Help, I'm at the Cross Roads!!!
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Sanford NC
Not that my opinion counts. :^)
I am 56+ and never rode a motorcycle before last October. I bought a '12 FB in vivid black. Scared of it at first...love it now. I am glad I chose this one for my first (and maybe only) ride.
Pappy
Pappy
Thread Starter
|
2nd Gear
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Thanks for the responses. Looks like I'm headed in the right direction. I think my first mods are going to be to the suspension. RaceTech is close by and I have worked with them on several projects in the past. I'd like to pick the bike up and inch or so, as I kept tagging the pipe on the right side in the twistsies on the Fat Bob I rented. The bike is really under my skin. It's just plain drop dead gorgeous (we will be spending lots of quality time together in the man cave) and it works way better than I thought any 710 pound MC ever could. Neutral steering, powerful brakes with good feel, that lovely broad spread of torque. Solid as a rock - That's the Fat Bob.
Q. Anyone know if the mid-mount controls have more cornering clearance than the forward mounts?
Q. Anyone know if the mid-mount controls have more cornering clearance than the forward mounts?
Devil's Advocate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,070
Likes: 36
From: Alberta, Canada
I switched from a rocket to my Street Bob in 07. So much nicer to kick back and enjoy the ride. Funny thing, as we get older, the bones get stiffer. I have no issue setting out on an eight hour ride and going out the next day and doing it again, not wondering how sore my back and my @ss is going to be afterwards.
I have had those moments of wanting to hop back on a rocket, but all I have to do is go for a ride on my HD and it all goes away...
I have had those moments of wanting to hop back on a rocket, but all I have to do is go for a ride on my HD and it all goes away...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,046
Likes: 398
From: sugar land, gulf coast, tx
May want to see if the bike you rented had a Stage 1 package on it. If so, you may be disappointed with the performance of the stock FB. If it was box stock, do at least a S1 on your new bike and notice a nice difference in acceleration, etc. Enjoy the new ride. Make the performance changes before your state outlaws it for you... dd50/tomp
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
Can't advise you one way or the other, but I did a bunch of performance work on the motor and suspension and now the bike rides like I want it to. Good luck with your decision. BTW, not sure about the clearance difference between the mids and forwards on the Fat Bob, but I prefer the mid peg position for aggressive handling and use the highway pegs for cruising.
Thanks for the responses. Looks like I'm headed in the right direction. I think my first mods are going to be to the suspension. RaceTech is close by and I have worked with them on several projects in the past. I'd like to pick the bike up and inch or so, as I kept tagging the pipe on the right side in the twistsies on the Fat Bob I rented. The bike is really under my skin. It's just plain drop dead gorgeous (we will be spending lots of quality time together in the man cave) and it works way better than I thought any 710 pound MC ever could. Neutral steering, powerful brakes with good feel, that lovely broad spread of torque. Solid as a rock - That's the Fat Bob.
Q. Anyone know if the mid-mount controls have more cornering clearance than the forward mounts?
Q. Anyone know if the mid-mount controls have more cornering clearance than the forward mounts?
Last edited by bigdaddy33; Feb 28, 2012 at 06:36 PM.
Buy the FB you will love it... I have had Honda's, kawasaki's, BMW's & now a Fat Bob... I still have a R1200gs BMW, its my daily rider... its also my Touring bike... I bought the FB to have fun on, blast around town, short trips. not puting on any bags or windshield... I like being able to decide how/what i want to ride when i get up in the morning. I have done a SE air cleaner, V & H big shots, and XIED's
on the FB, also installed progressive 412's on the rear... still trying to decide what i want to put on/in the front forks. also plan on a fork brace & a True-Trac...
I think it has plenty of low end power, thru the mid band, and handles well enough to be fun in the twisties as it is...
on the FB, also installed progressive 412's on the rear... still trying to decide what i want to put on/in the front forks. also plan on a fork brace & a True-Trac...
I think it has plenty of low end power, thru the mid band, and handles well enough to be fun in the twisties as it is...
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,122
Likes: 1
From: St Louis, MO
Harley's are all I have ever owned. I was an MSF instructor and rode other bikes. I don't think I've ever missed anything. I typically just cruise and enjoy the ride. I've owned alot of fast cars and while it's fun going fast, you only do that a small percentage of the time. I firmly believe that a stage 1 is MANDATORY. I've ridden with several sport bike riders and they are usually surprised at how well the Dyna keeps up. Also, (not digging on your age because I am 41), but how much longer can you be comfortable riding in a sport bike position? Get the Dyna, sit back and enjoy the scenery.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 594
Likes: 1
From: minnesota
Agree with the others, a stage 1 -
air cleaner set up,
pipes,
and a tuner
should really be on the top of your list of must have things, it really wakes the bike up, as stock bikes always feel strangled.
air cleaner set up,
pipes,
and a tuner
should really be on the top of your list of must have things, it really wakes the bike up, as stock bikes always feel strangled.
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
I'm turning 51 this year. I got my first bike when I was 7, a Honda Mini Trail 50 and there have been numerous Hondas, BMW's, Ducati's, KTM's, Suzuki's and Yamaha's in the garage ever since, but never an HD. I'm sorry, but I always felt they were too slow and heavy to get out of their own way.
Last week I rented a 2012 Fat Bob and did 262 miles of pure bliss through the mountains and deserts here in So Cal. It was one of the most enjoyable rides I have ever had. I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on an '12 Fat Bob with ABS in pearl blue for $18.3 OTD. I guess I need a little hand holding here and I'd like to hear reflections HD riders who have made the switch from sport bikes and never looked back. Just to show how conflicted I am, my current ride is a KTM 990 SuperMoto (it makes me ride like a freak'n nut job). I only have room & funds for one bike so it's one or the other. How long will the love affair with the Fat Bob last?
Thanks!
Don
Last week I rented a 2012 Fat Bob and did 262 miles of pure bliss through the mountains and deserts here in So Cal. It was one of the most enjoyable rides I have ever had. I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on an '12 Fat Bob with ABS in pearl blue for $18.3 OTD. I guess I need a little hand holding here and I'd like to hear reflections HD riders who have made the switch from sport bikes and never looked back. Just to show how conflicted I am, my current ride is a KTM 990 SuperMoto (it makes me ride like a freak'n nut job). I only have room & funds for one bike so it's one or the other. How long will the love affair with the Fat Bob last?
Thanks!
Don
I have put a bunch of miles on the FXDF including a 400 mile ride this weekend. I did one other modification I installed FL foot boards and have found I have excellent balance of control for curves and comfort for cruising. The bike by no means is a rocket yet has good performance. In the future perhaps I will add cams and head work and even a better intake. After riding both I will say the difference between the 96 and 103 is significent and impressive. I have also had an opportunity to ride two up and both me and my passenger (wife) were comfortable. I bought mine at Simi HD and paid far less for it than the price you quoted. You should be able to get the base price down below $15K.
Bob
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: St Charles, Missouri
My first Harley was a Fat Bob. Last year, i got a 2008 Used FB on Ebay for $9.8K shipped to my door. It was a complete stock bike and i have modified it to my taste. You can never go wrong with a Fat Bob. It is one of the best handling dynas.
Have fun with your new bike and Ride safe.
Have fun with your new bike and Ride safe.