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TedMan - Really curious about your thoughts on the Chief. I'm looking to trade the RKS this year for something smaller and lighter. Waiting to see what the moco releases on the 26, but right now the Chief Dark Horse Bobber is leading (on paper) my buying decision by a lot. There's just nothing in the '22 Softail lineup that comes close.
I like mine a lot. I got it mid-late last summer (Chief Darkhorse Stealth Gray). I took it to Rocky Mtn. Nat. Park to break it in and it ran and handled phenomenally. Mine has the 116 but not the upgraded cam, yet. But in Sport Mode you really better hold on. The only downside I can see for some right now is 3" rear shock travel, although the stock shocks are high quality (Fox already has a longer shock out, but the front suspension is so good, I don't feel the rear needs any improvement), and the lack of parts. Be forewarned; most of the Chief models, if it is not in stock near you and you have to order, are a 3 month wait according to my dealer. And if you think HD is slow on accessories, the wait on some Chief accessories is 4-5 months. However, it is a testament to how popular these bikes are. Scout riders are upgrading, and people like me that wanted a second scoot are buying them, and Japanese owners are trading in, as well. It is a home run for Polaris for sure. It has a muscular "Dyna" look to it. I wish Indian had made the Super Chief version more capable, however. None of the new Chiefs are built at all for two up. Good luck with your search. Seems you are looking for something HD doesn't do right now, and I am looking for something that Indian doesn't do right now
I like mine a lot. I got it mid-late last summer (Chief Darkhorse Stealth Gray). I took it to Rocky Mtn. Nat. Park to break it in and it ran and handled phenomenally. Mine has the 116 but not the upgraded cam, yet. But in Sport Mode you really better hold on. The only downside I can see for some right now is 3" rear shock travel, although the stock shocks are high quality (Fox already has a longer shock out, but the front suspension is so good, I don't feel the rear needs any improvement), and the lack of parts. Be forewarned; most of the Chief models, if it is not in stock near you and you have to order, are a 3 month wait according to my dealer. And if you think HD is slow on accessories, the wait on some Chief accessories is 4-5 months. However, it is a testament to how popular these bikes are. Scout riders are upgrading, and people like me that wanted a second scoot are buying them, and Japanese owners are trading in, as well. It is a home run for Polaris for sure. It has a muscular "Dyna" look to it. I wish Indian had made the Super Chief version more capable, however. None of the new Chiefs are built at all for two up. Good luck with your search. Seems you are looking for something HD doesn't do right now, and I am looking for something that Indian doesn't do right now
Thanks for heads up on those lead times. Simply insane, but not as bad as RZRs or Rangers have been. They were up to a 6 - 12 month wait around here last year.
But yeah, on paper the Chief Dark Horse blows away all of the MOCO's 2022 pre-releases. Still waiting to see the "big reveal" on the 26th. Truly hoping H-D has something incredibly exciting and new up their sleeve. Also, holding out hope that the LRS and/or LRST is everything they're rumored to be. I will be utterly disappointed if the LRS doesn't come stock with ride modes, cruise control, Nav/Bluetooth integration, updated suspension, and option to add the Sport Glide bags without having to spend a thousand dollars in hardware (the bags will be a GD arm and a leg as it is). The LRST is appealing on some levels, but I think it's pretty much confirmed it will have a fixed fairing. I don't hate that by any means, but I love the open air for my 'beat around town/weekend tourer'. Which the RKS has done an incredible job, but I'm ready for something different (the RK/RKS has been my cruise/weekend trip bike since 2017) that's lighter, more nimble, and I can cruise in comfort or carve the **** out the mountain roads! Right now, at least on paper, the Chief has all of that and more. Not to mention it looks a kajillion times better than most of Harley's offerings.
well i love my 18 fatboy . its def one of the best bikes ive ever ridden. me and the wife get on it and she loves it and its very easy on 2 up riding. very good riding bike. and i traded in a 013 ultra classic for this fatboy and iam glad i did. good luck. yea dont put bags all over it. it takes the badness out of the looks. i did put a swing arm bag on it so i can carry somethings. i dont miss that heavy frigging ultra.
well i love my 18 fatboy . its def one of the best bikes ive ever ridden. me and the wife get on it and she loves it and its very easy on 2 up riding. very good riding bike. and i traded in a 013 ultra classic for this fatboy and iam glad i did. good luck. yea dont put bags all over it. it takes the badness out of the looks. i did put a swing arm bag on it so i can carry somethings. i dont miss that heavy frigging ultra.
I completely agree that the Fat Boy is by far the best looking 2018+ Softail. Hell, I'll go so far as to say the best damn looking motorcycle produced today! Just sexy as hell!! Unfortunately, it doesn't fit my riding style and would only serve as a piece of art in the garage as I'd need something to fulfill my need for speed (without losing the comfort and style of a Harley) in the twisties.
Theres no perfect bike, and having the ability to have more than one for different purposes definitely is a good thing. I have a nice BMW that's phenomenal for 2up long distance trips. But for day trips or running errands I hesitate to get it out. I would love an RKS but feel it overlaps the BMW in to many ways. Which is why the Fatboy is so high up on my list I can have it custom painted and tinker with it to my hearts content i.e. 131 kit quick detach kit for luggage and black it out etc....
I did some demo rides at Sturgis and when the demo truck was in my town in 2021 and of all the Harleys I rode I liked the Fat Boy the best. I expected to like the Heritage the best, but the bars didn't suit me. Yeah, I know $100 and an afternoon in the garage and I can swap to different shaped bars, but out of the box I liked the Fat Boy the best. It handled like I expected it to and it was comfortable. I liked the Sport Glide as well, but seems like that one got cut for 2022.
For reference I'm 5'9. My most recent Harley was a twin cam Fat Bob and my first big twin was a 2001 Night Train, so that gives you an idea about what kind of riding position I enjoy. Lately I've been riding a BMW GS and a Triumph, but if I was going to snag a Harley again the Fat Boy is high on my list to consider.
i would be willing to bet the Fatboy is just as good in the twistys as any other bike. the tires will let you lean as far as you are willing to let it lean. maybe its just me but i dont have any problems at all in the twists and turns. its way more nimble than my ultra was
I've had three Fatboys and loved them all. HOWEVER: my wife might not say the same.
I take her along quite a bit. I'm about the same size as you and the wife is about the same size as yours, apparently. There were more than a few times when she was on the back of the Fatboys and was jolted hard when I hit a bad spot in the road. She literally yelped. No permanent damage, but I could tell she was in pain.
That has not happened once on many long, two-up rides on my 2020 Heritage, and I've hit many a bad spot. The stock suspension is just far superior.
In my opinion, the Fatboy needs a serious suspension upgrade if you're going to haul your better half behind you.
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Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
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Right now, at least on paper, the Chief has all of that and more. Not to mention it looks a kajillion times better than most of Harley's offerings.
