On The Edge of Conversion
#1
07-25-2015, 07:58 AM
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Wallingford
Posts: 14
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On The Edge of Conversion
It sorta feels like converting religions in a way! (lol).
I've been on Honda motorcycles for twenty years (I'm fifty-eight), and now I find myself very close to picking up my first HD.
The Fatboy interests me a LOT, but I still am researching the difference between that, and a "Fatboy low." What's up with that? Seat height?
I've traveled every year, from CT to FL to bring my wife (usually in March) to see her Dad in Fort Myers; and every year I stop and look over the current inventory at almost every HD Dealership along the way.
I THOUGHT I was going to pull the trigger on a Heritage Softtail Classic, but the more I look at the Fatboy, the more I am swayed.
Talk to me a bit about the various motors (there are four models, right?) that HD is using these days. Are there any that have a better reputation for durability and dependability? A motor that most everyone would say "ya can't kill that thing!" about?
My list of accessories or mods are typical:
-louder pipes
-windshield
-passenger back rest
-gas gauge
-foot pads, not pegs
-7 to 10 inch handlebar rise
Nice to be here......
I've been on Honda motorcycles for twenty years (I'm fifty-eight), and now I find myself very close to picking up my first HD.
The Fatboy interests me a LOT, but I still am researching the difference between that, and a "Fatboy low." What's up with that? Seat height?
I've traveled every year, from CT to FL to bring my wife (usually in March) to see her Dad in Fort Myers; and every year I stop and look over the current inventory at almost every HD Dealership along the way.
I THOUGHT I was going to pull the trigger on a Heritage Softtail Classic, but the more I look at the Fatboy, the more I am swayed.
Talk to me a bit about the various motors (there are four models, right?) that HD is using these days. Are there any that have a better reputation for durability and dependability? A motor that most everyone would say "ya can't kill that thing!" about?
My list of accessories or mods are typical:
-louder pipes
-windshield
-passenger back rest
-gas gauge
-foot pads, not pegs
-7 to 10 inch handlebar rise
Nice to be here......
#2
07-25-2015, 08:46 AM
Big Kahuna HDF Member
#3
07-25-2015, 11:21 AM
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Wallingford
Posts: 14
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#4
07-25-2015, 11:27 AM
I would take the Heritage Softtail classic over a Fatboy. The Heritage is like the multi tool of HD. You can travel on it, ride around town, go 2 up or solo. It is sporty yet can travel with the best of them. The seating height makes you feel like one with the bike.. Heritage has always been my number one pick for HD and if i didn't have a young one that likes riding and a girlfriend that needs a bigger backrest/seat then i would be riding one myself.
#5
07-25-2015, 11:41 AM
Extreme HDF Member
#7
07-25-2015, 05:20 PM
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Wallingford
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#9
07-25-2015, 11:27 PM
Moderator
#10
07-26-2015, 08:44 AM
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
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I have always been a believer of buying a bike based on how it fits you instead of how it looks, with the hope that those two factors can intersect. You really need to ride both.
The Fat Boy has more suspension travel than the Fat Boy Lo, which is why ai never understood anyone buying a Fat Boy Lo unless they are very short or area tiny person where the lower center of gravity might be important to them.
It is worth noting that many people who buy a Fat Boy end up putting saddlebags and windshield on it. Some change the handlebars to something taller. Essentially, they buy a Fat Boy and end up almost turning it into a Heritage.
There are three engines available in the current lineup.
The Sportsters use an engine and transmission that is made in one case and uses four cam shafts. They are available as an 883 and 1200.
The rest of the lineup uses the Twin Cam engine which is now 103 cubic inches for regular bikes and 110 cubic inches for CVO bikes.
The Softail models use a version of the engine with counter balancers to smooth things out since the engine is mounted rigidly to the frame.
The Dyna models don't use counter balancers since the engine is rubber mounted.
The touring models don't use counter balancers since the engine is rubber mounted, but is a different mounting system than than the Dyna's.
The Limiteds and Road Glides use water cooled heads while all the other bikes are air cooled.
I almost forgot about the VRods and Street. Both of these are fully water cooled.
The Street comes in 500 cc and 750 cc and are intended for smaller riders or as a beginner bike. They are similar to a Honda Nighthawk.
The VRods use the Revolution engine which I think is now currently 1250 cc. They are intended as a power cruiser and is sort of a competitor to the Yamaha V-Max.
As for me, I ride a 1995 Heritage Softail Classic. It has the Evolution engine solid mounted. It does not have counter balancers. It has a carbureter instead of fuel injection. Sure, I could walk in the dealer and write a check for the latest and greatest new CVO chrome glide or whatever, but have no need to. This is the best bike I have ever owned or ridden. My only real complaint about it is the brakes could be better, but I am working on improving them.
Rent a couple of different bikes before you buy.
The Fat Boy has more suspension travel than the Fat Boy Lo, which is why ai never understood anyone buying a Fat Boy Lo unless they are very short or area tiny person where the lower center of gravity might be important to them.
It is worth noting that many people who buy a Fat Boy end up putting saddlebags and windshield on it. Some change the handlebars to something taller. Essentially, they buy a Fat Boy and end up almost turning it into a Heritage.
There are three engines available in the current lineup.
The Sportsters use an engine and transmission that is made in one case and uses four cam shafts. They are available as an 883 and 1200.
The rest of the lineup uses the Twin Cam engine which is now 103 cubic inches for regular bikes and 110 cubic inches for CVO bikes.
The Softail models use a version of the engine with counter balancers to smooth things out since the engine is mounted rigidly to the frame.
The Dyna models don't use counter balancers since the engine is rubber mounted.
The touring models don't use counter balancers since the engine is rubber mounted, but is a different mounting system than than the Dyna's.
The Limiteds and Road Glides use water cooled heads while all the other bikes are air cooled.
I almost forgot about the VRods and Street. Both of these are fully water cooled.
The Street comes in 500 cc and 750 cc and are intended for smaller riders or as a beginner bike. They are similar to a Honda Nighthawk.
The VRods use the Revolution engine which I think is now currently 1250 cc. They are intended as a power cruiser and is sort of a competitor to the Yamaha V-Max.
As for me, I ride a 1995 Heritage Softail Classic. It has the Evolution engine solid mounted. It does not have counter balancers. It has a carbureter instead of fuel injection. Sure, I could walk in the dealer and write a check for the latest and greatest new CVO chrome glide or whatever, but have no need to. This is the best bike I have ever owned or ridden. My only real complaint about it is the brakes could be better, but I am working on improving them.
Rent a couple of different bikes before you buy.