Maybe Going to a Fat Boy
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,232
Likes: 9,321
From: Georgia
Ride the FB and see what YOU think. Not somebodies opinion on a web site. Only the ride will tell you what to do.
I personally never liked any of the rides from any touring bike. I thought several times about buying one but after riding many of them I always thought not for me.Changing from a big heavy bike to something almost 300 lb lighter will be nice for sure. As OP stated above add air ride and the FB will be sweet. As far as motors unless your a speed junkie anything from an Evo on up will get you a ticket. With any bike bars and seat make a world of difference when you find the right combo.
Good luck with your decision.
I personally never liked any of the rides from any touring bike. I thought several times about buying one but after riding many of them I always thought not for me.Changing from a big heavy bike to something almost 300 lb lighter will be nice for sure. As OP stated above add air ride and the FB will be sweet. As far as motors unless your a speed junkie anything from an Evo on up will get you a ticket. With any bike bars and seat make a world of difference when you find the right combo.
Good luck with your decision.
Last edited by back again; Jan 1, 2018 at 10:35 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 792
From: Kansas City, Missouri
I applaud you for wanting to continue the wind therapy. I'd ride a new"18 and the "12 and compare them. The new softails ride better to me with lees felt heat on the rider. Looks are another can of worms. Can't see the bike while riding it anyway. A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. Sell the CVO and buy a softail. You should come out way ahead of the game.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 2,015
From: Missouri
I've never had a touring bike, so I won't tell you what you should do. As others have mentioned, you have to decide what's in your best interest. I went from a 2001 dyna superglide to a 2013 fatboy and almost 5 years later and 40k + miles have NEVER regretted going to the softtail. But that's just me. Everyone has a different perspective.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,297
Likes: 2,392
From: Florida
Friend of mine traded in his Ultra for a Fatboy and says he wishes he had done it years earlier. He was wheeling the Fatboy around his garage and driveway the other day, in neutral, with a huge smile on his face: "I could NEVER have done this with the Ultra," he said.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 695
From: Huntington Beach, CA
I agree with everyone here that a test ride is the only way for the OP to make his decision.
Unless you ride 2-up a lot I have never understood why anyone would want a touring bike. Those suckers are heavy! My Fat Boy (2015) is much more nimble than any touring bike and the engines are comparable. But this is a very personal decision that the OP should make after some test rides.
Unless you ride 2-up a lot I have never understood why anyone would want a touring bike. Those suckers are heavy! My Fat Boy (2015) is much more nimble than any touring bike and the engines are comparable. But this is a very personal decision that the OP should make after some test rides.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 695
From: Huntington Beach, CA
I never liked the soft bags and the studs on the pre-2018 Heritage, or the spokes. But the 2018 corrects the issues with the bags and the studs, and is a really nice bike that I would agree, the OP might want to consider. Again, nothing like a test ride.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 415
Likes: 54
From: Dallas
I am 60 and just had back surgery. I had a '13 Ultra Classic and it was becoming too much for me. I only ride solo and don't travel anymore. It came down to selling the bike and hanging up riding or downsize. I traded it for a '17 Fatboy and love the way it rides and handles. If it feels good to you, do it.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 4,251
Likes: 3,134
From: Texas
Just a side note -- I don't have a Fatboy, I have a Fat Bob, but I gotta say -- it's the easiest bike to maneuver, and I'm sure the Fatboy would be the same. It's hard to believe that the Fat Bob weighs 675 pounds -- it sure doesn't feel like it! Trying to wrestle a K1600B off its sidestand requires herculean effort as compared to the Fat Bob, even though there's ostensibly only about 80 pounds difference between the two.
2nd Gear
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Houston
I have an 07 StreetGlide I bought new in 07 and purchased a 2016 FatBoy in 2016. Im 64 and the StreetGlide is just gathering dust in the garage. It's just too freaking heavy for me now and the Fatboy with a windshield is perfect. I have a daily 80 mile commute at highway speeds and the FatBoy does the trick. The FatBoy is not a little bike by any means, but after years of riding my StreetGlide the smaller bike just feels right.