Fat Bob or Wide Glide
The added rake and larger/skinnier front tire make the WG very unique in the Dyna family. These things lock you into a few aspects of their design. Nothing wrong with these things, just features that are hard to change.
The a Fat Bob is just a solid platform for many different styles because the critical design features are mostly neutral.
The a Fat Bob is just a solid platform for many different styles because the critical design features are mostly neutral.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 6,044
Likes: 336
Switch it out with a Wide Glide if that is your only hang-up - plenty of ppl have done it, thinking about it myself next winter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
From: Newfoundland, Canada
I bought a '12 Fat Bob new, this is my 3rd summer on it and I love it. The handling is fantastic and the seating/handlebar positon gives me lots of confidence. Wide glide is nice but I don't care for the maintenance of spoked wheels, and the skinny front tire, coupled with the slightly more raked front end aren't worth what you give up in handling.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 87
Likes: 1
From: Alberta Canada
I bought a '12 Fat Bob new, this is my 3rd summer on it and I love it. The handling is fantastic and the seating/handlebar positon gives me lots of confidence. Wide glide is nice but I don't care for the maintenance of spoked wheels, and the skinny front tire, coupled with the slightly more raked front end aren't worth what you give up in handling.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,620
Likes: 117
From: ARIZONA
I rode a 2007 fat boy for 5 years and came to resent it. Looked great as a cruiser but handled like crap, poor lean angle and was stupid heavy. Had a wide glide as my computer wallpaper for a year and was deadset on one... until I road tested my fatbob. Rode it once, bought that specific bike that day.
Best decision on a Harley ive ever made. Just wished I would have gotten a new one in 2007... the new for 2008 MY fat bob came out a month after I got the fat boy.... ya live and learn
Best decision on a Harley ive ever made. Just wished I would have gotten a new one in 2007... the new for 2008 MY fat bob came out a month after I got the fat boy.... ya live and learn
Last edited by ebeattie; Apr 13, 2014 at 12:08 PM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 187
Likes: 6
From: Phoenix Arizona
I was in the same boat as you were . I ended up renting a wide glide and spending a day riding it. My good friend has a SB and he is the reason I went with a dyna. My boss had a FB. I rode all three before making a decision. I know the dealership rents all the models and took the rental prices and applied it to the bike when I bought it. Id say try that and get some seat time on them.. worst case your out 200 bucks instead of owning a bike your not happy with..
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: SE Michigan
Best advice I can say just like others did is ride them both, then sleep on it, then ride them again. I rode the SB, FB, and the WG. In my case I learned I had to have forward controls, hate ape bars, didn't like the rear fender on the FB. I went with the wide glide. I don't know what road conditions you guys are riding on but here in MI they're s*** and I don't have a problem with the skinny tire "following ruts". In fact what ever handling was lost by the rake (barely any) was offset by the light feel of the front end. Now go ride and decide.