Fat Tires vs. Handling
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
Fat Tires vs. Handling
When I was in college bikers were getting surplus Harleys with really Fat tires. I was riding a Triumph then a Matchless during those years... Skinny tires. Those bikes, and many others, easily ran circles around Harleys. Now HD is putting out bikes with Fat tires again. (I had a Nightrain... fat back tire like I was drag racing or whatever). Is this just a fad? I have nothing from my past that tells me that I should run out and buy a fat tire Harley. Am I mistaken (old bikers need to chime in... those that have ridden well handling bikes from their past?)
Plus, it was easy to change tires by hand back then... and a WHOLE lot cheaper. My RK has as fat a tire as I would ever want to have... tell me why I'm wrong?
Plus, it was easy to change tires by hand back then... and a WHOLE lot cheaper. My RK has as fat a tire as I would ever want to have... tell me why I'm wrong?
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,999
Likes: 916
From: Madisonville, La
Most of the fat tire bikes are for looks. Fat tires aren't bad. They add straight line stability but will feel "heavier" and slower to respond in corners. It takes more effort to roll the fat tires on its side in a lean but not overly hard. After all how would a FatBoy look with normal size tires?
The standard size tires on the touring bikes are sized to handle the weight of the bike, rider, passenger and gear. The total load capacity of a modern touring bikes is more than a 60s-70s Brit bike weight.
The standard size tires on the touring bikes are sized to handle the weight of the bike, rider, passenger and gear. The total load capacity of a modern touring bikes is more than a 60s-70s Brit bike weight.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 1,188
When HD first fattened its rear tire in 2009 after changing the frame, everyone raved about the improved stability. I never thought the trade-off was worth it as low speed handling was compromised. In my garage I have a 2012 Road King and a 1994 Electraglide. In low speed situations, that hulk of an Electraglide manuvers much more easily than the newer Road King.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 9,829
Likes: 8,736
From: Edmonton, Alberta
When I was in college bikers were getting surplus Harleys with really Fat tires. I was riding a Triumph then a Matchless during those years... Skinny tires. Those bikes, and many others, easily ran circles around Harleys. Now HD is putting out bikes with Fat tires again. (I had a Nightrain... fat back tire like I was drag racing or whatever). Is this just a fad? I have nothing from my past that tells me that I should run out and buy a fat tire Harley. Am I mistaken (old bikers need to chime in... those that have ridden well handling bikes from their past?)
Plus, it was easy to change tires by hand back then... and a WHOLE lot cheaper. My RK has as fat a tire as I would ever want to have... tell me why I'm wrong?
Plus, it was easy to change tires by hand back then... and a WHOLE lot cheaper. My RK has as fat a tire as I would ever want to have... tell me why I'm wrong?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 10,804
Likes: 7,444
From: OH
An early Knuckle with 18`' tires "handles better" than `40 and up with 16" balloon tires
According to some the current Fat Boy with very wide tires F&R doesn`t "turn in" easily , heresay as I have not ridden one.
According to some the current Fat Boy with very wide tires F&R doesn`t "turn in" easily , heresay as I have not ridden one.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 19,922
Likes: 8,027
From: poway
When I was in college bikers were getting surplus Harleys with really Fat tires. I was riding a Triumph then a Matchless during those years... Skinny tires. Those bikes, and many others, easily ran circles around Harleys. Now HD is putting out bikes with Fat tires again. (I had a Nightrain... fat back tire like I was drag racing or whatever). Is this just a fad? I have nothing from my past that tells me that I should run out and buy a fat tire Harley. Am I mistaken (old bikers need to chime in... those that have ridden well handling bikes from their past?)
Plus, it was easy to change tires by hand back then... and a WHOLE lot cheaper. My RK has as fat a tire as I would ever want to have... tell me why I'm wrong?
Plus, it was easy to change tires by hand back then... and a WHOLE lot cheaper. My RK has as fat a tire as I would ever want to have... tell me why I'm wrong?
A 2000 nighttrain ran a 200mm tire in the rear which is too wide, IMO. Nothing wrong with a good profile 170/180 tire tho on a lighter bike (not touring).
The late model touring run a 180 which isn't too bad. The big issue is that HD added 1/2 inch of trail to the chassis. It makes the bike more stable than the 08 and earlier touring but gives up some on the handling in lower speed corners and neutrality in the rest. The newer bikes want to fall into the corners at low speed and go straight at higher speeds I agree with Uncle Peepers. Some of this is tire choice and as it wears.
A good 180 tire with the right profile cam make for a real nice handling bike. I run a 180/55x18 (Bridgestone excedra) on a 2000 FXDX and the tire feels good from new to worn out. Baggers aren't as forgiving. I have a 17 RK and so far the best tires for me have been stock and AEs. Michelin CIIs and Avons were OK to start but the second half of the tire sucked.
One of the main things I don't like about running a 180 tire on a heavy bagger is that it upsets the balance when rolling to a stop on a uneven surface. A 130 to 150 seems a lot less susceptible to me.
Back in the late 60s/ early 70s, a good running Triumph / BSA / Norton would run circles around a HD big twin. Did not see how they'd do against a sporty tho.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,190
Likes: 2,419
From: USA
Been a long time since Matchless was a current bike, or surplus Harleys were essentially being given away at Army surplus auctions. Motorcycles have changed a lot since then.
The wide tires are a styling thing. You dont see them on motoGP bikes, or any bike noted for good handling. Thats kind of a duh. Right up there with extended forks, they dont improve handling either.
The wide tires are a styling thing. You dont see them on motoGP bikes, or any bike noted for good handling. Thats kind of a duh. Right up there with extended forks, they dont improve handling either.
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 534
Likes: 321
From: Tampa FL
I traded in my 18 Fatboy because of the handling. The 160/240 F/R combo made cornering a chore, not a pleasure. I got a 20 Sport Glide and couldn't be happier with the 130/180 combo. Handles like a dream.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
When HD first fattened its rear tire in 2009 after changing the frame, everyone raved about the improved stability. I never thought the trade-off was worth it as low speed handling was compromised. In my garage I have a 2012 Road King and a 1994 Electraglide. In low speed situations, that hulk of an Electraglide manuvers much more easily than the newer Road King.