Fat Bob vs. Fat Boy
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,026
Likes: 0
From: Carroll County, Maryland
I'd get the fat BOY. I'd have one myself if I could afford it. Local dealer's got one that has the coolest color. Kinda like an oil slick? It changes from black to dark purple to greenish depending on the angle you're lookin at it. Don't know what it's called. Never seen a color like that before.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
as always here:
softail for show - dyna for go.
thats basically the only deciding factor - if you are doing a lot of riding or like to ride hard then the dyna is definitely the way to go. If you're just out "profiling" then consider the softy.
Sure lots of people will tell you they've ridden to the outer reaches of the solar system on the softail and they love it; but the truth is that the dyna is a better suspended bike that handles better and if I had to take one on a long run there is just no comparison. I actually like the looks of the softails better but I ride a dyna for that reason. Plus you gotta add the dual frot discs to this discussion; thats a really nice feature on the fatbob - just lose that gawdawful dual headlight setup; I throw up in my mouth just a little every time I see one.
softail for show - dyna for go.
thats basically the only deciding factor - if you are doing a lot of riding or like to ride hard then the dyna is definitely the way to go. If you're just out "profiling" then consider the softy.
Sure lots of people will tell you they've ridden to the outer reaches of the solar system on the softail and they love it; but the truth is that the dyna is a better suspended bike that handles better and if I had to take one on a long run there is just no comparison. I actually like the looks of the softails better but I ride a dyna for that reason. Plus you gotta add the dual frot discs to this discussion; thats a really nice feature on the fatbob - just lose that gawdawful dual headlight setup; I throw up in my mouth just a little every time I see one.
Hey CRF;
Well I don't ride to "show or to profile", I ride to ride. Haaha, I took my Nightster in for the trade the guy kinda freaked when he saw my mileage, about 4000 miles in 6 mos. Hell I thought I was slacking.
Floorboards, tassels & conchos I'm not. Hell I like mids vs. forward just in case I need to stand up to shift my weight.
I do like the dual disc set-up for sure, that's really nice. I also like how you kind of sit into the Bob vs. sitting on it. Performance and handling are a BIG factor for me. but I want to know I can take my girl with me too. I'm 6'1" 185 & she's 5'11" 150 so my days of my Sportster are done for now until we're maybe kid free & I can own both. Phewwwww that's only 15 yrs from now. Hahaha
Well I don't ride to "show or to profile", I ride to ride. Haaha, I took my Nightster in for the trade the guy kinda freaked when he saw my mileage, about 4000 miles in 6 mos. Hell I thought I was slacking.
Floorboards, tassels & conchos I'm not. Hell I like mids vs. forward just in case I need to stand up to shift my weight.
I do like the dual disc set-up for sure, that's really nice. I also like how you kind of sit into the Bob vs. sitting on it. Performance and handling are a BIG factor for me. but I want to know I can take my girl with me too. I'm 6'1" 185 & she's 5'11" 150 so my days of my Sportster are done for now until we're maybe kid free & I can own both. Phewwwww that's only 15 yrs from now. Hahaha
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
Fatbob should be fine 2-up...in fact the rear suspensino travel is greater on the bob than the boy so it might actually be better although you might want to consider getting some heavy duty rated shocks instead of the stockers...........
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
I too had to decide between the two. The cost difference was so little, it was not a factor. I ended up getting the Fat BoB, as I just felt a lot better sitting on it. I have been told that the Softails only real advantage is the balancers in the engine which reduce the vibrations much more than the rubber mounts on the Dyna. Apparently, as stated already in this thread, the Dyna suspension is better than the Softail. I weigh 215lbs, and my wife is about 160lbs, so we are not the smallest people out on the roads, but the Fat Bob rides extremely well. Her only complaint has been that the passenger pillon is not as comfortable as the Mustang Wide Passenger that I had on my 1200c.
The little details also swung my vote. I like the emblem on the tank, instead of a sticker. I loved the "gun barrel" exhaust cover.
I also love the fact that everytime I park in a group of bikes, even on the stock FXDF, a lot of people are coming over to check out mine.
I did like the footboards on the Fat Boy, but not enough to trade the feeling I get leaning into a curve and not having the damn thing rub the ground... that one caused me to suck half the seat up my ****.
The little details also swung my vote. I like the emblem on the tank, instead of a sticker. I loved the "gun barrel" exhaust cover.
I also love the fact that everytime I park in a group of bikes, even on the stock FXDF, a lot of people are coming over to check out mine.
I did like the footboards on the Fat Boy, but not enough to trade the feeling I get leaning into a curve and not having the damn thing rub the ground... that one caused me to suck half the seat up my ****.
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: walkerton IN
both bikes are great i own the fatbob my buddy has the fatboy. i usually ride with the stock seat when im alone, but when my gf rides with me i install my detachable br and sundowner seat. bike is very comfy 2up with the sundowner and it converts with two latches and a single screw for the seat in about 2 minutes. something to consider.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
Hey CRF;
Well I don't ride to "show or to profile", I ride to ride. Haaha, I took my Nightster in for the trade the guy kinda freaked when he saw my mileage, about 4000 miles in 6 mos. Hell I thought I was slacking.
Floorboards, tassels & conchos I'm not. Hell I like mids vs. forward just in case I need to stand up to shift my weight.
I do like the dual disc set-up for sure, that's really nice. I also like how you kind of sit into the Bob vs. sitting on it. Performance and handling are a BIG factor for me. but I want to know I can take my girl with me too. I'm 6'1" 185 & she's 5'11" 150 so my days of my Sportster are done for now until we're maybe kid free & I can own both. Phewwwww that's only 15 yrs from now. Hahaha
Well I don't ride to "show or to profile", I ride to ride. Haaha, I took my Nightster in for the trade the guy kinda freaked when he saw my mileage, about 4000 miles in 6 mos. Hell I thought I was slacking.
Floorboards, tassels & conchos I'm not. Hell I like mids vs. forward just in case I need to stand up to shift my weight.
I do like the dual disc set-up for sure, that's really nice. I also like how you kind of sit into the Bob vs. sitting on it. Performance and handling are a BIG factor for me. but I want to know I can take my girl with me too. I'm 6'1" 185 & she's 5'11" 150 so my days of my Sportster are done for now until we're maybe kid free & I can own both. Phewwwww that's only 15 yrs from now. Hahaha
Fatbob will handle all your 2up needs.