I am trying to do my homework before I go to the dealerships to look, and have a few questions.

I know it will come down to which one feels better but trying to know as much as I can before I go.

I like the looks of the fatboy and the custom, actually the fatboy better but all the pictures I show does not have a backrest. I am sure my son (10) will be wanting to ride after a while, and may want that in the future.

can that be added and look decent on the fatboy at a later time? I am sure it can be added just wonding if it will look good, have not seen any pictures of one with it on there.

I can only see tire size difference in the two, am I missing something.

 

I am not too sure what you are asking, but if you are asking if a sissy bar can be added to a fatboy? Then the answer is a sissy bar can be added to any Harley pretty much. 1 of the best part of owning a Harley is that you can customize it to fit your needs and style. Try to start out with a model that you can see yourself owning for a long time. Some owners hand down their bikes to their children. Sit on each model & if you can test ride them do so. What you are doing is really important and continue to educate yourself as much as you can.
Here is a good article about the fatboy and the custom, it is a couple years old but is still valuable
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufactur...iew-80622.html
Here are some photos of fatboys with backrests

 

Thanks, and you did answer my questions, I was guessing you could but a salesperson I talked to was unsure, Must have been a new guy. ....

I love the looks of the fatboy, will def check it out when I go up.

 

In this forum on the home page their is a section in the middle of the page that say's
MOYORCYCLE PICTURES by MODEL

there's over 2000 replies for FATFBOYS


That should give U enough to look at......

 

One thing i fell in love with the softails is you sit "IN" a softail and "ON" a touring. Just my 2 cents.

 

Cool & remember a salesperson is just that a salesperson sometimes they know what you want to hear and they tell you that... Good luck and get us pics when you pick up your new bike

 

As the others have said, yes you can have a single seat, a 2-up seat, or both with back rest on a fatboy. Also look at the Hertiage models b/c they are basically a FatBoy with other stuff added (bags, seat, windscreen, etc). But more importantly, if your salesperson didnt know something as basic as seats, then talk to a different salesperson.

 

One big difference is do you want forward controls or floorboards. I just bought an 09 Fatboy I was looking at the Customs as well. After sitting on both decided floorboards were for me.

 

Here's an idea. If the dumb@ss who's job it is to represent to the customer only one brand of MC, but isn't sure about putting a sissybar/backrest on those bikes that he paid to know about; then you should turn around walk out & go some place else where the manager/owner doesn't make it practice of hiring morons.
That's just my two cents, but I like to hold people accountable for their chosen professions. I've seen ignorance put people in the grave so I don't have much of a stomach for it. Welcome to the fold and post pics on what you decide.

 

it's purely styling and feel. sit on them both and drive them, the feel of them both is in the design of the bike and will be with you as long as you own the bike. the rest can be added on later.