I have a friend (yes, just one) and he is looking to buy a Fatboy. Which year should he stay away from? I gather that 07 and newer is better from reading some posts, but are there any issues with 07 and newer that he should watch for. He wants me to test drive an 07 with the 6 speed because he does not know if it shifts "normally". (I come from a 10 RK with the 6 speed and what was a stock 96). He is coming from a sporty so the difference for him is a lot.

Thanks for any replies.

 

Ha! You will get a lot of opinions here. So here's mine:
Almost every year has some issues so he should sort them out and find out if the owner has fixed them.
With him coming off a Sporty he may be happier with a touring bike like your RK.
Not knocking Fatboys but he may like the RK handling better.
BTW I ride an 07 Ultra.

 

I'm a Fatboy guy, I like the ride of a softail over any other models. When you are looking at pre 07 models(03-06), it is a matter of EFI or Carb (disclaiamer... I know bearing, cranks... ect). I like the pre 07 models because of the narrower rear tire. I like the balanced look of the tires being the same size, 150mm. They do have issues, such as the cam chain tensioners.
07 models have an odd looking front tire offset, I guess noisy trannys.
08 and up seem to have fewer complaints.
The biggest issue is the price, $9k or less I would get an efi pre 07 model.
$9k and up, I would get the newest possible.
People are going to give a ton of opinions on 5 vs 6 speed, or 88 vs 96 engines. I can completely understand the argument. I was not happy with my 88 until I changed the cams and installed the bigbore kit.

 

I think the pre 07 fattys are better aesthetically. I'm not a fan of the shorter rear fender on the wide tire. The 96" and 6 speed may be better performance wise but not enough to overcome the looks for me. 07s have an offset on the front wheel that the MOCO cheaped out and modified the fork slider to accommodate. I would avoid that year IMO. Otherwise it really is about aesthetics to me. Pre 07 has the classic unchanged look from the original 1990 style. Thats what I like.

 

Ditto on all that.... got a 09 Fatboy myself and LOVE IT!

 

And I wouldn't own one without the wide rear tire... love mine and no complaints. The front wheel offset is so overblown - I challenge anyone to notice it when the bike is running down the road. IMHO, you really have to look for it to notice, and even then...

I would have no problem buying another '07, but I don't have to since I still have mine!

Roger

 

What he said!!! Most folks don't even notice the fork offset, I like the wide rear tire (mostly the look) and that's the first I've heard or read about the tranny noise. Mine is smooth and quite. BTW nice looking RK!

 

2000-2006 or 2008 or newer. The 07's had a few issues which were fixed on the 08's.

 

have you're "friend" get the 2012....tell him to open up his cheack book and stop being a cheap ***.....j/k

 

I say get the 2012!!! Big rear tire and big 103 engine! Plus no issues with this year! Cant go wrong.