Hi, first post on the forum!

Not long moved to Nevada from the UK, always been a HD fan but had never got round to getting a motorbike license over there (spent far too much money on aeroplanes....)
So now I'm in the sunny dry climate of Nevada Im looking to finally getting in to Harleys.
I've always loved the fat boy and I will look to be getting one maybe next spring (For now Im thinking of getting a sportster and learn/ride on that until I'm happy I won't drop a bike!)
I also love the street glide but after sitting on one the size and weight of it is a little intimidating, definitely too much bike for now!

So, looking forward, much research to do on what year of Fatboy to get. I wasn't the biggest fan of the headlamp design of the new 18 fatboy but have to say it's growing on me.. I went and sat on one the other day and the weight feels pretty manageable with the new CofG (however I'm guessing it didn't have fuel in it) sadly I don't think my budget will stretch to a brand new bike, so I'd maybe be looking at anything from 2004-2010. Having an engineering background I'm not afraid of wrenching here and there but definitely don't want a project bike.
Any ideas of what to look for or what to avoid would be appreciated!

Cal

 

Welcome to the forums from Ontario, Canada

 

Welcome to the forums and the states. It is a buyers market and there are plenty of garage queens to be had. A quality used bike will save you money
. And as you will find out, we love to help you spend that savings on mods.

 

welcome to the forum an USA! I understand the thinking of getting a sportster to get used to riding on but one thing about the softail model is the low seat an low center of gravity. I think those two factors make a softail a good bike to get used to riding on.

 

Thanks guys!
Hmm and that is a good point about the lower seat and CofG on the softails- definitely something I might consider

 

I wouldn't buy any Fatboy older than 2013. Various issues. Nothing major but might be perplexing to a new rider to get sorted out.

 

Ah ok, what kinda issues? Mechanical or electrical/fuel injection type stuff?

 

Some tensioner issues, some rocker pinging issues, nothing I could say that was widespread and hit every bike. But most all of the twin cam issues were sorted by 2013. Also, most all of the aftermarket softail upgrades up to 2017 will work on it. You also won't have to put a resistor harness in it if you want to put LED's on it. A lot of little crap like that.

 

Welcome to the forums. I wouldn't go with a sportster myself, went that route when i got back into riding a few years ago and I ended up selling it because I just couldn't make it comfortable. I think you'll be happy going the softail route. Low seat heat and low center of gravity make it very easy to maneuver. Go as new as you can afford to without going over your budget. You might also want to consider looking at a heritage classic as well as the fatboy if funds are an issue. The bikes are pretty similar, but you get a lot of extras with the heritage compared to the fatboy (if that stuff matters to you) if you can live without the solid wheels. I was set on a used fatboy when i was bike hunting this spring but after test riding both, I preferred the Heritage.

 

Welcome to the forum I recently purchased a 2015 Fatboy Lo. Have been on a heavily modified 2009 Nightster lowered ,cams etc etc I loved that bike, but the Fatboy is just so much more comfortable . I to decided to learn how to ride by buying a sportster but the hire center of gravity really makes it a harder bike to ride !! Good luck and enjoy the sunny weather!!!!!!!!!!