Softail S - slim or fat boy?
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Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 153
Likes: 1
From: Copenhagen
Softail S - slim or fat boy?
I finally rode a slim the other day. The trip was way too short to get a good feel of the bike - but it's the only test ride possible for me before I have to decide on a bike (I'm bikeless right now!!)
If you would share your experience with the difference between slim s and fatboy s, it would be much appreciated.
What are pros and cons of the two bikes? And what are the main differences between them handling wise and riding position wise?
For those of you who might suggest to ride them both. I agree with you and would give the same advice to others. However, I cannot test ride these two bikes.
I would appreciate any input.
Rex
If you would share your experience with the difference between slim s and fatboy s, it would be much appreciated.
What are pros and cons of the two bikes? And what are the main differences between them handling wise and riding position wise?
For those of you who might suggest to ride them both. I agree with you and would give the same advice to others. However, I cannot test ride these two bikes.
I would appreciate any input.
Rex
Rex. It's time for you to decide! I see you are considering a Street Bob too. Also a nice bike.
I'll start with a couple of the big differences.
The SS comes with a solo seat and no passenger accommodations.
FBD has a passenger pillion and pegs.
The SS has a skinnier rear tire and wire rims with tubes in the tires.
The FBS has a fat rear tire and solid wheels with tubeless tires.
Fatter tires and solid wheels weigh more, this affect what's known as angular momentum. This means that the force needed to change the lean angle of a rotating mass is greater than that of the lighter wheel on the SS. The difference is minor, but noticeable. It simply takes a little more force to lean the bike through turns.
These are the key differences along with seating position and aesthetics.
.....oh, and the SS is way cooler !
I'll start with a couple of the big differences.
The SS comes with a solo seat and no passenger accommodations.
FBD has a passenger pillion and pegs.
The SS has a skinnier rear tire and wire rims with tubes in the tires.
The FBS has a fat rear tire and solid wheels with tubeless tires.
Fatter tires and solid wheels weigh more, this affect what's known as angular momentum. This means that the force needed to change the lean angle of a rotating mass is greater than that of the lighter wheel on the SS. The difference is minor, but noticeable. It simply takes a little more force to lean the bike through turns.
These are the key differences along with seating position and aesthetics.
.....oh, and the SS is way cooler !
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 454
Likes: 33
From: Here
You do have time to test ride if you take the time. Don't rush a purchase like this.
I don't know how the FB sits but my wife's Slim puts my butt further back than my Deluxe. It makes me have to lean too far forward. The Slim weighs about 20 lbs less than the Deluxe but it rides like a rocket compared to the Slim. How much of it is real and how much is perception based on rider position, handle bars,... ??? My wife has said the same thing after riding the Deluxe.
How important is solid wheels vs. spokes?
I don't know how the FB sits but my wife's Slim puts my butt further back than my Deluxe. It makes me have to lean too far forward. The Slim weighs about 20 lbs less than the Deluxe but it rides like a rocket compared to the Slim. How much of it is real and how much is perception based on rider position, handle bars,... ??? My wife has said the same thing after riding the Deluxe.
How important is solid wheels vs. spokes?
Fattie all the way. It looks very cool all blacked out, no goddamn spokes, set up for passengers already, looks normal with bags (I don't like the look of the Slim with bags but that's just my opinion). It's a sleeper, nobody realizes what you've got till they take a closer look, I like that moment of surprise when they see the SE 110 motor.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 382
From: Ontario Canada
You do have time to test ride if you take the time. Don't rush a purchase like this.
I don't know how the FB sits but my wife's Slim puts my butt further back than my Deluxe. It makes me have to lean too far forward. The Slim weighs about 20 lbs less than the Deluxe but it rides like a rocket compared to the Slim. How much of it is real and how much is perception based on rider position, handle bars,... ??? My wife has said the same thing after riding the Deluxe.
How important is solid wheels vs. spokes?
I don't know how the FB sits but my wife's Slim puts my butt further back than my Deluxe. It makes me have to lean too far forward. The Slim weighs about 20 lbs less than the Deluxe but it rides like a rocket compared to the Slim. How much of it is real and how much is perception based on rider position, handle bars,... ??? My wife has said the same thing after riding the Deluxe.
How important is solid wheels vs. spokes?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 77
From: Orlando, FL
They are both great looking bikes... I have ridden both and even with the solid wheels the Fat Boy is a very nimble ride. I felt like the seat on the Fat Boy got me closer to the tank than on the Slim...
SLV covered the differences...
Is it that you can test ride the 'S'? Or just any bike?? If you like the looks of both... and it is just not being able to ride the 'S'. Go ride the non-S version of the Fat Boy.
SLV covered the differences...
Is it that you can test ride the 'S'? Or just any bike?? If you like the looks of both... and it is just not being able to ride the 'S'. Go ride the non-S version of the Fat Boy.
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 7
From: tomball tx
I have a 14 Fatboy so I'm not buying anything anytime soon but I saw the new Fatboy S Saturday at the dealer. Man I would love to have that bike..lol. I am 6'1" and about 295 #. I sat on both when I bought mine and the Slim just didn't "fit" me. The Fattie did. I think your size will dictate which bike if you are of larger frame. If not then it's really just a matter of taste.......I love all the mods you can do to Fatboys to change them in to what you like. But I love the old school look of the Slim. Not crazy about tubed tires though.....
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 10,374
Likes: 518
From: Southern Arizona
it's all about what fits you best,. which one has the most amount of perspective mods rolling through your head in order to make the bike your own., lol. they all feel differently to all people. Nuno from the rock band Extreme got a chance to play on Eddie Van Halen's guitar rig. He thought, here's his chance to really sound like Eddie. He plugged and sounded like himself. Mystery solved. Each bike is gonna react to the way you ride it.