Just curious how many of you rode a bike with a fat rear tire before buying your Big Dog. I find that even experienced motorcycle riders have misconceptions about riding with a 280-300 rear. I've only let 2 of my friends ride my Mastiff and they were both surprised at how much more they had to lean in the corners.
Riding with a FAT Rear tire
- Thread starter montana
- Start date
rode harleys with 150 tire and homemade with 250...now ride ridgeback with330. With length and rake you HAVE to slow on corners. What suprised me was how rolling at 2-5mph thru parking lots or gravel on uneven surfaces how the bike will try to throw you one way. The radius of the tire combined with the stretch is different for sure....but going 90 down freeway , you can't beat the feeling...handles great then!!
Nukeranger
Nukeranger
Rode 170 to 180 mm back tires for years and then the 330 mm 2008 Ridgeback. It took me one day of riding to be comfortable. After that, it was a piece of cake. Yes, running down the road at 85 to 90 is a dream.
kgamsg
Member
For me, never ridden anything but this 8-1/2 foot long '03 Chopper with the 250mm rear tire. I sure get some funny looks when I tell folks that my first scoot was this one; truth be told, don't want anything else and if I were to lose this one to theft or accident, I'd be back out there looking for another one.
ChoppaNoob
Active Member
I have a 280 rear. The only time I notice a difference is goin slow. In the twisties my frame rubs and causes more problems than the tire.
king scott
Member
Have the 300. No experience with anything that big. Just my Harley Heritage which is probably half that size.
It was weird trying to get used to the tire and rake difference but wasnt a problem after riding awhile. I wouldnt let it scare anybody off from buying one. Just different.
It was weird trying to get used to the tire and rake difference but wasnt a problem after riding awhile. I wouldnt let it scare anybody off from buying one. Just different.
Big Mike
Active Member
Funny you should ask. The last motorcycle I owned was my 78 lowrider Shovelhead & I sold it in 82 with the idea that I would get another one shortly. Well..............27 years later I bought the Pitbull. At first I thought I had lost my touch and was a lot older and that was why it was so much more of a handful. Then, I bought my 2011 Street Glide and realized it wasn't me, it was the bike. don't get me wrong, I love my Pitbull, but it's just a fact that it's a handfull with the 250 rear, hardtail and 107 S&S.
That's why they call them Big Dogs. The saying goes: “If you’re gonna run with the big dogs, you gotta get off the porch…”
That's why they call them Big Dogs. The saying goes: “If you’re gonna run with the big dogs, you gotta get off the porch…”
ALDog
Active Member
Agree with what has been said. I had a V Rod with a 250 but nothing prepares you for easing around a parking lot hitting an uneven surface with the 330. Better be ready or it could get ugly. Interstates are a dream and better get the counter steering down or corners could be an issue. Love it though 
Greyhairracer
Member
Biggest I had was the 200mm on my '07 softtail....When I first rode my Bulldog I was amazed that even on the freeway at speed going through corners how much the bike wanted to stand up on itself. Found constant feedback through the bars and controlling speed through the corners helped control it. Even at low speed making turns it feels stable - you don't get that falling over feeling.
Stable as hell going straight!!!
Stable as hell going straight!!!
1extremeskier
Member
No previous fat tire bikes. Mechanic at the store I bought from told me to scrape pegs or end up in the ditch. it was great advice for the 200 mile ride home that day and I avoided ditches. left peg is now ground off more than an inch back with golfball amount of metal ground off. Right peg is a little less, I guess I lean ore to the left. If you ain't scaping it ain't ridin............
d2ecbr
Member
I rode sport bikes for 11 years before riding on a 280. which caught me way off guard. Now i got my 300 on my Ridgeback, and compared to the 280 it is def different on corners. uneven ridges in the road(which there is tons in ohio) and it took me a good week just to get used to it.
Claymation
Member
With years of riding from a trooley trooper (most wont know that 1) to chopper, the only thing i have really noticed is the movent went you get close to an edge of the rode and the payment is not level. Fast hard corners are not for a chopper, i was used to that as i came from a lowered 95 bagger. Pegs and pipes are a warning
I get a little drift/wobble in the corners sometimes at high speed in the front end. Added dyna beads and bike is alot smoother now
I get a little drift/wobble in the corners sometimes at high speed in the front end. Added dyna beads and bike is alot smoother now
