Differences Between Fat Boy & Fat Bob
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,863
Likes: 21
From: Kennewick, WA
Fatboy is a Softail with a balanced engine and hidden rear shocks. Fatbob is a Dyna without the balanced engine (shakes like an old Harley) and exposed rear shocks. Many more differences, go to Harleys site and do a model comparison.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 4
I faced the same decision months ago. The FatBoy is probably HD's best selling model, very popular. More money I think. The FatBob handles better, the FatBoy is bigger and cruises better but that's a judgement call. You sit in a FatBob and on a FatBoy. The FatBob vibrates its fenders at idle, the FatBoy is smooth. If you are going to hot rod, the dyna engine version is a better start. Basically you are comparing the Dyna and Softail lines, all of which are very good bikes, different with family resemblances.
You will get opinions all over the place, but in the end its your judgement. Perhaps the best way to make the decision, with few regrets, is to test ride both. If a winner is not obvious then perhaps rent one and then the other for a weekend, and then pick the one you like best. If still not obvious, go for the one that costs less.
You will get opinions all over the place, but in the end its your judgement. Perhaps the best way to make the decision, with few regrets, is to test ride both. If a winner is not obvious then perhaps rent one and then the other for a weekend, and then pick the one you like best. If still not obvious, go for the one that costs less.
Last edited by ColdCase; Jul 18, 2009 at 11:00 PM.
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
I found a couple used Fat Boys in the DC area. Should I be concerned about the Twin Cam 88B engine at all on the 2005 to 2006 models? I also found a used 2006 Softail Deluxe used with about 8K miles on it. So, I am trying to decide between new or used. There are lots of choices in Fat Boys, but very few Fat Bobs.
Renting one makes perfect sense. I'm just trying to narrow my choices down. Yep, one more toy that my gf will complain about:-)
JC
Renting one makes perfect sense. I'm just trying to narrow my choices down. Yep, one more toy that my gf will complain about:-)
JC
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver BC
A buddy and I both bought new bikes last year he got a Fat Boy and I got a Fat Bob. The Fat Boy was my favourite Harley since the day they started building em and my initial decision was made mostly on the fact I wanted a different ride than him. After spending quite a bit of time on both bikes I can say you can't make a bad decision here. If I did it again I would stay with my Bob.
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 149
Likes: 0
From: Sweden
I had a softail before and thinks the Fat Bob is more fun to ride,far better brakes and handles better and you sit in the bike instead of on it.
But for cruisin with 2 onboard maybe the Fat Boy are better,i must say that i misses the balanced engine and floorboards,much more comfortable than the Fat Bob in my opinion.
But for cruisin with 2 onboard maybe the Fat Boy are better,i must say that i misses the balanced engine and floorboards,much more comfortable than the Fat Bob in my opinion.
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