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Hey there Softail region! My local dealer has a 2011 Softail Fatboy Lo with a shade under 15k miles on it. They are "blowing it out" at $7999. With Dynas now discontinued, the price/value of them has gone up significantly in my area so my trade might be most valuable now. Per Nada Guide, a clean trade should bring $6500 or so. So I have a few questions before I go look at it later today. Today will be a look-over only as its 17 Degrees currently lol. I absolutely love the look of the bike, but have put so much blood sweat and tears into my current. It will be a hard decision either way as my Dyna is my first motorcycle.
1. How do they ride? I know the Softail has the counterbalanced motor, but at speed, do you feel it will be any "smoother" than my Dyna is? (this might be a question for those who made a similar switch)
2. Would you be worried about the price? It seems to be about $1500 less than reasonable comps in the area, so my concern is there is something the dealer is being up front about yet.
3. I'm not the most aggressive rider into turns / corners, but the lower lean angle has me a bit concerned.... 31.1 Dyna vs 26.? Softail.
I have provided the link to the dealer for pictures. Only modification easily noticeable is the V&H Short Shots. I'd be able to tell if it has a tune on it pretty quick b/c my 96 cu in had a ton of decel pop before tuning.
I see you're from Kansas City. I would not trade a Dyna for a Softail where you are at. I used to ride my FXR through your town a couple times a year on my way back home. In your area you'll miss that Dyna. You can't muscle that Lo and it draaaags in the corners. The FXR handles the worst country roads as I assume your Dyna does.
If you wanted a second bike and you love the looks the Lo is a great bike. I have a Lo and it is a fine looking bike but it has limitations, in my region it is fine for where I go.
Thanks for the replies. Most of my area is a straight shot highways, however if I cross state line into Missouri, the roads do get more creative and exciting. I sat on my dad's 2002 Fatboy and it felt, weird... not aggressive feeling at all... Granted this was just sitting in the garage, but I'd to change a lot in order to make it how I want it.
My wife has a 13 Street Bob and I just traded a 13 Lo. Yes, the motor is smoother all around. When I get on my wife's dyna, at first, I think something's wrong with it. Way more vibes that my Lo. In the twisties, I'd scrape the crap outta my boards. Loved my Lo but I got to a point that I was having neck issues and I could no longer make the Lo comfortable for me.
I had a 2012 Lo and now have a '17 Fatboy S, which is essentially a fancier Lo. I loved the Lo and I love this one.
Looks, power and comfort, what else can you say? They talk about handling, but once you get used to it, you can muscle it around and through corners. I scrape floorboards fairly frequently. That just means you're having fun. Get some of that stuff that sends up multi-colored sparks when you grind. Now THAT is fun.
I say go for it, you will NOT be sorry. It's my favorite softail.
I changed from 1994 Sportster to 2014 Slim way more comfort and less vibes. I upgraded to forward controls and no scraping at all but it is standard height. Softy is definitely cruiser while XL was a rocket but I got more into longer trips lately so I appreciate my slower Softail but wont lie I miss rocket launcher feel. Picture you provided looks awesome and price is right I think. You wont be fast as on your Dyna but this Lo is cool ride man.
I had a 15 fatboy lo and loved it. Yes you can ride it aggressively and yes you'll scrape the floorboards but it's by far the most comfortable softail. I traded up for an 18 fatboy 114 for better handling and performance but nothing looks better than the 2010 - 2017 fatboy. The look is iconic
I have a 2012 Lo, and my wife has a 2013 Dyna. Her bike vibrates hard at idle, but smooths out once riding. Mine has very little vibration. We both agree that my bike is a nicer ride than hers, but they're both good bikes. That's not a bad price, I'd take a serious look at it.
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School me on the Fatboy Lo
