2020 slim compared to 2017 slim s
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 220
Likes: 56
From: CA
Pricing has everything to do with everything.
Where were you born, China?
Also, it depends on how you ride. I've owned three Fatboys and ridden a 2020 Low Rider S extensively.
The Low Rider S is a great bike, but pales in comparison to the Fatboy on the Interstate. Not even close. So, if you like to ride on the Interstate - or MUST ride on the Interstate - the Fatboy is superior and deserving of the fatter price tag.
It also has more high-end accessories. Cruise control to name one example. Take the Fatboy S on a trip across the country. Now take the Low Rider S. See which one is superior.
My reasoning is irrefutable.
Where were you born, China?
Also, it depends on how you ride. I've owned three Fatboys and ridden a 2020 Low Rider S extensively.
The Low Rider S is a great bike, but pales in comparison to the Fatboy on the Interstate. Not even close. So, if you like to ride on the Interstate - or MUST ride on the Interstate - the Fatboy is superior and deserving of the fatter price tag.
It also has more high-end accessories. Cruise control to name one example. Take the Fatboy S on a trip across the country. Now take the Low Rider S. See which one is superior.
My reasoning is irrefutable.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,299
Likes: 2,393
From: Florida
Just because you paid more doesn't mean it's better. Price doesn't mean ****. I love my Fat Boy don't get me wrong, but your argument is a complete failure because you're comparing single brakes vs dual, old forks vs inverted, agility of narrow wheels, a dedicated taillight (you have a TC so yours has the tail light and cruise control, mine doesn't.) Yes, I ride interstate mostly, and I'm 6'6 so I like forward controls; that's why I bought the Fat Boy. It's better for me. But if you are comparing bike vs bike the Low Rider is superior. There's no discussing that.
Who's to say old forks aren't better than inverted? You? Are you the sole arbiter of forks? And I submit you ask some savvy riders who love their fat rear tires if they'd rather have skinny, pointless tires under their rear fenders.
And we haven't even gotten to the aesthetics. The Fatboy's soft, subtle contours follow the revered ancestry of the classic Harleys of yore. True, I like the looks of the Low Rider S, but it doesn't move the soul like the Fatboy.
The Low Rider's mid-mounts are great for pygmies, but awful for people with normal, manly legs. As I recall, the grips vibrated like a Gatling gun and that long wheelbase made it more cumbersome to steer than my old Fatboys. I HATED the Low Rider S handlebars.
By the way, I traded in my old '17 Fatboy S for a 2020 Heritage, which is also far superior to the Low Rider S.
Now, I'm sure you'll agree there is little you can say after this tongue-lashing you've just absorbed.
Go ride that beautiful Fatboy you got and be glad it ain't a Low Rider S!
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 220
Likes: 56
From: CA
There is indeed room for discussion. In fact, there is a hole in your logic you could drive a truck through, rendering your stance unworthy of defending.
Who's to say old forks aren't better than inverted? You? Are you the sole arbiter of forks? And I submit you ask some savvy riders who love their fat rear tires if they'd rather have skinny, pointless tires under their rear fenders.
And we haven't even gotten to the aesthetics. The Fatboy's soft, subtle contours follow the revered ancestry of the classic Harleys of yore. True, I like the looks of the Low Rider S, but it doesn't move the soul like the Fatboy.
The Low Rider's mid-mounts are great for pygmies, but awful for people with normal, manly legs. As I recall, the grips vibrated like a Gatling gun and that long wheelbase made it more cumbersome to steer than my old Fatboys. I HATED the Low Rider S handlebars.
By the way, I traded in my old '17 Fatboy S for a 2020 Heritage, which is also far superior to the Low Rider S.
Now, I'm sure you'll agree there is little you can say after this tongue-lashing you've just absorbed.
Go ride that beautiful Fatboy you got and be glad it ain't a Low Rider S!
Who's to say old forks aren't better than inverted? You? Are you the sole arbiter of forks? And I submit you ask some savvy riders who love their fat rear tires if they'd rather have skinny, pointless tires under their rear fenders.
And we haven't even gotten to the aesthetics. The Fatboy's soft, subtle contours follow the revered ancestry of the classic Harleys of yore. True, I like the looks of the Low Rider S, but it doesn't move the soul like the Fatboy.
The Low Rider's mid-mounts are great for pygmies, but awful for people with normal, manly legs. As I recall, the grips vibrated like a Gatling gun and that long wheelbase made it more cumbersome to steer than my old Fatboys. I HATED the Low Rider S handlebars.
By the way, I traded in my old '17 Fatboy S for a 2020 Heritage, which is also far superior to the Low Rider S.
Now, I'm sure you'll agree there is little you can say after this tongue-lashing you've just absorbed.
Go ride that beautiful Fatboy you got and be glad it ain't a Low Rider S!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,299
Likes: 2,393
From: Florida
Inverted forks are widely recognized as better. That's why people upgrade their regular forks to USD forks, and why the Low Rider S is the upgraded version of the regular Low Rider, which has old style forks. But you won't hear any argument from me on aesthetics.. I love my Fat Boy. I love the huge tires and the wide rear end. The FXLRS and FXDLS can look nice as well, but they seem disproportionate to me. I don't know about all that yore and soul stuff. With the cut fender and square headlight, I don't really think it even looks like a Fat Boy anymore. It doesn't bother me, I love the look. I just think they could have introduced it as a new model. But pygmies lol, I'd say mids are fine for anyone up to 6'2. The LRS you rode must have had a horribly balanced front wheel, because I rode one at the dealer and it was a very smooth ride. It also felt more nimble than my fatboy, and the wheelbase is in fact two inches shorter than the m8 fat boy. The heritage I won't bad mouth at all, it's basically Harley's definitive bike. Just not my style.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 978
Likes: 423
From: UK
So, there we have it. Apparently, you can trade down to the fatboy with goofy wheels and non-inverted forks. Or you can go for the apparently aesthetically challenged LRS. Or you could be radical and buy a bike that you want?
Test it, if you like it, buy. If you don't like it, dilemma over.
I regularly ride with a group of good friends. I'm the only one who's had Harleys. They put it down to a personality disorder. I know what they're missing!
Test it, if you like it, buy. If you don't like it, dilemma over.
I regularly ride with a group of good friends. I'm the only one who's had Harleys. They put it down to a personality disorder. I know what they're missing!
Last edited by Mart; Sep 6, 2020 at 02:05 AM.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 36
Likes: 11
From: St. George
I haven't ridden the previous gen Softails or Dynas, so I can't speak to all the differences between the '17 FLSL and the '20 FLSL. Also, I did upgrade from a 2011 Sportster '48, which I loved the styling of, which is also why I like the styling of the Slim, to a '20 FLSL, SO I'm certain moving up from a '11 Sportster to a 2020 Slim is almost as much of an upgrade as one can imagine. And I love, love my Slim. The new softail frames are not hype.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 136
Likes: 67
From: Somewhere in US
I have not scraped my floorboards yet with my new 2020 Slim. Im very impressed on corners vs street rod. Theres a lot of twistys here in CT and it handles like a dream. So far after 350miles i dont have any leak or anything. Opened the air cleaner and its clean! This machine is bulletproof!
and yes we should have a FLSL thread too!
and yes we should have a FLSL thread too!
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 978
Likes: 423
From: UK
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