Advice Needed
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 172
Likes: 28
From: :
You don't say what year Fatboy your looking at.
myself I never want a big touring bike. I've had a few bikes, not touring though, none have made me think this is great suspension wise.
I now have a 05 Fatboy, the roads are pretty crappy around here. I have since put a shotgun shock on my bike. The thing is great. I can soak up the bumps like a Cadillac. Raise it for the tight corners, and lower it to make it look good. It was what I was looking for without knowing it.
so where am I going with this.... Choose the bike you like, put good suspension on it, budget for the change no matter what you buy.
myself I never want a big touring bike. I've had a few bikes, not touring though, none have made me think this is great suspension wise.
I now have a 05 Fatboy, the roads are pretty crappy around here. I have since put a shotgun shock on my bike. The thing is great. I can soak up the bumps like a Cadillac. Raise it for the tight corners, and lower it to make it look good. It was what I was looking for without knowing it.
so where am I going with this.... Choose the bike you like, put good suspension on it, budget for the change no matter what you buy.
Last edited by nzhd; Jul 26, 2018 at 11:57 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 410
From: Puyallup, WA
The other issue with the Fatboy is rear tire wear. On average with my 2012 Fatboy I was consistently getting only 6000 miles on a rear tire ( and I ride very conservatively) . When you figure the cost of the tires and labor to replace them ( you have to remove the mufflers to replace the rear tire). The cost per mile comes to 10 cents. When you figure the cost that way it becomes evident that the cost to run a Fatboy is higher than other choices.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 17,880
Likes: 9,633
From: Big Pine Key, FL
I’ve owned a Road King, an Ultra, and now a 2015 Heritage. The Ultra is by far (duh) the most comfortable long haul bike of the three (not that I’ve had my Heritage on any long trips yet but still, there’s no comparison).
For me, the decision to downsize was made after my recent back surgery. I know my 500 mile days and cross country road trips are over, and I didn’t feel like pushing around 850 pounds of touring bike for what is now mostly around town and maybe 100 mile or so day trips.
If if I was still 100% in the back department and looking to do a bunch of cross country riding, I would no doubt have an Ultra.
For me, the decision to downsize was made after my recent back surgery. I know my 500 mile days and cross country road trips are over, and I didn’t feel like pushing around 850 pounds of touring bike for what is now mostly around town and maybe 100 mile or so day trips.
If if I was still 100% in the back department and looking to do a bunch of cross country riding, I would no doubt have an Ultra.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,584
Likes: 520
From: VA
The other issue with the Fatboy is rear tire wear. On average with my 2012 Fatboy I was consistently getting only 6000 miles on a rear tire ( and I ride very conservatively) . When you figure the cost of the tires and labor to replace them ( you have to remove the mufflers to replace the rear tire). The cost per mile comes to 10 cents. When you figure the cost that way it becomes evident that the cost to run a Fatboy is higher than other choices.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,712
Likes: 410
From: Puyallup, WA
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Joined: Oct 2013
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Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
I own a RGU and an FB114. I traded a HSTC to buy the FB.. I like the FB but wish I had the Heritage back.. The Heritage is a Swiss Army knife. Ive done 400 mile days on it without issue. The FB, Its a 60 to 90 min bike..