Questions from an almost HD owner/Purchasing a Soft Tail
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Tourer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 330
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From: Columbus, OH
RE: Questions from an almost HD owner/Purchasing a Soft Tail
thanks folks!
good heads up on the forward controls. when sitting on either bike, I have to cant my right foot all the way up toward my shin to reach the brake. I will definitely need 3" or so there. i will do some searching on the site to get more info.
I thought I was going to get out the door with one of these for $20k.....what a dope I am.
good heads up on the forward controls. when sitting on either bike, I have to cant my right foot all the way up toward my shin to reach the brake. I will definitely need 3" or so there. i will do some searching on the site to get more info.
I thought I was going to get out the door with one of these for $20k.....what a dope I am.
May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
RE: Questions from an almost HD owner/Purchasing a Soft Tail
I have ridden both and have to say I like my Custom better. But like many other things in life its a personal thing, and that'sgoing to beup to you.
The Custom is easier to drive through the twisties because its slightly lighter and the pegs give you more lean angle to "play" with. But many guys like the boards of the Fatty because they can drag them and know exactly where the bikes limits are. Personally it spooks the hell out of me to have anything draging on the ground.
The larger front tire and forks of the Fatty will give you a more "solid" feel and better overall ride. Especially over grooved pavement and bridge grates, but once you have done a few with the Custom its no big deal. It just feels a little odd the first couple of times.
If comfort is important to you the the seat on the Custom is going to make your day. Its one of the best, mort comfotable seats I have ever experienced on a bike. The difference between the Custom and the Fatty seats is likecomparing abarcalounger to a park bench. But again that's my opinion and nothing more.
In the end its going to be up to you and like Bonecrusher said, get the one that speakes to you and never look back. No matter which one you get its going to be a great ride.
Ride safe.
The Custom is easier to drive through the twisties because its slightly lighter and the pegs give you more lean angle to "play" with. But many guys like the boards of the Fatty because they can drag them and know exactly where the bikes limits are. Personally it spooks the hell out of me to have anything draging on the ground.
The larger front tire and forks of the Fatty will give you a more "solid" feel and better overall ride. Especially over grooved pavement and bridge grates, but once you have done a few with the Custom its no big deal. It just feels a little odd the first couple of times.
If comfort is important to you the the seat on the Custom is going to make your day. Its one of the best, mort comfotable seats I have ever experienced on a bike. The difference between the Custom and the Fatty seats is likecomparing abarcalounger to a park bench. But again that's my opinion and nothing more.
In the end its going to be up to you and like Bonecrusher said, get the one that speakes to you and never look back. No matter which one you get its going to be a great ride.
Ride safe.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
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From: ST. Louis
RE: Questions from an almost HD owner/Purchasing a Soft Tail
I was in the same position as you, I had rode bikes all my life (from 8 years old to 30) then having a family struck me.
I went 23 years tryinglots of different things, but there is nothing like the feeling of riding a bike. The old expression of "If I have to explain it, you will never understand" is so true. So I took the driviers course (just to get my motorcycle license back) I mean what could I learn, I've rode for 20 years before. Well I learned I didn't know much about riding a motorcycle. It was well worth the time and money.
Then off to the Harley shop I went. I too fell in love with the Cutom and Fat Boy. I bought the Fat Boy because I thought the fat front tire would help me with riding.....and it was gonna be easier to put on a seat with a driver's backrest (Bad back here, I can't ride 20 minutes without a backrest). Well to make a long story short, I finallyrealized that I have spent a lot of money trying to get my Fat Boy, to look and feel like a Custom. [sm=smiley19.gif]
The one thing I do like about the Fat Boy that I didn't think I would is the Floor Boards (especially with the Mark III highway pegs setup). I get lots of different riding positions for my legs with my setup.But you are 6' 5" and I'm only 6' so I can see where you could have problems.
I went 23 years tryinglots of different things, but there is nothing like the feeling of riding a bike. The old expression of "If I have to explain it, you will never understand" is so true. So I took the driviers course (just to get my motorcycle license back) I mean what could I learn, I've rode for 20 years before. Well I learned I didn't know much about riding a motorcycle. It was well worth the time and money.
Then off to the Harley shop I went. I too fell in love with the Cutom and Fat Boy. I bought the Fat Boy because I thought the fat front tire would help me with riding.....and it was gonna be easier to put on a seat with a driver's backrest (Bad back here, I can't ride 20 minutes without a backrest). Well to make a long story short, I finallyrealized that I have spent a lot of money trying to get my Fat Boy, to look and feel like a Custom. [sm=smiley19.gif]
The one thing I do like about the Fat Boy that I didn't think I would is the Floor Boards (especially with the Mark III highway pegs setup). I get lots of different riding positions for my legs with my setup.But you are 6' 5" and I'm only 6' so I can see where you could have problems.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Sierra Vista, AZ
RE: Questions from an almost HD owner/Purchasing a Soft Tail
Pilot,
I just bought a 08 Fatboy last week. I sat on both the custom and the Fatboy. To me the Fatboy just felt right. The seat height and the reach of the handlebars was perfect. Don't get me wrong the custom is cool but just didn't fit right.
Pechocho
I just bought a 08 Fatboy last week. I sat on both the custom and the Fatboy. To me the Fatboy just felt right. The seat height and the reach of the handlebars was perfect. Don't get me wrong the custom is cool but just didn't fit right.
Pechocho
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Tourer
Joined: May 2008
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From: Columbus, OH
RE: Questions from an almost HD owner/Purchasing a Soft Tail
Pechocho,
wow....nice, nice scoot you got there.....my 2nd favorite color.....
tough time deciding...I will sit on more of them to try to figure it out.....
that FB does have a solid, badass build that really gets your blood movin'.......
enjoy and thanks for your thoughts!
wow....nice, nice scoot you got there.....my 2nd favorite color.....
tough time deciding...I will sit on more of them to try to figure it out.....
that FB does have a solid, badass build that really gets your blood movin'.......
enjoy and thanks for your thoughts!
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 588
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From: live in Jackson, NJ
RE: Questions from an almost HD owner/Purchasing a Soft Tail
Welcome to the Forum, Softail Custom here love the ride....
Bone
Bone
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
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RE: Questions from an almost HD owner/Purchasing a Soft Tail
extended warranty just a personalthing flip a coin
As for bikes at your size you may find a fatboy a bit small after you had it awhile.
You may want to look at a heritage.
you all ready know this your are bigger than most the fatbaoy is a great bike but I think if you talk to some riders your size they would agree the Heritage would be a better bikes for you.
Softtails are great
Enjoy your HD and welcome to the enlightened side of riding
[IMG]local://upfiles/52318/791AB53AC07946569F2D631B0D0ECD78.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/52318/AC48EBD118204C10A991EB31E020DF0B.jpg[/IMG]
As for bikes at your size you may find a fatboy a bit small after you had it awhile.
You may want to look at a heritage.
you all ready know this your are bigger than most the fatbaoy is a great bike but I think if you talk to some riders your size they would agree the Heritage would be a better bikes for you.
Softtails are great
Enjoy your HD and welcome to the enlightened side of riding
[IMG]local://upfiles/52318/791AB53AC07946569F2D631B0D0ECD78.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/52318/AC48EBD118204C10A991EB31E020DF0B.jpg[/IMG]
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From:
RE: Questions from an almost HD owner/Purchasing a Soft Tail
Forget the Fatboy and Custom and get a Train. It is clearly the most bada$$ of all Harleys. All the others are just posers...[sm=happybounce.gif]
The beauty of a Harley Davidson motorcycle is that is you end up not liking the bike you chose, you can just turn it into the one that you wish you would have bought. For a little money of course... ok, a lot of money. But then again, it doesn't matter which bike you get you are going to spend a lot of money on it. There is just no way I have found to avoid it... [sm=confused06.gif]
As for the extended warrenty, asan ex car sales man I saydon't buy it. Extended Warrenties on vehicles are there as a way for the salesman to make money. Anything beyond the purchase price is there for this point. Any vehicle or item worth spending your money on should perform well, if properly maintained, for a long time to come. I'm not saying nothing will ever go wrong, but that is a chance you take when you purchase anything. I've had Harley's for many years now and have yet to have any issues that maintaince would not have taken care of.
Enjoy the hell out of your ride, which ever one you go with (TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN)... Sorry, just thought I'd try a little "suggestive messageing". [sm=badbadbad.gif]
The beauty of a Harley Davidson motorcycle is that is you end up not liking the bike you chose, you can just turn it into the one that you wish you would have bought. For a little money of course... ok, a lot of money. But then again, it doesn't matter which bike you get you are going to spend a lot of money on it. There is just no way I have found to avoid it... [sm=confused06.gif]
As for the extended warrenty, asan ex car sales man I saydon't buy it. Extended Warrenties on vehicles are there as a way for the salesman to make money. Anything beyond the purchase price is there for this point. Any vehicle or item worth spending your money on should perform well, if properly maintained, for a long time to come. I'm not saying nothing will ever go wrong, but that is a chance you take when you purchase anything. I've had Harley's for many years now and have yet to have any issues that maintaince would not have taken care of.
Enjoy the hell out of your ride, which ever one you go with (TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN, TRAIN)... Sorry, just thought I'd try a little "suggestive messageing". [sm=badbadbad.gif]