It’s Good To Be Fat

Story by Mark Barnett, Photos courtesy of Harley-Davidson Photography & Imaging

Harley-Davidson’s new model introduction every July is typically a big yawn for me, but not this year. H-D’s engineering and styling departments have stepped up to the plate and come out swinging with a plethora of new models and improvements to existing models. The most anticipated change is the smart, fat rear tires for four Softail models, the Standard, Springer, Night Train, and CVO Fat Boy. Smart because it gives a cool custom look to the rear end but is still fun to ride without having to compensate for a super-huge rear tire and the detrimental handling they bring. There, I’ve said it; there’s a sliding scale of fat tire size to still fun to actually ride regarding tire width. Isn’t that why we started riding motorcycles in the first place, because it was fun? In Harley’s move to a fatter rear tire, absolutely nothing was lost in translation.

The subject of this riding impression is the FXSTBI Night Train in my favorite all black rendition. The 200mm tire drives easily, turns quickly, and feels just a touch more planted while cornering. No extra effort or special riding techniques (unlike with a 300mm) are required. Looks great too, giving the Night Train a tougher look. H-D’s styling guys did a nice job of widening the bobtail fender, showing off the new tire well. The new slotted, black center, disc rear wheel gets a thumbs-up. Beefy is in when it comes to bikes, not humans unfortunately. A wider, integrated LED taillight would look a little better; filling up all the dead space around the old narrow taillight. Hey Willie G., don’t get mad, it’s just a suggestion.

Really big news (to me anyway) is the new clutch action for ’06. Underway, it’s hard to believe this is a Harley clutch with its amazingly easy clutch lever pull. Lever pressure has been reduced by a whopping 24%. It’s easier than ever to maneuver at parking lot speeds because of the extra control it gives and in stop and go traffic (think Sturgis), it’s a godsend. Smooth and easy are the defining words to describe the new clutch action. The best part is that it’s only a $45 parts upgrade and retrofits (approx -1 ½ hour installation) to all Twin Cams. Don’t be like Mikey (of cereal fame), “Try it, you’ll like it.” When I made my first shift from first to second, I thought I must’ve gotten hung up in neutral and shifted again to make sure it was in second, actually ending up in third. Man, I was in second after all! It was so slick shifting and clunk-free I was not prepared for it, quality control seems to have hit a new level. All of this on a bike with only factory-delivered miles, better than any H-D I’ve ever ridden even fully broken in. This applies right across the board on all the new TC models I’ve ridden. Simply amazing. Good job Harley-Davidson. TC’s are also now equipped with hydraulic cam chain adjusters in hopes of curing any cam bearing problems. The new carbon fiber drive belt is kinda scary looking as it’s unbelievably narrow, but H-D assures us it’s stronger than ever. Like the slogan of last years Red Sox, “Ya gotta believe…”

No other big news to report on this model, but what they’ve done really does knock the ball out of the park. Everything else you know and love remains intact. Be sure to check out the all the new models from the revamped Wide Glide, the cool retro 35th Anniversary Super Glide , the hip “Street Bob”, the tough looking Night Rod, and the bagger that should lay to rest the term, “old man’s bike”- the Street Glide.

Mechanic’s Comments

Clutch is like softened butter, smoother than hydraulic. Shifting was much smoother than expected, better than any Harley I’ve ridden. The bike turns sharper than the “myth” about wide tires, no problem at all. The Night Train was very impressive overall. – Ron Gilliland

I’d love to have that clutch set up in my ’99 Road King Classic. New hydraulic cam chain adjuster seems like a great idea. Fat fender looks great, bike handles great too. The 200 rear tire is only a plus in my book. – Bobby Gene Grayson

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