State to State Helmet Laws

When traveling from state to state on your motorcycle, you should always carry a helmet due to the helmet laws which are active in some states.

Click here to see a list of states that impose the helmet law and which have certain restrictions.

---

2008 Harley-Davidson Models —
Still Fresh After 105 Years

By Pete Brissette

"Ho hum. What to do?" is what I imagine the team of Harley-Davidson designers, engineers and management were asking themselves when planning for yet another year of motorcycles.

At this point in Harley's history they must start to feel like there's nothing new under the sun. It can't be easy after 105 years. Whether you're a Harley fan or not, one thing you can't do is underestimate a company that's been around that long.

So what did they do for year 1-0-5? Squeezed out three (two, really, as one is a slight variation on the same theme) new models from existing platforms, that's all.

Along with the expected new paint schemes, injection of chrome-a-licious accessories and a refresher on models recently released (Sportster Nightster as a late '07 and '08 CVOs) it was time to introduce the world to the Fat Bob, Rocker and Rocker C.

Now sixth in the family whose name begins with FXD, the Fat Bob brings some unique styling to the team, but ol' Bob carries the family genes in its ticker. The air-cooled, rubber-mounted, fuel-injected, Twin Cam 96 engine with a bore and stroke of 3.75 in. x 4.38 in. squeezing out a compression ratio of 9.2:1 that's good for a claimed 92 foot-pounds of torque at 3,000 rpm is what all Dynas use; including the Fat Bob.

The Fat Bob's 29-degree steering angle doesn't elicit the notion of razor sharp handling, however, it does boast the shortest wheelbase in the Dyna line at 63.7-inches. Combine that with just under five inches of ground clearance and a pair of 16-inch wheels and what you get is sporty-for-a-cruiser handling. Initial steering responses are a touch slow because of the chubby 130/90 tire up front, but once you've started the turn that same tire allows your confidence to grow as the bike continues to lean. Pushing all the way to the 4.92 inches of ground clearance and beyond was cake, and never once did I feel I had reached the limits imposed by the bike’s geometry. I often wished I could lean further as each new turn approached.

Slowing the Bob is the job of twin disc brakes up front and the ubiquitous single disc out back. Although pressure at the hand lever is transmitted through braided stainless steel lines, they still felt a bit numb and underpowered. A strong pull at the brake lever would ultimately result in a decent stop, but that's a little more than I care to apply to haul any bike down. Regardless of my performance-driven whining, the brakes were typical Harley in that they were sufficient but not great.

Conversely, application at the clutch lever was a welcomed light and easy feeling (there's gotta be a song in there somewhere). The six-speed transmission also offered familiar sensations expected from modern Harley trannies: a solid thunk and the impression that it'll last forever.