Need advice for new bike
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 563
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From: Perth, Western Australia
Need advice for new bike
Howdy, After getting around on my mates 03 Deuce for the last 6 months, I finally got the okay to go ahead and buy my own bike. I was at the dealership last Saturday with my wife and we spotted a 08 105th Fatboy (in the anniversary gold/Vivid black) and the wife said she really liked it because of the stock seat and the sissy bar that was on it. I really like the Fat Boy though I am drawn towards to another sweatheart for the following reasons:
Fat Bob - Love the beefy look about the bike and the shortened wheelbase as I have read that they handle quite nicely. However, I will need to fit the Sundowner seat and sissy bar / back rest for when the missus comes for a ride. The question is does that kind of seat backrest combination look any good on this model of bike? Are they any good if you want to do a bit of touring. I am not so delusional to think that I could fit the bike out like a glide or king but would like to think tjhat I could maybe pack up the missus and head off for a couple of days and be quite comfortable. Any advice that you can offer will be very much appreciated. If anyone out there has a pic of the sundowner seat on a fatbob with a backrest I would love to be able to show the missus. Thanks in advance.
Fat Bob - Love the beefy look about the bike and the shortened wheelbase as I have read that they handle quite nicely. However, I will need to fit the Sundowner seat and sissy bar / back rest for when the missus comes for a ride. The question is does that kind of seat backrest combination look any good on this model of bike? Are they any good if you want to do a bit of touring. I am not so delusional to think that I could fit the bike out like a glide or king but would like to think tjhat I could maybe pack up the missus and head off for a couple of days and be quite comfortable. Any advice that you can offer will be very much appreciated. If anyone out there has a pic of the sundowner seat on a fatbob with a backrest I would love to be able to show the missus. Thanks in advance.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,359
Likes: 2
From: MA
There is nothing wrong with either bike and both will easily handle a weekend away for the two of you with the proper bags, seat, and back rest for the Mrs. The best advice I can give would be for you to test drive both bikes at a local dealership if possible. You and the Mrs. may find that one bike may be better suited and comfortable for you needs.
Best of luck and let us know how you make out!
Best of luck and let us know how you make out!
Advanced
Joined: May 2009
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It totally depends on your height and riding preference. I agree with JakeInMa, test ride it and others before you take the plunge. As for the sundowner seat combo, can't help you there. I still have the stock seat. I will say that I do not like it. Love the look of it with the two tone leather, but is way to hard and stiff on long rides. After about 60 minues by A$$ gets numb. I weigh 170 and am 5'9. I am adding some gel and tempra this summer. Found a place that will do it for $165.
I almost bought a Sportster, then a FXD and then a Fatboy, but at the last minute rode a FXDL and loved the raised handlebars and more relaxed ride feeling. The ride was 100 % different and 100% better than the Fatboy for my size and stauture. Both were great, but had I not test drove one more bike, I might not be as happy. I have the 2008 105th anniversy FXDL. Get a ton of comments on the Duracell battery colors. 95% love it. It standsout in a crowd.
I almost bought a Sportster, then a FXD and then a Fatboy, but at the last minute rode a FXDL and loved the raised handlebars and more relaxed ride feeling. The ride was 100 % different and 100% better than the Fatboy for my size and stauture. Both were great, but had I not test drove one more bike, I might not be as happy. I have the 2008 105th anniversy FXDL. Get a ton of comments on the Duracell battery colors. 95% love it. It standsout in a crowd.
Last edited by thegov3; Apr 27, 2010 at 11:24 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
I've owned a Dyna and a Softail... the Dyna suspension is a bit smoother IMO and that will make your lady quite happy. Either one would be perfectly fine for light touring. You already got the best advice though... go ride them if possible. If they aren't going to let you ride them, at least go put your **** on them for more than a minute and see which one feels right.
In the end... get the one that YOU are going to be most happy with since you will be riding it the most. You can make any bike comfy for your lady. Good thing is that everything comes detachable these days and even the seat only takes a minute to swap out. You can go from touring bike to round town mode in less time than it takes to chug a pint.
In the end... get the one that YOU are going to be most happy with since you will be riding it the most. You can make any bike comfy for your lady. Good thing is that everything comes detachable these days and even the seat only takes a minute to swap out. You can go from touring bike to round town mode in less time than it takes to chug a pint.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,074
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From: Carolina
I own a Fat Bob. The general consensus is that the Sundowner is Great for comfort and is sh** as far as looks. So you just need to decide which is more important. Or just get both and switch back and forth.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Queens, NY
Fat Bob - Love the beefy look about the bike and the shortened wheelbase as I have read that they handle quite nicely. However, I will need to fit the Sundowner seat and sissy bar / back rest for when the missus comes for a ride. The question is does that kind of seat backrest combination look any good on this model of bike? Are they any good if you want to do a bit of touring. I am not so delusional to think that I could fit the bike out like a glide or king but would like to think tjhat I could maybe pack up the missus and head off for a couple of days and be quite comfortable. Any advice that you can offer will be very much appreciated. If anyone out there has a pic of the sundowner seat on a fatbob with a backrest I would love to be able to show the missus. Thanks in advance.
if you need to make the old lady happy, buy the sundowner (but try to find a different 2 up seat thats comfortable) and buy yourself a le pera solo seat for when she's not with you.
switch them out and have the best of both worlds.
you can also put the detachable hardware on the bike so that your sissy bar and bags if you choose to get bags will be detachable.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 319
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
both of those bikes are awesome! if it was me, i would probably get the fat bob just cause i like dynas more than soft tails. i know that you have a few different options on seats and some of them are like the sundowner but more shaped for the bike. i'd check out le pera, corbin and maybe even mustang first before i made the final choice.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 563
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From: Perth, Western Australia
Thanks for all your responses. I am leaning towards the Fat Bob as I can't help but think that it will be a better mannered handler...maybe I am wrong. The other thing that has turned me away from the Fat Boy is the boards. I love the forward controls on the Deuce. I am 6'4" and 100Kg. What are the stofck bars like on a long run. Due to the rise in the bar and riser set up, does this cause lower back pain on a longer run?
Are the factory bags / panniers any good. I am thinking that a Vance and Hines exhaust would be done at purchase time. I am thinking this would allow me to purchase a deeper bag that might otherwise foul the standard Tommy Gun Exhaust.
Thanks once again.
Are the factory bags / panniers any good. I am thinking that a Vance and Hines exhaust would be done at purchase time. I am thinking this would allow me to purchase a deeper bag that might otherwise foul the standard Tommy Gun Exhaust.
Thanks once again.