ok, guys...I need an honest opinion.....what I don't want is bashing, flaming, etc., nor opinions from people who only ride less than 5K miles a year. I need true honest real world opinions here. I ride about 20K miles per year...in fact, I generally look for an excuse to use a bike instead of one of my vehicles. I am not prejudiced against manufacturers, as I have owned Jap bikes, German bikes, Italian bikes as well as a few Harleys....

The Fat Boy and the VTX are the 2 bikes that I have narrowed my choices to....they both have big front ends, are low slung, and have plenty of beef to them. I like the looks of both, and I am not put off by the radiator...Harley will be running radiators soon according to a friendly source. So, to add a few more points, I have a couple of friends who own VTX's and they have had virtually no problems mechanically. Unfortunately, they all ride only about 5K a year, which doesn't give me long term results. My harleys never went over 50K without a total rebuild......that means every 2 years or so my bike needs to be rebuilt? Not what I want, so....any one here have a Fat Boy with high mileage? What problems were there?

Part of the problem is I live in south Florida where it is brutally hot most of the year. Yeah, we have winter...about 2 days of wind chill factors in the 70's..LOL, but it is hot. That is a challenge for aircooled motors. With that said, most riding will be everyday-type stuff with occassional long weekends and a long range trip at least once a year, especially to visit my 21 yr old at Ft Campbell since he comes home from Baghdad next month and doesn't deploy back again for a year. Unless the Army changes their mind and sends the 101st somewhere before then....

Now it is up to you guys to give me some real advice, opinions,etc, but only if you know what I am looking for. Nothing personal against the other riders, but since I am a weapons consultant for LE, miltary, and government agencies, I know when my opinions are neutral and when they are biased....I am looking for constructive, not biased. I already know the biased answer...Fat Boy...after all, I am on the Harley forums....duh...LOL

I am sitting back, putting on the popcorn, and waiting for your help.

Frank

 

I'd take a Yamaha Roadstar 1700 or 1900cc or variant before the VTX...the Roadstar is the closest (distant second) thing to a softail,

However...and a big however...after the import bikes have come and gone....it's a 04 FatBoy that you'll see me riding..

I've heard the twin cams should last approx 100K before a rebuild.

I asked a pilot once what he preferred to fly....he said one of those old an open-cockpit biplanes...that was enough for me...

 

Total rebuild as in "top end" cylinders, pistons and/or heads?

I do know one friend with a 91 heritage with 90k miles that just did his first top end rebuild because it was starting to burn some oil. I also know people with 20k or so that have had issues. I think it's the level of diligence in service, the type of oil and the general TLC you give the harleys. They do require love.. As you see here there are heated discussions just on the brand of oil and tranny fluids to use. I can vouch for statements by others that using Mobil 1 V-Twin has lessened the engine temperature in my own bike (admitted opinion). I believe it takes longer on the road to get up to full temp compared to the standard H-D oil or their Syn 3, and I'm pretty convinced it's running cooler, but will admit I don't have a guage to tell.

And there's the issue with the cam chain tensioners on the new TC engines. I'm not so sure they have the issue ironed out on the new 96's.. At 25-30k miles or so, it's a definite I'm planning to get rid of the chain altogether to go with an S&S gear driven cam setup.

But for the most part, if you keep the cubic inches stock and don't mess too much with hop-ups other than maybe exhaust and the fuel/air or carb setup, the newer harleys should last for some very long miles.. With those kind of miles, I'd definitely just plan on the extended warranty.. Just eliminate the worry of expenses down the road. One thing also I think that inhibits the harleys when they're stock is the high level of RPMs they run on highway speeds.. The new 07's now have 6-speeds and I think an overdrive compensator sprocket combination to lower high gear RPM's. There are some criticisms though (on the other hand) due to being helical gears, etc. I wouldn't sweat it if you shift nicely and generally treat the bike well.

Not opposed to your VTX idea for reliability.. typically can't kill hondas.. I just never could get beyond the way their V-twin sounds/runs.. There's something about the single pin crank 45 degree V-twin.. It's an animal all it's own and a gorgeous growel to listen to at that. I often tell folks if I were going to a Japanese V-twin, I'm partial to the big Yamahas because of the engine.. I think I remember a rumor that H-D even sued them and won because of the design similarities (that's totally unconfirmed). But they sound and run very close to the H-D engine vs. the Hondas. For a smooooooooth engine, Honda had a terrific bike in the valkerie.. Too bad they only offer the engine in that silly overpriced Rune.. Had more than one person show me the nickel on it's side test when they started it up.. They were heavy beasts, but very very smooth and I would guess pretty reliable if the "smooth = reliable" equation works there.

But honestly, for long long miles of abuse, the beemer guys are kind of like McIntosh computer users.. very ademately sold on their bikes. They hold a lot of oil and the boxer engine is strong as a mule.. Too bad they're not into cruisers.. infact I think they just discontinued the base 1200 cruiser except for a model setup for touring.. which might not be a bad thing for you on all those miles..

http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/bikes/bike.jsp?b=r1200cl



For other V-Twins, how about a Victory? I can't comment on them, but the newer drivetrains look very promising and their big tease on the victory boards are how much more reliable they are from the H-D's.

Sorry, may not be what you're after.. lots of opinions and hearsay, but it's a good discussion.. couldn't resist.

 

thanks Abert, I guess it is obvious I am leaning towards the Fat Boy, but I also know a few of the big name custom builders are bi***ing that Honda will not sell them a VTX 1800cc motor....having talked to a couple of them, they said that the motor is almost bullet-proof, and is ripe for VERY reliable, streetable high performance. That said, I am getting older, just turned 50, and I really don't ride like that anymore...was just looking for info.

I have been riding a friends customized 03 Gold Wing that is running over 150hp at rear wheel with a custom stereo at 240 watts and this thing just screams...and solid as hell!! But I refuse to buy a Gold Wing....too many buttons, and I am not old enough!!!! LOL

Frank

 

FUNNY---my first choice was the VTX 1800F model. I researched that thing to a T and then decided to get the Deluxe. I'm glad I did too. But I wont bash that Honda because it caught my eye. I come from crotch rockets just months ago so I consider my opinion unbiased. I say get what you want and what suits your needs and your pockets. I just decided to go Harley because I had the Iraq money to purchase it at the time. As far as the radiator is concerned. I saw people at Myrtle Beach cutting off just as much as me and they had radiators (water cooled)---------my last crotch rocket had a radiator and it cut off at Myrtle Beach also sitting there in traffic. I had a small problem with the heat sitting in traffic; but an oil cooler would help that some. I liked the sporty look (kinda like a crotch rocket) at the time of the VTX F model.............buuuuuttttt---that Fatboy has a big a@# back tire now. Go with your gut man. I do know this---If I had bought the Honda I would be mad now. Mostly because of the reputation, prestige, and recognition that comes with my HOG..............plus, yes---I love the ride; It rides great, sounds great, and looks great I don't think the most expensive or most well known is always the best----but I wont be trading my HOG for a Honda. I hope that was unbiased enough. Good luck

 

My last V-Twin was a VTX1800c. They are great machines. Powerful, gobs of torque, and Honda quality is tough to beat. I still have a Honda VFR800 in the garage. Talk about an amazing machine....

Ok, I could have had another VTX when I ponied up for the Harley, but I opted for the Harley anyway for a few reasons:

1) While the VTX looks cool, Harley has the whole 50's custom look going on with the RK Custom and I couldn't get past that. Nothing else compares to it in style as far as I'm concerned (Granted, this is opinion, but it's my view). If I had mad money, there'd be a Fat Boy in the garage next to the RK Custom. FB's are very cool looking IMHO.

2) I've been on motorcycles for 20 years. I've owned Kawasaki's, Honda's, Suzuki's, Yamaha's, but never a Harley. I wanted to experience the American Motorcycle.

3) Potato-potato-potato-potato (nuff said)

4) As fantastic as the VTX motor is, the chassis is a limiting factor. Yes, it's fast, but the best way to take advantage of it is in a straight line ie On the highway. After riding the VTX for a couple of years, I realized it was rare that I took full advantage of the motor, so displacement was not much of an issue in this decision. I think Big V-twin cruisers are useless for going fast in real twisties, they just don't have the clearance, so my HD is a cruiser, that's it.

5) I put progressive springs, corbin seat, and grips on my VTX, but never could get comfortable on long haul trips (over 300 miles). On my RK Custom, I've done 450 in a day and would have happily done another 2-300.

6) 3 Gallon tank on the VTX = 100 mile range. As big as that tank looks, that is just wrong. 200 miles minimum between fillups for me thanks.

I grew up in Ft. Lauderdale, so I know how the weather is down there. All summer long my RK heat management has kicked in two or three times. All in Pigeon Forge TN while stuck in traffic. Given your heat conditions, the water cooled VTX is a plus. Given the traffic conditions you described and the heat, it's a big plus, but it sounds like you already know this, and it sounds like you already know what you want.

Like so many others will say, "buy what makes you happy and ride it".

Let us know how it turns out,

John

PS vtxoa.com is a VTX forum on par with hdforums for VTX info. You should check it out to see the issues VTX owners live with.

 

I echo the vtx forum----I spent many hours there looking at issues with the VTX. It's your money--spend time doing the research

 

.. hehehe.. Perfect! Well put jmxp.. compared to my long-winded diatribe about 45 degree single pin V-Twins.

"Brevity is the soul of wit."
- William Shakespear

 

Hell, Babs----u did it............................Man, go get the FATBOY.........sorry, I'm biased now. For an unbiased review, scroll to the top and see my other response

 

Babs,

You mentioned an HD lawsuit against Honda for the single pin design/copy. If memory serves, the VTX1300 is the motor you're referring to and I do remember talk about the lawsuit.