Downsizing to a Fat Boy?
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,388
Likes: 132
From: Baltimore, MD
Downsizing to a Fat Boy?
OK, so I posted this question in the Softail section, knowing I would get responses from people that loved their Softails. Especially their Fat Boys. Now I'm posting it here, to get the "other side" answers.
Does anyone have experience "downsizing" from a touring bike to 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. I'd be going from a 96 engine to an 88. And probably a 6 speed to 5?
If you've owned or ridden both, I'd love to hear your experience!
Thanks,
Steve
Does anyone have experience "downsizing" from a touring bike to 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. I'd be going from a 96 engine to an 88. And probably a 6 speed to 5?
If you've owned or ridden both, I'd love to hear your experience!
Thanks,
Steve
I started on a Fatboy Lo. I put close to 15000 miles on it. I rode it 24 hours to Daytona and 10 hours to Sturgis. It drove and handled great. Then I test rode a Street Glide. It was like moving to a cadillac from an Impala. I would definetly ride one before you trade.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
They're two very different bikes. Rode my Fatboy 60 miles today then immediately rode my Ultra. The Fatboy is a heavy cafe cruiser/bar hopper so to speak. Great looks, fast (well mine is but it's pretty modified) and low but I wouldn't want to ride it across country anymore (been to Sturgis and Alaska on it) - I'm getting too old for that ****.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 810
Likes: 1
From: East Alton IL
Owned several Softails myself they have a more clean look to them... and it's not as wide or as high in the saddle area you sort of sit "down" in the bike the vibes at idle are almost none... but having said that... I always found it to be a bit of a chore to stay in the saddle for a whole tank of gas... that and while the vibes are way down over the Evo's do a nice long hour run at 70+ plus and you hands WILL be a little numb, never owned a Fatboy BUT I have owned a couple of V-Rods and I will never go near a solid disc wheel bike again they act too much as their own steering device in a cross-wind.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 9
From: Woodinville, WA
Had an evo Fatboy back in the 90s. Now that was a rough ride. Only once have I ever had cross wind concerns in over 20 years of continuous Fatboy ownership. I believe this issue is overstated. If the cross wind is that strong you probably need to pull over and stop riding.
Last edited by davessworks; Jun 3, 2013 at 01:31 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 434
From: PA
I agree with this, test drive a SG, you will probably take it home..
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 349
Likes: 1
From: Central Florida
Like one of your earlier responses, I started with a FatBoy Lo. After almost a year I added a Street Glide. Now I love my FatBoy and wouldn't think if getting rid of it but......Had I gotten the Street Glide first, I don't know that I would have gotten a second bike. IF I had to choose today, it's almost a given that the Street Glide would stay.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 907
Likes: 8
From: Greeneville, TN
I had a Fat Boy in the 90s, yes it was a bit of a vibrator. I really liked the bike. My wife was uncomfortable on the touring seat. I never had an issue with the solid wheels in cross-winds, wondered if I was just not noticing something. I went from the Fat Boy to my first Touring bike in 2007, I like my touring rides (2) but I do miss my Fat Boy.
Ride on.
Ride on.
