Gonna be hard to roll out of a dealer witha 2012 fat boy at 16k. make sure you have them figure tax, tags, fees etc and give an out the door number.

 

Shopping for big ticket items has always involved tons and tons of research for me. Like you, I tried to find out everything and anything about all the options, but not just Harley. I had a notebook filled with important facts about every bike I might consider.

When I was ready, I spent more time looking at bikes, rented bikes, test-drove bikes.

Then one day I found a deal out of town that looked promising. Saw the bike, and had to have it. No facts, no specs, nothing else was relevant... I just had to have this FXSTC, even though I was looking mostly at fat boys and crossbones.

My point is, don't rely on research alone. Find a bike that grabs you. You may want to look at used, as there's a lot more variety than on the 2012 showroom floor.

 

As other people have stated, you gotta ride 'em as much as you can before you buy.

The Softails have really different rear suspension from the Dynas. As a result the Fatboy and the Fatbob are two different beasts. Some people really don't like Softails and some people really do. I loved the Fatboy looks, but I found that I'm not really big on Softails, so it doesn't really work for me to the point that I barely look at Fatboys now because I am not into that ride.

If you're not into touring, I think both would be potentially good choices. Good luck with it.

 

You get the best deals in the Fall. Also, there are some great deals on near new bikes on Craigslist, EBay, etc. SJ Ron

 

If you are not going to ride it until next spring wait until the end of January and get your best deal. Not many bikes being sold up there in January.

As far as the bike for you, you are the only one that can decide which one you like. Everybody has different taste and likes. For example I have a friend that rides a superglide all over the place but I rode one for about two hundred miles and I thought I was going to die it was so uncomfortable to me. Get your license and test ride em at a Demo Days. No way I would buy a 16 to 20 k bike with out trying one out first.

 

If you do buy in the fall and want to pickup in the spring need to verify that
the dealer will store it WITHOUT charging you. Should be easy to negotiate
in when purchasing but after the fact they may have a issue after a couple
months.

As others have said should get license first, go on a couple test rides from the dealer,
and then rent the one you think you want for a day to make sure.

 

Step up if you can swing it.

Road Kings or Street Glides you won't regret it.
Regardless what you choose, get what fits your body, and dont forget to think about long haul road trips before you make your decision. Good Luck and don't forget to post up when you get em home.

 

I know I am. It's hard not to. It's a big decision!

Lot of great advice in here. I'm getting really antsy looking at all the bikes online, can't wait to get to the dealer this weekend and sit on a few.

My biker friend told me that all 2012's have a new engine or bigger engine or something? Does anyone have an idea what he was mentioning?

 

He's referring to the increase from 96 cu inch to 103 for stock motors.

 

None of the bike Ur talking about it really a good road bike choice..

U really need to think where and how Ur going to ride..

Ur really looking at cruising bikes. to make a good road bike Most will want Bags with plenty of storage and a shield to protect U from bugs and rocks coming Ur way...

Just do some search's on Google about Ur questions and read a lot before buying.