Heritage or Fat Boy?

"Hateithere" <hateithere.RemoveThis@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030906181842.19936.00000487@mb-m28.aol.com...
 > Be gentle with me . I'm new.
 >
 > My brothers/uncles/cousins, etc. have always been Harley riders and my
husband
 > has decided to take the plunge.
 >
 > After looking at some at the show room today we've narrowed it down to
either a
 > Heritage or a Fat Boy.
 >
 > Are there any really good/bad points about either bike we should know
about
 > beforehand? Are there any accessories we should REALLY get while we're
 > ordering the bike?
 >
 > I've emailed and left messages for a few of the males in my family asking
the
 > same question, but haven't gotten an answer yet and we're impatient .
 >
 > I've been reading this newsgroup for a couple of weeks and you guys are a
riot
 > and also seem to know your bikes, so I'm hoping if there's some really bad
 > problem with either bike that someone will let me know.
 >

Get an XL, FXR or a Bagger.

Anything else is just ass jewelry.

RickB<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Heritage or Fat Boy? 

"Carl" <softail99fatboy.RemoveThis@mail15.com> wrote in message
news:bjdptr$hssnv$1@ID-112426.news.uni-berlin.de...
 >
 > Hateithere <hateithere.RemoveThis@aol.com> wrote in message
 > news:20030906181842.19936.00000487@mb-m28.aol.com...
  > > Be gentle with me . I'm new.
  > >
  > > My brothers/uncles/cousins, etc. have always been Harley riders and my
 > husband
  > > has decided to take the plunge.
  > >
  > > After looking at some at the show room today we've narrowed it down to
 > either a
  > > Heritage or a Fat Boy.
  > >
  > > Are there any really good/bad points about either bike we should know
 > about
  > > beforehand? Are there any accessories we should REALLY get while we're
  > > ordering the bike?
  > >
  > > I've emailed and left messages for a few of the males in my family
asking
 > the
  > > same question, but haven't gotten an answer yet and we're impatient .
  > >
  > > I've been reading this newsgroup for a couple of weeks and you guys are
a
 > riot
  > > and also seem to know your bikes, so I'm hoping if there's some really
bad
  > > problem with either bike that someone will let me know.
  > >
  > > Thanks
  > > Dana in DE
 >
 > The saddle bags are all ready on the Heritage and the running lights are
 > nice to have. Its a good choice.
 >
 > The rims on the Fat boy are a bitch to keep clean. Brake dust is hell on
 > them!!!!
 >
 > I don't care for wind shields. The wind coming up from the bottom of the
 > shield is annoying and the strong wind hitting the wind shield make for a
 > bit more work in the forearms.
 >
 > Other than cosmetic difference there the same critter when your eyes are
 > closed and riding along. Same frame and of course counter balanced TC88.
 >
 > As you can tell, I opted for a Fat Boy. I had a 2000 Heritage in mind to
 > order when the dealer told me they had one more 99 Fat Boy coming in. I
put
 > different pipes on so I could use the large Softail bags. And bought a
bike
 > lift so I can scrub the brake dust off the rims. The running lamps I've
 > still got in the back of my mind yet, wind shield,,,,no way! I'm happy
with
 > my choice now that I've personalized the bike to my taste.
 >
 > --

The FatBoy is a great bike. However, if the original poster gets one, and
plans to ride two up, I'd recommend getting a pillion pad, sissy bar/back
rest, and if they plan any overnight trips, saddlebags, and windshield. The
FatBoy-style optional saddlebags that will fit with the shotgun exhaust are
nice looking, but there's only room for a couple of pairs of underwear and a
toothbrush (if you put the toothbrush in your pocket).

Of course, those things are already on the Heritage off the floor.

If they're looking for a stylish, one-up, around-town cruiser, the FatBoy is
hard to beat. Any medium distance two-up cruising, Heritage is a better
choice.

I agree about the windshield, but only about half the time. Fortunately, the
Heritage windshield detaches in about 10 seconds.

As to cruiser styling, if you look at <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://tinyurl.com/d6bj" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/d6bj</a> you can see
that I was torn between the FatBoy and Heritage too, but opted for the
latter. With the detachable side plates, quick-detach pillion seat, and
detachable windshield, all I need is some Ghost Brackets to quick-detach the
saddlebags, and I can go from Heritage to almost-FatBoy in a minute or two.

HMc<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Heritage or Fat Boy? 

"Hateithere" <hateithere DeleteThis @aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030906181842.19936.00000487@mb-m28.aol.com...
 > Be gentle with me . I'm new.
 >
 > My brothers/uncles/cousins, etc. have always been Harley riders and my
husband
 > has decided to take the plunge.
 >
 > After looking at some at the show room today we've narrowed it down to
either a
 > Heritage or a Fat Boy.
 >
 > Are there any really good/bad points about either bike we should know
about
 > beforehand? Are there any accessories we should REALLY get while we're
 > ordering the bike?
 >
 > I've emailed and left messages for a few of the males in my family asking
the
 > same question, but haven't gotten an answer yet and we're impatient .
 >
 > I've been reading this newsgroup for a couple of weeks and you guys are a
riot
 > and also seem to know your bikes, so I'm hoping if there's some really bad
 > problem with either bike that someone will let me know.
 >

To get a meaningful answer, you're going to have to explain what you or your
husband want to use the bike for. Short trips? Long trips? Around-town
cruising? Two-up riding? Two-up long distance riding?

HMc<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Heritage or Fat Boy? 

"Hateithere" <hateithere.RemoveThis@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030906181842.19936.00000487@mb-m28.aol.com...
 > Be gentle with me . I'm new.
 >
 > My brothers/uncles/cousins, etc. have always been Harley riders and my
husband
 > has decided to take the plunge.
 >
 > After looking at some at the show room today we've narrowed it down to
either a
 > Heritage or a Fat Boy.
 >
 > Are there any really good/bad points about either bike we should know
about
 > beforehand? Are there any accessories we should REALLY get while we're
 > ordering the bike?
 >
 > I've emailed and left messages for a few of the males in my family asking
the
 > same question, but haven't gotten an answer yet and we're impatient .
 >
 > I've been reading this newsgroup for a couple of weeks and you guys are a
riot
 > and also seem to know your bikes, so I'm hoping if there's some really bad
 > problem with either bike that someone will let me know.

Simple. If ya want a windshield and saddlebags, buy a Heritage. If you
don't, buy the Fatboy. After that, it's just basically a styling choice. You
can buy both of those items for the Fatboy aftermarket too. Then you could
pick exactly which saddlebags/windshield ya like.

Good luck!<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Heritage or Fat Boy? 

Howard McCollister <hmac.DeleteThis@nospam.net> wrote in message
news:3f5a8a28$0$52656$45beb828@newscene.com...
snip

  > > --
 >
 > The FatBoy is a great bike. However, if the original poster gets one, and
 > plans to ride two up, I'd recommend getting a pillion pad, sissy bar/back
 > rest, and if they plan any overnight trips, saddlebags, and windshield.
The
 > FatBoy-style optional saddlebags that will fit with the shotgun exhaust
are
 > nice looking, but there's only room for a couple of pairs of underwear and
a
 > toothbrush (if you put the toothbrush in your pocket).
 >
 > Of course, those things are already on the Heritage off the floor.
 >
 > If they're looking for a stylish, one-up, around-town cruiser, the FatBoy
is
 > hard to beat. Any medium distance two-up cruising, Heritage is a better
 > choice.
 >
 > I agree about the windshield, but only about half the time. Fortunately,
the
 > Heritage windshield detaches in about 10 seconds.
 >
 > As to cruiser styling, if you look at <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://tinyurl.com/d6bj" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/d6bj</a> you can see
 > that I was torn between the FatBoy and Heritage too, but opted for the
 > latter. With the detachable side plates, quick-detach pillion seat, and
 > detachable windshield, all I need is some Ghost Brackets to quick-detach
the
 > saddlebags, and I can go from Heritage to almost-FatBoy in a minute or
two.
 >
 > HMc

Nice. I'm leaning toward different rims. Not because of any discomfort from
any cross wind but because of the break dust can eat the shit out of the
aluminum if your not on top of cleaning them, pits pits pits!
--


Carl
99 FLSTF<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Heritage or Fat Boy? 

"Ryder Rick" <despaminator DeleteThis @yahoo.com>, liking neither a nor b, said:



 > Get an XL, FXR or a Bagger.
 >
 > Anything else is just ass jewelry.

Well, *there's* a new twist.


/bams ("does this make my ass look fast?")<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Heritage or Fat Boy? 

Hateithere wrote:

 >Be gentle with me . I'm new.
 >
 >My brothers/uncles/cousins, etc. have always been Harley riders and my husband
 >has decided to take the plunge.
 >
 >After looking at some at the show room today we've narrowed it down to either a
 >Heritage or a Fat Boy.
 >
 >Are there any really good/bad points about either bike we should know about
 >beforehand? Are there any accessories we should REALLY get while we're
 >ordering the bike?
 >
 >I've emailed and left messages for a few of the males in my family asking the
 >same question, but haven't gotten an answer yet and we're impatient .
 >
 >I've been reading this newsgroup for a couple of weeks and you guys are a riot
 >and also seem to know your bikes, so I'm hoping if there's some really bad
 >problem with either bike that someone will let me know.
 >
 >Thanks
 >Dana in DE
 >
 >
To me the choice is the Heritage. It comes with everything you need .
One nice thing about the heritage it can be stripped down to look kinda
like a fatboy. Just install quick disconnect kits on the bags and sissy
bar. The windshield is ready to remove from the factory. And DONT buy an
03, 04's has a lot bigger color choice and no crappy badges on the tanks.

J<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Heritage or Fat Boy? 

 > After looking at some at the show room today we've narrowed it down to
either a
 > Heritage or a Fat Boy.
 >
 > Are there any really good/bad points about either bike we should know
about
 > beforehand? Are there any accessories we should REALLY get while we're
 > ordering the bike?

I bought FLSTF 2003.

After I put on a sissy bar, backrest pad, luggage rack and a pair of rigid
leather covered saddlebags (quite small one) I can make a few-day trips with
my girfriend or even longer if I leave her at home.

But I feel sorry I didn't bought detachable sideplates. For cruising
downtown I'd really like low clean look of my Fat Boy without the sissy bar
and luggage rack, so I'm going to switch sideplates for detachables.

A saddlebags is a real must for me. Before I got one I always had to wear a
backpack and it was annoying.


Simon<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Heritage or Fat Boy? 

 >
 >To get a meaningful answer, you're going to have to explain what you or your
 >husband want to use the bike for. Short trips? Long trips? Around-town
 >cruising? Two-up riding? Two-up long distance riding?
 >
 >HMc
 >
 >
 >
Um......well, all of the above? He'll be riding it to work and around town, and
we'll be riding together on both short trips and longer trips. We don't plan
on doing any overnight trips until the youngest child is older, so we'll
probably stick to 6-8 hour rides on the weekends.

My impression from the posts I've read is that the Fat Boy looks cooler because
it doesn't have the windshield and saddlebags. We need both currently (he
needs the saddlebags to carry his essentials for work) and that's one reason we
were leaning towards the Heritage.

Are we totally off? Should we be looking at other models? It's so hard to
choose when there's so many. Every one I looked at I thought "hey, that's
nice!". Well, except for those huge bikes that look like cars on 2 wheels.

Dana in DE - excitedly looking for a cool leather Harley jacket and some bad
stickers to put on my helmet <!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Heritage or Fat Boy? 

Same bike. One has solid wheels and shotgun pipes the other has convential
pipes
and spoked wheels. I have saddlebaga and detachable windshield and rack and
ride
only one up. My fatboy makes an excellent touring bike. My lowrider is for
into
duty. Ya get more stuff with the Heritage but its stuff I've would of taken
off and sold
as I'm not into the rhinestone cowboy look ie. studs etc.
 >> Stay informed about: Heritage or Fat Boy? 

"Hateithere" <hateithere DeleteThis @aol.com> wrote in message
news:20030907054350.17920.00000506@mb-m01.aol.com...
  > >
  > >To get a meaningful answer, you're going to have to explain what you or
your
  > >husband want to use the bike for. Short trips? Long trips? Around-town
  > >cruising? Two-up riding? Two-up long distance riding?
  > >
  > >HMc
  > >
  > >
  > >
 > Um......well, all of the above? He'll be riding it to work and around
town, and
 > we'll be riding together on both short trips and longer trips. We don't
plan
 > on doing any overnight trips until the youngest child is older, so we'll
 > probably stick to 6-8 hour rides on the weekends.
 >
 > My impression from the posts I've read is that the Fat Boy looks cooler
because
 > it doesn't have the windshield and saddlebags. We need both currently (he
 > needs the saddlebags to carry his essentials for work) and that's one
reason we
 > were leaning towards the Heritage.
 >
 > Are we totally off? Should we be looking at other models? It's so hard to
 > choose when there's so many. Every one I looked at I thought "hey, that's
 > nice!". Well, except for those huge bikes that look like cars on 2
wheels.
 >

Sounds like a Heritage would suit you better. You might consider one of the
Road King models. Really nice bike for longer distance cruising. Great
two-up riding, good storage, but not quite as nimble as a softail around
town. Many describe it as "you sit ON a Road King, you sit IN a Heritage".
It didn't suit me, but it's a great bike.

HMc<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Heritage or Fat Boy? 

Dana sez:

 >My impression from the posts I've read is that the Fat Boy looks cooler
 >because
 >it doesn't have the windshield and saddlebags. We need both currently (he
 >needs the saddlebags to carry his essentials for work) and that's one reason
 >we
 >were leaning towards the Heritage.

If you need a windshield & bags, then go with the Heritage; the price
difference between it & the Fat Boy is so small, there's no way you could buy
the stuff aftermarket with the money you saved. Also, the handlebars on the
Heritage are a little more comfortable for long rides; 6-8 hour rides are a
piece of cake.


Brian
'95 FLSTC "Homewrecker"
'98 FLTRI "Scarlett"
'00 FLSTC "Ruby"<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Heritage or Fat Boy? 

Brian Wendholt <homereker1.RemoveThis@aol.comyerpud> wrote in message
news:20030907082838.26759.00000633@mb-m26.aol.com...
 > Dana sez:
 >
  > >My impression from the posts I've read is that the Fat Boy looks cooler
  > >because
  > >it doesn't have the windshield and saddlebags. We need both currently
(he
  > >needs the saddlebags to carry his essentials for work) and that's one
reason
  > >we
  > >were leaning towards the Heritage.
 >
 > If you need a windshield & bags, then go with the Heritage; the price
 > difference between it & the Fat Boy is so small, there's no way you could
buy
 > the stuff aftermarket with the money you saved. Also, the handlebars on
the
 > Heritage are a little more comfortable for long rides; 6-8 hour rides are
a
 > piece of cake.
 >

Taking the MSRP price between the two from the 2003 price book and its
$770.00.

The Large Softail bags like mine cost $589.00. A turn signal relocation kit
in my new book is only showing needed on 01 and older. Seems the 02 and
newer come stock with one? Other wise the cost is $129.95 for a kit.

AFter market pull back risers are very comfortable cost of $30.00 bucks for
mine. That leaves the differents of the two bikes, $21.05 should the
relocation kit be needed. Sure don't leave much for a wind shield,,,,if your
into it,,,,or a new exhaust to make sure that saddle bags clear, the shotgun
pipes on the Fat Boy don't alow any clearance for large bags. I've never
known to many people keep the stock exhaust on the bike very long. So my
thoughts with the exhaust being changed on the two bikes the differents of
the price between them leaves style and a windshield I can't stand anyway.
So to me the Heritage is just giving a windshield because if you buy the
other items for a Fat Boy, keep in mind a new exhaust on both bikes, its
just leaving a windshield haning out there I don't like anyway. Cost of
anywhere from $300.00 to $369.00 depending on hardwear from H-D.

So is it worth a new exhaust to be able to know that you can put a large set
of saddle bags on a Fat boy? Or is the person asking going to like the look
of the head pipe duals on the Heritage and just buy slip - on mufflers? This
is why there asking us for our opinions that is why I just broke this down a
bit for her.

I think the Heritage is a good buy that is why I was looking to order one.
But after you look at what your going to do in the future is it realy that
much differant, if your into a windshield and the stock head pipes on a
Heritage it is.

I think everyone should ride a bike with a windshield before taking the step
to have one. I've never had one that didn't blow up in my face from under
the windshield. And in a hard head wind I hated the feel of the wind in my
arms from the force of it hitting the wind shield. I'd rather have it in my
chest so I can lean forward and counter weight the presure, its almost a
relaxing feel if the wind is real strong. I spent a lot of time leaning into
a head wind comming back from Sturgis in 01 with my feet back on the
passange pegs. It sure gave a relaxing ride for a change. One friends wife
has a 2001 Heritage Softail. She said her arms were killing her comming back
from the strong wind. I'm leaning towards a Electra Glide Classic some day
then I'll have to live with it. I want the cush of the touring model when
I'm tired of this one so I'll have to put up with it. I've got a long time
for that though. This one cruises great.

All this is JMHO for the lady.


Carl
99 FLSTF<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Heritage or Fat Boy?