Fat front tire on 2013 xl1200c

schwartzkm · 01-20-2013, 10:05 AM

What are the pros and cons of Harley going with a fatter front tire on their 2013 xl1200c model? Harley has a tendency to emphasize form over function so wonder if that is the case in this instance, too (think slammed sportsters!?!).

edit:
How does the fatter front tire impact handling on the new sportster?

Thanks!

Randy · 01-20-2013, 06:24 PM

Well I do agree that H-D goes for form over function in most cases. In that market segment it's what sells. Spend much time on the various H-D forums and its pretty evident with all the posts of guys saying that this and that mod doesn't work so well but it sure LOOKS cool!

With that said, I do have a 2013 48 and it does have the fat front tire. After riding all sorts of things since the 70's this is my first experience with a Harley. Keeping in mind that what this bike can and can't do, I'm finding that I'm really enjoying it. I don't expect it to handle like a sport bike, or even like my R1150GS for that matter. But, ridden within its limits I don't have any complaints and Im actually enjoying riding it a LOT.

I've never ridden a sportster with a skinny front tire so I can't really give a comparison, but I haven't found any real shortcomings in the handling of this bike. Yeah, it's a bit slow to turn in and maybe just a tad heavy in the steering dept. Then again, I don't know how much of that's due to the steering geometry and how much is the fat tire, but I don't have any complaints at all. It feels predictable and stable, doesn't really want to fall in or stand up out of a turn. It just goes pretty much like a motorcycle should, IMO.

Besides, it LOOKS COOL!

jmlmjmjm · 01-21-2013, 08:21 AM

I've not ridden the Sportster but have ridden a Victory Judge multiple times which has the same 130\90 front tire. After a few moments onboard you forget it's there. Turn in is a little heavier at walking speeds but once moving beyond that, easy peasy. Consider a Judge unless you're singularly focused on the HD.

Stolen image from the Victory thread.

Barrett66 · 01-21-2013, 09:01 AM

Victory is building some Hot bikes in my opinion. I have ridden a friends CVO Fat Bob & I loved how it handled and thought it was extremely smooth with the big rubber up front.

waveydavey · 01-21-2013, 10:00 PM

My 1983 Honda VFR 750 had a 130/90 X 16 front tire and everyone thought that it was a very quick turning motorcycle, at the time.

schwartzkm · 01-23-2013, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmlmjmjm

I've not ridden the Sportster but have ridden a Victory Judge multiple times which has the same 130\90 front tire. After a few moments onboard you forget it's there. Turn in is a little heavier at walking speeds but once moving beyond that, easy peasy. Consider a Judge unless you're singularly focused on the HD.

Stolen image from the Victory thread.

While I agree the judge looks really nice, it is also 5k above the sportster and being 5'5 I found the riding position put me in an odd position. A set of pull-backs might help, though.

Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk 2

DAKEZ · 01-23-2013, 02:24 PM

The XL1200V (a.k.a. The 72) Is the same bike as the XL1200X (48) the difference is .1 Degee more rake and a 21" (tall Skinny) front wheel.

When ridden back to back the 72 feels much more agile. The 21" Wheel is better for going over pot-holes where the heavier feeling 16" fatty on the 48 glides over road seams. So there are different benefits to each.

Both are FUN to ride.

01-20-2013, 10:05 AM	#1
schwartzkm ^OP Adventurer Joined: Mar 2008 Oddometer: 84	Fat front tire on 2013 xl1200c What are the pros and cons of Harley going with a fatter front tire on their 2013 xl1200c model? Harley has a tendency to emphasize form over function so wonder if that is the case in this instance, too (think slammed sportsters!?!). edit: How does the fatter front tire impact handling on the new sportster? Thanks! schwartzkm screwed with this post 01-20-2013 at 11:42 AM

01-20-2013, 06:24 PM	#2
Randy Beastly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2002 Location: Newnan, GA USA Oddometer: 1,400	Well I do agree that H-D goes for form over function in most cases. In that market segment it's what sells. Spend much time on the various H-D forums and its pretty evident with all the posts of guys saying that this and that mod doesn't work so well but it sure LOOKS cool! With that said, I do have a 2013 48 and it does have the fat front tire. After riding all sorts of things since the 70's this is my first experience with a Harley. Keeping in mind that what this bike can and can't do, I'm finding that I'm really enjoying it. I don't expect it to handle like a sport bike, or even like my R1150GS for that matter. But, ridden within its limits I don't have any complaints and Im actually enjoying riding it a LOT. I've never ridden a sportster with a skinny front tire so I can't really give a comparison, but I haven't found any real shortcomings in the handling of this bike. Yeah, it's a bit slow to turn in and maybe just a tad heavy in the steering dept. Then again, I don't know how much of that's due to the steering geometry and how much is the fat tire, but I don't have any complaints at all. It feels predictable and stable, doesn't really want to fall in or stand up out of a turn. It just goes pretty much like a motorcycle should, IMO. Besides, it LOOKS COOL! __________________ "Life is too short to do anything other than that about which you are absolutely passionate."..........."Adventure is a frame of mind, set upon by action, not defined by equipment."..........."I didn't get a Sportster because I wanted a Harley....I got a Harley because I wanted a Sportster."..............."It all boils down to your ability to say "SCREW IT" and really mean it".....Randy

01-21-2013, 08:21 AM	#3
jmlmjmjm Studly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Oddometer: 619	I've not ridden the Sportster but have ridden a Victory Judge multiple times which has the same 130\90 front tire. After a few moments onboard you forget it's there. Turn in is a little heavier at walking speeds but once moving beyond that, easy peasy. Consider a Judge unless you're singularly focused on the HD. Stolen image from the Victory thread. __________________ John M. '08 Kawasaki Versys '11 Victory Cross Roads

01-21-2013, 10:00 PM	#5
waveydavey happy times!! Joined: Sep 2005 Location: on holidays Oddometer: 8,047	My 1983 Honda VFR 750 had a 130/90 X 16 front tire and everyone thought that it was a very quick turning motorcycle, at the time. __________________ FUCK CANCER!!!!

01-23-2013, 02:24 PM	#7
DAKEZ Beastly Adventurer Joined: Mar 2007 Location: U-gene, OR. Oddometer: 17,983	The XL1200V (a.k.a. The 72) Is the same bike as the XL1200X (48) the difference is .1 Degee more rake and a 21" (tall Skinny) front wheel. When ridden back to back the 72 feels much more agile. The 21" Wheel is better for going over pot-holes where the heavier feeling 16" fatty on the 48 glides over road seams. So there are different benefits to each. Both are FUN to ride. __________________ "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." — Dr. Seuss “Watch out for everything bigger than you, they have the "right of weight" Bib

01-21-2013, 09:01 AM	#4
Barrett66 n00b Joined: Dec 2008 Location: Da garage Oddometer: 5	Victory is building some Hot bikes in my opinion. I have ridden a friends CVO Fat Bob & I loved how it handled and thought it was extremely smooth with the big rubber up front.

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