I haven't ridden motorcycle in almost 12 years but the urge has always been to buy a Harley. This last month just bought my first Harley and it's a 2011 Harley Fat Boy.
I've been riding an 05 Fatboy through four years of medical school on Galveston Island and I am never parting with this bike. One of the biggest bike rallies in the US and the best daily commute you could ever hope for. I can't imagine a better time or place to be on a Harley.
@@Texas_Made6990 Hopped on the ferry and rode up and down Bolivar while I was down there. Finished up med school a few years ago. Almost done with residency at this point, but I will treasure my time in Galveston. I'll be back again one day.
@Bunnyshooter 223 , My first bike was a 1941 45 cu. in. Military Harley, complete with the suicide clutch, lol. Bought it for $60.00. That was 1964, I was 15 years old.
@@Cerdo_asqueroso oh how so, I'd love to know why growing up watching the Terminator ride a Harley Fatboy, thus influincing my taste in motorcycles makes me a poser? I suppose me also wanting to build a bike from the frame up like Charlie Sheen did in Beyond the Law also makes me a poser, or loving the film Easy Rider, or even watching Marlon Brando ride motorcycles? I already ride, so go troll somewhere else ya moron.
After having kids, my last bike having been a fatboy lo, my husband gave me the oppertunity to buy a new bike for my next riding years. I had any choice. Went right back after much research, to a fatboy. So comfortable and hugs the road 🥰
My first Harley was an ‘04 FLSTFI Fat Boy. I absolutely LOVED that bike. I put over 70,000 trouble-free kms on mine, before gifting it to my oldest son, as a housewarming gift. I rode to the Grand Canyon and back on it, via the “scenic route” (7000 km round trip), and 2/3rds of the way across Canada and back (8000 km round trip). Used it as my daily commuter in the summer months, and put thousands of kms on it just ‘day riding’. The only mods were Stage 1, 2 up/2 back risers (because I have a sh*tty back, and the stock risers made it an uncomfortable reach for me on longer rides), Screaming Eagle pipes, and I swapped out a Fat Boy seat for a Heritage Softail seat, and installed a gel pad in the rider’s seat. It was a very versatile machine, great for city riding, day trips and long hauls. I don’t regret giving it to my son, as I know it is in good hands (and I can still borrow it now and then). I’ve had a Street Glide, and now a Road Glide, but I’m itching to put a Fatty back in the stable, to augment my fleet. Hard to get out of the system.
2014 Fatboy was the most comfortable bike I have EVER been on! Bar none. If my health would allow it, I would buy a Fatboy today, in a heartbeat!! Thanks for the video and chat pal..it brings things back!
@@highplainshollarhomestead3188 Depends on your blood type mainly. Everyone's different. When I stopped eating red meat and pork I became much healthier!
Factory intel for you: The shocks are not under the seat. They are under the transmission. Spoked wheels become effectively solid at 40 something miles per hour because: physics. We had to explain that to customers often. Some still didn't believe it. Solid wheels do seem to have a gyro effect, which is a plus for stability. There is no "tuning" to a factory EFI system. Just aftermarket. Change the plugs, plug wires, clean the connections. I like 5 speeds better too. High gear is 1 to 1, and has little to no wear going on. HD 6 speeds are overdrive, and receive more wear and stress on them. I like your videos, and funny commentary. Keep doing them!
Keith Tomczyk no. I mean they become effectively solid to side winds. If you keep your spoked wheel true and tight, it will be just fine at 85 mph. That's about as fast as I get anymore. Old age, and an old hardtail.
Have an 04 Fatboy for a first bike. My brother who has been riding Harley for over 30 years recommended it. My first thoughts were " This is a big bike" started on back roads, parking lots. Since I only passed the MRC course about a month ago. Been going highways lately. I love the look, and the ride of my Fatboy! Happy, safe riding fellow bikers!
I just bought a 2003 FatBoy 100 yr anniversary from a guy who only owned it because Arnold rode it on Terminator. Really nice bike and super nice to ride.
I own that bike and It makes me feel like I'm listening to George Thorogood every time. Great story, I think the bike for what it's used for is perfect. Get yourself a Road Glide if you want to go across the country.
I have a 2002 fat boy. I took it on a trade for a 1990 wrangler Islander. I hadn’t been on a bike since 2006 and was being really cautious and taking everything kinda slow till I got used to it. It had 12000 miles on it. It’s the first Harley I’ve ever owned and I have to say I really like it. My last bike was a 2005 Suzuki boulevard m90. My wife and I usually ride together and we both love it.
Recently got a 2010 Fat Boy because of your videos! Excited to put some road trip miles on it once it's up to date on maintenance. Only 5,000 miles but it has been sitting.. My Dad and I love your videos and the words of wisdom, too!
In this last two weeks, I've discovered your videos and watched your numerous test rides on Harleys. Been a rider for years. My specific reason for this comment is to praise you for your honesty in posting scripture at the beginning of the videos. Your bold step of faith and pleasant demeanor is certainly coming across strong on the Tube, at least for me. If I lived closer, I would by a bike from you based on your demonstration of character alone. All the best to you!
I've had 3 Harleys now; a SuperGlide, a Night Train, and now a FatBoy. 3 totally different feeling bikes. The FatBoy def feels more grown up, more refined. I loved them all, but the FatBoy is my favorite.
The rear shocks on earlier softails are under the transmission between the lower frame tubes. The are two, one is a spring and the other is a damper. They are sprung against extension instead of compression. Weird setup but it worked!
I have a super early softail. Birthday is 8/83 making it an early one with some cool differences. Four speed kicked and has the old style clutch assembly. It's the grandfather of of what brought Harley Davidson back from the near brink from my understanding. 4 star early EVO block. Love the style and the feel. Good video! Thank you, keep safe, GOD bless!
I have a '95 Fatboy and love it .. I've been thinking of upgrading to a newer bike, like maybe a Street Glide, but after test riding them, I find my Fatty so much more comfortable. I've put thousands of miles on mine on many a road trip and wouldn't change anything
Just found your videos. Was pleasently surprised to here your refrence to our Lord at the begging. Its a rare thing to see and hear in todays world. Thankbyou Brother. Praise God, and have a Blessed Day.
After watching you ride I really miss my '08 Fatboy. I lived in San Bernardino (sea level) and worked up in the San Bernardino Mountains at over 5000 feet riding everyday to work. Sometimes the wind was outrageous and coming down the mountain at 80 to 85 was my norm on the long stretches. Never ever was I concerned about being blown around the highway by the wind due to my wheels...sorry but that's BS! Anyway, I loved to overland camp or moto camp; I guess that's what they call it now. I rigged my bike with a removable windshield, fog lamps, removed the rear seat and mounted a custom chrome rack, Harley saddle bags, custom rear lights including indicators. A friend made a custom leather bag for my short sissy bar that lit up for night riding and glow when the brakes were applied. My duffle backpack bag secured to the chrome rack became a super comfortable back rest. I bought a Nelson Rigg tank bag that had a map display pocket on top (with a flip up map light) and reflective strips on the sides.
Bought mine in 01. In 02 went to Sturges .Road over to Wyoming lots of flat land and cross winds, just lean into it and enjoy the ride. Great channel buy the way.
I do think that the solid/holey wheels do make a difference in cross winds. Not that it is an issue, but I have felt the wheels feel like they are pushed out from under me slightly. My other bike, the whole bike moves. First time it happened it got my attention, but you just get used to the feeling and ride on.
I had a '99 fatboy with the EVO motor and it was a dream. Now I have an '05 and it's an awesome bike! It's definately an iconic HD bike. Great Vid, and thanks for sharing some wisdom from God's word!. Grace and Peace.
hey stuart i'm considering a 99 fat boy thats for sale locally but have had some peeps say that carburater harleys are an issue any recom on what to look for on the this 99 ?
Clutch springs are in fact necessary with only slight modifications. I'm 90whp and 100wtq and I needed to put the screaming eagle clutch spring in due to slippage in 5th and 6th gear.
Thanks so much for the in depth review. I’ve been allowing a proper bike to evade me for years, & besides S&S custom blends, the Fatboy has always been @ the center of my radar & I now NEED a bike. I state “NEED”, as I see the “NEED” for a local BACA. Good on you for giving The Glory to Whom It Belongs! 👊🏼
Recently, I bought a 2003 for 2k. It had been sitting as a display bike in a office lobby for 10 years. New battery, fresh oil, fluids and gas and she started right up. Like riding a rolling easy chair.
It's one of the coolest looking cruisers (and bikes in general),too bad Harley changed the looks of the 2018-present version,the older version looked better in my opinion
I've got a 2016 Fat Boy and I think the wind "complaints" have more to do with gusts than sustained winds. I've ridden on days with a decent constant breeze and not noticed it, but on days with alot of gusts can feel the bike move a bit.
I own a 2003. Never in my life have a felt the solid wheel feel any different in any condition. High winds at high speed in the rain. No problem. My warhorse just sticks to the road and keeps me rolling.
mw2nukedude I have the leather wrapped hard bags from HD on my ‘03, so yes you can. They don’t look like the Ultra Classic bags but they are locking hard bags.
the shocks are not under the seat, they are under the transmission. the softail was the only bike Harley ever made that didn't handle well. it was made for posing.
I have a 2020 Fatboy and it handles just fine if you know how to ride. A couple months after I bought it I did 5000 miles through 9 states and it handled great. Posing my ass.
I’d really like a fatboy. I’ve heard the myth about solid wheels getting pushed around in the wind. I’ve never rode one but I’d have to imagine anything would suck in 25+mph cross wind.
I have a 2010 Fat Boy Lo... There's nothing I don't love about it. I was riding today and it was very windy. I also test-rode a Road Glide, which obviously handled the wind better, but nothing to do with the wheels!
I own the 93 Evo Terminator Fatboy as well as the 2012 screaming eagle 120 cube Fatboy and know why I buy them,because their design can be sporty ,or a classic HD bagger ,plus the new 103 & up are faster than hell .
@@TheKodiak1998You can go up to 117 cubes with the bolt on screaming eagle kits,any further than that you'll need Axtel or other precise machined big bore cylinders .
great videos. not so keen on the jeebusite thing myself, but if it makes you happier? your roof, your rules. just a pleasure watching a biker doing what we all love. ride well, ride safe, keep the rubber down & get ye home at the end of the road ;)
Softails have twin shocks mounted underneath the transmission between the lower frame rails from 1984 - 2017, on the 2018 & Up Softails have a single mono-shock mounted under the seat where the battery used to be located!
My 103 fatboy got written off in a flood a few months back. Great bike. My first Harley at 25 and I’m 6ft. Fucken loved it. Rode great, felt like Harley’s should. Milwaukee 8 is faster and smother but it doesn’t feel right. They ride too smooth. Terrible criticism but I’m thinking I’ll go 110 instead of a 117 Milwaukee 8 cause they make me feel more like I’m on a Harley
The Terminator was a BIG boost for HD. But, now in 2021 with so many Softail's to chose from. If you are riding a Fat Boy, you are a Terminator fanboy.
I am new to your channel and love it. One thing I really appreciate is you find good things to say about every bike you buy/ride. You really love MC’s and not just “your brand”. I ride (commute on) a 2019 Honda CB1000R, generally a 1000 miles a month or more. Saves me so much time in traffic. Peace.
I used to ride 650cc and below. Light bikes get blown around. 700lb'ers don't. I currently ride a Yamaha Warrior and it would take a Semi Truck in a windstorm to knock it around like a smaller bike in normal conditions.
agreed, I'm sick of sissy boys crying about the wind on the solid wheels. I personally rode an 03 Fat boy for a couple years and never had an issue with wind on the wheels. Either you are man enough for a FatBoy or not but please quit blaming your sissy reaction on the wheels. I love the Fatboy and will eventually get another as a play bike.
Agreed. The surface area of wheels are very small. It’s the top end with the rider, tank, frame, engine, fenders, seat, forks, and handlebars catching wind.
The Fatboy has been my favorite bike ever since I was in pre-school! I currently ride a naked because it's a better choice for me, for daily rides through heavy traffic... and I also can't afford a Fatboy right now! I did have the chance to test ride a 2020 model though and oh boy! I had tears of joy in the corners of my eyes! I really hope I can afford one, someday! God bless you, guys!
Keep up the great content!! Love how u cover and review so many bikes!! So many bikes I absolutely Love to bro!! Blessings ur way and Indiana love as always buddy!!
Hay Sean I hate to burst the bubbles of those who say that the solid wheels are affected by the wind but when spoke wheels spin at 100ks they are effectively solid when blown from the side.
Love the Fatboy, when I first sat on it back in ‘90 ,it reminded me of my first Harley (a chopped rigid Panhead. ) It’s a great basic bike without all the junk hanging all over it that gives you the Real Feel of the road ,which is what you ride for/ Good video
My BIL had an 02. Had jugs done , lowered it. Was killed one night riding 85+ hit an on coming truck . That bike was beautiful. We use to ride everywhere at 90mph ,no windscreens. My 04 FLHRC was all I wanted ,aside from the spoked wheels that vibrated over 85. Sold it a week after he died. Not out of fear or any omen. Just wasn't the same riding without him. Looking for an 02-04 Fatboy currently. Silver or Black. The only reason I didn't buy a Fatboy instead of the road King classic was because somebody that I rode with already had the bike and I don't like the ride the same bike as everybody else, Pluuuuuuus, with the White Walls cleaned and a fresh wash the road King classic in black is a sweetest looking bike without a windscreen. Love your videos. God's peace be yours. PB2G✝️
I'm rocking' my '92 Evo Fatboy. Bought it 'very used' and replaced some transmission and clutch bearings and seals. I've got 8 various Harleys but this one is my goto for town and visiting.
I had a 1995 Fat Boy. I loved it. That FB had the EVO. Engine. I went to Sturgis and then took off to Apache Az. and back to Chicago. Never ever had a issue. After its first 500 miles tune up. I had a rear wheel wobble, when I reach 50 mph. But after the tune up. It was a great bike. LOVED IT. IT WAS MY FIRST NEW Harley.
I rode my new 89 Heritage Softail Classic out of the old Harley dealership parking lot in Las Vegas on a Friday afternoon, Let the sun go down and the desert cool off then continued to ride to Seligman Az. I got up the next morning and rode back to Vegas in time to get the 500 mile service and an oil cooler installed on Saturday. I put 18,000 miles on that bike the first year I had it, tore it down a couple of winters ago for a freshening up, clutch, sprockets, belt, primary.. and it is still running strong today.
I also had a 1995 Fatboy ,I ordered it back in the day, two tone, took 6 months to come in .It was my 2nd Harley, I'm on my 4th one now . The fatie was my favorite .
I’ve got an 06 Fatboy and a 17 Ultra Classic. You pegged it! Perfect companion bikes. Touring with my wife on the Ultra, solo sprints around town on my Fatboy. I am grateful
Sounded like G. Bush Jr when you said, '...Chrome would make more sense, black would make more sense, brown.... is funny... but Whatever..!' GABBA GABBA
the statement about who has the most gears is so true. The number of speeds definitely isn't what matters. It's the ratio of each gear that makes the difference. My Suzuki Boulevard C50 (800) which I have had for about 6 years was a decently powered bike with a 5-speed, however cruising on the highway at 70-80 mph in 5th gear definitely felt like I was wrapping out the motor. Now, just the other day, I upgraded to a Honda VTX 1800 (super badass bike BTW), also with a 5-speed, but because the bike has a much bigger motor on it, it can handle lower rpm cruising. That's why when you're going 70-80 mph in 5th gear on that beast it only feels like your motor is running a little bit above idle speed. It's a real shame that Honda quit making them after 09'
I've owned my '98 Fat Boy for 22 years now, and I can say that the solid front wheel DOES NOT contribute to push over in a cross wind. It's totally a myth. I've been behind Harleys with spoke wheels that react to cross winds just as much as a Fat Boy with solid cast wheels. The same jerks that like to say the wheel causes stability issues probably can't walk in a straight line on an empty parking lot.
@@nonaubiz8939 working on that I work in the oilfield and unfortunately there is not much demand for people like me there trying to find work before I go
Davo T. - that's wisdom! Check out the You Version Bible app. They also have a cool companion app called You Version Bible Lens - open a photo in the app and it will apply scripture that is applicable to the photo. Kinda cool.
Love my 05...have the same street slammer handlebars..Samson original short slasher exhaust..9 spoke harley rims with Avon Cobra tires..great motorcycle
The name Fatboy came from a combination of the names of the bombs that we dropped on Japan. Fat Man and Little Boy. The color of the first Fatboy only came in grey. The same grey that the bombs were painted. Also there were seven ( I think) yellow stripes, to denote ordinance, three on one bomb, four on another. It was a statement to Japan. You won’t find this in the literature today.
Great review. Just bought a 2012 Fatboy, absolutely iconic. Very comfy to take my wife along, nice grunt, unexpectedly nimble. usually ride my Sportster xl custom when by myself.
If you put saddle bags, back rest and windshield on a FatBoy - you should have just bought a Heritage Me - solo seat - remove rear pegs, remove floor boards for stretched forward controls
