A New Day, A New Direction With A New Model

Ok, so it’s been nearly six months since HarleyDavidson ditched the Dyna line and shifted gears with an entirely new platform based on the Softail frame. In that line, there were eight new models at the time of the launch and each one configured with different riders in mind, different engine configurations as far as cubic inches, and different stance and accessories for rider’s preferences. This would be the earmark in the

Motor Company’s history book where Harley-Davidson started to reach outside of the core, in a super aggressive way, to gain new riders from all walks of life both in and out of the motorcycle consumer base. When it comes to the bike we’re are writing about today, this bike is a prime example of that outreach, and one I saw the effects of first hand.

It All Starts With The Milwaukee-Eight:

While the curb appeal alone of the Fat Bob gives you the feeling that there’s gonna be trouble, the two engine options that you can get with it will back that up. Available in both the 107 and 114 engine displacements, this thing roared through the California canyons we rode them on. While still retaining the iconic 45-degree V-Twin design, the Fat Bob is anything but a continuation from the Twin Cam. The MilwaukeeEight 107 comes in at 100 mm bore and 4.375-inch stroke with 10.0:1 compression ratio. It achieves 0-60 with ten percent quicker acceleration than the High Output Twin Cam 103. The Milwaukee-Eight 114 has a 102 mm bore and 4.5-inch stroke with 10.5:1 compression ratio. It achieves 0-60 with nine percent quicker acceleration than the Milwaukee-Eight 107. That’s a full 19 percent more than the 103 Twin Cams. When you put all that power with a frame that’s more rigid and 21.9lb lighter than its predecessor, it rides like no other factory Harley you’ve been on before. The Milwaukee-Eight has been well documented, so we aren’t going to waste a lot of time here going over the tech on it, but I will say that it’s been on the market for a year and a half already and it seems hat it’s had a much smoother transition that when we came into the Twin Came era. I for one, am a big fan and think that a four-valve head has been long overdue. Now that it’s starting to be utilized like this, I can hardly wait to see what’s next.

It’s The Bones That Make It Tough:

For anyone who lived through the original inception of the Softail, it was never meant to be an improvement on suspension and handling, regardless of what anyone wrote at the time. Those things rode like trucks but, they gave the rider the look of a traditional hardtail frame, kind of, while having some suspension. At the time it was a huge hit. I can remember a period where there wasn’t another bike I wanted to look at other than a Softail. As new generations of riders come into the market and things change, those traditional styling needs have come and gone. Some have their place and always will, but more than ever we have a base of riders who are as concerned with function as they are form. That’s where this new chassis comes into play. It is the best of all worlds. First off, it’s lighter and to anyone who has played the horsepower game that’s like free power. It’s more rigid as far as flexion is concerned. Where that plays out is in matching it with true performance suspension. When you know your frame is going to preserve its rigid nature under a load, then you can let the suspension do more of the work it’s supposed to. The new dual-bending valve inverted front forks are similar to a cartridge fork but with improved, more responsive dampening characteristics. In laymen’s terms, that is most notable when you’re hard in the corner and hit a bump. What I got from this thing was complete absorption of the obstacle and then almost unnoticeable rebound. It let me stay on the throttle and not have to readjust to compensate for a sloppy front end. A very welcome change indeed. The rear suspension is no slouch either. A mono-shock rear suspension is easily adjustable and enables a 240-pound range of payload

capacity and enhanced handling. You can literally dial your suspension in for hard riding, cruising or times where you’re traveling with a passenger. Regardless of what you may have been told, no real suspension will handle all of those scenarios without adjustability. Kudos to HarleyDavidson for bringing that to the table.

Love It Or Hate It:

This particular bike is one that stands out from all the new Softail family as the bike you either love or hate. When they first showed the rabid public photos of the new line up, there were more groans heard around the world than from those in an over sixty yoga class. With good reason, I suppose. You see this is part of a new initiative that Harley has, that is adapting to a whole new world. They are employing design principals from other brands of motorcycle manufacturers and those from outside the industry. On this machine, that starts with the headlight. It’s what the factory calls “unique LED forward lighting.” It is for sure not the traditional teardrop shaped headlight from your chopper, but you have to understand that is precisely what the engineers wanted; different. I was unsure about this at first as well, being somewhat of a traditionalist myself, until we were out in those canyons of California and stopped for a photo op. While we sat there waiting for our turn to go through the course, a group of twentysomething fire patrol rangers came out of their cabin. Four guys and a girl I think. They briefly looked at all of the bikes, but when they got to the Fat Bob, they were all about it. They quickly compared it to other dual sport bikes that they liked and even asked to sit on it for pictures. I immediately realized that the design team at Harley was on to something, these kids loved the new bike, and that’s part of the reason they made it this way.

Any way you look at it, after the initial shock of “Oh my God, it’s not like my Panhead...” is over, then you start to get comfortable with the idea that this bike is tough as hell and while you may want to make your own changes to the pipes or even the headlight, what the Motor Company did here is genius. They have again gone outside the box to deliver a bike that will continue to pave to road to the future. Not to mention that it’s like a dirt bike on steroids that’s legal for the street. Check it out today at your local Harley-Davidson dealership or see more info online at harley-davidson.com

cycle source - BETWEEN THE LINEs

Harley-Davidson Cooling Vest MSRP $60.00 - As bad as riding in extreme cold can be, extreme heat is almost as bad. While we were in California riding the new Fat Bob, they laid one of these cooling vests on us to check out. At first I thought it was funny, until we were well into a full day of hot riding. This thing is amazing! This lightweight men’s Cooling Vest features a HyperKewl™ lining that absorbs water when you give it a quick soak. It slowly evaporates to cool your core as well as the back of your neck. Designed for a close fit to layer under a jacket and maximize the cooling effect. Best thing is, you only have to soak it for a minute or two and you’re good to go.

lay there awake, 2am, fantasizing of twisty mountain roads, desert black top stretching miles ahead and the warm breeze whistling I through my ears. I walk to my garage to find it empty. I curse the 50° day in the dead of winter. I long for the throttle in my hand, the thunderous roar of my Harley-Davidson and the thrill of the open road. Life of a biker without a bike. I recently had to drop my beloved motorcycle off at the local shop to get a smattering of repairs done that I’ve been neglecting for months.

Yeah, I know, it’s for the better. I’ll get her back in tip top shape and ready for another long summer but, that doesn’t mean I have to like it. The flip-side of this though is that at least I know I’ll be in a comfortable bed each night. Life on the road isn’t

Article By Charlie Weisel Photos By: Kayla Koeune

so predictable. There comes a point in every day where you have to figure out where exactly you will be laying your head that night. If you aren’t careful you will find the sun below the horizon and yourself on a lonely road with quickly falling temperatures. But, if you use our head and your map you just might find yourself camped out on the side of a hill watching the most incredible sunset while enjoying the warmth of a campfire. I can tell you from experience that the latter is the preferred option. This being said, I can also tell you that with the proper equipment it is possible to make yourself comfortable almost anywhere, even that parking lot in Boise, Idaho! Sure, it looks bohemian to have your Mexican blanket, tarp and oversized sleeping bag strapped awkwardly to your bike, but it makes about as much sense as off roading in a Mazda Miata. Over the years those sun burnt granola eating mountaineers got it figured out with light weight, durable camping gear that works as well on Mt Everest as it does set up on the side of a dusty desert road or an interstate rest area. With the evolution in sleeping pads, bags and tents it is very possible to pack small and light allowing room for other creature comforts. I’m speaking of food beyond beef jerky, liquids, camp stoves upon which to actually cook a warm meal and make a hot cup of coffee in the morning. The last few years I’ve been using a Jetboil (jetboil.com), a simple system that combines a burner, cup and even a French press. Using a small fuel canister, it is easy to use, heats water and other food quickly

and is easy to store. There have been countless cold evenings spent heating chili and drinking hot tea to warm myself after a cold day of riding followed in the morning by a hot cup of coffee to start the day right. As far as camping equipment goes, I use an MSR tent. MSR (msrgear.com) is known for their mountaineering equipment, therefore not cheap, but extremely durable, small and light. My 3-person tent, using a compression sack, compresses down to about the size of a football! That’s a three-person tent with a rain fly! The poles also fold down small and can be strapped to virtually anything. Sleep pads now pack as small as a mason jar and sleeping bags not much bigger than that. Let REI or your local backpacking/mountaineering shop be your friend when it comes to preparing for your next trip. Their equipment is top notch, employees are knowledgeable and return/ exchange policies are great. Now, after all that, I will admit that a lot of this equipment isn’t cheap. Here’s how I look at it- If I spend a few extra bucks for the good stuff I’ll be more comfortable, won’t be frustrated with low quality gear that doesn’t work right and I can easily avoid hotel rooms...Therefore saving money in the long run and keeping me on the road longer. I can ride a long way on

the cost of one hotel room.

Along with quality equipment should come a quality storage vessel. I’ve run the gamut of them over the years and can tell you that a heavy dry bag is the way to go, preferably one with a roll top because, no matter what they say, a zipper is going to eventually leak during a long rain storm leaving you with soggy underwear for days. For the longest time I used a river bag, basically a rubber stuff sack. The downside to this is that inevitably the one thing you want is buried at the bottom. It gets real annoying real quick having to empty your bag for a fresh pair of socks. I’ve recently discovered the Wolfman Luggage dry duffel bag (wolfmanluggage.com). This bag has proven to be a perfect addition to my luggage and gear system. With built in mounting straps there is no need for bungee cords. Its heavy rubbery exterior has held up to the abuse a chopper can put them under and its roll top enclosure has kept my goods clean and dry even during the most relentless rain showers. Available in three sizes you can get one for any length road trip. I have found the medium size to be the most effective on a chopper, the large is a bit on the enormous side. While on the topic of Wolfman luggage, I also recently started using one of their tank bags to store the small items I like to have readily available, things like a water bottle, beef jerky, wallet, pocket knife, camera and whatever else you may need “right now”. This addition to the motorcycle on long rides has proven to be priceless.

I get asked on a regular basis about what sort of camping equipment is best for a multi-day ride, hopefully this helps. At the end of the day you have to find what works for you and your bike but ultimately you want a small, easy to set up camp set and a water proof bag to store everything in. From there, develop a system on how to pack it in a way that leaves everything easy to access. You will appreciate that when you are fumbling around in the dark trying to set up camp for the night. That’s about all the words of wisdom I can provide on that topic, now get to riding!

As always, give me a follow on Instagram @charlietravelingchopper for photos of past and present adventures.