Thinkin Fatboy
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 3
From: Pennslytucky
i think a switchback would be right up your alley. bags and shield detach and they are good looking bikes. some apes, pipes and a little imagination would net you a great ride but as mentioned before, the only way to really know is to test ride all of them that interest you.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 261
Likes: 6
From: Mid Michigan
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I had a 97 fatboy that I clocked 40K on. I had the "t-bag" on a detachable sissy bar which I could take off together for overnights. The saddle bags are small but I only carried raingear etc in them. It worked well for me but then again I'm not riding a street glide. I never felt "overpacked" or top heavy on the FB.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas
i think a switchback would be right up your alley. bags and shield detach and they are good looking bikes. some apes, pipes and a little imagination would net you a great ride but as mentioned before, the only way to really know is to test ride all of them that interest you.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
As others have touched on, the Road King is good if you like old school looks with good ability to tour if you want to. I don't really tour, but the RK still works well for what I do (long rides through the desert to work with work stuff in my bags) and is good around town.
FWIW, the Fatboy was my original favorite Harley in terms of looks. I just haven't liked the ride as much on the Softails I've tried.
FWIW, the Fatboy was my original favorite Harley in terms of looks. I just haven't liked the ride as much on the Softails I've tried.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 4
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 430
Likes: 2
From: ChiTown burbs
ride them both. I like sitting in the fb as pose to sitting on top of, like the rk. bag size is only limited with stock exhaust. my v&h sit below the axle so I could go bigger on the bags but these came with it.
I have no problem riding all day (700 miles) on the fb with a stock seat. 2up the limit is closer to 400mile. thanks to the wife having pegs and not floor boards.
ask yourself how many long trips are you going to take a year? how much do you get to ride weekly? i think it's the best of both worlds.
I have no problem riding all day (700 miles) on the fb with a stock seat. 2up the limit is closer to 400mile. thanks to the wife having pegs and not floor boards.
ask yourself how many long trips are you going to take a year? how much do you get to ride weekly? i think it's the best of both worlds.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Kentucky
Once you get a Fatboy loaded with bags, windshield, sissy bar and passing lamps, you're only wheels and badge away from a Heritage.
Not that I don't like my Fatboy
Not that I don't like my Fatboy
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Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 923
Likes: 43
From: New Hampshire
OP, are you dead set on new? If you are thinking used for any reason, see if you can find a Road King Custom, FLHRS. Clean looks, touring ability. I wish I had never (had to) sell mine. I think '07 was the last year (best too, with the 96" and 6-speed).
Wish they still made it today on the new touring frame. Picture a Street Glide without the batwing and leather covered bags...
Wish they still made it today on the new touring frame. Picture a Street Glide without the batwing and leather covered bags...
