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Put it this way i went from a Night train to Fatboy Lo with the solid wheels and on the highway the Lo is like a rock!!! Probably cause its a fatter heavier bike but it hardly gets blown around unless its really windy! So my opinion if there is a difference it aint much!
Solid rims and wind affects have been one of the biggest old-wives-tale in h-d lore. It's BS and anyone who says otherwise probably has no clue. I rack it up there with H-D's leak oil and cost more in maintenance than a metric.
The rider and the bike itself will catch more wind than any type of wheels.
Of course, this won't sway the folks who have themselves never ridden a bike with solid wheels but they just KNOW that solid wheels will push a bike all over the highway.
Ditto, never rode solid rims before my Lo... just went through a major hail storm on Friday and it handled like any other bike with 40 mph gusting cross breezes- like crap! ;^)
I HATE my solid wheels when im on the highway and its windy, just to compare I rode my friends bike with spokes (same day, same highway) yeah the bike and my body caught some wind but Nothing like my freakin solid Centerlines,
I feel it more the front end and bars (its hard to explain)
I know most of you guys say it doesnt make any difference and to all that say that I say You havent ridden My bike...
Yes it feels solid as a rock when the wind isnt blowing 20+ mph , over that , they suck
Can't say that I feel the wind anymore with my solid wheels than I did with spokes. If the wind moves me it is because I am not paying enough attention to my riding and wasn't prepared for it.
Had 93 fatboy with 100% solid wheels. No holes. I used to think I got blown around because of them but I think the issue was in retrospect over rated.
I have spokes now and I still get blown around now too!
Where it might concern me is driving in the rain in high winds with solid wheels.
Let's face it.....that can't be good right?
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solid wheels are fine. only time i notice anything is in a 35=40 mph cross wind while passing a semi. my buddy on his dyna got blown clear cross the lane fyi.
Changed from a dyna with solid wheels to a springer with spokes last week and there was a big difference. The cross winds certainly don't affect the spoked wheels on the springer as much.
I ride up and down the coast mostly, so there are usually strong winds at some stage while I'm riding. That being said, you can counter the effects of the wind and be cautious, and you should be fine with solids.
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