Make you bike handle too well??
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 633
Likes: 1
From: Southern Indiana
Make your bike handle too well??
This may sound crazy, but I am beginning to regret how well my Fat Bob handles... I came from sport bikes (12 years without a bike while I had young kids), and got back into bikes with a Harley to "slow down". I tried many bikes before choosing the FB. Most other HDs I tried felt loose or ground the hard bits too soon. I put better shocks (Ohlins 3/4" longer) with Intiminators up front to get the chassis settled down after having mid-corner bumps upset the bike. Bliss
Longer story, shorter... I find myself cutting lunch short daily to find my old sport bike roads and see how fast I can hustle down them. Today I am running 40MPH through a 20MPH decreasing radius turn and meet up with a ton of loose grass clippings! I kept it rubber down, but it's making me rethink my choice of bikes. It's not in my nature to do something half a$$, so I want to ride like it is capable of being ridden (outside of a track day). I am seriously considering getting a touring bike, just because I can't imagine wanting to "toss" around a 900 lb. bike.
In my sport bike days I didn't have a wife and kids to think about.
Was thinking about a Breakout, but I'm afraid I'd forget about the horrible lean angle and low-side it.
Anybody else feel they need to slow down, and how did they do it?
Longer story, shorter... I find myself cutting lunch short daily to find my old sport bike roads and see how fast I can hustle down them. Today I am running 40MPH through a 20MPH decreasing radius turn and meet up with a ton of loose grass clippings! I kept it rubber down, but it's making me rethink my choice of bikes. It's not in my nature to do something half a$$, so I want to ride like it is capable of being ridden (outside of a track day). I am seriously considering getting a touring bike, just because I can't imagine wanting to "toss" around a 900 lb. bike.
In my sport bike days I didn't have a wife and kids to think about.
Was thinking about a Breakout, but I'm afraid I'd forget about the horrible lean angle and low-side it.
Anybody else feel they need to slow down, and how did they do it?
Last edited by Puffdaddy; Aug 26, 2013 at 09:34 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 251
From: Connecticut
Now why would you want to slow down? 
I think you'll regret getting a touring bike. I have my Z for speed but this winter (if I have he funds) I want to break down my lowrider and turn it into something special. Some motor work, paint, some other mods, and definitely upgrade the suspension....front and rear. Keep your bike, just have enough sense to slow it down when you need to.
I think you'll regret getting a touring bike. I have my Z for speed but this winter (if I have he funds) I want to break down my lowrider and turn it into something special. Some motor work, paint, some other mods, and definitely upgrade the suspension....front and rear. Keep your bike, just have enough sense to slow it down when you need to.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 232
Likes: 54
From: Bedford Indiana
This may sound crazy, but I am beginning to regret how well my Fat Bob handles... I came from sport bikes (12 years without a bike while I had young kids), and got back into bikes with a Harley to "slow down". I tried many bikes before choosing the FB. Most other HDs I tried felt loose or ground the hard bits too soon. I put better shocks (Ohlins 3/4" longer) with Intiminators up front to get the chassis settled down after having mid-corner bumps upset the bike. Bliss
Longer story, shorter... I find myself cutting lunch short daily to find my old sport bike roads and see how fast I can hustle down them. Today I am running 40MPH through a 20MPH decreasing radius turn and meet up with a ton of loose grass clippings! I kept it rubber down, but it's making me rethink my choice of bikes. It's not in my nature to do something half a$$, so I want to ride like it is capable of being ridden (outside of a track day). I am seriously considering getting a touring bike, just because I can't imagine wanting to "toss" around a 900 lb. bike.
In my sport bike days I didn't have a wife and kids to think about.
Was thinking about a Breakout, but I'm afraid I'd forget about the horrible lean angle and low-side it.
Anybody else feel they need to slow down, and how did they do it?
Longer story, shorter... I find myself cutting lunch short daily to find my old sport bike roads and see how fast I can hustle down them. Today I am running 40MPH through a 20MPH decreasing radius turn and meet up with a ton of loose grass clippings! I kept it rubber down, but it's making me rethink my choice of bikes. It's not in my nature to do something half a$$, so I want to ride like it is capable of being ridden (outside of a track day). I am seriously considering getting a touring bike, just because I can't imagine wanting to "toss" around a 900 lb. bike.
In my sport bike days I didn't have a wife and kids to think about.
Was thinking about a Breakout, but I'm afraid I'd forget about the horrible lean angle and low-side it.
Anybody else feel they need to slow down, and how did they do it?
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 848
Likes: 30
From: CO
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 334
Likes: 3
From: Honolulu
I'm in the same boat! Coming from a sport bike I wanted to keep it slower. But it seems that speed is just in the blood! I keep having to remind myself to ease up on the bike.
It's a sexy looking bike! But I can relate to what you're saying!
It's a sexy looking bike! But I can relate to what you're saying!
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,556
Likes: 1,846
From: Albuquerque, NM
Some of us like to ride a bike to its limit, no matter what that is. Sounds like you fit into that category. I know a guy who was exactly the way you're describing yourself. He bought a bagger so he would "slow down." I've also seen pictures of him on his bagger with the bags removed, the lights taped up, and him wearing full leathers tearing around the track.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Good luck with whatever you decide.