I have never posted in the softail forum before as i own a sportster. I have been riding for 2 seasons now and have about 7 thousand miles on my sporty. I absolutely love my bike. It's a 2006 883L. (i am 5'6"). I know it's not everyones choice for a bike, but I assure you that I LOVE my bike.

Anyway, my softail experience is limited. I have ridden a deluxe and a heritage classic. The deluxe I rode was great. I had only 300 miles on my sportster when I rented this bike, and felt pretty good on it. The heritage was a completely different story. I rented that this year after I had put on about 2000 miles on the sportster. While I could flat foot it fine, it was tough to reach the foot controls without sliding myself as far forward as possible. I looked ridiculous as I was practically sitting on the tank. The high bars didn't help much either.

Now, I am going to be going to daytona bike week in march and already have my trip booked to florida (i live in nh). The dealership that I am renting from does not rent sportsters, and no longer has the deluxe. He has a couple of fatboys and a few heritage classics. Now, I am pretty durn sure that I don't want the classic, so I've opted for the fatboy. I am concerned however that I will be too small for this bike as well and was hoping someone of my stature might chime in.

thanks folks.

Rob

 

I'd say @ 5'6" you'd better go with the Deluxe.
Plus, doesn't it have some pullback risers for the handle bars?
Even better for you.

 

I too an 5'6" and currently ride an '03 fatboy. I have found the fatboy to be the most confortable ride of any of the Harley's personally.

 

Easy solution....

Why not just ride your Sportster down to Daytona?

If that isn't an option, I'd pick the FatBoy...

 

Rob,
Ask the dealer if they have a Dyna Low Rider available. That's probably the lowest seat in the big twin lineup and it has mid-mounted controls so no stretching for them. This is arguably the most "traditional" bike in the big twin line as far as seating position, and the relationship to the bars, pegs & controls. And, like your Sporty, you feel very connected to the road. If you're limited to the Fatboy or the Heritage, get the Fatty. Seat's a little smaller and it will help get you in a more comfortable position for planting your boots on the ground and reaching the controls. Speaking of boots, make sure you have a good set of riding boots with a thick, lug sole. In addition to providing a degree of safety, these will also give you some extra reach and make you feel more comfortable when balancing the bike and reaching for the brake pedal. Just my .02, good luck and ride safe.
Randy

 

For some reason many think the LowRider has the lowest seat height in the 'Big Twin' lineup, but that is false..

A quick look of specifications from the Harley Webpage show the following;

Seat Height (Laden),

Dyna LowRider = 25.8"

Softail FatBoy = 25.4"

Softail Deluxe = 24.5"

 

thanks for the replies. I wish I could get a low riderto rent! I would love to have mid controls. No such luck. Jims hd isn't going to be renting any dynas while i'm there.They alsowill be getting rid of the deluxe before Iget there, which is exactly what I was hoping to get if they didn't have dynas. My choices are fatboy, heritage classic, v-rod, or bigger touring bikes. All forward controls. I will go with the fatboy I guess and hope I fit it better than I did the heritage I had rented previously.

I plan on going to manchester harley this weekend to sit on an 08 fatboy. I also may rent an 06 fatboy for a day at the local eagle rider around here. Though, that won't accurately represent what it will be like to be on an 08. It will, hopefully, be a good indicator.

thanks,
rob

 

im only 5'8" and my step dads fatty streches me out less than my bike and it has apes, but i like being streched out w/ the fowards on my standard

 

robi,
I guess I'll start off as not your stature (6'1"), but I can tell you the fatboy is going to have lower bars...and the leg reach should be the same amongst all softail models. Hope this helps
-clutch-

 

I have a 2003 Fatboy wit standard pedal the reach is fine for me. I have always rode mid controls before and now love my forward floorboards.

I am 5' 6" and a 29" inseam. The type of seat on the bike can make a difference also. I thought that the controls were the same on the Fatty and the heritage so maybe they had exteded controls or a non standard seat on the Heritage you rode.

I love my Fatty as I can outfit her as necessary for the trip I have planned. Removable saddlebags and removable tourpack or Tbag.

Good luck I am sure you will love the Fatty.