BobbyMac's Gone Phat....Front That Is

[BobbyMac]

I have read soooo many positive threads on the fat front regarding handling and clearance that I just had to give it a shot despite the fact that I am not really in love with the look. With that being said, here goes my review.....

I ordered the tire from DLP (Metz 160/60) on Monday and got it and some Dyna Beads on Thursday.....good service. I went ahead and elongated the mounting holes in my front fender so that I could raise it up just a hair....don't want any rock damage!

Got the tire put on the wheel at 9am and was headed for the mountains by 11am. I did about 200 miles on the tire today. Was my cornering improved with this fat front....? I honestly would have to say that IF I can corner better, it is minimal. I will say that the bike takes bumps MUCH SMOOTHER now.....that was noticeable. It does fill up the fender nicely and I'm sure the look will grow on me. Hopefully I'll get more miles out of this tire than the traditional front....that will be another benefit from this mod. Here are some pics of the tire and some shots from my ride today:

Phat on the left and stock on the right:


Mounted on the bike:









Sport bikes were everywhere today!







About halfway through the ride, I came up on a group of 5 bikes. I blended into the pack and started making my way up to the front. The first 3 guys were pretty good riders. The leader was on a Silver Goldwing and he was a GREAT RIDER! He was scraping and sparking on just about every curve. I had to ride as hard as I could to keep up with him. It was great to finally meet one of the "mythical" Wing riders who can hit the curves so hard. They were really good guys and I even learned a backroad short cut from them

Here are some pics of their bikes:







Still think my bike looks the best!



Some scenery from the ride:








Cool Transformer Camero that I saw:

[draggin61]

thanks for the review Bobby. That is pretty much the same feeling that I have about going to the Avon rear. I will chock it up to my riding style and my weight distribution on the bike. BTW I almost hit GA this week, but we were a few miles away. Made to Bridal Veil Falls on 64. Awesome road! I liked it better than the dragon. almost zero traffic and no police.

[rudeboy109]

COOL pictures, Great looking bike Bobby

[CMHGUY]

Thanks for sharing... I looked at Nathan's pictures earlier and thought to myself.."wonder where Bobby's been?" and get back online a few hrs later and POOF there you are!!! lol

[Bujee1]

I have read soooo many positive threads on the fat front regarding handling and clearance that I just had to give it a shot despite the fact that I am not really in love with the look. With that being said, here goes my review.....

I ordered the tire from DLP (Metz 160/60) on Monday and got it and some Dyna Beads on Thursday.....good service. I went ahead and elongated the mounting holes in my front fender so that I could raise it up just a hair....don't want any rock damage!

Got the tire put on the wheel at 9am and was headed for the mountains by 11am. I did about 200 miles on the tire today. Was my cornering improved with this fat front....? I honestly would have to say that IF I can corner better, it is minimal. I will say that the bike takes bumps MUCH SMOOTHER now.....that was noticeable. It does fill up the fender nicely and I'm sure the look will grow on me. Hopefully I'll get more miles out of this tire than the traditional front....that will be another benefit from this mod. Here are some pics of the tire and some shots from my ride today:

Phat on the left and stock on the right:


Mounted on the bike:


Sport bikes were everywhere today!







About halfway through the ride, I came up on a group of 5 bikes. I blended into the pack and started making my way up to the front. The first 3 guys were pretty good riders. The leader was on a Silver Goldwing and he was a GREAT RIDER! He was scraping and sparking on just about every curve. I had to ride as hard as I could to keep up with him. It was great to finally meet one of the "mythical" Wing riders who can hit the curves so hard. They were really good guys and I even learned a backroad short cut from them

Here are some pics of their bikes:







Still think my bike looks the best!


Some scenery from the ride:








Cool Transformer Camero that I saw:

I noticed your bike is slammed ( looks great by the way,)
Do you have an Air ride or lowering bones?
If you have the air ride, do you have the bike all the way up for the twisties?

I say this because the change was dramatic for me and my bike is at stock height. It would make sense that ride height would make a difference. I'm just curious if it was a factor with you.

I'm anxious to hear your thoughts because I'm thinking of making the move to an air ride.

[eastcoastblur]

If I ever paint my bike can I steal your scheme? It's one of my favs

[antmor69]

I noticed your bike is slammed ( looks great by the way,)
Do you have an Air ride or lowering bones?
If you have the air ride, do you have the bike all the way up for the twisties?

I say this because the change was dramatic for me and my bike is at stock height. It would make sense that ride height would make a difference. I'm just curious if it was a factor with you.

I'm anxious to hear your thoughts because I'm thinking of making the move to an air ride.

He's on air.

[Andydude]

Looks great Bobby...... Enjoy the fatty !

[ooinkk]

Great write up!
I was really looking foward to hearing how you liked it,
We have one of those Goldwing riders in Richmond, some of those guys can really sling those big machines!

[BobbyMac]

I noticed your bike is slammed ( looks great by the way,)
Do you have an Air ride or lowering bones?
If you have the air ride, do you have the bike all the way up for the twisties?

I'm anxious to hear your thoughts because I'm thinking of making the move to an air ride.

I have the Arnott air ride and really do like it. I ride the mountain roads with it all the way up. Before the fat front, I was already dragging pegs on every curve and chasing down sport bikes....LOL. I guess the fat front can only do so much; I was already riding at the 9's limit.

If I ever paint my bike can I steal your scheme? It's one of my favs

Sure. I took the tank design from a pic of a bike on these boards and then Lucky and I took pin striping tape and came up with the other graphics. I think copying the design is the ultimate form of flattery!

[WIDE LOAD]

I would agree with you totally about the ride and cornering BUT I love the look of that big fatty in the front it go's good with the back.

[m109anc]

That low and wide, looks great

[CanadianM109R]

I was REALLY nervous about losing cornering ability and rain performance before I got my 160, and now that it is on, I wonder why I thought it would be a problem. It looks and performs great.

I love my 160 Metz, and won't go back!

[GeorgiaRoller]

Was my cornering improved with this fat front....? I honestly would have to say that IF I can corner better, it is minimal.

I can see your still on your quest to pull out every possible mod to see if you can corner even faster on the 9. Unless you put a 3" lift kit on the front & rear your still gonna scrape in the corners Bro!!!! And even then that might not be enough!

Looks like you had a good run in the mountains though. Those other bikes might corner a little better than yours.........but yes yours still looks the best!

[nascar4011]

I have the 160 dunnie and love the looks and performance.......

[08-109LE]

...despite the fact that I am not really in love with the look.

Bobby,

I have always loved the way your bike looks. I am quite perplexed at the above comment though...how could you NOT like the look of the 160 up front??

Your bike looks so good with that fat front...and it is almost impossible to make your bike look any better...

I imagine you will fall in love with the look very soon. It looks awesome on your bike!

Chip

[mcfling]

I love the paint job on your bike! I went to the 160/160 combo too. I get a little worried about the fender clearance, so I may have to consider elongating the bolt holes too.

[Zoom]

Awesome pics and story about the ride. I like hearing what else you did other than the tire experience. I'm amazed those Gold Wings can corner the way they do, but I've seen some around here that didn't waste any time on curves. There's a yellow one that I think comes close to dragging the bags on it, or the case guards. He hauls butt.

[scotty109]

Good pics isnt this the fatty that runs the wrong way/wrong direction. so im told.

you got one thing right though.................your bike sure looked the best

[Mrthumper]

Did you have to elongate holes much? Close up pic?

I got a 160 coming on my new PM's

[scotty109]

Did you have to elongate holes much? Close up pic?

I got a 160 coming on my new PM's

a 160 on your on your new pm's?...............what theeee

[BobbyMac]

There's a yellow one that I think comes close to dragging the bags on it, or the case guards. He hauls butt.

Yeah, this dude's case guards were all scraped up and he had even scraped the "cruisin' pegs" that were mounted on them. He told me he had some YouTube vids, but I can't seem to find them.

[Mrthumper]

a 160 on your on your new pm's?...............what theeee

Sorry Scotty...forgot u were still stuck in Kindergarden
PM Wheels

[scotty109]

Sorry Scotty...forgot u were still stuck in Kindergarden
PM Wheels

sorry bloke...... how silly of me i should have know all along what PM's are.


BTW.............. It's Kindergarten

[BobbyMac]

I can see your still on your quest to pull out every possible mod to see if you can corner even faster on the 9.

.........but yes yours still looks the best!

I can't help it! The Lord wired me to be competitive. Thanks for the compliment on the bike. I thought you said you weren't riding Saturday?! Should I take it personally?

I have always loved the way your bike looks. I am quite perplexed at the above comment though...how could you NOT like the look of the 160 up front??

Thanks.....I'm sure it will grow on me in time. Sometimes you just have to let new mods "mellow".

I love the paint job on your bike! I went to the 160/160 combo too. I get a little worried about the fender clearance, so I may have to consider elongating the bolt holes too.

Thanks. I really like your paint job, too.

Did you have to elongate holes much? Close up pic?

I'll try and snap a picture today after I get home from church.

[BobbyMac]

Did you have to elongate holes much? Close up pic?

I got a 160 coming on my new PM's

Here are some pics for you.

I used a 5/16 drill bit:



I drilled out the holes lower since I wanted to raise the fender:



In this pic you can see that the bolt is as low as it can go without scraping the paint. You can see that there is much more space at the top of the bolt compared to the bottom:

[BobbyMac]

A few more pics for you to see what she looks like:

[topher]

She looks fantastic

ENJOY it Bobby!

[Mrthumper]

Thanks for the pics and stunning 9 mate :)

[biscuitpimp]

You could've just got out and worn some rubber off of that tire. Miss ya brother!!! You guys need to come this way!!! I will try to plan something.