Fat Bob or Softail Custom
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,774
Likes: 3
From: Chattanooga, TN
Greetings,
Both have two totally different riding characteristics. I like the Fat Bob as well. What I'm waiting for is a decent day and I'll rent one just for the day to see how I like it. I'd recommend you do the same with both. Then you can see which one works best for you.
Both have two totally different riding characteristics. I like the Fat Bob as well. What I'm waiting for is a decent day and I'll rent one just for the day to see how I like it. I'd recommend you do the same with both. Then you can see which one works best for you.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 981
Likes: 1
From:
Thanks Jason.
I'll probably get pegged as an idiot for this...but I'm on a Road King now and looking at going with one of the two (Fat Bob or Softail Custom).
I'm leaning towards the Custom just cuz I can't really get past the look of that front tire on the F-bob.
Long story....but I'm looking forward to getting into something other than the RK.
I'll probably get pegged as an idiot for this...but I'm on a Road King now and looking at going with one of the two (Fat Bob or Softail Custom).
I'm leaning towards the Custom just cuz I can't really get past the look of that front tire on the F-bob.
Long story....but I'm looking forward to getting into something other than the RK.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 327
Likes: 0
From: Weatherford TX
After riding my mom's Dyna Low Rider and then getting my Fat Boy, I'd always prefer a softail model. The rear suspension is much better suited for 2 people. Her bike worried me at every little bump. I have caused several scrapes on the bottom of it just cruising across town. It's also smaller so there is less room for me and my wife. I was content with riding the Dyna, til I bought my bike and took hers out again.
Not tryin to say the Dyna isn't a good bike, it's just that the Softail is a step better. For the size of me and my wife a Sporty or Dyna wouldn't work. My Fattie carries us well and haven't had to make any suspension adjustments to compensate. I had mom's rear springs cranked up and still bottomed out WAY too easy
Not tryin to say the Dyna isn't a good bike, it's just that the Softail is a step better. For the size of me and my wife a Sporty or Dyna wouldn't work. My Fattie carries us well and haven't had to make any suspension adjustments to compensate. I had mom's rear springs cranked up and still bottomed out WAY too easy
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Two completely different bikes. The custom and the Fat Bob are excellent bikes. If moving from a RK, you will not notice much difference as far as engine vibration on the Bob, But you will feel no to little vibration on the Custom. What is it about these two bikes that has you are debating between the two? They are worlds apart. If you like the "slick bike" look of the Custom, have you considered a Wide Glide?
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Quincy, Ca.
I'm very happy with my custom. Don't know anything bout the fatbob but I can tell you that you would like the seat on the custom much more than the fatbob...and so would a passenger. Even though my wife rides a lowrider, I've never ridden it so I can't compare handling between the two(dyna vs. softail). Everything else being equal, to me the looks of the softail is what sold me.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 505
Likes: 1
From: Pennsylvania
My vote is for Softail Custom
I agree with Bloomington_G , Two different bikes. My personal vote would be for the Softail Custom, I also didn't like the front of the bob and I prefered the ride of the Softail and the "clean" lines of the "hard" look !!!
End Result.. You make up your mind. Every bike is a reflection of the rider. Ride On..Ride Hard..Ride Safe.
End Result.. You make up your mind. Every bike is a reflection of the rider. Ride On..Ride Hard..Ride Safe.
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May our Moderator Rest in Peace
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 11,386
Likes: 35
From: Rochester, NY
I own a Custom, but have ridden the Fatbob and was generally impressed with its handeling and brakes. Those two disks and fat tire are very nice insurance if you do a lot of 'loaded', baggage or passenger riding.
I personally haven't experienced any 'bottoming' on the Fatbob, but have on my Custom when the bike was 'loaded down'. But if I owned a Fatbob and it became a recurring problem I'm sure that a decent set of shocks/springs from someone like Progressive would cure that and help it handle better in the bargin.
The one thing that I didn't like about the Fatbob was the engine. I'm a bit spoiled by my "B" motor and while the Bob's "A" motors vibration at idle its not objectionable. When it gets revved up a bit it bothered me. I don't know why, but the high frequency 'buzz' when the engine is spinning over 2000 to 2500, like when your running around in traffic in lower gears just rubs me the wrong way. Its like having an itch you can't scratch.
I'm probably oversensitive and nit picking, but when I run the same route on my Custom with the engine running in the same RPM range. It feels like an electric vehicle by comparison.
But I do like the twin headlights and double disks, both are good extra safety features. I just wish there was a practical way to get that kind of 'extra' brakeing capacity witout having to face the problem of overpowering the traction limits of the Customs nice looking, but skinny front tire.
I personally haven't experienced any 'bottoming' on the Fatbob, but have on my Custom when the bike was 'loaded down'. But if I owned a Fatbob and it became a recurring problem I'm sure that a decent set of shocks/springs from someone like Progressive would cure that and help it handle better in the bargin.
The one thing that I didn't like about the Fatbob was the engine. I'm a bit spoiled by my "B" motor and while the Bob's "A" motors vibration at idle its not objectionable. When it gets revved up a bit it bothered me. I don't know why, but the high frequency 'buzz' when the engine is spinning over 2000 to 2500, like when your running around in traffic in lower gears just rubs me the wrong way. Its like having an itch you can't scratch.
I'm probably oversensitive and nit picking, but when I run the same route on my Custom with the engine running in the same RPM range. It feels like an electric vehicle by comparison.
But I do like the twin headlights and double disks, both are good extra safety features. I just wish there was a practical way to get that kind of 'extra' brakeing capacity witout having to face the problem of overpowering the traction limits of the Customs nice looking, but skinny front tire.