Harley-Davidson FLSTF FLSTFI Fat Boy reviews

Finally got delivery of the 2005 Fat Boy. It's been a long summer riding my 250 Yamaha Virago (but I did really love that bike and I'm glad I spent the two years learning to ride on it). Ordered a Fat Boy back in June. It's been a real dream to ride. It's taken me time to get use to the added power - I now can go more than 50 mph without having to do it going downhill. It has proven to be a great commuter bike - I ride it to and from work each day. I just hate to put it away at the end of the day. I did find out that you can kill the battery very quickly if you don't turn the ignition switch off so I will not do that again. Strange thing happened to me last week. I pretty much stayed at the speed limit and let drivers who want to go faster pass. I had a big black bike in the rearview mirror so I slowed down to let the guy pass but he slowed down. I didn't know what was going on and thought "here comes the mugging". I pulled up to the light and he pulled up along side of me, looked me over and said "nice bike!". Nobody ever said that to me with the Virago. I guess I now "belong" and I love it! Show less

I bought "My-Boy" in April...as a brand new rider. I love it...have 5000 miles on it, with two solo 750 mile trips already under my belt! Maybe Sturgis isn't too far to ride! Show less

Just hit the 1800 mile mark and could not be happier. I was looking at the Road King and the Heratige Classic but kept coming back to the Fatboy and have never looked back. Put python 3's instead of the boaring stock pipes, detachable windsheild, detachable sissy bar, and floorboards for the little lady. The seat is fine for my needs even on long trips, but if you are going to have a passenger you may want an aftermarket seat. People said I would be sorry with the soild wheels on windy days but it has not bothered me for the most part, strong gusts will blow anyone around. Plenty of power and handles like a dream. have had no problems with anything. This is the first of many Harleys for myself. Now my wife wants to learn to ride one of her own. If you haven't got one yet go get one. I have ridden the foreign bikes, but they are no Harley. It's the only way to go. Show less

I can't say enough about my 2004 Fat Boy. It is simply a joy to ride and own. I did upgrade my exhaust to the Screaming Eagle pipes and modified the carb jetting. The bike runs and sounds the way I dreamed it should. I have ridden a lot of bikes in my 40 years, but, nothing compares to this. If you have the means I recommend running, not walking, to your HD dealer and buy one. Show less

Before I bought, I debated on a Fat Boy, Heritage Classic, and Road King Custom. Am I ever glad I got the Boy...great ride, great looks, a real head turner and attention getter whenever I stop anywhere. The custom had the looks (don't they all though?) the fuel injection and bags standard...the Heritage had the bags, the driving lights...basically all the extras I bought anyway, but the Boy just grabbed me and wouldn't let me go. You know, you just know. The only thing bad I can say about it is the seat I put on it (diamondback solo) was a little "hard for my tail", but since the weather has warmed up, it's softened somewhat. Taking it in for his 1000-mile checkup tomorrow, getting synthetic oil put in it along with a chrome lower belt guard. Can't wait to put the next 1000 on it! If you're thinking...don't hesitate! Show less

I spent the last two years on a 1200 Custom Sporty bought new, a great bike but I regret now not buying the Fatboy then! I test rode one at the time but didn't want to spend the money so didn't buy it. I now have a 2002 Pearl White Fatboy and am totally satisfied; the suspension was a driving force as the Sporty isn't up to 2-up work over England's awful roads. What I wasn't ready for is how the bike feels so planted in bends, so sure-footed and also even with the extra weight, feels so well balanced, I can make even tighter feet-up u-turns than the sporty! I tooled around Arizona and Nevada on a Heritage last year and that was nice, although they say they are identical to the Fatboy, I feel there is a difference, especially at very low speed maneuvering, the Fatboy is just such a confident ride. I would just recommend this bike so highly and incidentally, reliability-wise, they rock, nothing, NOTHING came loose or failed on either bike to date, which is more than I can say for a couple of HD's I previously owned, they were SO unreliable and I still have the bills to remind me and any unbelievers! So treat yourself to a twin-cam and enjoy it if you can. PS- On the first outing a woman shot nearly a roll of film of it, so perhaps having one of the best bikes on the planet and their scarcity over here pays off, well it was a nice compliment by her anyway. Show less

Owned a '02 Superglide before jumping into purchasing a used '00 Fatboy with 9,600 miles. Having test driven a '99 FLSTF, I found a noticeable, smooth difference between the two. I just have to think about turning and there she goes. Sporting Vance & Hines strightshots, Kuryakyn Air Cleaner, and a rejetted CV, this Fatboy always turns heads Show less

I purchased the Fat Boy in mid May and by mid September I've clocked nearly 8000 miles on it. Comfort is great allowing me to ride until the gas gauge is in the red, approximatly three and half hours at a wack. Handling is near perfection except for the solid wheels. In the wind they can be a safety factor add rain and you've got a problem. It feels as if the wheels a being kicked out from underneath you. The bike is surprisingly reliable. So far it has got me to where I'm going and back home again everytime. All stock equipment provides a smooth, vibration free, and maybe an all too quiet ride. Changing out the pipes is a must. One problem: the shifter has stuck in second gear a few times and once in fourth. This started at around 6000 miles and was corrected by simple linkage maintenance. If it's the classic look you want this is the bike for you. The balance of vivid black and chrome is exceptional and I always receive positive comments on the Fat Boys styling. The 2003 Fat Boy is one fantastic ride! Show less

I bought my Fatboy on August 1st, 2003. It is still stock. I was surprised by how quiet it was for being a Harley. It's vivid black. I have arrived at the conclusion that the detachable windshield is a necessary option. I plan to add the stage 1 and screamin eagles also, possibly small saddlebags. I have put over 350 miles on it so far and no complaints. It is my first Harley. Show less

I PURCHASED MY BIKE IN APRIL HAVE 1200 MILES ON IT.I HAVE OWNED BIKES ALL MY 50 YEARS AND THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST I HAVE OWNED.INSTALLED THE STAGE ONE KIT AND SCREAMING EAGLE II SLIP-ON'S.JUST HAD 1000 MILE SERVICE DONE ON IT,WENT WITH SCREAMING EAGLE OIL.IF ANYBODY HAS ANY INFO ON THIS OIL PLEASE LET ME KNOW Show less