Chopper or Fatboy? : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

icehead · 06-23-2009, 08:22 AM

I'm just coming off of a big back surgery, so my mind was set to go find a Touring bike and be done at 44 y/o with 3 kids. Then I got to thinking about it, why not try a softail (Fatboy) or a what i have always really wanted...a Chopper. I read alot about people having trouble with their choppers..(electrical mainly). What would be your advise on choosing a softail Texas Chopper, Saxon, Big Dog, vs a 2007 or newer Fatboy? Let me say this, I'm an occasional commuter and weekend cruiser. I'm done with back road blasting, just want to enjoy the ride in style. Thanks

rob71458 · 06-23-2009, 08:26 AM

I would wait and see how successful the Surgery was.

icehead · 06-23-2009, 08:48 AM

The surgery was a success. Just need to finish healing. Probably another 3 months before its safe to ride. Doc says I can ride now, but better to wait so if there is a accident my back will be completely fused.

nightrob · 06-23-2009, 09:19 AM

I would say go with the fat boy. Most choppers are billet monstrosities, I broke my back in 7 places a few years ago and the last thing I wanna do is spend my time hunched over polishing billet. Plus you can configure that softail into just about anything you want, and you probably wont have that versatility with the custom jobby.

hamyoo06 · 06-23-2009, 09:27 AM

I have a Fat Boy. It's great looking and great performing bike. Given that you've had back problems, though, would you consider a Road King? Not that the Fat Boy is uncomfortable, but the Road King will be more comfortable. What all have you considered?

icehead · 06-23-2009, 10:13 AM

My mind was set on a Road King because it fit me pretty good. My wife says it makes me look like a old man. LOL!!! The Fatboy fits perfect too. The Choppers i sat on in the shops fit well also. Low to the ground no strain or potential strain to hold it up at a light in stop and go traffic. I actually got on a Fatboy this weekend with no problems. I know I can't ride a Rigid under any circumstances.

hamyoo06 · 06-23-2009, 10:19 AM

Well, the "what it makes you look like part" will fade. Then you're left with comfort. It's cheaper to shoot for the right fit at the get-go. Again, the Fat Boy might be perfectly laid out for you. But, seeing you vacillate between Fat Boy and a chopper, and taking in the wife's comment, I caution you to get what feels right given your age and condition. A Road King is a damn fine looking machine for any age.

In short, don't worry about what it makes you look like. Worry about what it make you feel like. Best of luck!

kustom_flames · 06-23-2009, 10:37 AM

I agree - you can make a roadking look much less like an old man bike. They're puttin 19, 21+ tires on em up front...smooth fenders w/o the trim....the road king is now the new chopper. Of course you can also hot rod a fatboy too. It's really all in what fits and what will be the most comfortable. I think the fatboy will be very versatile for short zips as well as some longer ones too...Best thing to do woulbe to ride em all and see what you like best...

facn8me · 06-23-2009, 11:08 AM

I've been thinkin about another bike also. Have a deuce that could be compared to a narrow front end fatboy. Have been doing alot of longer trips on the weekend and though it's comfy for me the g/f is a little cramped and that's with touring seat and backrest. Leg position is the worst part for her. Seat and back rest are 1000% better for her. Storage can become a problem on the deuce and fatboy as they have the same pipes. Unless what you buy has aftermarket pipes already smaller saddle bags than are useful are needed. At least the fatboy has more options for bags than the deuce. The luggage rack and tourpack make 3 days manageable but if you buy much space becomes a problem. Right now I'm thinking about adding a street glide as it's not to old timey has bags, radio and with a touring back rest luggage rack and the tour pack should be good for more days or more stuff. Just an opinion

Keeping the deuce though cause I think it's a wicked looking bike long low and lean.

HEADBANGER · 06-23-2009, 01:33 PM

I would go with the RK or a Street Glide.

icehead · 06-23-2009, 04:54 PM

I know the Street Glide is a hip bike, but I would not buy one of those ever because here in Nashville that is just about all you see. One of my good friends has a 09 SG and has dumped so much cash into that thing it's not even funny. I am not to the point where i need a radio,mp3, and no wind on my body to feel like I'm riding in comfort. I come from sportbikes where anything sitting upright is comfortable. I still may look again at the RK.

Laars · 06-24-2009, 04:14 PM

I say go with the chopper. I have a BigDog 2003 chopper. Most comfortable bike I've ever been on. Not what you think by looking at it. I paid 12K for it. Deals are everywhere right now. It had 10,000 miles on it. My brother in laws brother has been servicing the bike since the original owner bought it. He needed money so I got a deal. It has had zero issues since brand new. Just routine maintenance.

I ride to work during the week on it, and put 200 to 300 miles on it each weekend. If you like meeting people everywhere you go, the gas station, parking lots, drive in's, or the local Harley shop, roll up on a Big Dog. A sales guy at my local Harley shop got pissed at me because the 4 people he was talking about some bikes they had, all walked over to my bike as I parked it. One guy asked him where the ones like this one are. I go there because my bike uses standard parts. Makes it nice.

I was in Laconia and the Weirs on Tuesday and Wednesday during bike week. Sitting in Alton bay on Wednesday, husband and wife roll up on there new Harley ultra glide with NY plates. Both of them are asking me questions about the bike. His wife asks if it would be ok if she could have her photo taken, sitting on my bike. I said sure. He took the photo, they thanked me, we chatted some more and off they went.

People at stop lights leaning out the window asking you questions about your bike. Great way to meet people.

Thats my opinion based on my experiences. Good luck with what ever you get.

icehead · 06-24-2009, 05:03 PM

Hey Laars, what model Big Dog bike is that?

Faast Ed · 06-24-2009, 05:21 PM

Your post is a lil confusing as to why you want to ride.

Putt around town to look cool?
Chopper. Won't be enough miles involved to consider comfort. The other joys will wash any discomfort.

If you can enjoy a few hundred miles on a Saturday by yourself with no other bikes, then you like to ride enough to go for more comfort. The softail will still be a fairly "cool look" while giving you the comfort you will need. I know those that won't leave their house on a sunny Saturday, if they have no one to ride with. No interest in going solo.

Your post was obvious that you are not the cross country type, so bagger is not a high priority.

You are correct about the mechanical hassles involved with many of these cookie cutter choppers (at least I hear about a lot of quirks). Might not be true for all of them.

Low miles, fat wallet, get the chopper.

.

Laars · 06-25-2009, 08:53 AM

(I'm editing this because I thought Fast Ed was writing to me, and I'm a bonehead. Please accept my apology Fast Ed.)

My bike is actually a soft tail even though it looks like a ridge. Its very comfortable. Only paid 12K so good deals are out there. The brand is Big Dog - model is "Chopper" (now replaced by the K9 kind of sort of). The K9 has a bigger engine 117 instead of 107 ci and back tire 300mm instead of 250mm.