The Fat bob has a steeper rake making it a little more maneuverable than other dynas.
Watch out for wet tar strips, they can by slippy.. any oil spots too. They will surprise the heck outta you, stay alert.
The best bikes for MSF is small cheap standard, easy to maneuver slowly. Most sport bikes are harder to ride and maneuver slow because of perhaps being more top heavy and touchy throttles.
Watch out for wet tar strips, they can by slippy.. any oil spots too. They will surprise the heck outta you, stay alert.
The best bikes for MSF is small cheap standard, easy to maneuver slowly. Most sport bikes are harder to ride and maneuver slow because of perhaps being more top heavy and touchy throttles.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, Illinois
The Fat bob has a steeper rake making it a little more maneuverable than other dynas.
Watch out for wet tar strips, they can by slippy.. any oil spots too. They will surprise the heck outta you, stay alert.
The best bikes for MSF is small cheap standard, easy to maneuver slowly. Most sport bikes are harder to ride and maneuver slow because of perhaps being more top heavy and touchy throttles.
Watch out for wet tar strips, they can by slippy.. any oil spots too. They will surprise the heck outta you, stay alert.
The best bikes for MSF is small cheap standard, easy to maneuver slowly. Most sport bikes are harder to ride and maneuver slow because of perhaps being more top heavy and touchy throttles.
I did give a Street Bob a test ride at the dealership but unfortunately I didn't ride it for very long. It was a great bike and I was very tempted to buy it but the Fat Bob felt a little more comfortable for me.
I wish I could try out more bikes just to compare.
Madame Moderator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 25,140
Likes: 12
From: The Peach State
1st, congratulations on the new ride.
2nd, just when you least expect it and you get complacent, something will try to jump up and bite you on the ***, so stay sharp and vigilant. Watch other drivers and riders, if you're paying attention, they'll usually tell you what they're about to do before they actually do it.
3rd, Careful in the rain, especially on warm days when it's just rained. It can be a right bitch getting the bike stopped after you've run through rain slicked oil spots on the road. Just ask me how I know this.
4th, some HD's corner better than others and have better lean angles IMHO. My Deluxe does not corner like my Sporty did. To me it's loggy but I am getting better at making the big bitch behave.
Be careful out there and keep the dirty side down.
2nd, just when you least expect it and you get complacent, something will try to jump up and bite you on the ***, so stay sharp and vigilant. Watch other drivers and riders, if you're paying attention, they'll usually tell you what they're about to do before they actually do it.
3rd, Careful in the rain, especially on warm days when it's just rained. It can be a right bitch getting the bike stopped after you've run through rain slicked oil spots on the road. Just ask me how I know this.
4th, some HD's corner better than others and have better lean angles IMHO. My Deluxe does not corner like my Sporty did. To me it's loggy but I am getting better at making the big bitch behave.
Be careful out there and keep the dirty side down.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, Illinois
Thanks Georgia! I know at some point I'm gonna get crushed and humbled but hopefully that lesson won't be too costly. I'm sorta stuck between staying very alert and having too much fun. I'm so nervous at times my hands shake and I struggle to tighten my chin strap on my helmet but at the same time it's a blast.
I'm going to have to figure out how to relax, I still have so much to learn.
I'm going to have to figure out how to relax, I still have so much to learn.
Madame Moderator
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 25,140
Likes: 12
From: The Peach State
All will be well grasshopper as long as you stay sharp. Just get into the habit of giving yourself a mental kick any time you're riding and you start to zone out thinking about other things rather than paying attention to where you're going and what's going on around you. Otherwise, enjoy!
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 302
Likes: 8
From: Huddersfield. U.K.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,023
Likes: 138
From: here
Congrats, yes to everything, still chuckling.
Nerves are half the fun, that's why we ride and others don't.
Just don't let the other half of fun (gas) win over the nerves.
Only because you were expecting it.
Nerves are half the fun, that's why we ride and others don't.
Just don't let the other half of fun (gas) win over the nerves.
Only because you were expecting it.
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Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 689
Likes: 6
From: Glen Rose TX
Please go and find a location that will allow you to ride ride ride ride ride without any traffic just ride shift brake turn repeat repeat repeat and then move into high speed stops and fast acceleration..... once you can do this and slide the bike about a bit then you are ready to deal with the traffic and all of the minivan moms with cell phones attached to their ears...
Or go get a dirt bike and ride it until you can ride the **** out of it then go get on the street
Basically I think your brain is overloaded right now as you are trying to process both the basic riding function with negotiating through traffic... where you need to get with the bike is that you don't even have to think about riding "IT" and are focused on "The Ride"
Or go get a dirt bike and ride it until you can ride the **** out of it then go get on the street
Basically I think your brain is overloaded right now as you are trying to process both the basic riding function with negotiating through traffic... where you need to get with the bike is that you don't even have to think about riding "IT" and are focused on "The Ride"
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: Goldenrod Crossing MN 56201
When I got back into riding and got my Fatbob my wife said my face was one of -"Little boy joy". There are some things you never forget like sliding down the road at 13 years old with a cushman highlander on its side. Throwing my leg over the bike still creates a high at 59 but NEVER forget you do not have air bags, seat belts, and a cage its just your abilities that keep you safe. Oh I almost forgot Nice Ride. Mike