"Downsizing" to a Fat Boy?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,006
Likes: 1,240
From: On the Front Range, CO
Hmmm...it's apples and oranges.
I have one of each, though my tourer is a fairing bike. It was a SG and is now a RG. My Softail is a Heritage Springer with the FL springer end. So, fat tire.
Anyway, the Softail is a fun bike to ride. I've done some 500 mile days on it, and was sore at the end. It feels light, and I do sit in the bike, and not on it. I can go shield or no shield, and each is fun. But, to me, I don't go to that one for the long, day rides.
My RG is more refined in the ride department. After several days of taking the Springer, when I get back on the RG, it is noticeably more comfortable. What I really love about my touring bike is the flexibility. Bags let me bring anything I need, whether it's to class or on a trip. Tourpak is an option, and I can mount it solo or two up.
I think the Touring bikes are easily handled at low speed, if you remember to use only the rear brake. That's the trick with the heavy bikes.
The bottom line is, each bike is super fun. It has areas that it excels at over the other, and vice versa.
If I had to give one up...it would be the Springer, and I LOVE that bike.
I have one of each, though my tourer is a fairing bike. It was a SG and is now a RG. My Softail is a Heritage Springer with the FL springer end. So, fat tire.
Anyway, the Softail is a fun bike to ride. I've done some 500 mile days on it, and was sore at the end. It feels light, and I do sit in the bike, and not on it. I can go shield or no shield, and each is fun. But, to me, I don't go to that one for the long, day rides.
My RG is more refined in the ride department. After several days of taking the Springer, when I get back on the RG, it is noticeably more comfortable. What I really love about my touring bike is the flexibility. Bags let me bring anything I need, whether it's to class or on a trip. Tourpak is an option, and I can mount it solo or two up.
I think the Touring bikes are easily handled at low speed, if you remember to use only the rear brake. That's the trick with the heavy bikes.
The bottom line is, each bike is super fun. It has areas that it excels at over the other, and vice versa.
If I had to give one up...it would be the Springer, and I LOVE that bike.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 243
Likes: 2
Fortunate enough to have a "13 RK and an "06 Heritage Softail. I love the new RK, don't get me wrong, but the Heritage is set up with factory Hardbags and I did much touring with the Softail both solo and two-up.
The RK has a much more comfortable ride and comfortable for my passenger, but I'm not as comfortable on it. Guess I'm still getting used to it with over 2K on the clock in the last 4 months.
Lot to be said about sitting in a Softail and sitting on the touring bikes like others have mentioned.
The RK has a much more comfortable ride and comfortable for my passenger, but I'm not as comfortable on it. Guess I'm still getting used to it with over 2K on the clock in the last 4 months.
Lot to be said about sitting in a Softail and sitting on the touring bikes like others have mentioned.
As I get older, I often wonder whether I will make the "natural" progression to a touring bike. Comfort is becoming more important than looks. But the more I think about it, the more I realize I don't need a touring bike. I never go on long trips. I ride two up once, maybe twice a year. I have a swingarm bag which is empty all the time. So I don't need the additional storage either. And after riding a friend's 2011 103 SG, I realized I don't care for the way they ride either.
My Fat Boy is just perfect for the kind of riding I do. I absolutely love the way it rides. I love being low to the ground. A few weeks ago I bought a windshield just to see how I'd like it. Needless to say, it hasn't come off the bike.
So in my opinion, if you're going to do a lot of touring, stick with your RK. If you want something more fun and versatile, get a Fat Boy/Heritage/Deluxe.
Stay tuned for my "Pulled the trigger on a Road Glide thread".
My Fat Boy is just perfect for the kind of riding I do. I absolutely love the way it rides. I love being low to the ground. A few weeks ago I bought a windshield just to see how I'd like it. Needless to say, it hasn't come off the bike.
So in my opinion, if you're going to do a lot of touring, stick with your RK. If you want something more fun and versatile, get a Fat Boy/Heritage/Deluxe.
Stay tuned for my "Pulled the trigger on a Road Glide thread".
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 22
grouind hugging
I went from an Road Glide to the Fatboy lo and though the RG had more zip and more storage I'm very happy with Pearl. I'm working on the zip and found the softail to be more maneuverable in the parking lot and a surprisingly good ride compared to the last one I tired(years ago). I have upgraded the rear suspension to the air ride from JD and have installed Road King bags that look like a natural on this bike. I've been touring on it and find it very capable in this regard. My only negative is a slight wobble at about 45 to 50 that's occurred on two different tires. I'm happy and will probably stay with the softail in the future.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 1
From: SC
I had an 08 streetglide. I'm 5'6. It was a little high for my comfort so I dropped lowering blocks on it. It rode very smooth down the highway but a lot of shake sitting. I loved the bike don't get me wrong. Wife was laid off from work so I sold it. Then I got a 06 fatboy loved the ride hated the 5 speed. so after a year of that I sold it and now have the 07 deluxe, 96" better, and 6 speed awesome. What I miss is the fairing with radio. The deluxe is smooth riding and sitting. The handling is pretty well the same to me. One great thing is the deluxe is already a low sitting bike so it fits me perfect. With all that said I'm staying with the deluxe and going to get a batwing. After all a $1800 batwing on $11,000 bike is still cheaper than $20,000 bike.
Novice
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Hiram Ga.
yes i went from ultra classic back down to a 2011 cvo softball conv. best move i ever made softails are a great ride. Lots of power for the weight of the bike
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 7
From: USA
Yes, I went from an ultra limited to a softail. They are differently designed machine. If touring is what you do than a tourer is what you should get or stay with. Softails are designed for crusing and relaxing. The smooth but thumpy counterbalanced engine is wonderful even at freeway speeds (103 engine). The sitting "in" the bike feeling makes it feel like the bike is an extension of you and apart of you. The unobstructed lines makes it a truly classic looking bike. I never read about how much more superior someone thinks their bike is on the softail forum just how much they love they're bikes and how much they love to customize them and ride them. I love my softails and feel no need to really explain why.
Is this what you mean?
Thanks
