you dont benchpress the bike, you ride it ..

the weight depends on where it is , I/E a sportster is harder to hold
off/ balance than a softail...

Make sure you get ABS brakes with dual disks on the front, that alone is worth getting a Harley. You will thank me for saying this.

Went from a Honda Shadow to an Intruder 1500, then to a Fatty.
Easy transition.
The Fatty handles much better than the Intruder 1500, but, In my opinion, Isnt quite as nimble as the Shadow........Way COOLER though! LOL

I really enjoyed this thread as I also am going from a 750 ACE to a FatBoy.
Thanks to everyone's input on the matter. I feel lots better about the change now.

Congratulations. We'll have to show you the secret Harley handshake next.

I went from a Yamaha 650 SECA to a Sportster 883 in '88, then to a FLSTN in '93 and never looked back.

As the salesman said, "the bigger the bike, the bigger the ride." Yes, I know, salesmen and all, but, in this case, he was right.

I currently own essentially both ......... 07 Honda Shadow Spirit (wife's ride) and a 07 HD Fatboy (wife's ride in waiting, couldn't pass on the deal). Both are opened up (Stage 1 equivalents, both purchased as such). I've ridden both about the same amount which is probably 200 miles on each, this is what I can convey in my experience.

1. The FB feels significantly heavier
2. I'm not sure you can sit "in" a motorcycle more than the Shadow Spirit at 24" off the ground, I'd think it would be a great ride for someone of shorter stature
3. The Spirit is a cramped ride for anyone over 6'
4. The HD runs significantly better obviously, most that ride this FB can't believe how much better it runs from stock.
5. I can do low speed maneuvers much better on the HD. Not sure why, may be the low seat and larger circumference tire on the Spirit.
6. Vibration at 60 mph is greater on the Honda surprisingly
7. Shifting is much smoother on the Shadow, again obvious observation
8. I'm sure they have the 1st gear ratio a bit better on the 12 but this 07 is just a bit high, the main reason I'm making the wife get more road time before putting her on it.
9. The HD is a smoother ride across all spectrum's except for handling in the 20-35 mph speed range, The weight and gear ratios sorta ruin it.

I went from a Honda Shadow Aero to a Road King. The biggest differences I notices were obviously the weight (almost 400lbs more), that highway speeds are MUCH more comfortable (the Shadow buzed and vibrated like an angry bee at 65+) and how much less the wind affects the heaver bike. The honda really was more fun on twistier roads because it was lighter and more nimble.

Don't think I've ever seen a Fatboy with dual disk brakes on it.

I wonder if the Honda forums have "I went from a HD to a Honda" threads?

I went from a panhead to a shovelhead to my current bike...whatever kind of head.