Road King or Fat Boy?
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: Coolidge AZ
I think I'm one of the best folks on here for you to talk to, because a few months ago, I was in the exact same situation as you are. As you can see below, I chose the Road King. I won't tell you which way to go, but I'll tell you why I made the choice I made.
I loved the look of the fatboy, and what I really wanted was a fat boy that I could put full size saddlebags on, and a removable windshield/fairing on it so I could drive to work, or do light touring or whatever I wanted to do.
I go to ride a Fatboy and a Road king, because they were available, and I was really impressed with how confident and solid the road king felt, and I am with you in enjoying the vibration of the motor on the rubber mounts. I can still make the "Ultimate Convertible" out of it, but I'll always have bags on it, whereas with the fatboy I wouldn't
I've grown attached to the look of the 'King, and the dual exhaust too. I like the full FL fenders, which I didn't think I'd like. I also love the dual front brake rotors.
The thing I don't like is the "Dresser" look of parts of my bike, items which I am planning on changing as soon as possible. I'll go with blank fenders like the SG has, and SG wheels. Oh and the White-walls are going the way of the wind too. I've never been a fan of dressers, so that makes sense.
What I've come to a conclusion of is this:
I should've actually purchased a Street Glide, but My road King will do me just fine once I make the changes I'm looking to make.
I loved the look of the fatboy, and what I really wanted was a fat boy that I could put full size saddlebags on, and a removable windshield/fairing on it so I could drive to work, or do light touring or whatever I wanted to do.
I go to ride a Fatboy and a Road king, because they were available, and I was really impressed with how confident and solid the road king felt, and I am with you in enjoying the vibration of the motor on the rubber mounts. I can still make the "Ultimate Convertible" out of it, but I'll always have bags on it, whereas with the fatboy I wouldn't
I've grown attached to the look of the 'King, and the dual exhaust too. I like the full FL fenders, which I didn't think I'd like. I also love the dual front brake rotors.
The thing I don't like is the "Dresser" look of parts of my bike, items which I am planning on changing as soon as possible. I'll go with blank fenders like the SG has, and SG wheels. Oh and the White-walls are going the way of the wind too. I've never been a fan of dressers, so that makes sense.
What I've come to a conclusion of is this:
I should've actually purchased a Street Glide, but My road King will do me just fine once I make the changes I'm looking to make.
Last edited by ArizonaFalconer; Dec 1, 2009 at 06:33 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 417
Likes: 6
From: Fargo ND
I've had both and I can honestly say the road king is the best bike i've ever owned. I need to change the bars, seat, pipes, air cleaner, cams & tuner. Perfect? No.
It's nice having the bags on there that was my biggest complaint with the fat boy, if it didn't fit in the fork bag I couldn't bring it with.
It's nice having the bags on there that was my biggest complaint with the fat boy, if it didn't fit in the fork bag I couldn't bring it with.
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix
Part of the appeal of the RK for me is the full fenders, spoke wheels & whitewall tires (on the RKC) - and the "convertible" nature - though I do wish it were designed to run w/out bags too. I will probably never want to be without the bags, though, once I've lived with them for a week or so.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 171
Likes: 1
From: central Texas
I wanted a Fat Boy forever, and the Softtail Deluxe was a close second. Everything else was a distant third until I rode them all, and then some, and I found out that The King fit me better. Neither of the Softtails fit me as good as The King. I still love the FB and the SD, and maybe one day I'll get one of them to go with my King, but I like the convertibility and the look of the RK and love the comfort.
I think it's only fair to point out that this is a 'Touring Bikes' thread and that if you posted the same query on the 'Softtails' thread you might get the same percentage of replies urging you to get a FB.
Get what you like and what fits you! My $.02. Ride safe.
I think it's only fair to point out that this is a 'Touring Bikes' thread and that if you posted the same query on the 'Softtails' thread you might get the same percentage of replies urging you to get a FB.
Get what you like and what fits you! My $.02. Ride safe.
Last edited by Yojimbo; Dec 1, 2009 at 08:16 PM.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta, GA
I had a Fatboy before my Streetglide. The Fatboy is a great looking bike, but I get way more satisfaction from the touring models. In hindsight I should have considered the King over the Fatboy, but then again it was my first Harley and I didn't know squat. Now that I am riding a Streetglide I have no regrets about leaving the Fatboy behind. I have a feeling you will be happier with the King, or any of the other touring models.