2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
Novice
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From:
RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
guys come on lets keep some perspective.
Harley have made some fundamental changes this year - bigger engine, 6 speed, etc.
On the whole I'm sure you agree that they have moved the game on.
I friend chopped in his 06 Fatboy for the 07 Fatboy and has nothing but praise for the bike. The power, the gearchange, and reduced clutch effort. Only thing he's waiting on is for a louder exhaust.
Harley have made some fundamental changes this year - bigger engine, 6 speed, etc.
On the whole I'm sure you agree that they have moved the game on.
I friend chopped in his 06 Fatboy for the 07 Fatboy and has nothing but praise for the bike. The power, the gearchange, and reduced clutch effort. Only thing he's waiting on is for a louder exhaust.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 301
From: moved to Florida!
RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
What I can't understand is that the 2006 SE Fatboy had the same tires as this year's Fatboy, and the front fender is NOT off center on the SE (Dealer had an SE on the floor). I haven't heard of any SE Fatboy owners complaining that their bikes felt heavy on any side, or that it didn't track right. So why did HD do this offcenter thing? Maybe the lawyers have more say now than the engineers.
Jerry
Jerry
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 257
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From:
RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
Got a letter from HD adivsing me to call my dealer to schedule the replacement of the slide fork covers. If damage has occured to the fender it will either be repaired or replaced. Pick up and delivery, if requested, is free of charge as well. From this letter the only flaw acknowledged by HD is not the off-set of the fender and wheel but the fork slide covers only.
Novice
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Omaha, NE
RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
ORIGINAL: Jerry L
What I can't understand is that the 2006 SE Fatboy had the same tires as this year's Fatboy, and the front fender is NOT off center on the SE (Dealer had an SE on the floor). I haven't heard of any SE Fatboy owners complaining that their bikes felt heavy on any side, or that it didn't track right. So why did HD do this offcenter thing? Maybe the lawyers have more say now than the engineers.
Jerry
What I can't understand is that the 2006 SE Fatboy had the same tires as this year's Fatboy, and the front fender is NOT off center on the SE (Dealer had an SE on the floor). I haven't heard of any SE Fatboy owners complaining that their bikes felt heavy on any side, or that it didn't track right. So why did HD do this offcenter thing? Maybe the lawyers have more say now than the engineers.
Jerry
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 265
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, OH
RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
I don't think it's a design flaw, it's a "feature". As mentioned, the offset is necessary to get the center of the front wheel to track the center of the fat back wheel (well, the other way around actually but you know what I mean).
Anyway, that's why I snapped up one of the last '06 Fattys (got it yesterday) and I love it!!
Ride on.
Anyway, that's why I snapped up one of the last '06 Fattys (got it yesterday) and I love it!!
Ride on.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 10,058
Likes: 8
From: MEXICO
RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
ORIGINAL: BuckeyeHD
I don't think it's a design flaw, it's a "feature". As mentioned, the offset is necessary to get the center of the front wheel to track the center of the fat back wheel (well, the other way around actually but you know what I mean).
Anyway, that's why I snapped up one of the last '06 Fattys (got it yesterday) and I love it!!
Ride on.
I don't think it's a design flaw, it's a "feature". As mentioned, the offset is necessary to get the center of the front wheel to track the center of the fat back wheel (well, the other way around actually but you know what I mean).
Anyway, that's why I snapped up one of the last '06 Fattys (got it yesterday) and I love it!!
Ride on.
Hahahaha
that reminds me what we say when we stray from our planned path... "Harley riders don't get lost, we roam for fun!" hahahaha...Regards.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 3
From: NC
RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
ORIGINAL: DanDeuce
Was at a local HD dealer last week getting some goodies and the wife asked me if I wanted a new bike . Told her even if I was to trade straight across - no money deal ( must be dreaming , I know ) I would stick to my 04 Deuce ! That was before I read this thread and hear of all the stupid design flaws HD is coming out with as improvements . All this commotion over a 200mm tire , think anyone wanting a FB would be wise to pick up a remaining 2006 and avoid the problems , looks like motor/tranny will be an issue also . Glad I'm happy with my Deuce ! Good Luck to all the 2007 FB riders .
Was at a local HD dealer last week getting some goodies and the wife asked me if I wanted a new bike . Told her even if I was to trade straight across - no money deal ( must be dreaming , I know ) I would stick to my 04 Deuce ! That was before I read this thread and hear of all the stupid design flaws HD is coming out with as improvements . All this commotion over a 200mm tire , think anyone wanting a FB would be wise to pick up a remaining 2006 and avoid the problems , looks like motor/tranny will be an issue also . Glad I'm happy with my Deuce ! Good Luck to all the 2007 FB riders .
Ok ok.. Actually in effort to indeed keep it real. One nice thing... Two year warranty now and offer extended warranties. If there's a problem, and you've got a good dealer.. no problem. Shoot, companies like Victory are still trying to overcome the nickname their early transmissions received.. "Box o' Rocks".. At least the oil does actually flow through the motor, unlike some other less than stellar designs, "cough Indian cough".
It takes a long time for bad press to heal. I'd say it's all about perception.. If the end customer doesn't perceive a problem and the bike runs to their satisfaction.. so be it. If the older guys that are comparing it to the earlier bikes see a blatant slip in quality, be it assembly or design, then that's another perception.. Neither are wrong.
I've owned two.. an old beater heavily customized and hobbled together.. and a new stock scoot complete with factory birth certificate (nice touch). I've enjoyed them both.. It's a given though as each year goes on, for somethings you get more for your money, for others you don't. Used to be, I thought owning any Harley was a dream, back in college when they were on the rise and I heard 2 year waiting lists.. Yikes. They overcame that and are making more sales as result of the extra production.. Of course there's a trade-off.. Faster production given the same quality standards will always mean a few extra bugs get through.. At that point, prevention is impossible so it's in how the moco reacts and corrects that shall set them apart.
Novice
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Omaha, NE
RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
Babs: Thank you! That was in fact pretty real. The bottom line is enjoy what you chose to own and ride. I sure do and I would never be so arrogant as to ever criticize someone elses bike of another year or model. The motives of some strike me as a bit dubious, especially after the comment's I hear on the street from pre-07 owners bitching about their bikes now depreciated value like it's my fault. When 04-06 owners are up in arms and screaming about a minor problem with an 07 and the actual owners of the 07's with that issue are taking it in stride it strikes me as more than a little curious.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 3
From: NC
RE: 2007 Fatboy has a Design Flaw?
Yeah I think I am as guilty as any to be maybe a bit extra critical of the motor company at times.. It's easy to jump to conclusions that the moco is going to hades in a handbasket.. I think maybe it's fear of H-D falling to the sub-standard quality that almost got 'em back in the AMF years. So folks maybe don't cut them any slack for little things.. What's interesting is though the bikes really haven't changed much at all.. Each year has it's quirks.. I had a 90 heritage.. Nothing from any other year fit it.. It was a unique "transition" year for drivetrain stuff. Found that out when I was trying to save the tranny and primary. Look at an 89 or a 91 and from the outside they were completely identical. It's funny to me, that's all.. Check out Honda's site, you'll see a dramatic difference in their 06's and 07's on some of their bikes.. complete redesigns. Wonder what kind of crazy things they talk about on the honda forum? hehehe
Good point about the resale.. We've enjoyed having NO change from year to year for a good long time now.. Bought that same 1990 FLSTC for $11,500 back in 2001. Sold it for $11,500.. The hit I took was just in what parts I put into it and some service.. so not that much really. I really couldn't care about resale on the new one though.. bought it to keep and ride and run the crap out of it for a long long long time. If eventually it's worthless on the market, it shall still be worth every pennie I gave for it, to me. And I'm sure I'll still be tossing cash into chrome goodies and customizing.. Might not even look like the same bike then. So I couldn't care less if I can't sell it, cuz I'm bustin' bugs daily! [8D]
Good point about the resale.. We've enjoyed having NO change from year to year for a good long time now.. Bought that same 1990 FLSTC for $11,500 back in 2001. Sold it for $11,500.. The hit I took was just in what parts I put into it and some service.. so not that much really. I really couldn't care about resale on the new one though.. bought it to keep and ride and run the crap out of it for a long long long time. If eventually it's worthless on the market, it shall still be worth every pennie I gave for it, to me. And I'm sure I'll still be tossing cash into chrome goodies and customizing.. Might not even look like the same bike then. So I couldn't care less if I can't sell it, cuz I'm bustin' bugs daily! [8D]