I did do my home work as the Springer was my first choice. My business is unrelated to motorcycles. However, two of my clients have Springers. Both have had problems. Major problems with one of them. My saleman at the dealer took me by the hand to the service department and pulled the records on a springer they had just serviced, They were at $1400 in front end repairs (12K on the bike). This dealer also showed me the parts books that showed not a single new part number in 15 years. Now I'm honest enough with myself to know this kind of stuff isn't typical, it isn't any kind of rare occurrence either. In the end, I saw enough, read enough, talked to enough people to realize I didn't want to take my chances, so to speak, with the Springer. Regardless, in the end, the Fat Bob simply trumps the Springer in every respect except in the looks department and that is actually to close to call.
Gary