FATBOY Owners Tell Me The Truth!
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Novice
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 18
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FATBOY Owners Tell Me The Truth!
About to buy a new bike and am considering a Fatboy amongst others.
I ride 100% solo with 75% of my riding around town and day trips and the other 25% longer
tours thrown in each summer. I am going to demo a Fatboy in the next few days. I was talking to
a Deuce owner today who said he would never own a Fatboy because with the solid tires
it handles terribly on the highway (with crosswinds). I have never heard such a thing.
Also, this guy swears that his Deuce is a much better overall touring bike. Do any of you Fatboy owners do any touring?
Actually a pretty nice guy but I think he speaks with a forked tongue!
I ride 100% solo with 75% of my riding around town and day trips and the other 25% longer
tours thrown in each summer. I am going to demo a Fatboy in the next few days. I was talking to
a Deuce owner today who said he would never own a Fatboy because with the solid tires
it handles terribly on the highway (with crosswinds). I have never heard such a thing.
Also, this guy swears that his Deuce is a much better overall touring bike. Do any of you Fatboy owners do any touring?
Actually a pretty nice guy but I think he speaks with a forked tongue!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,820
Likes: 15
From: PA
RE: FATBOY Owners Tell Me The Truth!
I like both bikes but own neither. But if I was to choose one of the two and I wanted to pack some gear I can tell you fat is where it's at. Try putting bags on a Deuce and being happy with it. Don't get me wrong I love the Deuce but would only own one as a second bike because packing my stuff is just too important for me.
I'm sure someone will correct me here but that's just my 'ignorant-because-I-own-neither' 2 cents
I'm sure someone will correct me here but that's just my 'ignorant-because-I-own-neither' 2 cents
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 78
Likes: 0
From: Boston, Ma.
RE: FATBOY Owners Tell Me The Truth!
Well my Fatboy is the only bike I have ever owned so I cant compare it to others on the highway. But I can tell you I have never had a problem with crosswinds before. My brother inlaw has a Deuce, very nice bike but the way the seat and tank meet it squashes my MANHOOD[:'(].
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,222
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From: St. Johns, MI
RE: FATBOY Owners Tell Me The Truth!
Ihad a Sporty, now a Fatboy. I've ridden in some severe gusty winds. The wind catches your body mass, windshield, lots of gear piled on the rear. But I don't think the solid wheels matter.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Orangeburg, SC
RE: FATBOY Owners Tell Me The Truth!
Fat Boy, I have an 01 and love it, I ride from around town to 3-4 trips per year and have no problem with the crosswind. I heard that mith also and have riden on some windy days and no problem. One of my riding buddy's just sold a bad *** deuce, the nicest I've seen, I rode it a few times and it would roll. He bought a fat boy b/c he wanted to put some detachable bags on it but yet keep it able to be a blvd bruiser on the weekends.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 568
Likes: 0
From: Yuba City, CA
RE: FATBOY Owners Tell Me The Truth!
I don't believe the wheels catch enough wind to make a difference. I get asked all the time about it. I get more wind catching and whipping on my Ultra with the fairing. besides don't all of the dueces' have one solid wheel stock on the rear.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 487
Likes: 5
RE: FATBOY Owners Tell Me The Truth!
I have an 04 Fatty. Everyone thinks that the wheels are a problem with sidewinds but the problem is THE WIND. Ever ride a dresser in heavy wind? My buddies RK with spokes and shield is twice as bad. I've ridden Deuces and Fatboys alot in NYC and the Hamptons and personally I prefer the ride of the Fatboy. Either way, you can't go wrong. Good luck
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 27
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From: USA
RE: FATBOY Owners Tell Me The Truth!
I have a 2001 and have not had a problem with wind and the the solid wheels.
Now in a wind tunnel with wind against the bike directly from the side it matters, however, in the real world I've not ever noticed it. It is a concern I had also.
Here's why I don't think it really matters:
1. Wire wheels or spoke wheels obviously let more air pass thru, and the air is almost undisturbed, however, if you spin those same wheels at 50 or 60 miles per hour and hold an air compressor up to one side I am sure you'll find that not nearly all of the air is passing thru the wheel. While spinning, the spoke/wire wheel is not a perfect passage for the air.
2. I think that the solid mass rotation forward (a gyroscope effect) of those wheels spinning probably counters or offsets any buffeting you would notice from wind against the solid rim. "object in motion tends to stay...".
Just my .02
Now in a wind tunnel with wind against the bike directly from the side it matters, however, in the real world I've not ever noticed it. It is a concern I had also.
Here's why I don't think it really matters:
1. Wire wheels or spoke wheels obviously let more air pass thru, and the air is almost undisturbed, however, if you spin those same wheels at 50 or 60 miles per hour and hold an air compressor up to one side I am sure you'll find that not nearly all of the air is passing thru the wheel. While spinning, the spoke/wire wheel is not a perfect passage for the air.
2. I think that the solid mass rotation forward (a gyroscope effect) of those wheels spinning probably counters or offsets any buffeting you would notice from wind against the solid rim. "object in motion tends to stay...".
Just my .02
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2005
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From:
RE: FATBOY Owners Tell Me The Truth!
Ride em both and buy the one most comfortable to you . FB has floorboards and the Deuce has pegs mounted further forward , a totally different feel . Also both have the same size saddlebags as the exhaust ( shotgun style ) are identical ( small ) on both bikes . As far as the wind being a problem , I seriously doubt it . The Deuce has a solid rear wheel , same as the FB . A front wheel has very little surface area as compared to the entire side of the bike with a rider seated and a strong cross wind would be a pain in the a-- no matter what wheels you've got .
Dan
Dan
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
RE: FATBOY Owners Tell Me The Truth!
This thing is a tank... I've been in heavy wind, just had trouble seeing. Didnt get blown. The wheels are the coolest thing about this bike. People who buy fatboys, and then sell the stock wheels, thats my gain. always ahve a new set ready to go. As far as owners of others bikes, they'll say like theirs first probably. LOL