Should I pull the trigger on this FXDB?
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 302
Likes: 1
From: London, England
I did exactly the same thing, bought the Iron, threw loads of money at it (1200 conversion, stage 1, new shocks, bars and forwards, it was wild with the 1200 conversion!) then got bored of being beaten to death on long journeys, it just wasn't comfortable.
So fast forward a year and a half and I sold the Iron, slightly sad to see it go and got a '08 street bob. It had mid controls and I thought to myself that will be the first thing to go, they haven't, I really like them, much more than the mids on the Iron. It has much lower center of gravity than the Sporty so is great around town. But I'm still able to throw it around the twisties.
I put some Sporty bars on it, progressive rear shocks (ebay special) and thicker fork oil and I'm really comfortable.
Yours looks like it already has the sporty bars on it which is cool. I think you'll enjoy the bob, I know I do!
So fast forward a year and a half and I sold the Iron, slightly sad to see it go and got a '08 street bob. It had mid controls and I thought to myself that will be the first thing to go, they haven't, I really like them, much more than the mids on the Iron. It has much lower center of gravity than the Sporty so is great around town. But I'm still able to throw it around the twisties.
I put some Sporty bars on it, progressive rear shocks (ebay special) and thicker fork oil and I'm really comfortable.
Yours looks like it already has the sporty bars on it which is cool. I think you'll enjoy the bob, I know I do!
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 950
Likes: 0
From: ENGLAND
i had a nightster that i bought new a couple of years ago , i was advised not to spend any money on it for a year , because thats about how long i would last on it ,
that was very good advice by an Indy , i went to a fat bob after 10 months , i never lost a penny on the nightster when i traded it in , I'm so happy i followed that guys advice,
the sporties are nice bikes for looks , but are limited in terms of what you can do with them and to them , where as the Dyna's are great all rounders .... its a shame you never met my Indy as well ,
bite the bullet , take the loss , and move forward , its only money
that was very good advice by an Indy , i went to a fat bob after 10 months , i never lost a penny on the nightster when i traded it in , I'm so happy i followed that guys advice,
the sporties are nice bikes for looks , but are limited in terms of what you can do with them and to them , where as the Dyna's are great all rounders .... its a shame you never met my Indy as well ,
bite the bullet , take the loss , and move forward , its only money
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: NE AR
Jump On It
Same problem I had, traded a 09 nightster with many upgrades for a 11 street bob. You will notice difference in comfort on the long rides. About the only upgrade I'd make would be forward controls I'm 6'2" made a big difference for me.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 4,046
Likes: 398
From: sugar land, gulf coast, tx
I went the opposite direction. Went from a Road glide to a Dyna. I am actually more comfortable on long rides on the Dyna. Just fits me better. You won't be disappointed with the larger bike, for sure.
For fun, post your same question on the Sporty section and see what answers you get. Who knows, someone there may want to buy your bike, as it is killer cool looking. tompdd50
For fun, post your same question on the Sporty section and see what answers you get. Who knows, someone there may want to buy your bike, as it is killer cool looking. tompdd50
Thread Starter
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3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: California
[Update!!]
Hey Guys,
Thanks so much for all your opinions. Turns out I decided to pass on the Street Bob because I found a 05 FXDX with all this!
- Thunderheader + heat shields
- K&N Air Cleaner
- Quarter Fairing
- 18" West Coast Bars
- Avon Grips
- Passenger and highway pegs
- SE Race Tuner
- Two seats - an aligator skin BadLander and a big fat 2 up seat, I don't know what brand - but my wife will be happy!
- Quick release sissy bar
- Factory installed alarm
- Powder coated mag wheels
The dude had this thing posted on Craigslist for 12 hours before someone bought it. That lucky person was me. Well, I say lucky now. The one problem is it was a salvage title but the bike still runs amazing and looks super clean. I'm going to take it to HD today to have it inspected. I will post pics asap.
Oh and the guy was charging $1000 less than the dude who wanted to sell me the Street Bob, so I got the whole bike all tricked out for $8000.
Good deal?
Thanks so much for all your opinions. Turns out I decided to pass on the Street Bob because I found a 05 FXDX with all this!
- Thunderheader + heat shields
- K&N Air Cleaner
- Quarter Fairing
- 18" West Coast Bars
- Avon Grips
- Passenger and highway pegs
- SE Race Tuner
- Two seats - an aligator skin BadLander and a big fat 2 up seat, I don't know what brand - but my wife will be happy!
- Quick release sissy bar
- Factory installed alarm
- Powder coated mag wheels
The dude had this thing posted on Craigslist for 12 hours before someone bought it. That lucky person was me. Well, I say lucky now. The one problem is it was a salvage title but the bike still runs amazing and looks super clean. I'm going to take it to HD today to have it inspected. I will post pics asap.
Oh and the guy was charging $1000 less than the dude who wanted to sell me the Street Bob, so I got the whole bike all tricked out for $8000.
Good deal?
Hey Guys,
Thanks so much for all your opinions. Turns out I decided to pass on the Street Bob because I found a 05 FXDX with all this!
- Thunderheader + heat shields
- K&N Air Cleaner
- Quarter Fairing
- 18" West Coast Bars
- Avon Grips
- Passenger and highway pegs
- SE Race Tuner
- Two seats - an aligator skin BadLander and a big fat 2 up seat, I don't know what brand - but my wife will be happy!
- Quick release sissy bar
- Factory installed alarm
- Powder coated mag wheels
The dude had this thing posted on Craigslist for 12 hours before someone bought it. That lucky person was me. Well, I say lucky now. The one problem is it was a salvage title but the bike still runs amazing and looks super clean. I'm going to take it to HD today to have it inspected. I will post pics asap.
Oh and the guy was charging $1000 less than the dude who wanted to sell me the Street Bob, so I got the whole bike all tricked out for $8000.
Good deal?
Thanks so much for all your opinions. Turns out I decided to pass on the Street Bob because I found a 05 FXDX with all this!
- Thunderheader + heat shields
- K&N Air Cleaner
- Quarter Fairing
- 18" West Coast Bars
- Avon Grips
- Passenger and highway pegs
- SE Race Tuner
- Two seats - an aligator skin BadLander and a big fat 2 up seat, I don't know what brand - but my wife will be happy!
- Quick release sissy bar
- Factory installed alarm
- Powder coated mag wheels
The dude had this thing posted on Craigslist for 12 hours before someone bought it. That lucky person was me. Well, I say lucky now. The one problem is it was a salvage title but the bike still runs amazing and looks super clean. I'm going to take it to HD today to have it inspected. I will post pics asap.
Oh and the guy was charging $1000 less than the dude who wanted to sell me the Street Bob, so I got the whole bike all tricked out for $8000.
Good deal?
I went with a '12 FXDF and am absolutely thrilled with it. I have so far taken it on a couple of 250 mile rides and felt very comfortable even with a reduced reach seat which actually has a better passenger area than the stock seat. I was planning on selling the stock seat but then my upholstery guy suggested that I let him install a Gel insert in it to make it a long haul single seat out of it so that is next. I am also in the process of doing a Road Glide set up including the RG fairing you see which was a great addition and the bags are next. Mine is a 103 but upgrades are planned including oil cooler, cams, head work, and TB upgrade.
Good luck with your new ride!
Bob
Stage III
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Berks County PA
the addiction never ends in customizing if thats what you are looking for haha. i bought my 08 fxdb new as my first bike; coming from my family, i knew starting on a sporty would just cause an issue with size, comfort, etc etc
2008 fxdb
2008 fxdb
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 4,474
Likes: 2
From: Puerto Rico
Great choice altho the Dyna was cool too! Hey that Sportster is the nuts, keep it!
I started Harley's (after triumph, bsa, norton etc.) in the 60's...
I remember some very quick sportsters (magneto's back then), but when I rode a big one I was was sold... and never went back.
Wish you all the best with yur new purchase and No the Mods never stop, it's a sickness... but fun! My wife reminds me what kind-a olympic swimming pool we cudda had in our back yard for what I've got in my Harley!
jack
I started Harley's (after triumph, bsa, norton etc.) in the 60's...
I remember some very quick sportsters (magneto's back then), but when I rode a big one I was was sold... and never went back.
Wish you all the best with yur new purchase and No the Mods never stop, it's a sickness... but fun! My wife reminds me what kind-a olympic swimming pool we cudda had in our back yard for what I've got in my Harley!
jack
