Switch from RKC to Fatboy
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 220
Likes: 64
From: The Netherlands
Switch from RKC to Fatboy
Anyone here who has 'moved on' from an RKC to a Fatboy and willing to share experiences? Had my RKC for 2 years and loved it but I find it a bit heavy, especially at low speeds. Will be 60 later this year and thought it might be a good occasion to treat myself to something new. I test drove a Fatboy Lo and found it easier to handle than the RKC.
Any views?
Any views?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,566
Likes: 55
From: Londonderry, NH
Anyone here who has 'moved on' from an RKC to a Fatboy and willing to share experiences? Had my RKC for 2 years and loved it but I find it a bit heavy, especially at low speeds. Will be 60 later this year and thought it might be a good occasion to treat myself to something new. I test drove a Fatboy Lo and found it easier to handle than the RKC.
Any views?
Any views?
The RKC is heavy and much of the weight is up high, the Softail has a much lower center of gravity. Softails aren't really light bikes, but they 'feel' 300lbs lighter at low speeds. Actual weight difference is only about 69lbs. (763lbs vs 694lbs). The Softail is also much easier to push or walk.
I'm 66 and as I said, I love the Roadking, it's very comfortable and rolls up the miles easily, but the Deluxe is a lot easier to handle. I guess that's why I have both.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 220
Likes: 64
From: The Netherlands
I'd love to have both, but....discussed this option with my wife....not sure I understood all she said...think the outcome was negative :-)))
Thanks for feedback on the Softail; I will go back to my dealer next week to ride it again to make sure I'm not making a mistake.
Thanks for feedback on the Softail; I will go back to my dealer next week to ride it again to make sure I'm not making a mistake.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,177
Likes: 62
From: Michigan
Whoa dude the tourer guys won't like you "trading down" lol. I've gone from a 09 RKC to a ultra limited, to what I now own now a 2013 heritage and another 2012 softail. I'll personally never own a Harley tourer again. The softails are light handling, classic, highly customizable, and owners don't feel the need to put down other Harley models because they are actually very happy with their choice. You will not find much regret, complaining or trading up every 6 months on this forum.
There are a lot of haters on this forum and not one them are a softail owner. The best advertisement for any product is how satisfied and happy the customer is with the product. The softail forum is proof of how much softail owners love their rides. No threads have as many people who viewed it like these softail threads. I've own my softails for 3 years now and I couldn't be happier with my choice. Good luck with yours.
There are a lot of haters on this forum and not one them are a softail owner. The best advertisement for any product is how satisfied and happy the customer is with the product. The softail forum is proof of how much softail owners love their rides. No threads have as many people who viewed it like these softail threads. I've own my softails for 3 years now and I couldn't be happier with my choice. Good luck with yours.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 234
Likes: 6
From: Madison
So I have a Street Glide and the wife has a Fatboy. Fatboy does feel a little lighter because it is lower to the ground but the weight difference I am sure is minimal. Softail ride quality is considerable worse than the touring models. My wife even says that when she switches to my bike and her Fatboy rides better than her BMW.
I would keep your RK and take a riding class. I am by no means saying you cannot ride! An advanced course that focuses on slow speed maneuvering would be better than trading bikes. Basically all slow speed maneuvering is done with the clutch and the rear brake. The bike should do the work and not the rider. All you need to be able to do is hold the bike up at a stop.
Also if it matters, Softails handle worse and have very little cornering clearance. I am not bashing Softails, as I will have a Springer someday for a 2nd bike but I would not trade my touring bike for one.
I would keep your RK and take a riding class. I am by no means saying you cannot ride! An advanced course that focuses on slow speed maneuvering would be better than trading bikes. Basically all slow speed maneuvering is done with the clutch and the rear brake. The bike should do the work and not the rider. All you need to be able to do is hold the bike up at a stop.
Also if it matters, Softails handle worse and have very little cornering clearance. I am not bashing Softails, as I will have a Springer someday for a 2nd bike but I would not trade my touring bike for one.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,177
Likes: 62
From: Michigan
So I have a Street Glide and the wife has a Fatboy. Fatboy does feel a little lighter because it is lower to the ground but the weight difference I am sure is minimal. Softail ride quality is considerable worse than the touring models. My wife even says that when she switches to my bike and her Fatboy rides better than her BMW.
I would keep your RK and take a riding class. I am by no means saying you cannot ride! An advanced course that focuses on slow speed maneuvering would be better than trading bikes. Basically all slow speed maneuvering is done with the clutch and the rear brake. The bike should do the work and not the rider. All you need to be able to do is hold the bike up at a stop.
Also if it matters, Softails handle worse and have very little cornering clearance. I am not bashing Softails, as I will have a Springer someday for a 2nd bike but I would not trade my touring bike for one.
I would keep your RK and take a riding class. I am by no means saying you cannot ride! An advanced course that focuses on slow speed maneuvering would be better than trading bikes. Basically all slow speed maneuvering is done with the clutch and the rear brake. The bike should do the work and not the rider. All you need to be able to do is hold the bike up at a stop.
Also if it matters, Softails handle worse and have very little cornering clearance. I am not bashing Softails, as I will have a Springer someday for a 2nd bike but I would not trade my touring bike for one.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 234
Likes: 6
From: Madison
Not a hater, an honest opinion from someone that rides both on occasion. Was trying to give good, honest advise. Like I said too, a 07' Springer classic is on my list of must own bikes but if I could only own 1, or I already owned a touring bike I would keep it.
Learning to handle it properly would benefit any bike you own anyway!
Learning to handle it properly would benefit any bike you own anyway!
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 220
Likes: 64
From: The Netherlands
Not a hater, an honest opinion from someone that rides both on occasion. Was trying to give good, honest advise. Like I said too, a 07' Springer classic is on my list of must own bikes but if I could only own 1, or I already owned a touring bike I would keep it.
Learning to handle it properly would benefit any bike you own anyway!
Learning to handle it properly would benefit any bike you own anyway!
Like I mentioned before, I will test ride it again before I make the final call on this.
After 40+ years or riding experience, including some racing in my younger years, followed by various follow on courses, I think I know how to handle a bike. It is simply the fact that the RKC starts to feel heavier since I've developed a few (luckily minor) physical constraints.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,177
Likes: 62
From: Michigan
Not a hater, an honest opinion from someone that rides both on occasion. Was trying to give good, honest advise. Like I said too, a 07' Springer classic is on my list of must own bikes but if I could only own 1, or I already owned a touring bike I would keep it.
Learning to handle it properly would benefit any bike you own anyway!
Learning to handle it properly would benefit any bike you own anyway!