Softail Models Standard, Custom, Night Train, Deuce, Springer, Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe, Rocker and Cross Bones.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

new Fatboy

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 8, 2008 | 07:29 AM
  #1  
thedeacon's Avatar
thedeacon
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From:
Default new Fatboy

Hi all! Would like to get some tips about riding my new Fatboy. I am making the switch from a much lighter bike and would appreciate any tips or helpful information on riding a heavier bike. My new bike also has the added "heel"shifter which I have no experience with. All help is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Thedeacon
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2008 | 07:54 AM
  #2  
smitbrad's Avatar
smitbrad
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 0
From: Easton, PA
Default RE: new Fatboy

I never used my heel shifter so I took it off. Removing the heel shifter also gives you more room to move your foot around on the floor board.
Just take it easy until you get comfortable riding your new FB. The bike handles great and you won't really notice the extra weight when riding. Most important pointer is to give yourselfmore distance to come to a stop.I would suggest going to a parking lot and get use to performing hard stops.

Congrats on the new bike! Happy riding!
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2008 | 08:22 AM
  #3  
tmitchellof PG's Avatar
tmitchellof PG
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,718
Likes: 11
From: Punta Gorda,FL
Default RE: new Fatboy

Took my heel shifter off also. I like the extra room on the floor board.
I put pressure on the rear brake when doing slow maneuvers. It gives me better control.
Make sure your jiffy stand is pushed fully forward and locked in place before you get off the bike.
Tom
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2008 | 09:07 AM
  #4  
rjmac53's Avatar
rjmac53
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 16,656
Likes: 13
From: The Big Easy
Default RE: new Fatboy

No heel shifter on mine. Just ride and the feel will come to you before you know it.
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2008 | 09:13 AM
  #5  
gunner065's Avatar
gunner065
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 734
Likes: 1
From: Nova Scotia
Default RE: new Fatboy

I love my heel shifter. I ride with my heels on the forward part of the boards which is more comfortable for me. My Fatty was the first bike I rode in 20yrs. So I had to basically learn how to ride again. Took all of 5 mins. The bike is easy to handle. Just practice doing tight turns in a parking lot. Just give yourself a little extra braking distance. Ride safe.
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2008 | 09:14 AM
  #6  
1st HD's Avatar
1st HD
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,185
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Default RE: new Fatboy

I have a heel shifter on my Fat Boy too. I never use it so I may do as the others have done and remove it.
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2008 | 09:44 AM
  #7  
aviator's Avatar
aviator
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,415
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, Republic of TEXAS
Default RE: new Fatboy

I took off the heel shifter too. I agree with the other posts about practicing in a large parking lot - then hit the streets and enjoy!
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2008 | 11:08 AM
  #8  
thedeacon's Avatar
thedeacon
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: new Fatboy

Thanks all for the help! Great advice. My friend who rides a heavy bike told me just watch your balance at a stand still, if the bike starts to tip, just get out of the way! I will be hitting the parking lots to become acquainted with my bike.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 8, 2008 | 11:40 AM
  #9  
angelboy's Avatar
angelboy
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Default RE: new Fatboy

All this talk! I can't wait for mine to be delivered for the new registrations! Only 4 Saturdays left!
 
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2008 | 01:57 PM
  #10  
Waltman's Avatar
Waltman
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: new Fatboy

ORIGINAL: thedeacon

Thanks all for the help! Great advice. My friend who rides a heavy bike told me just watch your balance at a stand still, if the bike starts to tip, just get out of the way! I will be hitting the parking lots to become acquainted with my bike.
Some advice. I've ridden jap and italian bikes for twenty-five years,andmy previous ridewas a '04 BMW RT1150 and that bike is huge and tall compared to my 07 FB. I can tell you a couple of times the bimmer decided to go sideways there it went. the Fat Boy even though heavy is well balanced and the center of gravity is low, it will notgo down unless you do something stupid (like forgetting you are on two wheels). Rememberthis law: "While the bike has tractionit WILL NOT go down". Heel and toe shifter does not bother me, it's a Harley thing, part of the image. I like it. Riding a Fat Boy for me became an instant connection, sweet bike to ride, smoother than my old bimmer plus sounds better. You are not a novice so it won't be a big deal. Beware, more accidents happen in the parking lot. The "security feeling" a parking lot may give you can work against you. Couple of times I've seen folks dropping their rides while "practicing" in a parking lot. Just get on the road and enjoy, I do. 13K miles in the odo of worry free problems. Just my 2c.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:03 PM.

story-0
10 Most Awkward-Looking Motorcycles Ever Built

Slideshow: Not every motorcycle can be a design icon, and these machines prove that bold styling doesn't always age gracefully.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:58:41


VIEW MORE
story-1
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-3
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-5
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-9
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE