...the old boys didn't complain much, they just rode. Now all you hear is bitching about vibration, wind handling, wind screen to high, to low, to narrow, grips to narrow, gauges flashing me in the eyes, shocks won't adjust, I need me a back rest, a gel pad, hell even synthetic oil. My handsies are cold. Lets see, what accessory can i buy this week. Man, its about riding. Or it used to be.
I love my 97 fatboy! The wind is a problem for anyone on a bike. You have to put on your bigboy undies, and enjoy the ride. I imagine your body and bags etc. are catching more wind than your solid wheels ever will.
I love my 2012 FLSTFB with solid rims. Never had an issue with wind doing something different than my 1200 V-Star with spiked rims. Wind pushes bikes regardless of rims. And nothing you can’t handle with responsible riding.
I ride in the North East, on Long Island, haven't put up my bike this winter. I have a 2001 Nightrain with a solid rear wheel and a billet front wheel and I have no problems with cross winds at all. I'd have to say solid wheels don't do anything with regard to crosswinds. And, I ride with one hand only as I'm an above elbow amputee. In nearly 40 years of riding I've had much harder times with crosswinds with bikes that had a faring. Up to a point a faring will help plant a bike in winds but after a certain point a faring acts like a sail and pulls you all over.
I owned a Fatboy years ago and ridden many other bikes since, and I can tell you there is a slight wind effect to the wheel design. It's not as profound, but it can be a little startling when hit with a heavy crosswind.
I own a 2019 Fatboy, live on Long Island and yea the wing CAN push a bit, but nothing thats gonna blow you over. Ive read that before too, people are little over the top with that complaint man, just need to adjust your body closer tighter together and lean into the wind a tad and thats it. Some people want the bike to drive them, you gotta handle your bike.
The Fat Boy is nearly 700lb's of bike, a little wind against the wheels is not going to move it that much, I have a 2006 with the solid wheels and never have I had a problem. A good rider knows how to adjust for wind gust when they happen. I get more wind problems driving my BMW GS Adventure, but it's a tall, lighter, and has a bigger profile for the wind to hit against.
Cross winds is the culprit. We were 52 deep stagered in NY, and you saw where the cross wind was blowing. Our formation began looking like a snake. And these were a mix of H-Ds and sports bikes. It affected everyone the same
I have a 2010 Fat Boy Lo. Below highway speeds I have not noticed anything. At highway speeds, crosswinds blow the bike around and it definitely feels squirrelly underneath me. I'm a new rider and have a non-vented faring, so it could be a combination of things. Regardless, riding on the highway is no fun and I take the side roads when I can.
i have a 2007 fatboy and i have never felt in any danger with the wind i do have the 50 caliber holes in my rims but as you said riding down the road is any wind really passing through the rim (i doubt it) i think it was a selling point for harley that they put the holes in the rims and fixed that problem (my opinion) anyway i have been pushed around in the wind before but so was the guys i was riding with on ultra glides and crotch rockets what have ya, but the rims i think have nothing to do with the wind or very little,wind hits you in the side and it's strong enough it's going to move you no matter what your on... think about this some of the vrods have solid wheels when was the last time you heard that statement made about that model (vrod)... also all those bikes that have a solid rear wheel... ps love the videos and the commentary you do on your ride a longs.
When i was a flight instructor l really liked to fly and teach in strong winds. But you have to know how to correct for the wind. On my Honda Shadow i still go on 25 knots winds,, at 70 years old. You can do that too. You will feel the coldest wind shill factor when going headwind, and less when going tailwind. Say a 25 knot headwind, you try a slow turn 90 degrees, the sudden crosswind will try to oversteer you. A slow 90 degreet turn with a tailwind, the suddent crosswind will try to understeer you. All bikers should learn those details. Im a retired 70 y o commercial pilot and instructor of hard maneuvers and Tough GRM.
i've been in hard cross winds with on a bare bones chopper with spoke front and an invader rear, on a 2 lane road I was riding the edge line and the wind would push me into the oncoming lane. it's not the wheels it's just how strong and what direction the wind is hitting you from.
I believe a solid rim can add to the affect but not to the degree that most people are saying.. Maybe 5-10% increase on the wind effect.. I have spokes on my rims and I have been blown almost into the other lane.. I agree that it is just the effects of a windy day but some try to justify it however they can and the rims on those bikes are just an easy target..
It's a myth. I've never noticed any difference. I have an Ultra Limited and Fatboy. Both move in the wind. A skilled rider can hold their lane on either bike.
I ride with 16" ape hangers on my dyna, any gust of wind is dangerous. But i get that parachute effect and its rough with bad gusts of wind, like 20mph+ Keep up the good videos though. I love the channel
First harley was a nightrain, spoke front solid rear... second is an early fatboy with both solid. Yes, there is a distinct difference in the crosswind effects. The solid rims act more as a wind sail. But it's not dangerous in itself.
I have a 2002 fatboy. Recently I put some 16' ape hangers. And now my rear seems to weave a lot more. I love the solid wheels I think the look is unique. But I'm wondering if the ape hangers or the solid wheels are a factor or even the riding position. Be safe
I also had a 2003 ROAD KING CLASSIC. It got custom wheels too. I don't like WIRE RIMS OR SOLID RIMS. CUSTOM WHEELS LAST LONGER, DON'T BREAK SPOKES, AND THEY DON'T GET CAUGHT UP IN THE DRAFT OF A 18 WHEELER'S TRAILER OR TRACTOR. The ONLY DRAW BACK ON CUSTOM WHEELS IS THE EXPENSE. APPROX $1000.00 +/-, BUT IT IS SOOOO WORTH IT!!!!
...you also hear guys saying, if you're out in that wind, you want to be on a big heavy cruiser, not a light bike, not a sports bike. Well, I've personally never seen or experienced the evidence for this. I live on the Canadian prairies here and its ALWAYS windy. And there's no shelter from it. In fact, our normal winds would be gale force winds most places. I'm an old sob who has owned a couple dozen bikes and i've never told one from the other in regard to the effect of the wind on it. Air hits a surface at the same force, whatever it is, unless its been designed in a wind tunnel. The worst wind experience i came across out here was a ride story related to me by the rider of a very heavy machine - a Kawasaki Voyager, in which he fought cross winds for 200 miles on a flat stretch of A to B highway across the bald prairie. The weight of this bike, as he fought to correct for the wind, wrecked his shoulder. You can fight with and correct a 400 pound bike quite easily. But unless you are Arnold Schwarzenegger, not an 800 lb one. Every inch is a battle.
My Dad owns a 1985 Harley Davidson FXRS 1340 evolution motor and I use to have the V Star 1100. We went to the Maple Fest in Maple Valley, Michigan and the wind was blowing pretty strong that day. On our way back, his Harley was getting blown all over. That V Star of mine didn't move. Dad's 1985 FXRS only has 29k miles on it. He needs a Road King. lol.
Hell no that is an old wives tale about the solid wheels. If anything they will have more stability due to the solid wheels spinning like a top on its side lol. Honestly my heritage feels better with fatboy rims going down the road. I wasn't putting up with the damn spokes coming loose and needing tightened.
I don't believe it's a wheel thing, but, I don't think it's a "crazy wind" thing either. I believe it's simply a wind directional thing. I'm not talking about heavy crosswinds, only where the wind is coming from. On clear, not particularly windy days, I've had strange vacuum-like winds hit me briefly and cause immediate concern while on my motorcycle. On the flip-side, I have been driving my car, and have a strong gust give my car a good shove and then I look to my left and a Harley is zipping by effortlessly! Sure, I don't look at the wheels, but I can tell you when a wind can give a heavy car a good shove, the rims on your motorcycle will not matter! The problem with wind, in my opinion, is that it has to come at you from that specific direction, which I believe is rare. So, most of the times, the results are going to be exactly what you found here on your ride, nothing. Until that day you find yourself in the perfect storm of winds! Then you and your bike might go tits-up if you're not careful!
You can get a slight push from the front end in the right conditions due to that it will or could push that front wheel but so can a batwing that is attached to the front end, it might be a little unnerving but a good rider should be able to ride it out, I mean I took a real good push from the wind on I-95 riding down to Miami Florida on my Super Glide with no fairing or solid rims. As long the rider is aware of the high cross wind the rider should be just fine !
Riding in the wind is 95% skill / 5% gear. People that have spent time in heavy sidewinds aquire the skills. The ones making claims are most likely used to riding in calmer air and then experience high winds and freak out. The guys claiming a 28° constant lean into the wind are overestimating. That'll put the chrome on the ground with some Harley's. Maybe in a Cat5 Hurricane. Lol.
Fat Boy rider here in north east Ohio, and we get some big wind blowing across the corn fields. I haven't once noticed any difference in riding with my solid wheels than I have with laced wheels on my V-Star. And to add an aside; my family is from the Lancaster area and my dad was the president of the Lancaster Freewheelers. Philip "Pops" Garrett.
Have ridden fatboy on a windy day you can definitely feel it push the wheels around underneath no word of a lie have also felt it almost like slightly drifting with the push of the wind
I have a 2003 hundredth anniversary Fatboy with dish rims no 50 caliber holes at all in Harley Davidson fatboy 2003 & 2004 models, I have ridden many bikes in my 40 yrs of riding, and yes riding in the wind is hard on any rider regardless of rims. there is a much larger amount wind displacement on these fatboy dish rims lending to this fact. I was riding alone on a typical Santa ana wind day to barstow in California on a single desert hwy with no k rail between north and south lane, a large semi truck going very fast in opposite direction sent a powerfull gust of wind forcing me over with both hands firmly gripping handlbars into the shoulder. Quickly stopping to regain control. I do feel I must be vigilant when riding my fatboy in the wind! This is not a myth
I always heard the same thing about fatboys with solid wheels. I live in a small town in the middle of the cornfields. Lots of wind! Spent many miles on a 45 degree angle. Just bought a 95 fb. I love it. Haven't noticed anything bad. Handles better than my roadstar 1700. Seems like the bigger the bike the more wind catches it. Jmo....
i keep hearing this regurgitated rumor over and over and there is nothing to back it up. If HD knew this they would have to put a disclaimer on the bike when they sold it. Every person that I have heard say this have never owned a Fatboy. Take a look at the new Goldwing and tell me how air passes over that sideways. It's a Rumor with nothing to back it up.
Solid wheels my eye give me a break mother nature is going to do what she wants to do what are you writing any kind of motorcycle or driving a big truck I own a 2016 Fatboy I tremendously love it it's a wonderful handling bike very comfortable and it looks spectacular on the 103 twin cam engine love it six-speed gearbox you can't go wrong I've had good motorcycles throughout the years but my Fatboy it's a spectacular bike love it no complaints with my compliments to Willie G and Louie Netz for creating such a great motorcycle and thank you Arnold Schwarzenegger we're having it in your movie best of luck to everybody in the new year
When I got my Fatty the first time I got hit with a crosswind in the mountains it scared the shi# out of me, after riding the bike for about 500 miles it has never been a issue for me. The feeling is like standing on ice and your buddy decides to kick your feet out from under you the movement is all low.... you learn to compensate for it!
I can see no difference in the solid wheels on my 98 Fatboy and the spoked wheels on any of the other I have owned. I was stationed in the U.P. of Michigan and we got that kind of cold there but I don't ride in that or snow mobile ether. I live in the deep south and I don't ride that much in the dead of summer.
Man, I had the wheel covers on my Honda shadow and after a did a long trip with it never again, took them of the wheels as soon as I came back, every time a big truck would pass by or a gust of wind would hit me I could feel the front wheel trying to get from under me. and it's not the same feeling as a regular wind pushing the bike, you can feel that is the wheel that is being pushed from under you. never had that problem again after I got rid of the covers
50k miles on 2 Fatboys with several trips coast to coast and Sturgis a few times. Seen some brutal high winds and gusts. It never bothered me. Been on 2 wheels since 1972. Grew up on dirt bikes. Maybe people are riding too tight? Relax, loosen up! The wind HAS to affect the bike. The rider has to lean into it.
I bought an 03 5 yrs ago and as I rode it home, I was pushed side to side. Immediately I bought new wheels and tires, best investment I made, and no I'm not a newbie, I've had sporties to touring and yes in windy highways with large trucks it sux with solid wheels. I'll be doing 3000 mile trip east to west coast on my fatty
It would take a lot of wind to blow a dam Harley around. Think about this, a sport bike has fairings giving wind way more leverage than 2 wheels and I definitely feel the wind more on my R1 than on my fat boy. And it gets worse my R6 and the most worse on my wife’s R3.
With out the windshield, you are being pushed back to the point if you take your hand off the bars you will fly off. Heavier bike and shield is s must where I live with the Gorge's wind.
I had the 2002 fat boy, solid wheels. No your not gonna die but yes you get blown around a windy day. It is like holding a piece of plywood in the wind....
Anything that with a rounded surface (Tire Profile) or cone shaped that rotates (Tapered Center to axle hub like a Fatboy rim) creates two similar but unique aerodynamic phenomena, weather in contact with the ground or within a few feet the ambient air (stationary air) is acted upon by a moving motorcycle differently than flying aircraft trucks or cars, the narrow profile, high density, and weight distribution, along with fender tank and frame design are optimized to exploit the beneficial vehicle dynamics to create a safer platform foray around motorcycle performance, rider comfort, fuel efficiency, handling and stability. Over one hundred years, and not one person has ever said to a Harley engineer, “Aren’t Solid Wheels Dangerous On A Motorcycle In Windy Conditions?” The engineer replied “Rahhh, Oooh Oooh Hoowaah, Ughh Ugghh!!” No he didn’t but that’s funny and not true, well maybe he did just to shut the inquisitive minded person up, but the point is the same. If you don’t know the answer to that question, you won’t be understand the aerodynamic science that applies. Look up aerodynamics, static vs. dynamic air boundary layers, Bernoulli’s Principle, the Magnus Effect, and Ground Effect principles.
It’s weird that the solid wheels myth went on for as long as it did. The newest version of the fat boy has cut outs in the rims. I guess it’s more of a styling cue though, and not an engineering correction.
Just from starting the video I can predict a spinning wheel, regardless of wheel type is not going to give a single shit about wind. Wind is not passing through normal spoked wheels while the damn thing is spinning at normal speeds. Maybe while stationary? a tiny bit more?
2 Fatboys over 15 years and I've been in 40+mph Gusty winds (I-5 Santa Anna winds at 3am South of San Fransisco) and lots of 30+ winds in SD on I-90. I also own an Utra Limited. No difference. It's a myth. Riding skills make the difference. Softails are slow to respond to steering input at higher speeds. Touring bikes are better. To me, that's what I notice. Either bike requires the rider to loosen up and leañ into wind gusts quickly. Running 90mph with luggage to/from Sturgis in I-90 is very windy. Passing big trucks breaks the wind then hits you with a massive gust when you clear the front of the truck. Relax and react. I don't get blown off my line more than a few feet
I gotta say, riding against a 5’ tall concrete wall is not a very good test for crosswinds. I have been riding Harley for 45 years, used to buy a new one every 4 years. Bought a Fat Boy and I could tell a HUGE difference crossing Kansas or overtaking semis. In Kansas there is no 5’ tall concrete wall, no trees, no buildings, nothing just you and the wind. I’ve crossed on about every Harley there is sans a Vrod and I’m telling you I could not wait to get back home from that trip on the FatBoy. You say “oh it’s only 2 square feet. Try holding a 2’x2’ piece of plywood in a 40 mph crosswind and tell me there is no push.
I know from experience that solid rims sux when riding near 18 wheelers OR ON A REAL WINDY DAY. They want to get pulled underneath the rear wheels OF THE BIG TRUCK. I HAVE RODE FROM ST LOUIS to STURGIS SD. 2,500 MILES ROUND TRIP, 2 times on a 2000 FATBOY , once with solid rims, the NEXT TWO TIMES WITH CUSTOM WHEELS. I WON'T RIDE A MOTORCYCLE WITH SOLID RIMS, THEY ARE UNSAFE.
I've made the same trip from TN to Sturgis several times on my 15 Fatboy. Covered 4200 miles total over 2 weeks. No problems at all. Made the return trip on a Street Glide this year due to a failed lifter. No difference. Winds gusted upwards of 35mph on I-90 coming and going. I've never noticed the affects of solid rims over the last 15 years of Fatboy ownership and 50k miles coast to coast The Santa Anna winds on I-5 in California at night were among the worst with gusts over 50mph. Saw an 18 wheeler tipped over.
So many talk about Harleys and they never had one, Harly haters, The Fatboy is about 800 pounds solid metal bike, if somebody complain about wind give to him a 300 pounds plastic sport bike then ask again.
Shawn... From Canada with sympathy.)) Long sleeve T shirts. Heavy shirt and a wool sweater or two and a real Eider down coat. Use mitts for your fingers. They're warmer than gloves. And be a sissy. Put on two pairs of Long Johns.)) In short, Shawn, layer your clothing and don't wear it tight fitting to your body. That trapped air will heat up to keep you warm. Good luck, Bud and thanks for the vids.
I have more times than I can count....on my Fatboy. Buses and big RV's too. Ever ride to Sturgis on I-90? The speed limit is 80mph and independent truckers aren't governed to 65. I run 90 and there are tons of trucks...and huge sidewinds. After you get the hang of leaning into the wind at the moment just before you clear the trucks front, it's not bad. Kind of like crossing the boat wake when water skiing. Road my Fatboy up this year and a Street Glide home. Both got pushed around about the same. The Fatboys steering geometry and lower center of gravity makes it heavier to steer at 65+. All FL'STs are like that regardless of the rim style. The Touring bikes have much lighter steering at highway speeds. I have a 19 Ultra Classic and 15 Fatboy and honestly the only difference is in the steering. Both get pushed by wind about the same. The correction effort is greater on the Fatboy.
Horrible video test. Get it out on a windy day 20mph winds, and actually run it up to 80mph on the highway and pass some semi’s. Or just a day that is moderately windy with actual gusts. I’ve owned and ridden all kinds of Motorycles and solid wheels are 100% worse in the wind. Wind effects all motorcycles. nobody is saying it doesn’t. What we are saying is wind effects bikes with solid wheels , considerably more. Passing a semi with my RK will move the bike around a little but I do it all the time 80-90 mph with one hand. Passing a semi with a fat boy at that speed and I would highly suggest having both hands on the bars. My Fatboy is what got me in the habit off approaching a semi on the left side of the lane and when it sucked me to the right I stayed there until I passed the front of it and it blew me back to the right.
