Can I trust the dealer's "advice?"
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,177
Likes: 62
From: Michigan
Dude really? One is a tourer and the other is a street bike. It is the salesman job to up sale and it is your job the consumer to know exactly what it is you are looking for. Why would you trust a salesman or strangers on a forum to know what is best for you and tell you what you should spend your money on? If you plan to do some touring you should be looking at tourers. If you are looking for a fast and lighter Harley Davison than you should be looking at the Dynas. It has nothing to do with which one is "superior". The only thing that matters is which one will you enjoy riding the most.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,026
Likes: 474
I came from sports cars into bikes. I wanted a Harley but not my fathers bike.
Since I got my Fat Bob my corvette stays in the garage most weekends. I have more fun with the bike. Did autocross for 15 years before the bike, the bike is more fun!
Hey try a V-Rod or sport bike if you like fast toys.
Since I got my Fat Bob my corvette stays in the garage most weekends. I have more fun with the bike. Did autocross for 15 years before the bike, the bike is more fun!
Hey try a V-Rod or sport bike if you like fast toys.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 35
Likes: 1
From: Azeroth
Not sure why a dealer would offer an opinion...maybe you opened yourself up to the possibility of going bigger. I just started my quest for a new Harley, and went to the dealer for the first time this weekend. I did my homework ahead of time, walked in the dealer, and told the salesman I wanted a Dyna, and I'll need to test ride all of them before I know which one is right. Of course I test drove the fat bob first, so that sort of spoiled it for the rest of the dyna line, but I found the low rider exceptional as well.
Picking the right Dyna is going to be a difficult enough decision as it is, without a salesman's lame input.
Picking the right Dyna is going to be a difficult enough decision as it is, without a salesman's lame input.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 6,386
Likes: 900
From: Columbus, Ohio
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,026
Likes: 474
Like the other poster said "ones a street bike the other a tourer". 2 very different animals.
Neither bike is going to do every thing well. Buy what fits your personality & the type of riding your going to be doing.
As much as I love My Fat Bob I would rather have my father's dresser for the long hauls. Radio, CB, highway bars, back rest, touring seat, storage. The Fatty stays home on 3 day trips. This is were a Road King is a better fit. Do 500 miles in one day on any Dyna & you feel it the next day.
I wanted a hot rod like you do. Everyone said once your tried of the hot rod your going to want a touring bike. Well that's not what happen with me. Perfectly content with the Fat Bob for 300 mile one day runs. It's no bar hopper. Its a nice middle ground bike.
Its alot of fun to thrash around with. Hard to do that on a touring bike.
Neither bike is going to do every thing well. Buy what fits your personality & the type of riding your going to be doing.
As much as I love My Fat Bob I would rather have my father's dresser for the long hauls. Radio, CB, highway bars, back rest, touring seat, storage. The Fatty stays home on 3 day trips. This is were a Road King is a better fit. Do 500 miles in one day on any Dyna & you feel it the next day.
I wanted a hot rod like you do. Everyone said once your tried of the hot rod your going to want a touring bike. Well that's not what happen with me. Perfectly content with the Fat Bob for 300 mile one day runs. It's no bar hopper. Its a nice middle ground bike.
Its alot of fun to thrash around with. Hard to do that on a touring bike.
Last edited by Chicago Ken; Sep 8, 2014 at 10:14 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 993
Likes: 1
From: columbus, ohio
im 6'1, 230 and own a streetbob with forwards and it is a very comfortable and very fun bike, so the guy saying tall guys don't work on a sb is wrong. granted, he said "with mids" but it sorta made it seem like that is your only option. they can be customized so many different ways to fit you. i owned a deuce before this one, and while i loved that when i had it, i prefer this streetbob hands down. as someone else stated, the switchback and the fatbob are going to be two completely different rides. end of the day, the way you described what you wanted, sounds like the fatbob could be your ride. only actually riding it will tell you though.
Tourer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 251
Likes: 4
From: San Diego
Try to buy a Sportster, they try and sell you a Dyna.
Try and buy a Dyna, they try and sell you a Softail.
Try a buy a Soft tail and they try and sell you a bagger...
See the trend? Don't trust the stealership. They're only out to steal as much money from you as possible.
Try and buy a Dyna, they try and sell you a Softail.
Try a buy a Soft tail and they try and sell you a bagger...
See the trend? Don't trust the stealership. They're only out to steal as much money from you as possible.
Do you think like that about everyone who sells stuff or provides a service?
A good dealer should find out what you want to use the bike for that you can afford and then point you in the direction of the bike/s that fit the bill.
It's going to look bad for them in the buyers eyes if the buyer is not a happy bunny with what has been purchased whatever it is.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 68,021
Likes: 3,276
From:
I am considering either a Fat Bob or a Road King as my first Harley. I ride just a few days a week, just around town or under 100 miles. I am 47 and want to get an awesome bike! I deserve it, right?
I LOVE the look of the Fat Bob and I am a sports car guy, coming off of a Kawasaki standard bike. But I want a cruiser now. I have test driven a Road King and was impressed with the comfort of it.
Can I trust the dealers "advice?" They really steer you away from the Dyna. Do they just want me to spend an extra $5000, or is the RK really a superior bike that I "...will be happier on for a longer time?"
Thanks in advance for the advice.
I LOVE the look of the Fat Bob and I am a sports car guy, coming off of a Kawasaki standard bike. But I want a cruiser now. I have test driven a Road King and was impressed with the comfort of it.
Can I trust the dealers "advice?" They really steer you away from the Dyna. Do they just want me to spend an extra $5000, or is the RK really a superior bike that I "...will be happier on for a longer time?"
Thanks in advance for the advice.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,978
Likes: 6,074
From: Florida
Actually, I think the dealer is looking out for your best interest here. he knows you're gonna trade up to a tourer after a short time,since most do, & he's saving you the extra hassle & $$
5-6 years ago, I was a Softail Custom/NightTrain kinda guy. You couldn't GIVE me a touring bike. Now, I could NOT see having anything but a RoadKing.
Plus, the new Fatbob is UGLY! have you seen that rear fender? I'd go for the Low Rider or SuperGlide Custom instead, if you decide on a Dyna. Much better looking, IMHO.
BTW if you want a hot-rod, buy rice, a V-Rod, Or a Sporty. A Dyna ain't it.
5-6 years ago, I was a Softail Custom/NightTrain kinda guy. You couldn't GIVE me a touring bike. Now, I could NOT see having anything but a RoadKing.
Plus, the new Fatbob is UGLY! have you seen that rear fender? I'd go for the Low Rider or SuperGlide Custom instead, if you decide on a Dyna. Much better looking, IMHO.
BTW if you want a hot-rod, buy rice, a V-Rod, Or a Sporty. A Dyna ain't it.