"Downsizing" to a Fat Boy?
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 132
From: Baltimore, MD
"Downsizing" to a Fat Boy?
Hi,
Just wondering if anyone has experience "downsizing" from a touring bike t a Fat Boy? I've got a Road King Custom, which I affectionately refer to as my "Fat Boy on Steroids" because while it's a touring bike, the Custom is really a big cruiser. In fact, I was in the market for a Fat Boy when this one caught my eye. I love it, but it IS a big bike. So I'm curious if anyone has dropped down from a RK to a FB and what they thought? Most of my riding is weekend riding - some for several hours. Mostly solo, but some 2 up. Haven't done any multi-day cross country rides. I'd like to hear your experience in handling a FB or another large-front-tire Softail vs. the RK. And was it a big let down in going from a 96 (or bigger) engine to an 88? What about going 6 speed to 5? I *do* use 6 a LOT!
Thoughts?
Thanks,
Steve
Just wondering if anyone has experience "downsizing" from a touring bike t a Fat Boy? I've got a Road King Custom, which I affectionately refer to as my "Fat Boy on Steroids" because while it's a touring bike, the Custom is really a big cruiser. In fact, I was in the market for a Fat Boy when this one caught my eye. I love it, but it IS a big bike. So I'm curious if anyone has dropped down from a RK to a FB and what they thought? Most of my riding is weekend riding - some for several hours. Mostly solo, but some 2 up. Haven't done any multi-day cross country rides. I'd like to hear your experience in handling a FB or another large-front-tire Softail vs. the RK. And was it a big let down in going from a 96 (or bigger) engine to an 88? What about going 6 speed to 5? I *do* use 6 a LOT!
Thoughts?
Thanks,
Steve
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,177
Likes: 62
From: Michigan
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.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 819
Likes: 6
From: Long Island N.Y.
I traded my RKC for a stripped down heritage softail ( dealer turned it into a fatboy )
I miss the power, as the RKC had a stage II 95" and 6speed baker. But the softail is no slouch either and most of all, I find it lighter and easier to maneuver at low speeds. The softail has TC88 with just mild mods- v&h pipes , a/c and power vision. I also do 2up and I don't really miss the 6speed. Ymmv.
Test ride the FB first, and go from there
[URL=http://s36.photobucket.com/user/knightenforcer/media/2001%20Harley%20Heritage%20softail%20classic/IMG_2571_zps8d8190dd.jpg.html]
[/URL
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I miss the power, as the RKC had a stage II 95" and 6speed baker. But the softail is no slouch either and most of all, I find it lighter and easier to maneuver at low speeds. The softail has TC88 with just mild mods- v&h pipes , a/c and power vision. I also do 2up and I don't really miss the 6speed. Ymmv.
Test ride the FB first, and go from there
[URL=http://s36.photobucket.com/user/knightenforcer/media/2001%20Harley%20Heritage%20softail%20classic/IMG_2571_zps8d8190dd.jpg.html]
[/URL-
Last edited by knightenforcer; Jun 2, 2013 at 02:22 PM. Reason: Pics, info
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,501
Likes: 26
From: Sheboygan,Wi
After wrecking my 2006 Street Glide I decided my next bike would be another Fatboy. I was all set to ride away on a 2011 Street Glide when I saw the Fatboy LO and asked to take it on a test ride. 30 min later I was doing the paper work on the Fatboy. I don't do much touring. Mostly one day rides and long weekend rides. Don't ride 2up much anymore as the wife has her own bike. Very happy with my switch to a softail. I love the lower center of gravity and the feeling of being in the bike and not on it.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 279
Likes: 1
From: Philly, PA
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.
Brilliantly put my friend.
I agree 100% with sitting in the bike, i rode my friends RK today and it did feel like i was on the bike, not in it. To me the FatBoy also riders a bit tighter and i feel the road more. RK felt silky smooth but felt like i was riding on a cloud, i didn't feel any connection to the road.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,272
Likes: 48
From: London, England
Street Glide to Fatboy Lo - agree with the others, if you're touring a lot stick with the touring chassis. If you want the "look" and the ability to customise then the Fatty's definitely the way to go
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Tourer
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From: Philly, PA
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Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 132
From: Baltimore, MD
RK's are customizable. The RK Custom a little less so (it was a little different than a standard RK or RKC and they only made it for 4 (I think) model years). The Softails are the most customizable models HD makes. Just so many models and so many after market parts available, you truly can do just about anything.
And thanks for all the comments thus far. Responding to Tailsfrommycrib, your comments were helpful. I wasn't asking you to justify anything and I'm not sure why you thought I was. I wasn't trying to start a debate - I was asking for peoples' experience. Your experience in owning the two models was perfect. Thanks.
And thanks for all the comments thus far. Responding to Tailsfrommycrib, your comments were helpful. I wasn't asking you to justify anything and I'm not sure why you thought I was. I wasn't trying to start a debate - I was asking for peoples' experience. Your experience in owning the two models was perfect. Thanks.