Hello, this is my first ever post. I rode crotch rockets back in the late 90's and early 2000's. I rode a co-workers Wide Glide a few months ago and got re-infected with the fever. I've been snooping around on this site for a couple of months now trying to learn as much as I can about Harleys. I'm positively sure that I'm gonna buy one now. Based mainly on appearance, I've narrowed my choices down to 1. FXDC, 1a. Fatboy. Can anyone who has ridden and/or owned both share with me some of the pros/cons of each?

 

The best thing you can do is try and test ride both if you can and make your own decision. What might be right for one may not for another.

 

When I first started shopping I really wanted a Fatboy. I test rode both, and the Fatboy felt a bit like a tank to me. It's a nice bike, but it just doesn't feel like it can turn well at all. The counterbalanced motor was nice, but I've grown to love the idle shake of my rubber mounted. I also felt cramped on the Fatboy as compared to a FXDC with forwards. The floorboards are pretty nice, but I still prefer my forwards with heel rests. Also, my wife said she didn't prefer the seating position on the back as much as she does now, granted that was on a stock Fatboy seat.

Oh, another thing, the braking felt REALLY weak to me on that Fatboy. A bike that big and heavy with those heavy *** wheels really needs dual front brakes IMO.

I also noticed that in the used market, people ask for a lot more money for Fatboys than for Dynas. I don't know how the prices compare new though.

 

Why do people always come to the dyna board asking about softails?

 

coming from a sport bike, IMO there's no doubt that you'll enjoy the Dyna more.

 

I have both the 2007 superglide and the 2007 fatboy.

Here is what i have discovered so far.

1. speed: superglide smokes the fatty. I don't know about top end, but from start to about 100, it's clear who the winner is.
2. comfort: totally depends on the set ups of bars/seats/shocks/pegs, etc.....the stock rear seat on the fatty is more comfy than the stock glide, according to participating goddesses.
3. Handling: the fatty turns effortlessly...i thought the glide handled well, but there is no comparison. The ride is smoother too, but not enormously so. Changing stock tires will likely help some on the glide, which I'm about to do, but would also improve the fatty some too. The balance of the fatboy is incredible. Just pulling up behind traffic and stopping or making turns is smooth as silk.

Something a little odd I noticed....is that I can ride slower in a straight line and feel faster on the fatty.... like say doin 30mph feels way faster on the fatboy than the glide.
However, I can turn faster on the fatty and feel slower....again say 30mph..i turn a sharp corner at 30 on the glide it feels fast as hell and i want to slow down...but if i do 30 on the fatboy and turn, it's almost slow and i want to speed up. I'm talkin the same curves/turns.

It's weird but true.

4. Brakes: I think the fatty stops better than the glide. It's not that much heavier in comparison actually. More front tire contacting the road should be a good thing .. I don't have distance numbers but it feels better to me.

5. Overall feel: I have to admit i love pullin up to a stoplight and feelin that shake. There are days I enjoy the softer side of the fatty though....
The glide feels tall and thin .. the fatty is wide and low.
If you want a cruiser, I say fatboy...if you want more of a 'play' bike I say Glide. The Fat Bob may be a good compromise.. with those big tires it handles better than the superglide, but still has the speed and feel of the Dyna's.
As suggested, test ride em.... and when you do.. don't do it for 2 minutes.
Take em out for a while each.
Comin from a crotch rocket back ground, you def need to experience them a little before making a decision.

Heres some links for specs if you care to compare figures:
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/har...t_boy_2007.php
http://www.bikez.com/motorcycles/har...ustom_2007.php

I have to sell one of them soon....and honestly it's gonna be a tough call........

But no matter which bike i'm ridin......when I lean back into my woman and run my hand down her leg... she wraps her arm around my neck, smiles and says "mmmmmm" in my ear.... I'm lovin that bike.

 

I stand corrected. lol

That was a great, realistic review of the two bikes.

 

Thanks everyone for your input. I definitely would like to go for a test ride. Every time I've visited my local dealer, the guys tell me I can sit on anything I'd like to. No one has ever offered me a test ride. Is that generally something I have to specifically request? The only bike I've owned was purchased from a private party. When I've visited car dealerships, one of the first things they do is offer a test drive. The fact that I was not offered a test ride on any of the bikes I checked out lead me to assume that motorcycle dealers (or more specifically Harley dealers) must not offer test rides. Do I simply ask for one?

 

Strictly my experience, but H-D dealers won't likely flip you the keys and let you take a spin. One local dealer does demo rides as part of their open house-ride is over a controlled route, led by HOG chapter, on the bike of your choosing from the available demo fleet. The specific bike you want may not be available. Also been told that they would deduct two or three rental days from a purchase price. May be different in your area, but at the least, you need a valid cycle endorsement and someone at the dealer is going to have to feel like your doing more than kicking tires. You are going to want to also consider the type of riding you will be doing-solo, long distance, etc. H-D bikes are produced as types, such as Dynas or Softails, and then specific models. Each type has been engineered to perform specific tasks vs another type. First decide what you want to do with the bike and then look at the model best suited to that task.

 

may also want to think about renting them. ive been on a "test ride" at one dealer we didn't get over 40 mph and never on the highway. maybe other dealers are different.