FatBoy vs. Road King
#1
07-09-2009, 09:14 AM
FatBoy vs. Road King
I'm not quite sure if this is the proper place to post a comparison, but I figured I may get the best responses here.
I currently own an 883 Sportster, and am looking at upgrading to a big twin within the next year. I know this is a little in advance, but I like to know what I'm doing long in advance, just so I know what I want to do to "personalize" the bike from the get go and have finances laid out. Anyway, the last couple of months I've mainly been looking at the Fatboy and the FatBob, and finally decided on the FatBoy. The main reason I'm posting here is that I am mainly leaning toward the FatBoy, but want some reviews on whether the Road King may or may not be a better choice as well.
The main purpose of the bike will be an around-towner...school/work/errands/play/etc. I also take trips of maybe 50 miles from town on the Sportster, and to be honest, it is not that comfortable, which is why I don't go further. I would like to take trips of 500 miles, plus...but since I've never done it, I'm not sure how serious I am about doing that. I just think it would be fun to take a roadtrip that crosses a few states in the future. I guess I would like to know how well suited each bike is in regards to highway feel and ease in getting around town and negotiating traffic.
From what I know, the main differences are in the engine and suspension. The Road King having an air ride suspension, I would think, would handle better on the highway and reduce the "buzz" substantially, but would also make it soft enough to make it less convincing in tight city driving. The FatBoy has a counter balanced engine, making it smoother feeling at idle and slow speeds...though, I really don't know how the engines compare at higher speeds? A major plus for the Road King, in my mind, is that it comes with saddle bags. Granted, I don't like the look as much, it is tremendously more convenient. I can just throw stuff in and go. I do like that.
As far as price goes, there is a $1000 difference in base price. For $1k, is the "upgrade" worth it? To be honest, I don't like the looks of the Road King near as much as a FatBoy...
How did you decide? This is why I've had my Sportster for a while...I already have it, and I cannot seem to decide between the big-twins. I have decided on upgrading to a FatBoy, but if I invest any more money in a bike, it will be a Road King...so, PLEASE HELP!
Thank you!
I currently own an 883 Sportster, and am looking at upgrading to a big twin within the next year. I know this is a little in advance, but I like to know what I'm doing long in advance, just so I know what I want to do to "personalize" the bike from the get go and have finances laid out. Anyway, the last couple of months I've mainly been looking at the Fatboy and the FatBob, and finally decided on the FatBoy. The main reason I'm posting here is that I am mainly leaning toward the FatBoy, but want some reviews on whether the Road King may or may not be a better choice as well.
The main purpose of the bike will be an around-towner...school/work/errands/play/etc. I also take trips of maybe 50 miles from town on the Sportster, and to be honest, it is not that comfortable, which is why I don't go further. I would like to take trips of 500 miles, plus...but since I've never done it, I'm not sure how serious I am about doing that. I just think it would be fun to take a roadtrip that crosses a few states in the future. I guess I would like to know how well suited each bike is in regards to highway feel and ease in getting around town and negotiating traffic.
From what I know, the main differences are in the engine and suspension. The Road King having an air ride suspension, I would think, would handle better on the highway and reduce the "buzz" substantially, but would also make it soft enough to make it less convincing in tight city driving. The FatBoy has a counter balanced engine, making it smoother feeling at idle and slow speeds...though, I really don't know how the engines compare at higher speeds? A major plus for the Road King, in my mind, is that it comes with saddle bags. Granted, I don't like the look as much, it is tremendously more convenient. I can just throw stuff in and go. I do like that.
As far as price goes, there is a $1000 difference in base price. For $1k, is the "upgrade" worth it? To be honest, I don't like the looks of the Road King near as much as a FatBoy...
How did you decide? This is why I've had my Sportster for a while...I already have it, and I cannot seem to decide between the big-twins. I have decided on upgrading to a FatBoy, but if I invest any more money in a bike, it will be a Road King...so, PLEASE HELP!
Thank you!
#2
07-09-2009, 10:34 AM
Tourer
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Coolidge AZ
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Doc,
You are in the same position that I am in. I've been thinking about it for a few months now. I ride to work 50 miles one way though, so i ride a bit more than you, at any rate, even with a new seat my sportster is less than comfortable, and I'm a big guy, so I feel like a Gorilla on a tricycle out there. At any rate, I'll get to the point.
I love the Fatboy over the Road king. I love the look of the fatboy, I like the more into the bike seat position, whereas the baggers make me feel like I'm on top of the bike like a horse. I LOVE the 200mm rear tire. I am planning on changing out the exhaust on the fatboy to someing lower, then getting Road King Classic bags, and putting them on like another forum member did, that will give me bags when I want to make a longer trip.
I ride solo most of the time, so I like the removable passenger pillion, but the ability to take my wife with me when I go places. I'm not a big fairing fan, but I may run a Batwing fairing at least during the winter, as here in AZ, I ride all year round.
Anyway I hope this helps you in your decision.. I'm sure we'll be purchasing around the same time!
You are in the same position that I am in. I've been thinking about it for a few months now. I ride to work 50 miles one way though, so i ride a bit more than you, at any rate, even with a new seat my sportster is less than comfortable, and I'm a big guy, so I feel like a Gorilla on a tricycle out there. At any rate, I'll get to the point.
I love the Fatboy over the Road king. I love the look of the fatboy, I like the more into the bike seat position, whereas the baggers make me feel like I'm on top of the bike like a horse. I LOVE the 200mm rear tire. I am planning on changing out the exhaust on the fatboy to someing lower, then getting Road King Classic bags, and putting them on like another forum member did, that will give me bags when I want to make a longer trip.
I ride solo most of the time, so I like the removable passenger pillion, but the ability to take my wife with me when I go places. I'm not a big fairing fan, but I may run a Batwing fairing at least during the winter, as here in AZ, I ride all year round.
Anyway I hope this helps you in your decision.. I'm sure we'll be purchasing around the same time!
#3
07-09-2009, 10:37 AM
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I would test ride both of them to see which one appealed to me the most. Honestly, you won't know which one fits you the best until YOU try it out.
With that said, I have a windshield and quick-release bags that I throw on my Fat Boy, and my wife and I travel all over on it. Not quite a tourer, but close enough.
When it comes to bikes, the only opinion that matters is yours, so give them both a try and see which one does it for you.
With that said, I have a windshield and quick-release bags that I throw on my Fat Boy, and my wife and I travel all over on it. Not quite a tourer, but close enough.
When it comes to bikes, the only opinion that matters is yours, so give them both a try and see which one does it for you.
#4
07-09-2009, 11:06 AM
R.I.P. BROTHER
Ya' gotta ride em. They are very different in the ridability dept.
Some guys wont touch a Softail. They believe in the rubbah mounted motors and the more touring oriented suspenders.
Some guys (Like me) feel odd on a Road King or any of the rubberr mounted touring bikes. I feel confident on a slammed sloptail. Like I'm connected to the road dern near hardtailing it.
I feel discombobbled on the touring bikes. Like I'm disconnected. Sensitive on the touring bikes to the point of they feel like they dogtrack through corners to me.
Even on a bone stock softail I immediately feel confident and at home. I feel even more conffident but less at home on a sporty or a dyna but for the ultimate mix of comfort, confidence and all the different things that can be done on the basic softail chassis???
Ride em both. Ride em' hard. Like one. Buy one.
Some guys wont touch a Softail. They believe in the rubbah mounted motors and the more touring oriented suspenders.
Some guys (Like me) feel odd on a Road King or any of the rubberr mounted touring bikes. I feel confident on a slammed sloptail. Like I'm connected to the road dern near hardtailing it.
I feel discombobbled on the touring bikes. Like I'm disconnected. Sensitive on the touring bikes to the point of they feel like they dogtrack through corners to me.
Even on a bone stock softail I immediately feel confident and at home. I feel even more conffident but less at home on a sporty or a dyna but for the ultimate mix of comfort, confidence and all the different things that can be done on the basic softail chassis???
Ride em both. Ride em' hard. Like one. Buy one.
#6
07-09-2009, 11:23 AM
You have to ride them both and ask yourself what you really like.
When I owned a Sportster, I was looking for a RK for more than 6 months, nothing decent for sale. I went to the dealer and test rode a 07 RK and love it, it handles so well, I fell in love with the RK. After a while I found a 06 Fatboy on craiglists with very low miles, took it for a ride and changed my mine totally. Love the handling on a softail, the sitting position and handlebar are perfect for me, it corners good, my feet are flat on the ground, it feels like I sit in the bike. I do solo riding most of the time, did a few 2-up riding without any problem. I am so happy with this Fatboy, throw some accessories and detachable saddles on, you are ready to hit the road. What if I have to choose again? Softail Deluxe
, I am in the Softail family.
When I owned a Sportster, I was looking for a RK for more than 6 months, nothing decent for sale. I went to the dealer and test rode a 07 RK and love it, it handles so well, I fell in love with the RK. After a while I found a 06 Fatboy on craiglists with very low miles, took it for a ride and changed my mine totally. Love the handling on a softail, the sitting position and handlebar are perfect for me, it corners good, my feet are flat on the ground, it feels like I sit in the bike. I do solo riding most of the time, did a few 2-up riding without any problem. I am so happy with this Fatboy, throw some accessories and detachable saddles on, you are ready to hit the road. What if I have to choose again? Softail Deluxe
, I am in the Softail family.
#7
07-09-2009, 11:25 AM
I had the same problem so I bought one of each. The RK has a better ride, has more usable luggage space, and the shaking motor is cool. The softail looks better (going by the number of compliments I get), has a better riding position, feels great riding down the road if that makes any sense. I feel more laid back on the Heritage. You have to go to the dealership, sit on them, test ride them if you can. It's really only a decision you can make yourself. I really enjoy both bikes very much so it would be a tough decision even now to pick one over the other.
Last edited by barjbar; 07-09-2009 at 11:33 AM.
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#8
07-09-2009, 11:36 AM
#9
07-09-2009, 11:41 AM
First, let me say that my local store does free test rides any day of the week. So, I don't have to worry about renting them both...unless I actually want to take each on a road trip, which would not be a bad idea...Anyway, I wasn't sure if that was unusual or not? Right now, it's just scheduling in the time to test ride.
John (AZ falconer), had a good idea with putting the RK Classic bags on...I think I was looking at that thread earlier today. Do you happen to know how much that would cost? I'm thinking the cost to upgrade like this would likely outweigh the cost to just get a Road King. That's where I get the snag...I simply don't want to over-invest in a bike. Plus, for some reason, I think a FatBoy looks funny with bags.
I want the bike to be comfortable enough for me to take it to Arizona (I'm hoping to travel there after getting the new bike [from MO]) and also to New York to visit some friends up there. I love everything about the FatBoy, and even sitting on the bikes, I like it more...but I have to say I'm a little skeptical of long travel on it since it isn't really a tourer, and having to upgrade with bags (cost). Again, I don't know how serious I am about the long rides, as the farthest I've been on my Sportster has been a 50 mile ride one way...and that wasn't the most pleasant of things.
I figure, I'd adjust either way. If I got the FatBoy, I'd really have to consider getting bags and the cost. Overall, I think I may be happier with this bike, since I know I already love it. With the Road King, it's more a probability in that I'm not sure how much I'd use it for its intended purposes. When I go to the grocery store, I usually buy more than a gallon of milk and some juice (all a RK could hold), so it's not like I'd use it that much more than my current bike...except to go on the longer trips I currently don't feel comfortable with on the Sporty...which I would do with the FatBoy anyway.
It is good to hear that others have not regretted their FatBoy/Softail purchases. That would be my main fear.
Thank you for your input so far...it's much appreciated!
John (AZ falconer), had a good idea with putting the RK Classic bags on...I think I was looking at that thread earlier today. Do you happen to know how much that would cost? I'm thinking the cost to upgrade like this would likely outweigh the cost to just get a Road King. That's where I get the snag...I simply don't want to over-invest in a bike. Plus, for some reason, I think a FatBoy looks funny with bags.
I want the bike to be comfortable enough for me to take it to Arizona (I'm hoping to travel there after getting the new bike [from MO]) and also to New York to visit some friends up there. I love everything about the FatBoy, and even sitting on the bikes, I like it more...but I have to say I'm a little skeptical of long travel on it since it isn't really a tourer, and having to upgrade with bags (cost). Again, I don't know how serious I am about the long rides, as the farthest I've been on my Sportster has been a 50 mile ride one way...and that wasn't the most pleasant of things.
I figure, I'd adjust either way. If I got the FatBoy, I'd really have to consider getting bags and the cost. Overall, I think I may be happier with this bike, since I know I already love it. With the Road King, it's more a probability in that I'm not sure how much I'd use it for its intended purposes. When I go to the grocery store, I usually buy more than a gallon of milk and some juice (all a RK could hold), so it's not like I'd use it that much more than my current bike...except to go on the longer trips I currently don't feel comfortable with on the Sporty...which I would do with the FatBoy anyway.
It is good to hear that others have not regretted their FatBoy/Softail purchases. That would be my main fear.
Thank you for your input so far...it's much appreciated!
#10
07-09-2009, 11:47 AM
Cruiser
If you're still not sold on either one after you ride both of em, think about this. For $1000 less you can always add a windshield and saddle bags (and maybe a little more) to the fatboy, you can get what ever style you like, and you can take em off when ever you want. The fat boy looks cool either way!!!
Last edited by stixman_576; 07-09-2009 at 11:50 AM.