Softail slim vs fatboy lo 2014 edition
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 552
Likes: 70
From: Bellevue Washington
Thanks BMM. I wasn't discounting the slim. I was just worried that the cost to get it to where I wanted to be was going to outweigh the price difference between the Slim and the Lo.
Now there's also a Breakout in the mix... You guys are hard on a wallet...
Now there's also a Breakout in the mix... You guys are hard on a wallet...
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
I put one on last December to extend my riding season a bit and it ruined me.
It hasn't been off since...
But I did manage to get out and ride every month last winter, fwiw...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,501
Likes: 26
From: Sheboygan,Wi
Both a great bikes. I favor the Lo for obvious reason. Like most softails it only takes a few minutes to go from a two up to a cool looking solo ride. Go ride them both the make a decision. Good luck.
Banned
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
I had the same choice to make. I even got a Better deal on the lo, making it a harder decision. In the end, it came down to style, and I love whitewalls, and a retro look. So I went with the slim. I have no regrets and very happy with my slim. It's actually an easy decision if you think about style - they very different styles on the frame. Hope that helps and good luck.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 863
Likes: 2
From: spain and uk
I own the FB Special.
I have had a loan Slim for the weekend.
The FB Lo is lower than the Special, as basically the Special is the Lo without being lowered for the European market, and just has the Lo paint etc.
The over riding difference between the two is that the Slim handled way way better than the FB. The ground clearance was about the same, which is the limiting factor, but the feel of the Slim was way better. I think it's due to the lighter weight and skinny tyres. The riding position was more aggressive on the Slim. Since borrowing it I reworked the seat on mine to achieve a similar position. However on long journeys the FB is better, more support from the seat as it's wider, same is true of the pillion seat. I have been across France and Spain top to bottom 3 times.
If two up riding was a big factor I definitely wouldn't go softail for lots of reasons.
The FB looks so much bigger over all though, and is the main reason I still have it. My GF laughed when I turned up on the Slim and said it looked like a toy underneath me. I am tall and skinny. She wouldn't believe it was the same frame and engine.
So if you want first class handling and light weight get the slim.
If you are a poser like me, want the big Terminator look and want long distance comfort from a softail, go FB.
I'm sure you'll be stoked with either.
I have had a loan Slim for the weekend.
The FB Lo is lower than the Special, as basically the Special is the Lo without being lowered for the European market, and just has the Lo paint etc.
The over riding difference between the two is that the Slim handled way way better than the FB. The ground clearance was about the same, which is the limiting factor, but the feel of the Slim was way better. I think it's due to the lighter weight and skinny tyres. The riding position was more aggressive on the Slim. Since borrowing it I reworked the seat on mine to achieve a similar position. However on long journeys the FB is better, more support from the seat as it's wider, same is true of the pillion seat. I have been across France and Spain top to bottom 3 times.
If two up riding was a big factor I definitely wouldn't go softail for lots of reasons.
The FB looks so much bigger over all though, and is the main reason I still have it. My GF laughed when I turned up on the Slim and said it looked like a toy underneath me. I am tall and skinny. She wouldn't believe it was the same frame and engine.
So if you want first class handling and light weight get the slim.
If you are a poser like me, want the big Terminator look and want long distance comfort from a softail, go FB.
I'm sure you'll be stoked with either.
On the softail side of life I've narrowed my choices down to the softail slim and the fatboy lo. These two bikes have shown the most beautiful (to me) customs and enthusiastic owners on this forum. I'm a blacked out type of guy, and these bikes have it in spades.
I'm looking for a bike that's fun to ride around town and the back roads, could accommodate the little lady for a nice putt, and could be set up for a nice long weekend ride.
The cost of the slim is really attractive, but I'm kinda so-so on the rear wheel in the looks department, but I've heard it makes the bike handle a bit easier. The seat is supposedly not very roomy or comfortable, and harley discontinued black denim (bastards). And no lie, socalslim's bike is just amazing.
The fatboy lo was my first love in the harley world. Black denim paint, cast wheels, and a large seat with a passenger pillion are all major positives. They seem a bit more prevalent around here. Then there's the cost. Much higher.
I know neither of the bikes have much in the way of lean angle, but I'm not looking to burn up the corners.
I'm looking for a bike that's fun to ride around town and the back roads, could accommodate the little lady for a nice putt, and could be set up for a nice long weekend ride.
The cost of the slim is really attractive, but I'm kinda so-so on the rear wheel in the looks department, but I've heard it makes the bike handle a bit easier. The seat is supposedly not very roomy or comfortable, and harley discontinued black denim (bastards). And no lie, socalslim's bike is just amazing.
The fatboy lo was my first love in the harley world. Black denim paint, cast wheels, and a large seat with a passenger pillion are all major positives. They seem a bit more prevalent around here. Then there's the cost. Much higher.
I know neither of the bikes have much in the way of lean angle, but I'm not looking to burn up the corners.
Sounds like you're torn just like I was. Just take your time and compare side by side pics. the reason why I went with the slim is because I dont like the cast wheels on the lo and I wasn't fond of the long rear fender on the fatboy lo. But like others said, I hear the FB is a lot more comfortable to ride over long distances vs the slim.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,297
Likes: 2,392
From: Florida
I'm kind of in an interesting position...
My wife's '10 Lo, and my '13 Slim.
Since both are set up for solo riding only, I cannot comment on riding 2-up. I do know that my experience with other softails is that they ride great with a passenger.
A good portion of my riding is on back country roads - curvy, hilly. My wife rides that Lo like she stole it. Great bike for around town and the back roads. I think the Slim handles just a little better through the corners. There is no problem riding in the tight, fast brigade formation with my club on either bike - they both are agile and powerful enough to more than handle that aggressive riding.
As for customization, I think both bikes are outstanding platforms for making your scoot YOUR scoot. Look through both the "Slim pics" and the "calling all Lo Owners" threads, and you'll have enough ideas to make your head swim.
I prefer the narrower (140) tire on the Slim to the wide (200) tire on the Lo. It wears better, and lasts longer. I'm harder on the bikes than my wife is - and she rides aggressively. I weigh twice what she does, and I twist that throttle and hit those corners harder. I'll still get 1k more out of a tire.
The Lo comes set up for 2-up riding. The Slim - no. You will have to do a seat and pegs at a minimum to get a passenger on a Slim. That extra expense is FAR from the additional cost of the Lo vs. the Slim, but it does close the gap a little bit.
Comparing stock seats, I like the Lo's seat. It works great for my wife, and nice enough for me. I dislike the Slim's seat. Eventually, it will probably have to go. Tried a Mustang Wide Solo, and it lasted 3 seconds. They make great seats, but this one on that bike did not fit me worth a damn, and looked equally bad. Waiting for impressions and photos of a DG Solo Buttcrack seat... About 300 miles is my absolute limit on the stock seat. Mods may make that a non-issue - the addition of a Shotgun Shock, moving the controls forward a couple of inches, and swapping for apes may alter the seat position (or, rather ME on the bike) so that the pressure and angles is different.
I think our general impressions of both bikes is that, comparing a stock bike to a stock bike, the Lo is a little bit more comfortable, but the Slim is a bit more nimble. If I had to chose one over the other, I'd have a hard time making the call.
I own both, obviously. My wife had a 1200C and I had a RKC. We wanted an in-between bike - a lighter bike I could fly around town on, and a bigger bike that would serve her well on the longer trips. Once she got on the Lo, she really never wanted to get back on the Sporty. I still wanted another bike to fill that role for me, and loved the bad-*** blacked out, mean machine that the Lo is, and I had a vision of what I wanted the bike to become. The Slim was my best option for a blank canvas to work from, so we picked one up. The Sporty and The Road King are still in the garage, but have not seen much use since picking these two up. The Sporty is up for sale, and the RK will be pulled out in favor of the Slim now, since it's gotten cold and nasty out.
I don't know how useful any of that rambling is to you... if I can answer anything more specific, I'll give it a shot.
My wife's '10 Lo, and my '13 Slim.
Since both are set up for solo riding only, I cannot comment on riding 2-up. I do know that my experience with other softails is that they ride great with a passenger.
A good portion of my riding is on back country roads - curvy, hilly. My wife rides that Lo like she stole it. Great bike for around town and the back roads. I think the Slim handles just a little better through the corners. There is no problem riding in the tight, fast brigade formation with my club on either bike - they both are agile and powerful enough to more than handle that aggressive riding.
As for customization, I think both bikes are outstanding platforms for making your scoot YOUR scoot. Look through both the "Slim pics" and the "calling all Lo Owners" threads, and you'll have enough ideas to make your head swim.
I prefer the narrower (140) tire on the Slim to the wide (200) tire on the Lo. It wears better, and lasts longer. I'm harder on the bikes than my wife is - and she rides aggressively. I weigh twice what she does, and I twist that throttle and hit those corners harder. I'll still get 1k more out of a tire.
The Lo comes set up for 2-up riding. The Slim - no. You will have to do a seat and pegs at a minimum to get a passenger on a Slim. That extra expense is FAR from the additional cost of the Lo vs. the Slim, but it does close the gap a little bit.
Comparing stock seats, I like the Lo's seat. It works great for my wife, and nice enough for me. I dislike the Slim's seat. Eventually, it will probably have to go. Tried a Mustang Wide Solo, and it lasted 3 seconds. They make great seats, but this one on that bike did not fit me worth a damn, and looked equally bad. Waiting for impressions and photos of a DG Solo Buttcrack seat... About 300 miles is my absolute limit on the stock seat. Mods may make that a non-issue - the addition of a Shotgun Shock, moving the controls forward a couple of inches, and swapping for apes may alter the seat position (or, rather ME on the bike) so that the pressure and angles is different.
I think our general impressions of both bikes is that, comparing a stock bike to a stock bike, the Lo is a little bit more comfortable, but the Slim is a bit more nimble. If I had to chose one over the other, I'd have a hard time making the call.
I own both, obviously. My wife had a 1200C and I had a RKC. We wanted an in-between bike - a lighter bike I could fly around town on, and a bigger bike that would serve her well on the longer trips. Once she got on the Lo, she really never wanted to get back on the Sporty. I still wanted another bike to fill that role for me, and loved the bad-*** blacked out, mean machine that the Lo is, and I had a vision of what I wanted the bike to become. The Slim was my best option for a blank canvas to work from, so we picked one up. The Sporty and The Road King are still in the garage, but have not seen much use since picking these two up. The Sporty is up for sale, and the RK will be pulled out in favor of the Slim now, since it's gotten cold and nasty out.
I don't know how useful any of that rambling is to you... if I can answer anything more specific, I'll give it a shot.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 862
Likes: 2
From: WI
Here's another photo, to give some perspective:
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 60
From: Los Angeles
I'm obviously biased. But I'll hazard an opinion.
SLLLLIIIIIMMMMMMM!
Just kidding.
Depends on your likes and dislikes, man. You can't go wrong with a FatBoy. It's a staple of the Harley line for a reason, and a great looking, muscular bike.
That said, I really dig the bobber vibe going on with the Slim. It's a really nimble bike, and pretty quick off the line for a Harley since it's so stripped down.
People constantly ask me what type of Harley it is. I tell them, and their usual reaction is they want one.
Mine has been incredibly reliable. Easy to work on. And the modding options seem right up there with any Harley, actually. The thing about it though is it really doesn't need many mods. Less is more with it, IMHO. It has a classic profile and is the best looking bike on the showroom floor, at least in my eyes.
Have fun with your choice.
SLLLLIIIIIMMMMMMM!
Just kidding.
Depends on your likes and dislikes, man. You can't go wrong with a FatBoy. It's a staple of the Harley line for a reason, and a great looking, muscular bike.
That said, I really dig the bobber vibe going on with the Slim. It's a really nimble bike, and pretty quick off the line for a Harley since it's so stripped down.
People constantly ask me what type of Harley it is. I tell them, and their usual reaction is they want one.
Mine has been incredibly reliable. Easy to work on. And the modding options seem right up there with any Harley, actually. The thing about it though is it really doesn't need many mods. Less is more with it, IMHO. It has a classic profile and is the best looking bike on the showroom floor, at least in my eyes.
Have fun with your choice.