I wouldn't consider covering any bike with a HD cover because it attracts the wrong kind of attention. Go get one at a Suzuki or Kawasaki dealer!
Fatboy as a daily bike?
- Thread starter Davel
- Start date
I wouldn't consider covering any bike with a HD cover because it attracts the wrong kind of attention. Go get one at a Suzuki or Kawasaki dealer!
Fatman
Registered user
Great bike. Are you using it every day as daily transport? The only thing putting me off using my FLSTC as a daily is all the damn cleaning.
Btw, talking about LED lights.. Anyone else reading this, I have a full set of 3 Kuryakyn phase 7/TruckLite (headlight and 2 passing lamps) for sale. See the ebay link below..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Set-Kuryakyn-Phase-7-LED-Motorcycle-Lights-and-Trim-Rings-/251503727016
I will let them go for £350 to forum users without going through ebay.
As per description, they're brand new still in packaging. I opened the packaging to check they all work and then repacked them.
Once you've ridden with LED lights you'll never go back to bulbs!
Btw, talking about LED lights.. Anyone else reading this, I have a full set of 3 Kuryakyn phase 7/TruckLite (headlight and 2 passing lamps) for sale. See the ebay link below..
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Set-Kuryakyn-Phase-7-LED-Motorcycle-Lights-and-Trim-Rings-/251503727016
I will let them go for £350 to forum users without going through ebay.
As per description, they're brand new still in packaging. I opened the packaging to check they all work and then repacked them.
Once you've ridden with LED lights you'll never go back to bulbs!
welcome davel to the fold
Still working on photos.
I am using it to commute on decent days but only because of all the cleaning and the fact that I got rid of my all weather gear a couple of years ago.
It's a great bike and, even with the standard pipes, I love the sound.
Louder pipes may ease filtering in heavy traffic but I think would be annoying over longer distances.
550 miles so far, since the end of March, so not a great lot of use yet.
Oh I did get the daymaker light fitted but not really tried it out yet.
I am using it to commute on decent days but only because of all the cleaning and the fact that I got rid of my all weather gear a couple of years ago.
It's a great bike and, even with the standard pipes, I love the sound.
Louder pipes may ease filtering in heavy traffic but I think would be annoying over longer distances.
550 miles so far, since the end of March, so not a great lot of use yet.
Oh I did get the daymaker light fitted but not really tried it out yet.
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Fatman
Registered user
That's the problem with chrome, it needs cleaning so I only use mine in fair weather too. Shame really, I want to use it more but I can't be arsed spending 3 times longer cleaning than riding. When I bought it the plan was to get the wife to do it, but she told me to p**s off! If only we had better weather in UK.
I had my bike stage 1 and V&H big shots staggered exhaust fitted...
http://www.vanceandhines.com/m/product.php?pid=1856
They look and sound good, but even though I also bought the optional quiet baffles, still very loud. It wakes (all) the neighbours up early mornings or late nights! The loudness can also become annoying on a run out. Even with earplugs it gives me headache. People certainly know when I'm approaching though, but other bikers (mainly sport bike types) point at me, laugh and cover their ears. At least I don't dress like a sodding hump backed power ranger.
When out riding in the dark on unlit country lanes you'll really appreciate the LED headlight. The original fitment is like a candle by comparison. I tried all sorts of fancy halogen bulbs, higher wattages and all sorts.
I even considered HID, but that brings other problems. There's nothing to touch LEDs on a bike.
I had my bike stage 1 and V&H big shots staggered exhaust fitted...
http://www.vanceandhines.com/m/product.php?pid=1856
They look and sound good, but even though I also bought the optional quiet baffles, still very loud. It wakes (all) the neighbours up early mornings or late nights! The loudness can also become annoying on a run out. Even with earplugs it gives me headache. People certainly know when I'm approaching though, but other bikers (mainly sport bike types) point at me, laugh and cover their ears. At least I don't dress like a sodding hump backed power ranger.
When out riding in the dark on unlit country lanes you'll really appreciate the LED headlight. The original fitment is like a candle by comparison. I tried all sorts of fancy halogen bulbs, higher wattages and all sorts.
I even considered HID, but that brings other problems. There's nothing to touch LEDs on a bike.
Swissdoc
Registered user
Hi Fatman - I also have a fatboy and have had the same set of V&H pipes put on when stage 1 tuned. I agree, they are just a bit too loud! While I like the sound the engine makes, I feel a bit of a prat... (some say that's normal...). I'm going to have the baffles put in at its next service, although I do understand that they only mute it a very little.
Sorry if I missed it but which LED light did you fit and was it a straight swap - i.e. very easy to do? Any pictures?
I absolutely love the Harley - it is a work of art and just Fun (with a capital F). However, I still also have a BMW... (I'm very lucky to be able to have two bikes). A couple of years ago, I went down the HD route for the first time with an Electra Glide as my only bike - I found it just a bit too big and heavy for commuting into London, although I did manage it quite a lot. The worst was that it wouldn't go round corners or stop. My son kept telling me not to ride it 'like a BMW' so I took his advice, bought a BMW again and then the Harley for fun.
The Fatboy is just maximum grin factor.
Sorry if I missed it but which LED light did you fit and was it a straight swap - i.e. very easy to do? Any pictures?
I absolutely love the Harley - it is a work of art and just Fun (with a capital F). However, I still also have a BMW... (I'm very lucky to be able to have two bikes). A couple of years ago, I went down the HD route for the first time with an Electra Glide as my only bike - I found it just a bit too big and heavy for commuting into London, although I did manage it quite a lot. The worst was that it wouldn't go round corners or stop. My son kept telling me not to ride it 'like a BMW' so I took his advice, bought a BMW again and then the Harley for fun.
The Fatboy is just maximum grin factor.
Swissdoc
Registered user
P.S. this made me giggle. I am not one for the whole HOG bit but I have this time joined the Hogsback Chapter and went to my first meeting last night. Apart from feeling like I was at a weight-watchers convention (and believe me, for other people to make me feel slim was a real achievement), I really didn't have enough facial hair or the waistcoat with all the patches on.
But being my first (and quite possibly only) club night I thought it would be rude not to turn up on the Harley - I was one of only about 4 bikes in the car park with about 60 people in the pub... then one person, in horror, said to me: 'You didn't bring the bike?!? It's been raining!'
Heaven forbid that it should get dirty or be used in anything other than Californian heat...
But being my first (and quite possibly only) club night I thought it would be rude not to turn up on the Harley - I was one of only about 4 bikes in the car park with about 60 people in the pub... then one person, in horror, said to me: 'You didn't bring the bike?!? It's been raining!'
Heaven forbid that it should get dirty or be used in anything other than Californian heat...
XboxSteve
Registered user
Fatman, I sent you a PM about those lights , but you really need to subscribe to sell here 
Dibs, and PM me when you read this and subscribe please!
Cheers
Steve
Dibs, and PM me when you read this and subscribe please!
Cheers
Steve
Swissdoc
Registered user
P.P.S. That said, everyone was extremely friendly (and able to laugh at themselves - at least the ones I talked to - and that is very healthy!) and joking aside I'm going to give some of the rides a go and adopt some of the Harley lifestyle (I do have some T-shirts already). Nothing ventured...
....and if the price to pay for riding on wet roads is more cleaning (and skinned knuckles) then so be it - I have all the gear from last time around, bike lift, monster blower dryer etc... that really makes it so much less of a pain to wash. Then there's Optimum no-rinse-wash that is the easiest way to keep it clean and tidy...
....and if the price to pay for riding on wet roads is more cleaning (and skinned knuckles) then so be it - I have all the gear from last time around, bike lift, monster blower dryer etc... that really makes it so much less of a pain to wash. Then there's Optimum no-rinse-wash that is the easiest way to keep it clean and tidy...
LOL. You should experience a Gold Wing meeting sometime
. I went to one, once, it's a whole different world.
Mutley
Registered user
P.S. this made me giggle. I am not one for the whole HOG bit but I have this time joined the Hogsback Chapter and went to my first meeting last night. Apart from feeling like I was at a weight-watchers convention (and believe me, for other people to make me feel slim was a real achievement), I really didn't have enough facial hair or the waistcoat with all the patches on.
But being my first (and quite possibly only) club night I thought it would be rude not to turn up on the Harley - I was one of only about 4 bikes in the car park with about 60 people in the pub... then one person, in horror, said to me: 'You didn't bring the bike?!? It's been raining!'
Heaven forbid that it should get dirty or be used in anything other than Californian heat...
I'd just point out that HOG is not the only owners club available to you, dressing like a tw@ when riding a Harley is optional and obsessive cleaning of motorcycles is not limited to HD ownership. Worry less about what other people think and do
Swissdoc
Registered user
Yes, Mutley... I just didn't want to cause any offence (we live in such a PC world that I have found it pays to be a little careful).
I'm not one for all the yip-yip-yo-yo in any club, nor for the 'club tie' whether that is old-school or patches/badges etc... but the people were enthusiasts (without the anoraks but with waistcoats instead) and genuinely friendly. One has to take on a bit of the Harley stuff regardless but I will continue to watch from a distance.
As for keeping a bike clean - well, I like to do that anyway: firstly because they look better clean, secondly because leaving them too long makes it a real bugger to do and lastly because a good look around a bike at close quarters every so often is a good safety check. With the Harley there is added incentive in that if you leave it too long the chrome falls off and you're left with just a large pile of rust on the garage floor...
I'm not one for all the yip-yip-yo-yo in any club, nor for the 'club tie' whether that is old-school or patches/badges etc... but the people were enthusiasts (without the anoraks but with waistcoats instead) and genuinely friendly. One has to take on a bit of the Harley stuff regardless but I will continue to watch from a distance.
As for keeping a bike clean - well, I like to do that anyway: firstly because they look better clean, secondly because leaving them too long makes it a real bugger to do and lastly because a good look around a bike at close quarters every so often is a good safety check. With the Harley there is added incentive in that if you leave it too long the chrome falls off and you're left with just a large pile of rust on the garage floor...
I have to admit that choosing the Fatboy was more a heart over head choice.
Sure for cruising along the bigger A roads etc, it is comfortable, smooth and great to ride. I've just spent a lovely day touring North Wales.
For the tighter roads and commute, I find her heavy and quite cumbersome.
It might be me of course, but I find her hard to turn at anything less than dead slow on tighter corners which might be the norm and just a case of me getting used to her. She's also very heavy!
So I'm at the stage of trying to decide on whether to keep her after the service for a while longer, or trade her in for something more useable.
I'm not going to do any journeys abroad with the bike, sadly. Commuting and the odd day or two out will be the most that I'll do.
So, what would you do? I realise that I'm going to lose on any deal but should I do it sooner or later?
My commute to Widnes will become more regular on the bike as the new bridge works stuff up the traffic flows - and I'm not sure that I would want to use her in wet days for this purpose.
Bugger!
Sure for cruising along the bigger A roads etc, it is comfortable, smooth and great to ride. I've just spent a lovely day touring North Wales.
For the tighter roads and commute, I find her heavy and quite cumbersome.
It might be me of course, but I find her hard to turn at anything less than dead slow on tighter corners which might be the norm and just a case of me getting used to her. She's also very heavy!
So I'm at the stage of trying to decide on whether to keep her after the service for a while longer, or trade her in for something more useable.
I'm not going to do any journeys abroad with the bike, sadly. Commuting and the odd day or two out will be the most that I'll do.
So, what would you do? I realise that I'm going to lose on any deal but should I do it sooner or later?
My commute to Widnes will become more regular on the bike as the new bridge works stuff up the traffic flows - and I'm not sure that I would want to use her in wet days for this purpose.
Bugger!
Ok, before we start... i would probably not choose to commute on a Fatboy....
but, ref handling check your tyre pressures, HD are very "tuned" to Tyre Pressure and getting it right makes a fantastic differance......i run my glide at 42/42 and it handles well considering.
Second, how many miles have you done on it? i reckon i did 5,000 before i really tuned into the handling?
lastly, you are going to take a hit... so, it's just a matter time.... when do you want to do that??
what year / model etc.....?
If i was relient on a bike for commuting, personally i would buy one of those Honda NC700X things... cheap, light, agile, and when you have done you will get 2-3k back....
but, ref handling check your tyre pressures, HD are very "tuned" to Tyre Pressure and getting it right makes a fantastic differance......i run my glide at 42/42 and it handles well considering.
Second, how many miles have you done on it? i reckon i did 5,000 before i really tuned into the handling?
lastly, you are going to take a hit... so, it's just a matter time.... when do you want to do that??
what year / model etc.....?
If i was relient on a bike for commuting, personally i would buy one of those Honda NC700X things... cheap, light, agile, and when you have done you will get 2-3k back....
Ta for that.
850 miles only and three of months old, so a big depreciation hit likely.
Fatboy with daymaker headlight, sissy bar and rack. - of and black!
No other extras.
More money than sense springs to mind!
Think I'll give it a while longer as it's probably just me not adapting yet...
850 miles only and three of months old, so a big depreciation hit likely.
Fatboy with daymaker headlight, sissy bar and rack. - of and black!
No other extras.
More money than sense springs to mind!
Think I'll give it a while longer as it's probably just me not adapting yet...
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