Fat Bob handling??
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 436
Likes: 3
From: Norway
Fat Bob handling??
So I have 1200 miles on my 2014 Fat Bob.
The main reason I got the Fat Bob was because it's supposed to be the best handling Harley in their current lineup.
I've done the Ricor/Traxxion in the front, True-Track front and rear and JRI 12" shocks ( yeah I know I performancewice I should have gone longer ).
I've been taking it pretty easy while getting to know the bike, but are frequently scraping my forwards on both sides. Scraping the pegs is kind of fun, except from when my foot get thrown of the peg.
Anyways.... Today I scraped my primarycase. I wasn't going that fast ( maybe 40mph ), but I guess if I lean it any more over, the primary will start taking weight and I'd be pretty much f"kked....
So have I reached the limit of the Bob? I'm debating on getting mid-controls so I can move my weight around more, and don't have to lean the bike so much...
How hard do you ride yours?
How much clearance to the primary will I gain with longer rear shocks???
The main reason I got the Fat Bob was because it's supposed to be the best handling Harley in their current lineup.
I've done the Ricor/Traxxion in the front, True-Track front and rear and JRI 12" shocks ( yeah I know I performancewice I should have gone longer ).
I've been taking it pretty easy while getting to know the bike, but are frequently scraping my forwards on both sides. Scraping the pegs is kind of fun, except from when my foot get thrown of the peg.
Anyways.... Today I scraped my primarycase. I wasn't going that fast ( maybe 40mph ), but I guess if I lean it any more over, the primary will start taking weight and I'd be pretty much f"kked....
So have I reached the limit of the Bob? I'm debating on getting mid-controls so I can move my weight around more, and don't have to lean the bike so much...
How hard do you ride yours?
How much clearance to the primary will I gain with longer rear shocks???
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
I can't imagine scraping your primary with that set up, that's nuts.
Do you mind me asking what you weigh?
What is the sag on your front and rear coming in at?
Do you really need to lean it that far over to turn sharp or are you just seeing how lean it will go?
I have mid pegs and I hardly ever scrape with my 12.5" shocks. Are you countersteering?
Maybe you've just been riding much longer then me and just need a sport bike.
Do you mind me asking what you weigh?
What is the sag on your front and rear coming in at?
Do you really need to lean it that far over to turn sharp or are you just seeing how lean it will go?
I have mid pegs and I hardly ever scrape with my 12.5" shocks. Are you countersteering?
Maybe you've just been riding much longer then me and just need a sport bike.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,809
Likes: 2,549
From: UK
Just a question....but if you've only got 1200 miles on it, why didn't you just leave the suspension stock for a while before messing with it? Then you'd at least have a solid reference point for how it would handle straight from the factory.
Seems like an awful short amount of miles to have radically changed the suspension setup.
My 100% stock 2014 FXDF doesn't scrape the pegs doing a U turn with a <20 foot radius. Of course, that is at slow speed and you'll be leaning much more on a high speed turn.
Seems like an awful short amount of miles to have radically changed the suspension setup.
My 100% stock 2014 FXDF doesn't scrape the pegs doing a U turn with a <20 foot radius. Of course, that is at slow speed and you'll be leaning much more on a high speed turn.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 436
Likes: 3
From: Norway
rooti:
I'm around 190 pounds with gear, so weight shouldn't be an issue. Sag is set to 1/3 of total travel front and rear ( don't remember the numbers ).
In this spesific turn ( first time I've scraped the primary ) I didn't do it intentionally, guess I just had a little too much speed.
Countersteering?? Everybody is countersteering... All the time... Thats pretty much the only way to make a bike turn, alot of people just don't know it, and don't realize what they're actually doing while riding.
I've olnly ridden bikes for 9 years, the first 6 was on RR-bikes, both on road and track. The last three years I rode a Crossbones, but because of the limited handling of that bike, I traded in for a Fat Bob this season....
Adm:
Changing the shocks was one of the first things I did after getting the bike. Looks and power is great, but in my book handling comes first, hence upgraded suspension front and rear + engine stabilizers...
I'm around 190 pounds with gear, so weight shouldn't be an issue. Sag is set to 1/3 of total travel front and rear ( don't remember the numbers ).
In this spesific turn ( first time I've scraped the primary ) I didn't do it intentionally, guess I just had a little too much speed.
Countersteering?? Everybody is countersteering... All the time... Thats pretty much the only way to make a bike turn, alot of people just don't know it, and don't realize what they're actually doing while riding.
I've olnly ridden bikes for 9 years, the first 6 was on RR-bikes, both on road and track. The last three years I rode a Crossbones, but because of the limited handling of that bike, I traded in for a Fat Bob this season....
Adm:
Changing the shocks was one of the first things I did after getting the bike. Looks and power is great, but in my book handling comes first, hence upgraded suspension front and rear + engine stabilizers...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,809
Likes: 2,549
From: UK
Personally, I intend to ride mine for at least 5K miles before I change a thing. Just so I really, really know how the current parts all work together before changing anything. It looks like you basically swapped out the whole suspension. Maybe for better, maybe not. I have a whole list of "upgrades" for mine already, but I want to know deep down that they are necessary and will make a real difference before I go for them. I am pretty sure that I will change my mind often over the next few months.
I don't really have an opinion either way as the parts you selected are probably all individually "better", but maybe they don't all work together as you'd like without a bit of fettling? I can't say that I am finding my stock suspension lacking at the moment or feeling any particular need to stabilise the engine. You probably ride yours harder than I do mine, and maybe I will feel the need for similar upgrades after I ride the bike for a while longer
By the way....I totally agree with you on the countersteering thing. It's the only way you CAN steer a bike over 15mph or so. Anybody who doubts it just doesn't understand that is what they are doing anyway.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
Honestly, you did some awesome upgrades that would only improve the bikes handling...I wouldn't see any reason to wait.
I think you are more a sport bike rider. There is nohing wrong with that. But a harley, no matter what you spend on it, ain't going to cut it. You could try the mids and a 13.5 shock and that would help...but it's just a matter of time before you will need more then the harley line up can offer.
Cut your losses and get something more suited for your riding...or slow down and enjoy the scenery a bit.
I went on a group ride with 90% sport bikes. I kept up with them for an hour and then went home. I was so stressed out my neck was sore. I love the twisties, but don't feel the need to push it all the way to the limit...I must be getting old.
I think you are more a sport bike rider. There is nohing wrong with that. But a harley, no matter what you spend on it, ain't going to cut it. You could try the mids and a 13.5 shock and that would help...but it's just a matter of time before you will need more then the harley line up can offer.
Cut your losses and get something more suited for your riding...or slow down and enjoy the scenery a bit.
I went on a group ride with 90% sport bikes. I kept up with them for an hour and then went home. I was so stressed out my neck was sore. I love the twisties, but don't feel the need to push it all the way to the limit...I must be getting old.
Havent scraped the primary on mine yet. Coming from sport myself and ride my 14 fatbob pretty damn hard. Was scraping stock pegs second day I had it. Then put some new ones on for more comfort and I know when they hit I need to start easing up. Like some of the other guys said the shocks may be too short. Least now I know what to avoid.
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey
You mentioned your riding history but I have to ask.. are you throwing the bike under you like a dirt bike or leaning off the bike into the turn? I really have no problems scraping my street bob in the turns when leaning off the bike a little in the turns.
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 96
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From: Sterling V.A
Honestly, you did some awesome upgrades that would only improve the bikes handling...I wouldn't see any reason to wait.
I think you are more a sport bike rider. There is nohing wrong with that. But a harley, no matter what you spend on it, ain't going to cut it. You could try the mids and a 13.5 shock and that would help...but it's just a matter of time before you will need more then the harley line up can offer.
Cut your losses and get something more suited for your riding...or slow down and enjoy the scenery a bit.
I went on a group ride with 90% sport bikes. I kept up with them for an hour and then went home. I was so stressed out my neck was sore. I love the twisties, but don't feel the need to push it all the way to the limit...I must be getting old.
I think you are more a sport bike rider. There is nohing wrong with that. But a harley, no matter what you spend on it, ain't going to cut it. You could try the mids and a 13.5 shock and that would help...but it's just a matter of time before you will need more then the harley line up can offer.
Cut your losses and get something more suited for your riding...or slow down and enjoy the scenery a bit.
I went on a group ride with 90% sport bikes. I kept up with them for an hour and then went home. I was so stressed out my neck was sore. I love the twisties, but don't feel the need to push it all the way to the limit...I must be getting old.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 106
Likes: 1
From: Brisbane, Australia
The cost of putting mid mounts on could be a fright with the inner and outer primary cases having to be changed. Also check the right foot mount will clear your front header pipe. Jacking the rear up an inch will help, but mainly by sharpening the steering up a bit. I've seen the side cases worn through and leaking oil, on fat bobs from trying to keep up with sports bikes. You can lengthen the forks and install longer shocks for higher clearance, but where does it all end. Sometimes it's better value to just change bikes to suit your riding style.