Okay
with out going into a lot of details, I am thinking about trading my Fat Bob for a XR1200. Am I nuts?? I came off of a sport bike to the Harley scene. I love the way my FB rides and handles. I went back to my old riding area and the the FB did well but I still missed the ground clearance. My mind is so muddled I can't think straight. Help.

 

Did you test ride the XR1200 in those same riding areas? I've heard them say the Fat Bob is a sportster on steroids, I doubt the XR will be that much more satisfying, but the XR is smaller and may seem quicker and more nimble. You can make a Harley faster and handle better, but you can't really make them fast or canyon carvers.... not saying they are not satisfying to ride. They are what they are.

Not one bike will do everything well, think about getting yourself a inexpensive rocket for those days you want to rub your elboes on the pavement. Sounds less crazy to me than trading the FatBob in on a XR1200.

Or lift the fatbob a bit for more cornering clearance.

 

The XR1200 is sick! I'd imagine you'd be pretty happy riding that thing.. but like previous post said, if you can find yourself an inexpensive crotch rocker, then go for it.. then you can have the best of both worlds.

 

Comments that a Fat Bob is like a sportster on steroids is such BS. Here is a side by side comparison.

http://www.citylimitshd.com/new_vehi...=107281&go2=Go

 

Rode the the same way. The dyna ( i have SB ) is nice and easy and comfortable. But Do not think trading "down"to sportster is worth the money. At least not that one. As someone posted. Buy a used Gixxer and have two. I would regret losing my streetbob for a smaller framed sportster. BTW any sportster is a great ride. I am not knocking them. But save the money and go for anything else for better handling.

 

Do an ebay completed listings search for Buells. Could be an inexpensive addition......

 

the xr is all plastic and has this ugly oil cooler hanging off the left side... do you really want a plastic harley? i sure dont! your best bet is to add another bike to the stable, one cruiser one carver.

 

HunterBLT, for a semi-corner carving semi-cruiser bike, the XR1200 would be Harley's A#1 offering. I don't think it would be very cost effective for you to trade, but if you want a better canyon carver, the XR is the way to go.
BTW Shimmon, plastic helps to keep the already boated weight a little less on the XR.
A more cost effective to improve your FB would be better and longer shocks in the rear and to also raise the front at the same time to more closely maintain it's happy steering geometry.
Unless, tho, the FB is seriously raised, it just isn't goin to get anywhere near the cornering clearance of the XR or anywhere the relative nimble handling of the XR. However the FB will still retain it's supremecy over the XR in long range cruising comfort.

 

Depends what YOU want out of YOUR ride, eh? I rode the Fat Bob and XR1200 back to back at Sturgis; did a couple extra laps on the XR while my wife tried out some bikes; no one was lined up for the XR and they wouldn't let the V-Rods out unescorted...I normally ride a 103inch FXDXT that weighs 607lbs wet; the XR 1200 had a more aggressive seating position but handled like a dream and responded well, performance wise...having said that, if I had to replace my FXDXT it would be with a Fat Bob and a bunch of modifications; the XR would not be versatile enough for an only bike for me...a nekkid sport bike would be a good second choice for aggressive riding tendencies, though. I've ridden some real fun ones; Aprillia Tuono, Honda 919, MotoGuzzi Griso....all quite cheap used, too, if you are a skilled and careful shopper they would be quite a bargain. If money didn't matter much; then I'd have a new XR1200 in the garage, too.

 

Having come from sportbikes to the Fatbob and having ridden the XR1200 I can say that I have to watch my bob on cornering cause the scraping starts way before the bike wants it to.Having said that,I still prefer the FB over the XR because of the comfort.If corner carving takes a front seat to comfort go for the XR.The footpeg placement on the XR eventually kills my bad knees so I happy with the FB.