Fatboy LO, softail general ?

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Aug 28, 2009 | 11:06 AM

k&j eglide

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Joined: Apr 2009

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Fatboy LO, softail general ?

My wife wants a new bike, specifically something with more rider comfort at highway speed than her Sportster. Move will be into a new 96 C.I. 6 speed. We have until the end of Jan. 2010 for trade-in on Sportster. So far, good starting point has been Dyna SG Custom but she has sat on the new Fatboy Lo and thought it was easier to center and hold up than the Dyna. My first question is, aside from a different seat configuration and lowering, do Fatboy Lo's (and all Softails from a frame/powertrain configuration standpoint) have a lower center of gravity than Dyna's? I'm 6'3" so for me, it doesn't matter but she's 5'4". We don't have a Dyna available with shortened suspension and a different seat that she can compare to a Softail. I'm having a hard time justifying the $3400 price difference if I can achieve the same result on a Dyna for considerably less money. Future alterations to anything beyond seat hgt will be windshield and bags, so a stock Road King, at $600 more than the Fatboy,could also be a good start.

Aug 28, 2009 | 11:26 AM

mke125125

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Joined: Jan 2008

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have her look at the deluxe also. I have an 07 and its very low and easy to ride. if you add bags and a sheild,she'll be ready to go cross country!

Aug 28, 2009 | 12:51 PM

Kojax

Grand HDF Member

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 4,677

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From: haverhill mass

i am looking at the 2010 fatboy to have not see one in person yet.....i had a 2009 lowrider somebody hit me from behinde the bike is gone.....trying to figure out the nexet bike to get..i am small 5/7 130 pounds every harley seems heavy to me......my lowrider was nice and easy to ride they do not make that modle no more.......i hope to see the new fatboy soon could be my nexet bike if it is not to big for me**

Aug 28, 2009 | 01:08 PM

jbg

Road Warrior

Joined: Sep 2008

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From: Irvine, Orange County, Ca

The Dyna's are really nice and I've been looking at one myself, however they don't have floorboards and there's several more differences that are very nice to have. Before you go for the Dyna based only on price, you may want to get a list of all the differences and see what your wife thinks? You may be sorry if you jump on the Dyna and then she has you making LOTS of upgrades that would have come standard on the Softails. I'm also 5'4" and went with the Deluxe.

Aug 28, 2009 | 01:15 PM

lightweight bob

Road Master

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 1,148

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From: Banning, CA

The Deluxe - second that

Aug 28, 2009 | 01:51 PM

Buellrunner

Cruiser

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 122

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From: Toronto

Im 5"4 and I ride a Heritage lowered 1 inch in the back and I installed Chubby WO508 bars on my bike to create what I find to be perfect distance ergonomics.

The Deluxe is built with short legs and arms in mind....great and beautiful ride as well....

I would advise test rides of the following bikes -
1. Deluxe
2. Heritage
3. Streetglide (youd be surprised)
4. Roadglide Custom

They are all low, and with handlebar mods, can fit any shorter rider....