Fat Bob VS Night Train
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 3
From: SE Ohio
RE: Fat Bob VS Night Train
Dude, there are lots of differences between the two that are not only cosmetic.
The dyna (FXDB) uses a rubber mounted motor and the softail uses a counter-balanced motor. The FXDB's motor is mounted to the frame on rubber. When the motor vibrates, less of that vibration is transferred to the frame than in a softail (FXSTB). The FXSTB's motor is counter-balanced which means that it has weights on the flywheel that minimize the vibration. If the FXSTB didn't have the counter balance feature, then the bike would vibrate a lot more. However, since it is counter-balanced, the vibration is minimal and is steady across the whole powerband. The FXDF vibrates more at lower RPM's and les at higher RPM's
The FXSTB's suspension is more focused on looks. It is desigend to mimic a rigid frame bike. The shocks are hidden underneath and the swingarm is a traingle design that travels only up and down (or at least less flex than a FXDF). The FXDF's swingarm is shaped like a fork and has independant suspension on each side. This means that one side can compress more than the other. The swingarm does flex a little. This means the FXDF is more forgiving on the bumps in the road.
The FXSTB has a wide triple tree (the things that hold the front forks to the neck) and teh FXDFB has a narrow triple tree. I think the difference is 41mm vs 39mm. The FXSTB has a narrow front tire at 90mm and the FXDF has a fat front tire at 130mm. Since they are running 200mm and 180mm rear tires respectively, the FXDF has a more closely matched front and rear tire size. This means at lower speeds, it will be easier to turn than the FXSTB. It will also handle better at all speeds than the FXSTB.
The dyna (FXDB) uses a rubber mounted motor and the softail uses a counter-balanced motor. The FXDB's motor is mounted to the frame on rubber. When the motor vibrates, less of that vibration is transferred to the frame than in a softail (FXSTB). The FXSTB's motor is counter-balanced which means that it has weights on the flywheel that minimize the vibration. If the FXSTB didn't have the counter balance feature, then the bike would vibrate a lot more. However, since it is counter-balanced, the vibration is minimal and is steady across the whole powerband. The FXDF vibrates more at lower RPM's and les at higher RPM's
The FXSTB's suspension is more focused on looks. It is desigend to mimic a rigid frame bike. The shocks are hidden underneath and the swingarm is a traingle design that travels only up and down (or at least less flex than a FXDF). The FXDF's swingarm is shaped like a fork and has independant suspension on each side. This means that one side can compress more than the other. The swingarm does flex a little. This means the FXDF is more forgiving on the bumps in the road.
The FXSTB has a wide triple tree (the things that hold the front forks to the neck) and teh FXDFB has a narrow triple tree. I think the difference is 41mm vs 39mm. The FXSTB has a narrow front tire at 90mm and the FXDF has a fat front tire at 130mm. Since they are running 200mm and 180mm rear tires respectively, the FXDF has a more closely matched front and rear tire size. This means at lower speeds, it will be easier to turn than the FXSTB. It will also handle better at all speeds than the FXSTB.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 7,217
Likes: 3
From: Southern Ohio
RE: Fat Bob VS Night Train
ORIGINAL: The Baron
Dude, you can't see any differences between the ugly as **** fat Bob and the sleek and smooth Night Train?
Obviously sir, you are not a golfer.
Dude, you can't see any differences between the ugly as **** fat Bob and the sleek and smooth Night Train?
Obviously sir, you are not a golfer.
+1....[sm=smiley20.gif]
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: Fat Bob VS Night Train
To me the Dyna is an overgrown Sportster. (Don't be offended, I own a 1200 C). The Softail is the prettiest designed bike that Harley makes. I would definetly go the softail. My last Harley was a Heritage Classic (02) and I loved it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 10,946
Likes: 822
From: Nevada
RE: Fat Bob VS Night Train
ORIGINAL: sharkey
I'm touring Tuscany this fall and choose a BMW R1200RT over a Heritage Softail for that job hands down.
I'm touring Tuscany this fall and choose a BMW R1200RT over a Heritage Softail for that job hands down.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 383
Likes: 2
From: Cleveland, OH
RE: Fat Bob VS Night Train
Night Train is a great looking bike. I wanted that color scheme for my Fat Bob, so I installed black Rush tailpipes, painted the fork uppers, headlight rims, chain gurard, and battery box. I added the wrinkle black horn cover and air cleaner cover. EVERY time I take the bike out, I get compliments on it.
I'll post pics to show you what this bike looks like now. IMHO, a little bit of chrome on a denim black FatBob goes a looong way.
I'll post pics to show you what this bike looks like now. IMHO, a little bit of chrome on a denim black FatBob goes a looong way.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: G-Town, Texas
RE: Fat Bob VS Night Train
ORIGINAL: Dareius
That's why I am asking you to tell me the differences, which do you prefer, and more important, why.
Which would you buy?
That's why I am asking you to tell me the differences, which do you prefer, and more important, why.
Which would you buy?
