Handeling difference from Street Bob to Fat Bob
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 3,145
Likes: 2,958
From: New York
Three years ago I test rode them all at Americade. As others have said the big front tire etc makes the FB more stable and firm. I just couldn't stand forward controls and didn't want to spend $ on the conversion to mids. If you don't mind the looks and want forward controls then you will love owning the Fat Bob I would think.
Some great looking examples on the forum.
Some great looking examples on the forum.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 6,673
Likes: 502
From: Orange County
I down-sized from a Road King as well, getting up there in age and the weight in the mountains was getting too much for me. Not ready to stop riding yet so here I am. The handling differences should be quit a bit between the lower bars and the bigger front tire on the FB. Got to admit if it wasn't for the ugly rear brake lighting, I may have gone with the FB. It fit me well and I didn't even mind the beach bar look, just couldnt get past that rear brake lighting.....yikes.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
Yup, FB handles best, next is LR, then SB....
but they are all fun to ride and generally capable bikes. If I had a strong preference for one based on looks and I liked riding it well enough...that's what I'd buy. See which fits you best.
If the FB looks really bother you, I'd advise avoiding it. Fat Bobs always seem to fundamentally look like Fat Bobs no matter what you do to them, unless you swap front ends.
but they are all fun to ride and generally capable bikes. If I had a strong preference for one based on looks and I liked riding it well enough...that's what I'd buy. See which fits you best.
If the FB looks really bother you, I'd advise avoiding it. Fat Bobs always seem to fundamentally look like Fat Bobs no matter what you do to them, unless you swap front ends.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I have a 13 Street Bob, 15 Fat Bob, 14 Lowrider and 16 Lowrider S.
I know the Lowrider was not in the post but the Low Rider S out handles, out tracks, brakes, corners or any other category for evaluating a bike that there is.
However having said that the Street Bob is a close second. The Fat Bob is too heavy. It is a bumbling bouncing ride. But it looks great! So does the standard Lowrider.
No wonder I have them all. One can not go wrong with any one of them.
I know the Lowrider was not in the post but the Low Rider S out handles, out tracks, brakes, corners or any other category for evaluating a bike that there is.
However having said that the Street Bob is a close second. The Fat Bob is too heavy. It is a bumbling bouncing ride. But it looks great! So does the standard Lowrider.
No wonder I have them all. One can not go wrong with any one of them.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
I have a 13 Street Bob, 15 Fat Bob, 14 Lowrider and 16 Lowrider S.
I know the Lowrider was not in the post but the Low Rider S out handles, out tracks, brakes, corners or any other category for evaluating a bike that there is.
However having said that the Street Bob is a close second. The Fat Bob is too heavy. It is a bumbling bouncing ride. But it looks great! So does the standard Lowrider.
No wonder I have them all. One can not go wrong with any one of them.
I know the Lowrider was not in the post but the Low Rider S out handles, out tracks, brakes, corners or any other category for evaluating a bike that there is.
However having said that the Street Bob is a close second. The Fat Bob is too heavy. It is a bumbling bouncing ride. But it looks great! So does the standard Lowrider.
No wonder I have them all. One can not go wrong with any one of them.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 65
Likes: 10
From: Oz
I'd like to know this too.
Slightly confused - Fat Bobs seem to widely regarded as the 'handling' Dyna, and people say a big reason is the fat tires.
So if the fat tires make the biggest difference, why doesn't the LR-S share them? People rave about the handling of the LR-S, and the Street Bob shares the same tire size.
I know there are other factors eg suspension, brakes etc that come into play but I like to know why (particularly with front end) they went with the 110 on the LR-S if the Fat Bob's 130 is so much better...
Slightly confused - Fat Bobs seem to widely regarded as the 'handling' Dyna, and people say a big reason is the fat tires.
So if the fat tires make the biggest difference, why doesn't the LR-S share them? People rave about the handling of the LR-S, and the Street Bob shares the same tire size.
I know there are other factors eg suspension, brakes etc that come into play but I like to know why (particularly with front end) they went with the 110 on the LR-S if the Fat Bob's 130 is so much better...