Test Ride Thoughts - Breakout/Fatboy/Slim S
#1
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albany, Western Australia
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Test Ride Thoughts - Breakout/Fatboy/Slim S
I'm new to HD. I currently have a 2016 48. Mods to draw out the old school look. I got the 48 as it was very manageable for a newby to ride and look great.
Already I'm looking for a bigger bike. This past few weeks I've had a test ride of some cruisers at the local HD dealer. Here are my thoughts and I can only compare to my 48. I'm 6'1" and 110kg/240lbs
2016 Breakout - The only one that I stopped to take some pics of. I first rode this demo a few weeks back and it was stock standard. I love the look of the Breakout but disappointingly it didn't impress. Handlebar had noticeable vibration under acceleration. I'm 6'1" and found the seat a bit low in comparison to the foot peg height. My thigh was sloping slightly upward and the butt started to squeal early into the ride. The bars were a bit of a reach but felt aggressive. Coming from the 48 with V&H the experience was very uninspiring.
Yesterday I rode it again as the dealer had given it a tribal make over and added V&H pipes and reach bars. Looked nasty with a "don't argue" attitude. Sorry but it was better but didn't inspire me to bring out the cheque book.
Fatboy - The black Fatboy had the feeling of a low slung brute. Wide and mean as something that you wouldn't want to argue with. Easier to ride than the Breakout. Still didn't induce the cheque book to surface. Still maybe a bit big for me but maybe I'm just a *****.
Softail Slim S - The black Slim S was fantastic. Cornered really nice, went like a cut snake and looked simply awesome even in stock form. Felt very comfortable in every respect.
Softail Deluxe - Next on my list
Overall the 48 with it's snappy 1200 feels like it's happier to hammer out of a corner. Maybe it's just the feeling of a big guy on a smallish bike. The Slim S was the only one that felt like a similar kick of fun but more so. Also the 48 doesn't seem to have the same degree of vibration in the seat and handbars as all other than the Slim S. Same Hollywood bars may have helped. Is it how the engine is mounted on the softails?
Love my 48 and just my thoughts shopping for a bigger bike. Unfortunately I can't afford to have both. Another first world problem.
Already I'm looking for a bigger bike. This past few weeks I've had a test ride of some cruisers at the local HD dealer. Here are my thoughts and I can only compare to my 48. I'm 6'1" and 110kg/240lbs
2016 Breakout - The only one that I stopped to take some pics of. I first rode this demo a few weeks back and it was stock standard. I love the look of the Breakout but disappointingly it didn't impress. Handlebar had noticeable vibration under acceleration. I'm 6'1" and found the seat a bit low in comparison to the foot peg height. My thigh was sloping slightly upward and the butt started to squeal early into the ride. The bars were a bit of a reach but felt aggressive. Coming from the 48 with V&H the experience was very uninspiring.
Yesterday I rode it again as the dealer had given it a tribal make over and added V&H pipes and reach bars. Looked nasty with a "don't argue" attitude. Sorry but it was better but didn't inspire me to bring out the cheque book.
Fatboy - The black Fatboy had the feeling of a low slung brute. Wide and mean as something that you wouldn't want to argue with. Easier to ride than the Breakout. Still didn't induce the cheque book to surface. Still maybe a bit big for me but maybe I'm just a *****.
Softail Slim S - The black Slim S was fantastic. Cornered really nice, went like a cut snake and looked simply awesome even in stock form. Felt very comfortable in every respect.
Softail Deluxe - Next on my list
Overall the 48 with it's snappy 1200 feels like it's happier to hammer out of a corner. Maybe it's just the feeling of a big guy on a smallish bike. The Slim S was the only one that felt like a similar kick of fun but more so. Also the 48 doesn't seem to have the same degree of vibration in the seat and handbars as all other than the Slim S. Same Hollywood bars may have helped. Is it how the engine is mounted on the softails?
Love my 48 and just my thoughts shopping for a bigger bike. Unfortunately I can't afford to have both. Another first world problem.
Last edited by sharparte; 07-03-2016 at 10:31 AM.
#2
#3
I upgraded from a Superlow 1200T Sportster to a Fat Boy last year. Never regretted it. However, my issues are different than the OP as I am only 5' 8" tall.
I found that the Fat Boy actually takes curves and turns better than the Sportster. Sure would not have guessed that, given the greater size and weight of the Fat Boy.
While the Fat Boy seemed like a very big bike when I first started riding it, I quickly bonded with the bike and now it seems just right.
The above probably applies, more or less, to any Softail.
I found that the Fat Boy actually takes curves and turns better than the Sportster. Sure would not have guessed that, given the greater size and weight of the Fat Boy.
While the Fat Boy seemed like a very big bike when I first started riding it, I quickly bonded with the bike and now it seems just right.
The above probably applies, more or less, to any Softail.
#4
Sounds like you like the attributes of the 48 and they fit your riding style. Maybe there are kits available to stretch the foot pegs out some available for the Sportster? If its a prestige thing as to why you want to upgrade the Sportster then that's a whole other ball game. What ever you do don't make an impulse buy because you are sure to take a BIG hit trading the 2016 48 in or even selling it. Especially after the upgrades you made.
#5
OP
The Softail motors are hard mounted with no rubber or other dampening devices like the Sportster, Dyna and Touring models. Softail motors have a counter balance shaft that reduces vibration. This makes the experience different in terms of vibration.
The Slim S model has more displacement than the other models you rode (110" vs 103".) it also has slightly higher lift cams. The result is more torque, and a torque peak at a higher RPM . The vibration will feel different because of these differences.
Some things to keep in mind relative the Harley-Davidson. Everything can be changed to suit you. Don't judge them in terms of bars, pegs, seats, etc. You can make any of them sit and feel "right" for your ergonomics.
Pick the bike that best suits your style and interest. They each have strong and weak areas as stock machines.
The Breakout and Slim aren't beat suited as two-up or long distance bikes, but they offer the blankest canvas for custom work.
The Heritage is made to carry a passenger and luggage. Awesome bike. I find the stock version cramped, but a seat and bar change fixes that.
The Fat Boy is the best all-around Softail because it can be modded in any direction with catalogue bolt-on accessories. It's a great bike anyway.
The Deluxe is just old-school cool, but may not be practical for long distance stuff.
Any of them can be modded to any application, but HD tried to suggest a style to define each one.
The Softail motors are hard mounted with no rubber or other dampening devices like the Sportster, Dyna and Touring models. Softail motors have a counter balance shaft that reduces vibration. This makes the experience different in terms of vibration.
The Slim S model has more displacement than the other models you rode (110" vs 103".) it also has slightly higher lift cams. The result is more torque, and a torque peak at a higher RPM . The vibration will feel different because of these differences.
Some things to keep in mind relative the Harley-Davidson. Everything can be changed to suit you. Don't judge them in terms of bars, pegs, seats, etc. You can make any of them sit and feel "right" for your ergonomics.
Pick the bike that best suits your style and interest. They each have strong and weak areas as stock machines.
The Breakout and Slim aren't beat suited as two-up or long distance bikes, but they offer the blankest canvas for custom work.
The Heritage is made to carry a passenger and luggage. Awesome bike. I find the stock version cramped, but a seat and bar change fixes that.
The Fat Boy is the best all-around Softail because it can be modded in any direction with catalogue bolt-on accessories. It's a great bike anyway.
The Deluxe is just old-school cool, but may not be practical for long distance stuff.
Any of them can be modded to any application, but HD tried to suggest a style to define each one.
Last edited by SLV; 07-03-2016 at 11:49 AM.
#6
Earlier this year, I got lucky and purchased two bikes (one for me, one of the wife): a '14 Forty Eight and a '14 Slim.
The 48 is mostly stock (sprung seat, tank lift, ignition key move and since we bought it, Hollywood bars). It is my wife's bike (but, in all honesty, I've put a lot more miles on it than her). I love riding the little bugger. It's nimble and light feeling. It's surprisingly comfortable at 80 MPH on the highway. And, it's a cool little bike. But, it really needs some improvements in exhaust, etc. I'd probably be perfectly happy with it at that point.
The Slim is my bike and I ride it constantly. It has a lot of upgrades/aftermarket stuff that make it fool a lotta folks into thinking it's a custom bike. My one complaint is the seat comfort... it needs a touch of something for longer rides. It rides very differently. It feels bigger. It accelerates more smoothly. The riding position is slightly more natural for me... And, I've ridden Big Twins all my life.
The funny thing is, the Slim's 103 is the largest motorcycle motor I've ever ridden and really does have enough oomph to get me where I want to go with as much speed as I really need or desire. (I'm not a race around town kinda guy... I just like to cruise) I thought about one of the new S models.. But decided to keep the cash in my pocket instead.
I love both bikes. I love riding both of them. I'm actually surprised about the Sportster. The few I've tried before I just never cared for. If I had to pick one, it would probably always be the big twin. I like having longer range, I like long rides, and overall I like the tiny bit more creature comfort.
All this to get back to the question... What is it you don't like about the Sportster that you want to solve with the Big Twin? Then, if you like the Slim, you aren't gonna get any argument for me! LOL
The 48 is mostly stock (sprung seat, tank lift, ignition key move and since we bought it, Hollywood bars). It is my wife's bike (but, in all honesty, I've put a lot more miles on it than her). I love riding the little bugger. It's nimble and light feeling. It's surprisingly comfortable at 80 MPH on the highway. And, it's a cool little bike. But, it really needs some improvements in exhaust, etc. I'd probably be perfectly happy with it at that point.
The Slim is my bike and I ride it constantly. It has a lot of upgrades/aftermarket stuff that make it fool a lotta folks into thinking it's a custom bike. My one complaint is the seat comfort... it needs a touch of something for longer rides. It rides very differently. It feels bigger. It accelerates more smoothly. The riding position is slightly more natural for me... And, I've ridden Big Twins all my life.
The funny thing is, the Slim's 103 is the largest motorcycle motor I've ever ridden and really does have enough oomph to get me where I want to go with as much speed as I really need or desire. (I'm not a race around town kinda guy... I just like to cruise) I thought about one of the new S models.. But decided to keep the cash in my pocket instead.
I love both bikes. I love riding both of them. I'm actually surprised about the Sportster. The few I've tried before I just never cared for. If I had to pick one, it would probably always be the big twin. I like having longer range, I like long rides, and overall I like the tiny bit more creature comfort.
All this to get back to the question... What is it you don't like about the Sportster that you want to solve with the Big Twin? Then, if you like the Slim, you aren't gonna get any argument for me! LOL
Trending Topics
#8
2016 Breakout - The only one that I stopped to take some pics of. I first rode this demo a few weeks back and it was stock standard. I love the look of the Breakout but disappointingly it didn't impress. Handlebar had noticeable vibration under acceleration. I'm 6'1" and found the seat a bit low in comparison to the foot peg height. My thigh was sloping slightly upward and the butt started to squeal early into the ride. The bars were a bit of a reach but felt aggressive. Coming from the 48 with V&H the experience was very uninspiring.
The picture of the Breakout you took does not have the OEM bars. Dealer must have put different bars on that Breakout.
#9
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Lafayette, Louisiana
Posts: 21,753
Received 14,123 Likes
on
6,205 Posts
You have a 2016 Sportster. You spent time modifying it. We are only halfway through 2016 and you already want to trade it in. How many miles did you manage to put on it in the short time you had it?
I think you should try a Street Bob, Wideglide, and Fat Bob. No counter balancers and rubber mounted engine. In other words, feeling more like your Sportster.
I think you should try a Street Bob, Wideglide, and Fat Bob. No counter balancers and rubber mounted engine. In other words, feeling more like your Sportster.
The following users liked this post:
Northern Biker (10-27-2016)