2008 Fatboy
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Stage IV
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
2008 Fatboy
I was in the market for a new ride. I had a Yamaha Road Star as well as a Honda CBR 600rr (loved both bikes). After searching long and hard, looking through Victory's, Triumph's and Yamaha's... I've finally joined the big boys club and am picking up my 08 Fatboy this afternoon (weather pending). Trading the 600rr in for something that rides with a little comfort.
 \\;
I had a couple of \\;questions and hoping someone here can help out. I'm new to the forum, so please be gentle (that's what she said).
 \\;
I had the detachable sissy bar added to the bike for the g/f to ride as well and I'm looking for a few other things. Are there good quality aftermarket parts for the Fatboy. It seems that the sissy bar was a big deal because of the wider tire on the new model. I need some good saddle bags (hard) and probably a suicide windshield. I'd like to replace the exhaust as well (although it probably won't happen this summer, maybe a winter project).
 \\;
Can anyone point me in a good direction for some research?
 \\;
I had a couple of \\;questions and hoping someone here can help out. I'm new to the forum, so please be gentle (that's what she said).
 \\;
I had the detachable sissy bar added to the bike for the g/f to ride as well and I'm looking for a few other things. Are there good quality aftermarket parts for the Fatboy. It seems that the sissy bar was a big deal because of the wider tire on the new model. I need some good saddle bags (hard) and probably a suicide windshield. I'd like to replace the exhaust as well (although it probably won't happen this summer, maybe a winter project).
 \\;
Can anyone point me in a good direction for some research?
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,797
Likes: 0
From: NH
RE: 2008 Fatboy
ORIGINAL: superfiction
I was in the market for a new ride. I had a Yamaha Road Star as well as a Honda CBR 600rr (loved both bikes). After searching long and hard, looking through Victory's, Triumph's and Yamaha's... I've finally joined the big boys club and am picking up my 08 Fatboy this afternoon (weather pending). Trading the 600rr in for something that rides with a little comfort.
 \\;\\\\\\;
I had a couple of \\;\\\\\\;questions and hoping someone here can help out. I'm new to the forum, so please be gentle (that's what she said).
 \\;\\\\\\;
I had the detachable sissy bar added to the bike for the g/f to ride as well and I'm looking for a few other things. Are there good quality aftermarket parts for the Fatboy. It seems that the sissy bar was a big deal because of the wider tire on the new model. I need some good saddle bags (hard) and probably a suicide windshield. I'd like to replace the exhaust as well (although it probably won't happen this summer, maybe a winter project).
 \\;\\\\\\;
Can anyone point me in a good direction for some research?
I was in the market for a new ride. I had a Yamaha Road Star as well as a Honda CBR 600rr (loved both bikes). After searching long and hard, looking through Victory's, Triumph's and Yamaha's... I've finally joined the big boys club and am picking up my 08 Fatboy this afternoon (weather pending). Trading the 600rr in for something that rides with a little comfort.
 \\;\\\\\\;
I had a couple of \\;\\\\\\;questions and hoping someone here can help out. I'm new to the forum, so please be gentle (that's what she said).
 \\;\\\\\\;
I had the detachable sissy bar added to the bike for the g/f to ride as well and I'm looking for a few other things. Are there good quality aftermarket parts for the Fatboy. It seems that the sissy bar was a big deal because of the wider tire on the new model. I need some good saddle bags (hard) and probably a suicide windshield. I'd like to replace the exhaust as well (although it probably won't happen this summer, maybe a winter project).
 \\;\\\\\\;
Can anyone point me in a good direction for some research?
Welcome to the Harley family!
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 734
Likes: 1
From: Nova Scotia
RE: 2008 Fatboy
Congrats on your fatty and welcome to the fat side. There is so much available for the fatty, as well as other bikes, it's hard sometimes to decide which you like the best. For aftermarket parts, check out warehousedirec.com, Dennis Kirk, J&\\;P cycles, e-bay and there are others. These are ones I use, but there are shiete loads. Good luck in making the bike your own.
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
RE: 2008 Fatboy
Great... Thanks for the reply. I was hoping to get a set of used Saddle bags (hard case) as well. I just dropped $$$ on this new bike and I might need to wait a bit before the reserve is built up for more upgrades. Know of any good places to look?
 \\;
I'm just hoping the weather clears here (Pittsburgh) so I can head up to the dealer and ride home.
 \\;
I'm just hoping the weather clears here (Pittsburgh) so I can head up to the dealer and ride home.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 13
From: OKC
RE: 2008 Fatboy
First thing I'd suggest is to just read the forum a lot. \\; Many great ideas and pictures here, as well as a wealth of information.
 \\;
The seat brackets are kind of a must because of the fat rear, as you say, and few dealers sell aftermarket for that particular part right now, especially detachable. \\; The bags, however, are a different animal. \\; The HD bags (see mine) are pricey and seem smaller than aftermarkets. \\; Look around, many choices out there for hard or soft-sided bags. \\; I bought non-detachable hard bags from HD and used the Easy Brackets to be able to detach them.
 \\;
Everyone has their own idea of what their bike should look like and be able to do. \\; For me, it was a dual role function... for you, well read and learn and your style will eventually come to you.
 \\;
Congrats on the purchase\\; you will smile every time you crank the throttle.
 \\;
The seat brackets are kind of a must because of the fat rear, as you say, and few dealers sell aftermarket for that particular part right now, especially detachable. \\; The bags, however, are a different animal. \\; The HD bags (see mine) are pricey and seem smaller than aftermarkets. \\; Look around, many choices out there for hard or soft-sided bags. \\; I bought non-detachable hard bags from HD and used the Easy Brackets to be able to detach them.
 \\;
Everyone has their own idea of what their bike should look like and be able to do. \\; For me, it was a dual role function... for you, well read and learn and your style will eventually come to you.
 \\;
Congrats on the purchase\\; you will smile every time you crank the throttle.
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 38
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From:
RE: 2008 Fatboy
Congrats from another new metric convertI too \\;have come to the dark side on an '08 fatboy. \\;
 \\;
3,500 miles and six weeks later in my case and \\;here are some suggestions in response to your questions:
I got the detachable saddlebags and they are the best for me because I love the clean look without them and they go on and off in literally seconds and look great on the FB as bags go. \\; Very pricy but worth the sacrifice in light of extreme convenience and looks.
wife loves \\;our detachable sissy bar with wide touring pad that matches fat boy seat
I keep a small HD leather roll bag on the \\;luggage rack where cell, map, \\;etc. go since bags \\;are usually not on \\;
we have not replaced stock seat as it broke in as we put some miles on the bike but wife is going to want new seat for our longer rides (over 200 miles day) if hers does not break in moreshe has been on bike for approx 1,200 miles so it may not break in more
next on list will be the V&\\;H Big Shot Staggered and SERT, and \\;in addition to the benefits all \\;of us get excited about, the wife is looking forward to having the pipes below her \\;foot as we ride in some 100+ degree \\;days
 \\;
Needless to say, we love the bike and Harley Finance loves us. \\;
 \\;
Enjoy &\\; ride safe
 \\;
3,500 miles and six weeks later in my case and \\;here are some suggestions in response to your questions:
I got the detachable saddlebags and they are the best for me because I love the clean look without them and they go on and off in literally seconds and look great on the FB as bags go. \\; Very pricy but worth the sacrifice in light of extreme convenience and looks.
wife loves \\;our detachable sissy bar with wide touring pad that matches fat boy seat
I keep a small HD leather roll bag on the \\;luggage rack where cell, map, \\;etc. go since bags \\;are usually not on \\;
we have not replaced stock seat as it broke in as we put some miles on the bike but wife is going to want new seat for our longer rides (over 200 miles day) if hers does not break in moreshe has been on bike for approx 1,200 miles so it may not break in more
next on list will be the V&\\;H Big Shot Staggered and SERT, and \\;in addition to the benefits all \\;of us get excited about, the wife is looking forward to having the pipes below her \\;foot as we ride in some 100+ degree \\;days
 \\;
Needless to say, we love the bike and Harley Finance loves us. \\;
 \\;
Enjoy &\\; ride safe
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 73
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RE: 2008 Fatboy
Hey RIDEFREE, can you post a pic of what those detachable \\;bags look like, i pick up my 08 in three weeks and definately want saddle bags, but im like you i like the plain look but want the bags for long rides down to VA from NY, so if u can be so kind and \\;post some pics, or link me to your pics, congrats on a great choice, by the way this will be my first HARLEY as well after \\;leaving the Metric world of a \\;Suzuki GSXR! \\;
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
RE: 2008 Fatboy
Thanks for all the responses... I agree with Rocker... could you post some pics. I want a nice Minimalist look but somewhere to put anything as there is absolutely no space to put anything on the Fatboy.
 \\;
Also... I rode home from the dealer yesterday (got a little wet) about 50 miles total on the bike now... I'm getting a pretty loud hissing noise that sounds like it's coming from the transmission when the bike gets hot (man does it get hot). Anyone experience anything like this?
 \\;
Also... I rode home from the dealer yesterday (got a little wet) about 50 miles total on the bike now... I'm getting a pretty loud hissing noise that sounds like it's coming from the transmission when the bike gets hot (man does it get hot). Anyone experience anything like this?