I bought my first Harley a few months back now. 2012 Fatboy Lo.
Whilst it was having some upgrade bits put on it the dealer lent me the new Softail Slim for a couple of days.

Now hereīs the problem.

I love the look of the Fatboy. It is everything for me a Harley should be. Big, Bold, Loud, fat rear tyre, but...........

The Slim is way more comfortable for me. Iīm 6ī3" and I can sit further back, and the bars are a little straighter, itīs lighter, and the handling is way better, plus it soaks up the bumps better due to more suspension travel, but it just looks, well a bit skinny.

Iīve re-profiled my FB seat to shift me further back, which has helped a little, but the seat on the Slim is virtually on the fender, which is impossible to do on the FB without repositioning the ECU which involves cutting the wiring loom and adding an extra length of wire. (Why do Harley put the ECU in such a stupid place?)

So I just canīt decide what to do. Spend loads of time on the FB faffing around with soldering, new seats, and bars and stuff, and still not get the desired result maybe, or just trade in for the slim. After all, the first Harley that caught my eye for style was the 48.

Please help me, I feel like Iīm going crazy.

 

Life is short. Make the swap if you can swing it.

Yeah, you can swap shocks, move the Ecu, change the bars, do it cheaper...but clearly there are parts of the Slim style you prefer that you feel will never be equal with the Fat Boy. Your bike is there to make you happy, so don't pull your hair out. Just make yourself happy. Just like a relationship, it may be convienient, but if you're not in love just end it.

 

Sounds like you won't be able to get that Slim off your mind until you get one.

 

Ecu is on my deluxe fender and a barebones seat fit.

You could have your stock seat shaved and re shaped too

http://www.meancitycycles.com/

 

That is what it sounds like to me as well. Go and see if you can test ride one. If it is that much nicer, trade.

 

Which is more important, looks or riding experience? It sounds like you value the riding experience quite a bit and are mature enough to go for the depth of the ride over the shallowness of the looks only. Good luck with your choice.

 

If its comfort because of your height, get a CC solo seat. It moves you back quite a bit. Im 6'2" and that seat was night and day from stock. ymmv with the lo. And, bars make a big diff for tall guys also. I put taller bars on my FB, the bike fits me now. Stock bikes are not designed for tall dudes.

 

Be happy and make the switch otherwise you'll spend money trying to make the Lo fit you and still won't be happy.

 

Prepare to get hosed on the trade of you decide to go that route

 

Yep, you might want to consider selling your FB yourself unless money is no object.

And test ride as many bikes as you can this time so you know you wind up with what you really want this time.