Slim vs Fatboy
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 389
Likes: 21
From: Hickory, NC
Slim vs Fatboy
For anyone who has owned or had some seat time on both, how similar are they? On paper they look very close in riding position, ground clearance, lean angle, general comfort, etc. I have some seat time on a Fat Boy (I think it was a Fat Boy Low), but I have really liked the Slim since they came out. I haven't had a chance to ride one.
So for those in the know, do the slim and Fat Boy ride very similar, or are there any key differences?
So for those in the know, do the slim and Fat Boy ride very similar, or are there any key differences?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 520
From: VA
My wife has a Fatboy Lo and I have a Slim. Because of the much narrower rear tire the Slim handles better. I also prefer the lower bars of the Slim because it is more comfortable to me. Although they are very much alike the difference in the way they ride and handle is greater than you might think. The only way you will know which you prefer is to ride them both. I will say this. After riding my wife's Fatboy I am happy to get back on my Slim. I did replace the seat on the Slim as it was good for about 30 minutes at best. But that was only $250 for a Mustang tripper which is all day comfortable.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 536
Likes: 36
I had a 2005 Fatboy, might have been the last year for the Narrow rear tire/ fender, and it handled every bit as good as my '13 Slim. Loved that bike!
I have ridden the new Fatboy with the wide, lo profile rear tire. I like the "wide" look, but I would NEVER buy the late model Fatboy, due to the harsh suspension characteristic of the low profile tire, and the HEAVY handling at low speed, also due to the wide rear tire. JMHO.
The wide tire handling is fine at speed, but still harsh over bumps. If you use your softail around town, you will appreciate the narrow tire "light handling" of the Slim, Heritage, and Deluxe.
I have ridden the new Fatboy with the wide, lo profile rear tire. I like the "wide" look, but I would NEVER buy the late model Fatboy, due to the harsh suspension characteristic of the low profile tire, and the HEAVY handling at low speed, also due to the wide rear tire. JMHO.
The wide tire handling is fine at speed, but still harsh over bumps. If you use your softail around town, you will appreciate the narrow tire "light handling" of the Slim, Heritage, and Deluxe.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 389
Likes: 21
From: Hickory, NC
I had a 2005 Fatboy, might have been the last year for the Narrow rear tire/ fender, and it handled every bit as good as my '13 Slim. Loved that bike!
I have ridden the new Fatboy with the wide, lo profile rear tire. I like the "wide" look, but I would NEVER buy the late model Fatboy, due to the harsh suspension characteristic of the low profile tire, and the HEAVY handling at low speed, also due to the wide rear tire. JMHO.
The wide tire handling is fine at speed, but still harsh over bumps. If you use your softail around town, you will appreciate the narrow tire "light handling" of the Slim, Heritage, and Deluxe.
I have ridden the new Fatboy with the wide, lo profile rear tire. I like the "wide" look, but I would NEVER buy the late model Fatboy, due to the harsh suspension characteristic of the low profile tire, and the HEAVY handling at low speed, also due to the wide rear tire. JMHO.
The wide tire handling is fine at speed, but still harsh over bumps. If you use your softail around town, you will appreciate the narrow tire "light handling" of the Slim, Heritage, and Deluxe.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 536
Likes: 36
Love Aprilia
Then I found a Tuono factory, a most comfortable Sport bike, but not nearly so much as my Fatboy or Slim. But the Power! I loved track days with both bikes, Tuono wheelies, shifting gears and trying to land the front softly at over 100 mph.
I think those days are over for me, I just like cruising on the HD these days.
Very comfortable bike, I liked the handlebar shape better than my Slim's Hollywood bars.
Last edited by Jetfever; Apr 4, 2016 at 07:44 PM.
I have a Slim, and I've ridden both Fat Boys and Slims. My choice would be the Slim for the reasons already posted.
To be fair though, the Fat Boy has some characteristics that win out in a couple categories.
The heavier solid wheels of he FB make for a smoother highway experience because the rotating mass makes it track a little better. The Fat Bob in the Dyna series has this same attribute.
The FB comes equipped for a passenger. This may seem minimal, but the cost of a pillion, pegs and peg-mounts adds up. A backrest even more.
To be fair though, the Fat Boy has some characteristics that win out in a couple categories.
The heavier solid wheels of he FB make for a smoother highway experience because the rotating mass makes it track a little better. The Fat Bob in the Dyna series has this same attribute.
The FB comes equipped for a passenger. This may seem minimal, but the cost of a pillion, pegs and peg-mounts adds up. A backrest even more.
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Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,839
Likes: 17,865
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
You really need to ride both. Let me rephrase, ride all of these:
Fat Boy
Fat Boy Lo
Fat Boy S
Slim
Slim S
Each has unique characteristics. A common mistake people make is buying a bike based solely on appearance.
That being said, the Slim looks like a very small bike in person. I never tried one out but looking at it, I would say it is better suited for smaller people and is probably better for a novice than a Fat Boy. It is all relative. It is also worth trying out a Heritage, which is yet a different experience.
What is perfect for one person might be terrible for the next. While each can be customized, it is also better to start out with something as close to perfect as possible and then go from there.
Look how many low mileage twin cams are on the market. Probably a large number are from people that just bought the latest shiny thing on the showroom floor.
Fat Boy
Fat Boy Lo
Fat Boy S
Slim
Slim S
Each has unique characteristics. A common mistake people make is buying a bike based solely on appearance.
That being said, the Slim looks like a very small bike in person. I never tried one out but looking at it, I would say it is better suited for smaller people and is probably better for a novice than a Fat Boy. It is all relative. It is also worth trying out a Heritage, which is yet a different experience.
What is perfect for one person might be terrible for the next. While each can be customized, it is also better to start out with something as close to perfect as possible and then go from there.
Look how many low mileage twin cams are on the market. Probably a large number are from people that just bought the latest shiny thing on the showroom floor.
Last edited by Prot; Apr 4, 2016 at 10:17 PM.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,721
Likes: 103
From: St. Louis, MO
I had a 2005 Fatboy, might have been the last year for the Narrow rear tire/ fender, and it handled every bit as good as my '13 Slim. Loved that bike!
I have ridden the new Fatboy with the wide, lo profile rear tire. I like the "wide" look, but I would NEVER buy the late model Fatboy, due to the harsh suspension characteristic of the low profile tire, and the HEAVY handling at low speed, also due to the wide rear tire. JMHO.
The wide tire handling is fine at speed, but still harsh over bumps. If you use your softail around town, you will appreciate the narrow tire "light handling" of the Slim, Heritage, and Deluxe.
I have ridden the new Fatboy with the wide, lo profile rear tire. I like the "wide" look, but I would NEVER buy the late model Fatboy, due to the harsh suspension characteristic of the low profile tire, and the HEAVY handling at low speed, also due to the wide rear tire. JMHO.
The wide tire handling is fine at speed, but still harsh over bumps. If you use your softail around town, you will appreciate the narrow tire "light handling" of the Slim, Heritage, and Deluxe.
By the way, saw this video on Facebook but we're not friends so I couldn't link there, but I found it on the internet, I think you'll like this!
http://www.redbull.com/en/stories/13...gh-a-wind-farm
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 536
Likes: 36
Low Profile tires/ "O ring" tires
Jet fever, thanks for posting this... I've often coveted the "fat rear" look, but I've only ridden Harleys with 130/90/16 rear tires. Good to know from a trusted source that the big tires don't ride as well. I suspected it. And I know, those big tires wear out QUICKLY compared to my 130/90/16, I'll get about 12,000 out of mine and I ride pretty hard.
By the way, saw this video on Facebook but we're not friends so I couldn't link there, but I found it on the internet, I think you'll like this!
http://www.redbull.com/en/stories/13...gh-a-wind-farm
By the way, saw this video on Facebook but we're not friends so I couldn't link there, but I found it on the internet, I think you'll like this!
http://www.redbull.com/en/stories/13...gh-a-wind-farm
IMO, The Softails need all the rear suspension help they can get, and I would never call my Slim's rear suspension plush, like the Ohlins suspension provided on my Aprilia in the above photo. I think fitting a low profile tire on a softail is the wrong direction, but I "covet the look" as well :-)
Thanks for the Red Bull link, I had not seen that vid. I have flown over the Alps, but not that low!!! I have attended 2 Red Bull races in Las Vegas, It's a great show.
Last edited by Jetfever; Apr 5, 2016 at 12:43 PM.