Fat Bob For First Bike
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 317
Likes: 2
From: north idaho
RE: Fat Bob For First Bike
I have just under 500 miles on my 08 fxdc, and msf class next month. picked up "proficent motorcyling" by david hough, as well as the Ride like a pro dvd's. respecting the bike,and the power coupled with the tips has really helped and all I need is better weather! hole shots between snow storms is getting old!
great bike choice
great bike choice
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 12,946
Likes: 32
From: Colorado Springs, CO
RE: Fat Bob For First Bike
DYNA's are incredibly easy to ride, really......
When I first bought Susie, My first ride home, It felt like I had been riding her for years, so easy to ride.
~Joe
When I first bought Susie, My first ride home, It felt like I had been riding her for years, so easy to ride.
~Joe
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 406
Likes: 2
From: Brownsburg, IN
RE: Fat Bob For First Bike
The best asset to a new rider is his (or her) brain, not size or strength.
I started in May of '05 with a Suzuki Boulevard M50 (819cc). I put 11k on it in the last two years but spent all of last year wanting and looking for a bigger bike. I saw the Fat Bob this winter and knew it was the one. The ride on the Fat Bob is amazing. It is heavier than any 800 you're going to start with but it handles like a dream. Don't be scared to pull the trigger on it. If you are careful and take you time (as you should learning on any bike) you'll be fine. Good luck with what ever you decide!
I started in May of '05 with a Suzuki Boulevard M50 (819cc). I put 11k on it in the last two years but spent all of last year wanting and looking for a bigger bike. I saw the Fat Bob this winter and knew it was the one. The ride on the Fat Bob is amazing. It is heavier than any 800 you're going to start with but it handles like a dream. Don't be scared to pull the trigger on it. If you are careful and take you time (as you should learning on any bike) you'll be fine. Good luck with what ever you decide!
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Fat Bob For First Bike
I bought a Fat Bob last week, my first bike in about 15 yrs. I'm 5' 7" and 215lbs. I've only put about 280 miles on it but from the first time I rode it out of the dealers parking lot (man was I nervous!) it's been great! I was a little nervous about the size, too,but took the advice found here and just got what I wanted. The bike is heavy but I don't feel the weight, and it handles great. Just have to be careful with the throttle, it can be a little punchy (best way I can think of to describe it) until I got used to it, compared to other smaller bikes I've ridden. I have a few friends who bought sportsters and I let 1 ride my Fat Bob, now he wants a bigger bike. I know I'm a new rider, but it seems I asked myself the same questions and thought I would let you know how it turned out. I couldn't be happier with the bike, even some of my friends with Softtails and Road Kings comment on how nice the bike handles. I don't know about you but I've been on a couple rides with a few friends and I always stay a good distance behind everyone else, it's just safer that way until I get some more ( alot more) experience. You won't be disappointed with the Fat Bob....
Stage II
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Fat Bob For First Bike
Onick,
You should definitely go for the Fat Bob. Just treat it with respect and stay in control and it will come to you. I did not have a bike for 5 years so I bought a 2007 Sporty 883 R Orange & black with racing stripe tank just to go to Sturgis. Which is awesome! At that time they had no other bikes available. I live in the state of Misery "Mizzouri" You know plagues, Earthquakes, Tornadoes, and more rain than Seattle. But if you went to the right High school it's all right. I traded it after 6 months for a Fat Bob and It is great handles great power, control, everything. Just respect the bike, keep your head up and you will be fine.
Jobu
You should definitely go for the Fat Bob. Just treat it with respect and stay in control and it will come to you. I did not have a bike for 5 years so I bought a 2007 Sporty 883 R Orange & black with racing stripe tank just to go to Sturgis. Which is awesome! At that time they had no other bikes available. I live in the state of Misery "Mizzouri" You know plagues, Earthquakes, Tornadoes, and more rain than Seattle. But if you went to the right High school it's all right. I traded it after 6 months for a Fat Bob and It is great handles great power, control, everything. Just respect the bike, keep your head up and you will be fine.
Jobu
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 3
RE: Fat Bob For First Bike
Personally, for a first bike I would suggest a cheap used bike. Bikes suck. If it's cold you freeze, if it's hot you roast, if it's raining you get wet. You only have two wheels so you have to worry constantly about falling over. That could be at a dead stop or at 70 mph on a curve. Cars don't see you and even if they see you they would rather hit you than that other car. There is no such thing as a comfortable bike, just more and less comfortable bikes. It is, in many ways, fun like going ice fishing. You're into lifting weights so you might well be into seeing how much misery you can endure.
The only way to know for sure is to buy a bike and see how much you ride it. That's the main weakness of the Fat Bob or any other new bike. You think you're going to enjoy it, but you may find it gets old fast. Rather than looking for excuses to ride you start looking for excuses to not ride. You ride less and less while telling yourself you just don't have the time to ride that you thought you would as you spend 2-3 hours a day in a car. Pretty soon the bikes been setting there for six months, the battery is dead and the tires are flat. It sounded like a good idea when I bought it is something to say about the $1k bike, not the $15k bike.
The only way to know for sure is to buy a bike and see how much you ride it. That's the main weakness of the Fat Bob or any other new bike. You think you're going to enjoy it, but you may find it gets old fast. Rather than looking for excuses to ride you start looking for excuses to not ride. You ride less and less while telling yourself you just don't have the time to ride that you thought you would as you spend 2-3 hours a day in a car. Pretty soon the bikes been setting there for six months, the battery is dead and the tires are flat. It sounded like a good idea when I bought it is something to say about the $1k bike, not the $15k bike.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Novice
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: PAris + Marrakech
RE: Fat Bob For First Bike
Saw a Fat Bob as I walked past the dealer and could'nt resist, having never touched a bike in my life only sports cars. Am 40 yrs, 5'11, and pretty cautious.Then took lessons on a smaller bike - a 650 - to understand how the damn things work and security issues. Dropped that bike twicewhen learningclutch and brake controlin the rain - happy to have learnt that lesson with the school's equipment. Then got on the Harley and been smiling ever since. Getting used to its weight only took half an hour. Drive with descipline in town, look for their eyes to make sure they've seen you coming, avoid rain and trucks on the highway, then when the road is free twist your wrist and a whole new life begins. Go for it responsibly, no regets. Then got a Street Bob too itsa total blast aswell.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
blacknsilver
General Harley Davidson Chat
63
Oct 1, 2008 04:56 PM
