Fatboy Solid Rims
Rims
I too have a Heritage with solid rims and recently posted my concerns.Almost everyone with a FB said they didn't have any problems with theirs.I've ridden everything on two wheels over the past 40 years and this bike does seem unstable in the wind.I'll be keeping a closer eye on recommended tire pressure etc. just in case.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 2,015
From: Missouri
Well, here is my .02
I went from a dyna with spoked wheels to a 13 fatboy with solids and bullet holes.
The salesman told me HD put the holes in the wheels to help with wind.
Yes, as the first bike ever ridden with solids, I noticed a significant difference, especially going across South Dakota on I-90 passing semi trucks and campers. It definately caught more wind than my spokes ever did. Nothing dangerous, just noticeable.
After a little time, however, I got used to it, adjusted my riding style and now I don't even notice it. As one previous poster mentioned, relaxing your riding style takes care of it.
Now that I'm used to it, I love the way those solid rims look on my bike, no way would I trade them for spoked wheels or customs.
I went from a dyna with spoked wheels to a 13 fatboy with solids and bullet holes.
The salesman told me HD put the holes in the wheels to help with wind.
Yes, as the first bike ever ridden with solids, I noticed a significant difference, especially going across South Dakota on I-90 passing semi trucks and campers. It definately caught more wind than my spokes ever did. Nothing dangerous, just noticeable.
After a little time, however, I got used to it, adjusted my riding style and now I don't even notice it. As one previous poster mentioned, relaxing your riding style takes care of it.
Now that I'm used to it, I love the way those solid rims look on my bike, no way would I trade them for spoked wheels or customs.
Novice
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
The crosswind effect as it pertains to wheels is minimal. I am going to bring my experience in aircraft crosswind components into the reasoning:
The sheer area of the wheels compared to that of the rest of the bike/rider could be estimated as 20-25% of total area (and that's probably overstating too). So the "felt" crosswind will be almost entirely from bike/rider.
Some more tidbits:
The rotational inertia on each wheel means that any outside force will have less effect, the higher the speed of rotation - and therefore ground speed. (It's the same basic principal as it being difficult to turn the handlebars the faster you go.) At highway speeds, the inertia will kill the crosswind. At low speeds, the weight will kill the crosswind. Of course this is still only concerning the wheels.
Bullet Holes in the wheels would do nothing as some have pointed out, as the rotational velocity of each hole would create a venturi block, effectively creating a solid disk as it relates to crosswind anyway!
If there's a cornering headwind (aka from the 1-2 o'clock position), there's a potential for a low pressure against the wheel. Since pressures like to go from High to Low, the wheel would create a horizontal lift to the 9o'clock position, which would feel as though you're being pushed by the wind. Of course, I don't have a clue what that speed might be, and it's effect would would probably be quite small - but there nonetheless. But it sure is fun to think about all the physics involved in you commuting to work on your favorite Hog....
~Skins
The sheer area of the wheels compared to that of the rest of the bike/rider could be estimated as 20-25% of total area (and that's probably overstating too). So the "felt" crosswind will be almost entirely from bike/rider.
Some more tidbits:
The rotational inertia on each wheel means that any outside force will have less effect, the higher the speed of rotation - and therefore ground speed. (It's the same basic principal as it being difficult to turn the handlebars the faster you go.) At highway speeds, the inertia will kill the crosswind. At low speeds, the weight will kill the crosswind. Of course this is still only concerning the wheels.
Bullet Holes in the wheels would do nothing as some have pointed out, as the rotational velocity of each hole would create a venturi block, effectively creating a solid disk as it relates to crosswind anyway!
If there's a cornering headwind (aka from the 1-2 o'clock position), there's a potential for a low pressure against the wheel. Since pressures like to go from High to Low, the wheel would create a horizontal lift to the 9o'clock position, which would feel as though you're being pushed by the wind. Of course, I don't have a clue what that speed might be, and it's effect would would probably be quite small - but there nonetheless. But it sure is fun to think about all the physics involved in you commuting to work on your favorite Hog....
~Skins
Last edited by Skins45; Jun 23, 2015 at 01:50 PM.
rims
I know what you mean about the rims and not wanting anything else on your bike.I'd put spokes on before I ever bought mags though.The custom rims look okay on some choppers though but they have to be on the right bike.My heritage has the footboards and as soon as I get rid of them and put on the pegs/forward controls I think it will relax the riding style more as well and maybe lessen the effect of the wind
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 9,705
Likes: 18,484
From: Displaced Texan
Just got my Fatboy a little less than a year ago. Like others, its my first bike with solid wheels.
I notice a LITTLE difference, but VERY LITTLE. It's not enough to scare me off or make me want to change the rims.
I notice a LITTLE difference, but VERY LITTLE. It's not enough to scare me off or make me want to change the rims.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 22
blown
Ok, I've ridden several 100 thousand miles on bikes so here's my .02 worth. Went from FXWG's, to FLH's, to FLHT, to Fatboy, to Crossbones. FLH got knocked around worst but Fatboy with solids was a close second and the Fatboy has a removeable wind screen. I put a 18" five spoke cast wheel on the front of the Fatboy with a radial meant for a Gold Wing and it's much better in a crosswind. End of story.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Ponchatoula, LA
Never had a FB so this may or may not be relevant, but I did have a couple of Indian Chiefs with the valenced fenders and those definitely caught the wind. Like the FB descriptions I didn't feel it was dangerous just a little disconcerting the first couple of times you felt it. If being solid made no difference in how it caught the wind, then why didn't clipper ships use nets for sails?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 2
From: Hallsville, Tx.
My personal experience is that the solid wheels do have some wind resistance. Call bs if you want but my Rk with mags is way less prone to move around in crosswinds than my Fatboy.
