New HD Fat Boy 15th Anniversary

[BigEd]

Hello guys!



I'm thinking about buying a harley. I've always wanted one and I'm not getting any younger. I'm looking at a new Fat Boy 15th anniversary. It comes with the screamin eagle big bore kit, which gives it 95 cubic inches vs 88, chrome wheels, 14k gold trim. The dealership will sell it for list ($19670), plus set up, which we are going to negotiate. I'm 6'2" at 255 lbs, I'm a powerlifter, so I'm not fat (at least not too fat). Would this be comfortable for a 4 hour ride? Or should I look at a road king or an electraglide



I appreciate any info you can give me.

 

[JFinke]

Depends on your back and what seat you put on it. Most people don't like the looks of a back rest but they really make them a lot more comfortable to ride. I also always add a windshield to mine, but a quick removable one for looking good around town. I'm about to get another one and I'm not sure wheather I'll get a fat boy or a heritage softail classic. I got rid of mine when I started having kids, and now he's 12 and I need one again. You may want to rent one for a day and make sure you like it. Some dealers around here will rent bikes by the day and take the rental price off if you purchase a bike from them. They won't let you test ride a new one, but you can ride/rent one from the rental fleet. Even if you get the wrong one you can usually trade it for the right one for about what you gave. Jake

 

[Bill Lins]

If you're looking for a comfortable long-distance bike, get a Gold Wing.

 

[tractorseller]

My brother's on his second Harley (Road King). Nothing but problems with both of them, but he likes them for some reason. I think it's the nostalgia thing and the big rally up in South Dakota every year .



If you compare them to a Yamaha or a Honda there is no comparison in quality. Can't argue with success though I guess.



Any of the big bikes will haul an overweight powerlifter around with no problems :-laf . I've ridden both my brother's bikes and they have more than enough power, even for a slender 240 pound guy like me who used to power lift until I ended up in the hospital a few years ago with needles in my spinal column, MRIs, and CT scans after a heavy set of squats broke something in my head . If I was going to take any 4 hour rides on a Harley I'd get the Road King. The smaller ones will beat you to death on a long trip and you'll wish you had a big road machine. Then, when you're running around town, you'll wish you had one of the lighter machines because the Road King takes a country mile to turn and handles terribly. My vote is for you to get two Harleys - one for trips and one for running around town .

 

[SGibson]

Rubber mount bikes seem to be the favorite for long rides and IMO hang together better for the long runs, bulbs,bit parts, etc.

 

[DKayser]

Well, I would.........

Buy the Electra Glide Standard instead. Less money than a RK,and rubber mounted with more suspension than a Softtail. My brother HAD a 98 Fat Boy & a 98 Electra Glide Classic. The Fat Boy is gone. MY riding buddy HAD a Softtail Custom & it is now replaced by a Standard. They are the best bang for the buck, as HDs go. I have an FLHS- a Road King before that name existed. Windshield is quick detatch if you are so inclined. DK.

 

[outlawram]

I have a screamin eagle roadking with the 103 in it. I used to have a fat boy. The fat boy doesn't hold a candle to the roadking in handling, touring, storage, granted my fatboy was a 1996. The newer bikes have come along way since then. With the roadking I can leave 25 to 30 feet blackmarks without powerbraking. But I only weigh 190 lbs. Like noted above, Electra glides are nice but a little to big for cruising in town in my opinion. That is why I chose the Roadking.

 

[sanyata]

The Fat Boy is based on the Softail platform and they have considerably less shock travel, with the shocks only compressing about two inches to get the four inches of axle travel. If you're really going to do a lot of 4 hour rides then the Road King is going to be less fatiguing and provide you with more carrying capacity. I think the new Road King Custom is pretty cool and isn't lookin' like a big 'ol Dresser. I've test driven them several times and was generally impressed with the handling except the stupid beach bars. The new Fatboy DOES have the 95incher and thats good for some decent HP & Torque gains. But you could probably do a Big Bore upgrade with better than factory cams on the Road King for about $500 more than you'll spend on saddle bags, windshied, etc. on the FatBoy.

I've got a '00 Deuce that I've spent way too much on customizing. Its just like the BOMB bug, so watch out!

You could also look around for a used Screamin' Eagle Road King and then you'd have it all in one.

Personally, I've been dreamin' of a Road King Custom with a 103" Stroker kit and six speed for doing some long distance haulin'.

I'm tippin' in at 230lbs. so we're close. For assbone comfort I'd definately go with the RK. And for shear profiling / looks, Id still do the RK... ... my . 02!

 

[Kennywould]

I have to agree with a few of these guy's, I ride a Fat Boy 01', the Road King with air suspension is a far better ride for the long haul! I ride bare bones, no bags, windhield or any of that, but thats me, 450 mi in a day you are going to get a little saddle sore. I'm a slight 245 and pushin 52 yrs but I always liked the hard tail chopper look. built a few, anyhow the softail is the look and ride I like. Like someone else said, rent one or test ride them, try a few different ones before you lay down the cash and end up wishing you had something else! IMHO.....