09 FATBOY/ PROS and CONS
R.I.P. BROTHER
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,076
Likes: 6
From: Colorado Springs
I think the cons on any of the late model Harleys is the power or lack thereof that they produce off the showroom floor.
Its not just that a stocker is too quiet. They feel gutless.
The truly power hungry will drop 4-5-6 grand and up without batting an eye turning a mild mannered stock fatty into a fire breathing beast thats still a reliable bike ready able and willing to carry yer' *** all over the country or down to the local Wal-Mart for the next 10-20 years.
These late model Twin cams are strong runners once cammed correctly with good exhuast and proper fuel management. Better yet with a slight compression boost via' milling the heads or using a higher comp piston.
Stock they are lean and run hot. Stock they have low compression. The stock cams are enviromentally friendly and the stock exhuast isnt gonna sound like the bikes you hear around town.
So if a new fatty quietly makes maybe 70 RWHP and 75LBS TQ on a dyno a mildly modified one with just exhaust and a good air cleaner can easily gain 10% over that, going to the next step being cams and some compression and a fuel management system in the hands of a decent tuner can easily gain 20% over stock. Even farther would be doing a big bore kit with cams, compression, exhuast, air cleaner, fule manager, good tuner and you can add 25-30% over stock whilst still retaining the factory durability and reliability levels.
A well sorted mild mannered off idle 100HP/100TQ Harley is just a night and day different bike to ride and produces constant chit eating grins as you wrinkle the asphalt around town!
The pros are that all the above is relatively cheap and easy.
Go get one.
Its not just that a stocker is too quiet. They feel gutless.
The truly power hungry will drop 4-5-6 grand and up without batting an eye turning a mild mannered stock fatty into a fire breathing beast thats still a reliable bike ready able and willing to carry yer' *** all over the country or down to the local Wal-Mart for the next 10-20 years.
These late model Twin cams are strong runners once cammed correctly with good exhuast and proper fuel management. Better yet with a slight compression boost via' milling the heads or using a higher comp piston.
Stock they are lean and run hot. Stock they have low compression. The stock cams are enviromentally friendly and the stock exhuast isnt gonna sound like the bikes you hear around town.
So if a new fatty quietly makes maybe 70 RWHP and 75LBS TQ on a dyno a mildly modified one with just exhaust and a good air cleaner can easily gain 10% over that, going to the next step being cams and some compression and a fuel management system in the hands of a decent tuner can easily gain 20% over stock. Even farther would be doing a big bore kit with cams, compression, exhuast, air cleaner, fule manager, good tuner and you can add 25-30% over stock whilst still retaining the factory durability and reliability levels.
A well sorted mild mannered off idle 100HP/100TQ Harley is just a night and day different bike to ride and produces constant chit eating grins as you wrinkle the asphalt around town!
The pros are that all the above is relatively cheap and easy.
Go get one.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,415
Likes: 5
From: San Antonio, Republic of TEXAS
if they are as good as the '08s, you'll love it. it has plenty of power, unless you're a speed freak. they're as reliable as anything on the road today. you'll want to consider changing the pipes or adding slip-ons for a little more sound, and adding a fuel managment system - more to keep it running cool than anything.
you don't need a ground shaking bike to turn heads and keep that smile on your face.
do it!!
you don't need a ground shaking bike to turn heads and keep that smile on your face.
do it!!
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
If you can afford it, a new bike rocks! However, their are lots of great deals on used 07's, 08's that already have expensive add on's and still under warranty...
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 7
From: FL & SoCal
The only con is paying the Harley tax when you get it but this holds true for any Harley and it's not like you HAVE to do it but most do.
Other than that, the '09's and FB's in particular are great bikes. No engine difference between an '09 FB or any other Softail for that matter. They all have reliable, powerful, torque driven engines that are virtually identical to each other. The main differences are in styling, cosmetics, ride height, wheels, things like that.
This time of year, you should be able to get an excellent deal on an '09 as the 2010's are just about to be released. Most dealers start the process of clearing out the '09's so you should be able to work with them....Good luck.
Other than that, the '09's and FB's in particular are great bikes. No engine difference between an '09 FB or any other Softail for that matter. They all have reliable, powerful, torque driven engines that are virtually identical to each other. The main differences are in styling, cosmetics, ride height, wheels, things like that.
This time of year, you should be able to get an excellent deal on an '09 as the 2010's are just about to be released. Most dealers start the process of clearing out the '09's so you should be able to work with them....Good luck.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 532
Likes: 15
From: Shelton, WA
The biggest con I had from the day I bought the bike was the friggin seat! That was the first thing to go. Plus, if you're thinking of putting some bags on it, change the exhaust first. Whoever had the idea of running the rear pipe above the passenger peg was smoking something that day. You'll never get any decent size bags on there with the stock pipes. At least that was my reasoning with the wife on why I changed mine. 
Banned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 17,265
Likes: 21
From: Los Angeles, CA
I am sure they are great. I have always been someone who buys used due to financial constraints and a refusal to finance. That being said, If you like the bike...get it. There are plenty of great bikes available that have already had the Harley tax paid on them, but if you are a "new bike" guy I understand. Power is really subjective and depends on what you are used to and how you ride. I did not buy my Harley for power or speed, but to cruise. I spent plenty of years on high powered rice rockets and they were fun. No doubt about it. But I prefer to think I have matured a little and power and speed are no longer my main focus. Get what you want. It is really all about what you think, not us.