Fatbob cross wind problems

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Apr 19, 2010 | 03:14 PM

#31

FastHoss

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 4,271

Likes: 29

From: Green Country,Oklahoma

Don't notice it on my EG.The wind about knocks me over stopped but once I'm moving no issues.

Apr 19, 2010 | 03:48 PM

#32

WWECOUGAR

Road Master

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 1,074

Likes: 1

From: Baltimore, MD

Tires might help if you are also getting pulled by grooves in the road. Go Metzler for that. But, the bike is nearly new? No need to ditch good tires. All bikes will do this, some more than others. Bicycle stuff not too relevant due to differences in speed and weight (20+mph vs 55+mph.) Don't know about your riding skills, but don't panic. If the conditions are windy, stick to the back roads until you are more confident. No shame in that. You will enjoy the ride better anyway if you are not getting beat up by the wind.

Apr 19, 2010 | 04:27 PM

#33

Slopneck

Road Master

Joined: Apr 2008

Posts: 1,074

Likes: 0

From: Carolina

I haven't noticed any more effect from crosswinds on mine than on any of my previous bikes. Once in a great while there will be a really big gust that will give me a minor pucker, but for the most part it feels normal.

Apr 19, 2010 | 07:20 PM

#34

WoodsHog

Tourer

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 389

Likes: 1

From: Mount Morris Illinois

Don't notice any more of a problem on my bike than any others I've rode with spoked wheels.Crosswinds can be a bitch,but relax.Look at a bagger.You can't see the rear wheel and the front sure can't alow much airflow through it.We have 700 pound plus bikes.I don't think wheels make any diff.If it were a safety issue,Moco wouldn't put them on the bikes.

Apr 19, 2010 | 09:21 PM

#35

crock

Advanced

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 57

Likes: 0

Sometimes it is good to take a close look at the dynamics of riding to figure our what is happening. When you get hit by a cross wind from the left, it pushes the top of the bike over to the right and pushes the front of the wheel over to the right. Pushing the front of the wheel to the right is the same as counter steering, which leans the bike to the left into the wind. The bike becomes naturally balanced leaning into the wind. A rider who resists this process makes the bike move around more than necessary that is why relaxing is usually a good idea. Now for the bad news, when a gust of wind from the left gets strong enough the front wheel is wheel is turned to the right as usual, BUT the wind is strong enough hold the bike upright. Even though you are counter steering, the bike will not lean to the left. So what happens now? Your front wheel is pointed to the right, your bike is straight up, and you are headed off the road on the right! The more you counter steer, the faster you go to the right and the bike refuses to lean into the wind. This is how a good rider can get blown off the road. An important lesson to be learned from this is that there are times when the wind is too strong for riding. If you want my humble opinion, a 60 mph cross gust is enough to put me off the road. If I hear that winds are gusting over 45 mph, no riding for me that day.

Apr 20, 2010 | 05:44 AM

#36

fatbob123

Thread Starter

Road Captain

Joined: Nov 2009

Posts: 696

Likes: 0

thanks for all the information - experience and taking it easy will give me more confidence -

Jul 14, 2010 | 08:56 PM

#37

motocat13

4th Gear

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 8

Likes: 0

i traded my 2007 nightster for a 2004 fatboy and it really gets pushed by wind...just a slight breeze seems to push it or even a large big rig.....I know when I had my Nightster I could ride fine in a breeze without a push...I feel like the Nightster was a lot more stable...I was going to put spoke wheels on thinking the problem was the solid wheels but reading that soild has nothing to do with it changed my mind....really can't figure this **** out...this is my 16 motorcycle......had a deuce as well in 2001 and had no wind issues.....any slight breeze seems to push the fatty away from me....gremlins maybe?

Jul 4, 2011 | 08:41 AM

#38

terry125

Stage I

Joined: Jul 2011

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

From: Montreal

Cross winds fat bob

I found that if I lay down on the tank passing large trucks it pretty well eleminates the buffeting. But the cross winds can move you so I just slow down. Hope this helps.

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