Advice Needed
#11
You don't say what year Fatboy your looking at.
myself I never want a big touring bike. I've had a few bikes, not touring though, none have made me think this is great suspension wise.
I now have a 05 Fatboy, the roads are pretty crappy around here. I have since put a shotgun shock on my bike. The thing is great. I can soak up the bumps like a Cadillac. Raise it for the tight corners, and lower it to make it look good. It was what I was looking for without knowing it.
so where am I going with this.... Choose the bike you like, put good suspension on it, budget for the change no matter what you buy.
myself I never want a big touring bike. I've had a few bikes, not touring though, none have made me think this is great suspension wise.
I now have a 05 Fatboy, the roads are pretty crappy around here. I have since put a shotgun shock on my bike. The thing is great. I can soak up the bumps like a Cadillac. Raise it for the tight corners, and lower it to make it look good. It was what I was looking for without knowing it.
so where am I going with this.... Choose the bike you like, put good suspension on it, budget for the change no matter what you buy.
Last edited by nzhd; 07-26-2018 at 11:57 PM.
#12
The other issue with the Fatboy is rear tire wear. On average with my 2012 Fatboy I was consistently getting only 6000 miles on a rear tire ( and I ride very conservatively) . When you figure the cost of the tires and labor to replace them ( you have to remove the mufflers to replace the rear tire). The cost per mile comes to 10 cents. When you figure the cost that way it becomes evident that the cost to run a Fatboy is higher than other choices.
#14
I’ve owned a Road King, an Ultra, and now a 2015 Heritage. The Ultra is by far (duh) the most comfortable long haul bike of the three (not that I’ve had my Heritage on any long trips yet but still, there’s no comparison).
For me, the decision to downsize was made after my recent back surgery. I know my 500 mile days and cross country road trips are over, and I didn’t feel like pushing around 850 pounds of touring bike for what is now mostly around town and maybe 100 mile or so day trips.
If if I was still 100% in the back department and looking to do a bunch of cross country riding, I would no doubt have an Ultra.
For me, the decision to downsize was made after my recent back surgery. I know my 500 mile days and cross country road trips are over, and I didn’t feel like pushing around 850 pounds of touring bike for what is now mostly around town and maybe 100 mile or so day trips.
If if I was still 100% in the back department and looking to do a bunch of cross country riding, I would no doubt have an Ultra.
#15
The other issue with the Fatboy is rear tire wear. On average with my 2012 Fatboy I was consistently getting only 6000 miles on a rear tire ( and I ride very conservatively) . When you figure the cost of the tires and labor to replace them ( you have to remove the mufflers to replace the rear tire). The cost per mile comes to 10 cents. When you figure the cost that way it becomes evident that the cost to run a Fatboy is higher than other choices.
#20