Sorry about the misquote. I try not to do that.

As for choice of fenders, that's a personal thing. I perfer the extra protection of the bigger fender. If you prefer the extra juice so be it. What started this thread was someone asking for pros and cons. In my opinion, the small fender and the solid wheels are cons if a lot of traveling is anticipated.

What would make it better is to take all the stuff off of it and clean it up like the Roadking Custom fender. I have all the junk off of my EG Classic fenders that I could get off without leaving holes showing.

Regards,

Bill

 

Wow, what did I start here! I love it!
Of course I am still debating and throwing the RK into the mix. I won't be buying anything until late winter/early spring, so I should have enough time to figure it out in my head. More than likely I willl just grab what catche smy eye first when the time is right!
I do want throw this into the mix...A fellow rider loves his FB, but he also told me that the solid front wheel will kinda pull you if there is a strong wind, much more than a laced wheel will. This hold any validity?
Keep this post going, exactly the type of comments I wanted when I started the thread:&gt

 

Well, I'd prefer to say that the solid wheel had no effect, but I have to admit that it does. I think its very slight
and of no real significance, but it is there. It doesnt bother me though.
I will be replacing the front wheel with a thunderstar in a couple months when I can afford it.
This is for aesthetic reasons, not because of the wind/solid wheel issue.
I LIKE the thunderstar wheel

Now then, the link in my signiture has been updated with a pic I took today with everything I've done to my Fat Boy.
I LIKE it and IMO it looks nicer than a Heritage

I've added:
Backrest and sissy bar
Standard detachable windshield which I cut down exactly 4 inches.
SE II mufflers
SE Pro air cleaner and breather
Kuryakyn ISO grips
Kuryakyn 4 1/2 inch pullback risers
Teardrop skull mirrors

 

Very nice, and subtle changes. Well done. How did you cut down the windshield down exactly 4 inches, and why? Did they not have a smaller one. I ask cause I need the same setup for my commutes. How are those handlebars compared to the stock? Great bike, mine is the same, except I have the lavaglo.

 

There is a thread in the DIY section on cutting your windshield. It is a piece of cake.

Regards,

Bill

 

What Bill said. Its very easy. Took a little time and patience to get the edge real nice, but well worth it.

I forget if the DIY mentions this, but once you have the edge all sanded smooth, take a rag soaked in MEK (methyl ethyl keytone)
and wipe it along the edge of the lexan where it was cut and sanded. This actually melts the edge and makes it
smooth and clear like the factory edge. Awesome tip.
Just DONT get any on the front or back, it'll scar the lexan.

I cut it because the detachable HD windshields for softtails without passing lamps came in 2 sizes.
The smaller one was not smaller enough at 3 inches shorter and its also lightly smoked which
I didnt want.
I didn't randomly pick 4 inches, though. I sat on the bike and put a piece of tape on the inside
and moved it up and down till I found the exact spot where I wanted the top of the shield to be.
It just happened to be 4 inches from the top.

These ARE the stock handlebars, the only difference is that I replaced the stock risers with kuryakyn 4 1/2"
pullback risers. They lift them up a little higher and bring them back towards me a little more.
BIG difference in comfort. Worth every penny of the measly $59.00 from Kuryakyn

 

Hey ScooterGuitar, as one of the earlier messages suggested, rent each model and ride before making your mind up. It concerns me when someone says his is better for you than another. There are a lot of things to consider. Your size, the area you ride in, etc...etc...etc.... All the bikes you have mentioned are awesome and there is nothing big and Klunky to the Heritage. One glance at a Heritage Classic says "Harley." I love my Heritage, and it loves me!!! Be safe and enjoy this forum, this is the very reason I joined here. A lot of different and very interesting angles for you to consider. But what ever you decide, ride boy, just ride!!!

Lynn

 

I completely agree. Rent 'em and ride 'em. Only you know what really is right for you.


Now....my bike, is one month and 3 days old and I have 1525 miles on it. Make sure you ride regularly.

Have fun.
Dave

 

Very true.
If there was a vote on which bike quintessentially represents all the main characteristics that unmistakenly identify a bike to me as a Harley-Davidson, my vote has always been the Heritage Classic. The fenders, lights, tank, bags, big chrome hub cap in front, big FL forks, studs. These were the impressions I always had as a kid and to this day.

Interesting how both models are so similar yet by differences in wheels, fenders, lights and bags.. They're completely different specimens.

My image of the heritage was derived from some video when I was a kid of some rocknroll band riding through the desert on these old duo glides or something with a big leather tool bag over the headlight and low slung 50's style bars and big fat fenders and spoke wheels... I was just a kid but had enough of that image to say "cheeeezy band.. Gorgeous bike!" The one other bike that strikes me that way is the old Indian Chief.. Oh, and the Springer Classic. There's no mistaking what make a bike is with a springer front end!

The Fatboy is to me a big chunky steamroller of a bike, that's more of a modern military interpretation of the Heritage. In some ways though, the Heritage is more "thick" looking and chromed ala 1950's, but the solid cast wheels make the fatboy more "industrial". Sorry for the silly adjectives. I remember the first time I saw one, in college, I said "Wow, Harley's have gone Mad Max!"

I think I'd like one of all four.. Heritage Classic, Springer Classic, Fatboy and a Road King.
As long as I get to ride... Who cares.. I'll take it.

 

Steamroller? Maybe!

Klunky??? I dont think so

How about "Beefy"?

Lets say its a big beefy steamroller of a bike.
Since its lighter and more streamlined than a heritage classic with saddlebags, windshield, passing lamps
and a full fender, I'm not sure how one could see a Fat Boy as klunky but not a heritage.

Dont get me wrong, if there was no such thing as the Fat Boy I'd be riding a Heritage right now. I do like em.
Just like the Fat Boy more. Its cleaner