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I just love the fatboy. And if you take several trips during summer months/vacation as I do, you can still load it up with your camping equipment and personal belongings. No need for a tourer with me. I can put saddle bags on if taking the ole lady along for her stuff and bungy the rest on top of the leather bag.
I just love the fatboy. And if you take several trips during summer months/vacation as I do, you can still load it up with your camping equipment and personal belongings. No need for a tourer with me. I can put saddle bags on if taking the ole lady along for her stuff and bungy the rest on top of the leather bag.
That is exactly what I have in mind; couple of weekends during the year and perhaps one or two longer trip in summer. Besides the saddle bags I've also ordered a luggage rack, so there should be no problem with luggage.
Nice looking bike BTW !
This bagger craze has peaked in my opinion. I was all for it in 1999 coming from a 1990 FXRS. Me and the wife beat on it pretty good for a couple of years- then it was more me solo- and ultimately I got a 13 FLSTFB and divorced my wife. Not quite that dramatic -but I wasn't riding a Softail 20 years ago when everyone else seemed to be.
No regrets- the Fat Boy is big enough for the highway- I do recommend a windshield. Ground clearance is minimal- however as another poster stated
the chin over the grip type of riding akin to doing everything but dragging a knee- it does work. And maybe we have been riding the wrong way the whole time-dragging parts. I am an old dog too- but if you want to hustle thru the twisties anywhere close to where you are on a bagger now (not lowered)-you will adjust your riding techniques or die in a shower of sparks.
My biggest complaint to date-I just replaced my tires. My bike with stock exhaust, 200 rear tire was a **** to drop the rear wheel to change the tire.
Compared to my previous bikes -and I mean everything I have owned-not just HD's. The rear mufflers and the bracket- will likely get tossed next tire change and replaced with aftermarket exhaust. The rear brake caliper has got to come out completely so the wheel can be removed. I guess coming from a 130 rear I should have known better. They were a breeze. Not this guy.
But all in all- I also have for the first time in my life- a stock motorcycle that I can more than put both feet on the ground. And parking -compared to a bagger-there is no comparison. There is no issue ever. That will make you smile also.
I think there is going to be another round of non-baggers except for the 30% that will always ride them in couple of years. The guys that traded their trailers for baggers will realize riding distance can be done occasionally on something else- and the fact they actually are riding their bikes now is going to open their eyes up a bit to something that doesn't weigh 900 lbs
I had a 2014 Street Glide Special. It was a very nice motorcycle that rode great on the highway. However, either due to the seat I had installed or the nature of the motorcycle or both, it always felt top heavy. I'd always ridden Softails before and I liked the way they handled. I didn't care about the SGS radio because I rarely listen to one even in the car. It also had a tendency to tip and to fold up the front end on occasion when low speed braking. The GPS was troublesome and it cost $149.00 to update the maps every time. I sold it and bought a 2015 Heritage. It may not be as fancy, and it may ride a bit rougher, but I like it a lot more. I mounted a Garmin Nuvi 50LM on it, along with Vance and Hines true duals and a Night Rider FL-XiED. The only thing I miss is the engine shake at idle.
I had a 2014 Street Glide Special. It was a very nice motorcycle that rode great on the highway. However, either due to the seat I had installed or the nature of the motorcycle or both, it always felt top heavy. I'd always ridden Softails before and I liked the way they handled. I didn't care about the SGS radio because I rarely listen to one even in the car. It also had a tendency to tip and to fold up the front end on occasion when low speed braking. The GPS was troublesome and it cost $149.00 to update the maps every time. I sold it and bought a 2015 Heritage. It may not be as fancy, and it may ride a bit rougher, but I like it a lot more. I mounted a Garmin Nuvi 50LM on it, along with Vance and Hines true duals and a Night Rider FL-XiED. The only thing I miss is the engine shake at idle.
I miss the wind control of my Road King. The touring bikes seem to have better wind control - I hate my helmet being blown off my head.
On that tipping issue at low speeds. I noticed it once in a while but hadn't made the connection on why it happens until I watched my RidelikeaPro DVD. At low speeds, never touch that front brake. If you're in a turn at low speed and you hit that front brake you're going down unless you let off that brake. Rear brake only during slow maneuvers. The rear brake will tend to stand you up but balancing the bike with the friction zone of throttle/clutch and rear brake is really fun once you start doing it. I'm not up to the level of the police riders yet but I hope to take the class in person one of these days.
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Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
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Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
Street Glide Special. Now a Heritage Softail.
