Get the Fat Boy and if it is an '08 you should be able to get some $$ off and make a deal...I like the soft tail and my FB because of the rigid mounted engine...no low rpm vibration...and if you get a stage 1 it adds just enough torque and HP and makes it an even smoother ride. Although have to be honest we are looking into adding stage 2 to both our HD's... But not for a long time! Good luck!

 

Get a Fatboy..major upgrade from the sporty. Based off of your post, in the long run- I think you would regret a dresser. Fatboy is a bit more sexy and more enjoyable. That was my first pick until the Rocker came out and I had to buy the wife a house before I got my beauty.

 

Hey all, I had a GREAT ride on the 2008 Fatboy, and the 2006 Road King Custom. Here is my report:

2006 Road King Custom

My first impressions of the RKC was that it was in dire need of some pipes! This bike was extremely quiet, and the dual exhaust sounds much different than the staggered shorties with Cycle Shack slip-ons from my 883 EVO. Compared to this, my bike is LOUD! Going from a bike that weighs 500lbs to a bike that weighs over 700, I was reluctant to just toss the bike around the parking lot like I do with the sportster, so I was very careful heading out of the parking lot.

Seat height seemed a tad taller than the Sportster, but that may be because of the width, I was not fully flat footed, but with a tad of stretch, I could be. At this height, I am 100% capable of handling the bike.

Immediately, I was very happy with the TC88's power, and smooth acceleration, even at half-throttle. I made my first corner from a stop, and the RKC complied. The RKC has mini-Apes, and I Can say that they're very comfortable, I've never ridden a bike with any height of apes, but I liked it.

The grips are some kind of Nostalgic style grip, which I can't say I like very much, very rubbery, and they have a small bulge at the end that I don't like.

The seat was extremely comfortable, and had decent back support. The seat has a slot for a backrest, which would be nice on long runs. I'm definitely not used to looking down to see my speed, or to see if my turn signals are on, but thats something I can get used to.

I got the bike up to 80mph and it seemed to handle it just fine, it took it in stride. The accelleration of the 88" was predictable, and smooth, as was the operation of the transmission. I think if I ended up with this bike I would definitely still want a 6 speed at some point, but it would definitely handle the commute much better than the Sportster.

The brakes were great on the Road King, and it behaved as good or better than the sportster in this regard. I took a couple corners at speed, and was allowed a decent lean angle.

I was very surprised how stable the RoadKing was, even at low speeds, I have to counter-balance my sportster while tight turning in parking lots, I didn't have to do this with the road king as much.

Overall I love this bike, it worked great, and Of all the Road King Models, the Custom seems to fit my non dresser preference.


2008 Fat Boy

This bike has a few upgrades. It has an engine guard with foot rests on the guard. A detachable windshield, detachable sissy bar, passenger floorboards, and screaming eagle slash cut pipes.

The Fatboy was a lot louder than the Road King, but I am still not a fan of the sound, but then again, one of my first mods would be to go to a lower set of pipes, even if it was a set of heritage pipes that I'd modified the baffles on, just something I could clear some large saddlebags on, then later probably some aftermarkets, like V&H or Sampson, or something else.

I'd also add some large bags like you would find on the softail convertible.

It was harder for me to get on this bike, because of the back seat, being a big guy, I'm no gymnist, I can't lift my leg over my head to get over the back of a seat, but once I was on, I was great. The seat height is obviously lower than the Road King, I was completely flat-footed while in the saddle, which is something I like.

The passenger floorboards got in the way of walking the bike around while on it, and I am used to sortof giving my sportster the push off as I bring my feet up to the pegs, the passenger floorboards clocked me in the heels once while I was starting away at the beginning of the ride.. Live and Learn.. Different bike.

The fatboy is definitely more powerful, this is obvious as soon as I twisted the throttle coming out of the parking lot. Right away I felt a little uncomfortable, but I was able to figure out why: The handlebars. They're close to wher ethey'd be pretty comfortable, I'd just have to rotate them forward a little bit. Later though, some mini Apes would be in order.

Turning onto the freeway I leaned the bike over and drug the right floorboard, which I didnt' expect, then again, I'm used to the lean angle capability of my sporty, which is much more.

I accellerated through the gears till I hit 6th, and 80mph, then something funny happened. I let up on the throttle, but the bike kept accellerating. I made sure the throttle wasnt twisted, but the bike kept going. I was coming up on a semi, so I squeezed the brakes, and downshifted. The bike kept pushing against the brakes, so I hit the kill switch, and pulled off the freeway.

Power cycled the bike, and gave the throttle a few twists, and started her back up. The throttle response was back. I rode the bike back to the dealership and let them know what happened. They're going to get the bike in for service.

Overall the Fatboy was very enjoyable, I didn't get to use 6th for very long, and I only got one foot to the engine guard. Before the issue, but I gotta admit, it was really comfortable.

I am still in love with the big fat rear end of the fatboy, and it handled really well even with the wide tire out back.



In conclusion, I am still on the fence, but I have a month or so before I really have to make a solid decision, I love different thinks about the two different platforms. I have really enjoyed the input I've recieved from this thread, and I'm excited to ride a few of the 2010 bikes at the test ride event in October.

 

It has been a blast reading about your search for the next bike.

Dang - that throttle issue on the Fat Boy is scary. I've never heard of it before. Did that bike have the throttle by wire or the old style throttle? I've never ridden one of the newer ones.

Scraping the floorboards on the Fat Boy is kind of a sport for some. The first few times that screeching metal sound will catch ya by surprise but not only do you get used to it, for some reason it becomes fun. Not sure if your passenger will feel the same way about it.

I can see the floorboards getting in the way of walking the bike. I never had to give my bike a push-start to get her away from a light but I can see how it can become an issue backing out of a parking lot. That's probably not something you can get used to... it fits or it doesn't. I think some people remove the boards and go with different controls - but the boards are one of the identifying marks of a Fat Boy.

To me, handlebars are always a trick. Its not like you can change it a dozen times and pick the one that works best for you. I've been through four on my bike and still don't think I have it just right. The beach bars are pretty comfortable (the best feeling bars I've owned so far) but I think they are taking a toll on my back. It will be a while before I can try something different - and then I'll be stuck with them for a while whether I like them or not.

I just put a 6-speed transmission in my bike. Feels nice, doesn't it? I find I still search for the next gear sometimes but that's just me.

Keep us up to date on your search. It's a good story. Your wife sounds pretty cool and very supportive!

 

I believe its still a cable style throttle, I mean I looked at the cables after I stopped, it looked similar to the way my bike is configured, even with the adjustment between the two cables under the grip.

The rider floorboards were not a problem. This bike has passenger floorboards, and it was just wierd having them behind my heels. I don't really mean I push my sportster to go, just as I give it throttle, my legs go back and I lift them up as they go back wit the forward momentum of the bike. Its never been an issue on the sporty. I'd just remove the passenger floorboards unless my wife wanted to go riding. 99% of the time I'm solo, so I'd even be removing the back pillion, and the sissybar.

To give you some background, I removed my sissy bar and pillion off my sportster the day I got it, and its never been back on in a year.

I kinda expected the floorboards to scrape, and in a way, I was trying to find out how far the lean angle on the fatboy went before I'd be scraping, it was pretty predictable, though slightly less of a lean angle than the Road King.

 

the new RK's have a 180 tire, not much smaller than the FB's 200.


At least Ur not rushing in, giving Ur buy plenty of thought..

Having the past experience has helped.

U know 90% what U want.

Have U thought about does either one have something that U don't want.

Sometimes Doing a + - board, U have most info to fill one in.

 

I say screw the fatboy and get a CrossBones. They do sit higher and have a beefer look to them. Not to mention thier appearence "forget about it" baddass.

 

With a 30" inseam a FB-Lo or Deluxe would be a pretty good fit.

And why do we choose Softails? Because as good as all the HD's look, the Softail is the baddest looking *****. And the mods available are unlimited.

 

What color is the RKC? If it is black I would have to get it.

 

Well if I think about both bikes, The thing I didn't like about either of them was the pipes.. Both would have to change. My EVO Sportster sounds badass. So I guess that'd be a - for both of them.

Both the Fatboy and the RKC are red, which admittedly is not my favorite color, but it can be changed, so I'm not worried about it. What I'd really like to do is have whichever one I get painted with that new Street Bob color, Black Ice Denim, that is an AWESOME color. Anyone know the cost of having something like that done?