Can you make a Fatboy feel like a Deuce?
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Stage I
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1
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Can you make a Fatboy feel like a Deuce?
This is my first posting and I’m in the pre HD owner stage. I want to purchase a newer Fat boy or a Deuce. I haven't gotten to ride either because dealers don't have demos. I like the looks of both bikes, but I am a little more drawn to the Fat boy. I'm told it's more comfortable on the freeways. When seated on the Deuce at the dealer I like the feel of the seating set up and handle bars, it feels very comfortable. My questions is can you get a Fat boy to have a similar set up as the Deuce? I know the frames are designed different and the front tire is different. Any suggestions on improvements needed and would it still look good?
Also is there an area I should look at for the pros and cons of the Deuce & Fat boy?
Thanks you
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 610
Likes: 53
From: Kennesaw, GA
RE: Can you make a Fatboy feel like a Deuce?
I just sold my Deuce and bought a Fatboy. I like the look of the stretched out Deuce, but found it a little uncomfortable on rides over 75 miles because of how stretched out the riding position is as well. The pegs leave your feet stuck in one place (way forward) where the floorboards on the Fatboy (more underneath you) give allot of room for manuvering into different positions. You will have less pressure on your lower back on a Fatboy then the Deuce because of the foot position. The Deuce has more of a heavy top feel, where the Fatboy has a lowered center of gravity feel. I found both handle well, but I prefer the handling of the Fatboy. When going hard into a corner, it was more difficult to get the duece to react quicker because of it's top heavyness feel. The Fatboy front end rides better than the skinny front end Deuce. Overall, you shold determine what's most important to you and then narrow down which ones fits that mold. It's amazing what you can overlook on a bike if you just like the look or feel. I really like my Fatboy much better than the Deuce (much more comfortable) and am glad I made the switch.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
RE: Can you make a Fatboy feel like a Deuce?
Like Bannana Boat, I've owned both the Fat Boy and the Deuce, but in reverse order.
The Fat Boy was my 1st Harley. Being short (about 5'5"), I added a Corbin saddle, and wound up with a great seating position and very comfortable ride. I was able to sit flat footed, and found the bike very well balanced and easy to handle.
The Deuce is a different feel based mainly on the forward pegs. Again, I added a Corbin saddle and was able to sit flat footed, although it was slightly higher than the Fat Boy.
As for handling, I actualy found the Deuce easier to handle. I thought it was very responsive, and while some people assume that the narrow front tire means less control, I didn't find that at all. A little more top heavy, but it is also about a 50 pound lighter bike, so I didn't really think that was an issue.
So, to make a long story short, the Deuce was more fun to me, the Fat Boy more comfortable to me.
The Fat Boy was my 1st Harley. Being short (about 5'5"), I added a Corbin saddle, and wound up with a great seating position and very comfortable ride. I was able to sit flat footed, and found the bike very well balanced and easy to handle.
The Deuce is a different feel based mainly on the forward pegs. Again, I added a Corbin saddle and was able to sit flat footed, although it was slightly higher than the Fat Boy.
As for handling, I actualy found the Deuce easier to handle. I thought it was very responsive, and while some people assume that the narrow front tire means less control, I didn't find that at all. A little more top heavy, but it is also about a 50 pound lighter bike, so I didn't really think that was an issue.
So, to make a long story short, the Deuce was more fun to me, the Fat Boy more comfortable to me.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,929
Likes: 8
RE: Can you make a Fatboy feel like a Deuce?
Both are fabulous bikes! Personally, I am a little partial to the Fatboy. My choice was based on the miles I wanted to put on, relative handling and comfort. My hubby has a deuce and absolutely loves it. Loves the look, it handles well and goes like "snot"! He chooses his Heritage over the deuce for riding big miles though for the comfort. Keeps the deuce for fairweather riding close to home.
I guess when it comes down to it, it might be wise to choose which kind of riding you might do the most of and base your decision on that.
I guess when it comes down to it, it might be wise to choose which kind of riding you might do the most of and base your decision on that.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Can you make a Fatboy feel like a Deuce?
I own a deuce and love the feel.
I have drove it on several trips and never felt uncomfertable.
The key is throw the stock seat away and get a quality seat. That will be true on the fat boy too.
If you like the look of a fat boy and want it to feel like a deuce im sure there are things you could do.
When i bought my deuce i was also looking into the fat boy.
Two things made my decision. I didnt like the fat tire and the big front end of the fat boy. And i didnt like the floor boards.
Both of these things are personal taste just like some people like blondes and some like beunettes.
I soppose on thing that can be done is put forward controls on it and take the floorboards off.
Anything can be done. You just have to decide what you want done and what you want in a bike. After you decide in what you want you have to see which bike best fits your need. It might be that a different bike all together fits your need the best.
You dont want to have to spend alot of money on something like foreward controls when another bike might fit you needs better. The idea is to get your bike the way you want it with the least amount of money.
David
I have drove it on several trips and never felt uncomfertable.
The key is throw the stock seat away and get a quality seat. That will be true on the fat boy too.
If you like the look of a fat boy and want it to feel like a deuce im sure there are things you could do.
When i bought my deuce i was also looking into the fat boy.
Two things made my decision. I didnt like the fat tire and the big front end of the fat boy. And i didnt like the floor boards.
Both of these things are personal taste just like some people like blondes and some like beunettes.
I soppose on thing that can be done is put forward controls on it and take the floorboards off.
Anything can be done. You just have to decide what you want done and what you want in a bike. After you decide in what you want you have to see which bike best fits your need. It might be that a different bike all together fits your need the best.
You dont want to have to spend alot of money on something like foreward controls when another bike might fit you needs better. The idea is to get your bike the way you want it with the least amount of money.
David
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Can you make a Fatboy feel like a Deuce?
Maybe you can shop around for another dealer that has a couple bikes you can test ride. When I went to look at my Heritage, I wanted to test ride. The dealer did not have any used bikes in the same style, and let me take the brand new bike for a test, but restricted me to a few miles to keep it "new". I ended up buying it. Point being, if they know you are about to lay down some serious $$$$, they may let you take a spin. Even if you have to drive a bit to go to a different dealer, it's better than making an uneducated decision and ending up with a bike you're not happy with. Good luck in your quest.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Wheaton, IL
I have a 2003 Deuce that I outfitted the front end to look like a Fat Boy. Not only do I like the look better it handles better. Maybe that's because it is somewhat of a hybrid with 75% Deuce parts, I don't know. Check my profile for pics. I do want floorboards, but options seem limited with the male pegs to mount to.
