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[StreetDog]

 I have a chance to buy a New 09' CVO Fat Bob at a very good price, almost to good to pass up, but I was looking to add the New 11' red CVO Convertible to my collection. I would like some input on these two bikes, how does the Fat Bob ride as far as comfort. Is the Fat Bob a good ride for long day trips or just around town? Any vibration felt in the hand grips or foot pegs? How does the Fat Bob handle, rough ride? I have owned a CVO Fat Boy so I think I know what to expect with the Convertible, but I never owned a Dyna bike before. Any input from guys that rode both would be appreciated.

[Air-Cooled]

I've owned Dynas and Softails. The Dynas handle great, but have a "small" feel to them. Wish I could explain it better than that. The counterbalanced Softail engine is very nice. Now my personal taste is that both of the bikes you mentioned look are little odd looking - - the Fatbob CVO looks a little too gussied up and the Convertible looks like a collection of parts that don't go well together - - but you'll surely hear from people that own both and think that their bikes are the best looking thing in town.

[firetae]

I owned a 09 Fat Bob and absolutely loved it.  it rides and handles extremely well.  I only sold it because i wanted the comforts of a touring bike.  I now have a 2011 CVO Street Glide.  Hope this helps ya.

[bigjohn]

I've owned Dynas and Softails. The Dynas handle great, but have a "small" feel to them. Wish I could explain it better than that. The counterbalanced Softail engine is very nice. Now my personal taste is that both of the bikes you mentioned look are little odd looking - - the Fatbob CVO looks a little too gussied up and the Convertible looks like a collection of parts that don't go well together - - but you'll surely hear from people that own both and think that their bikes are the best looking thing in town.

Thats how I see it too. I have a low rider i putt with around town . Love it but it has a cramped feeling. I like the conv. I dont think its going to be around long, so I would grab it. Sort of rolling the dice on a collectable.

[todd22]

I don't get the convertible.  I have a 2006 SE fatboy and don't undertand why they built the convertible instead of an updated fatboy.  It looks like they needed to get rid of mismatched parts.  The fatbob is a sharp looking bike.

[StreetDog]

 Keep'm coming boys, still have not convinced me one way or the other. Would you take off to the Fl. Keys or to Strugis on the Fat Bob?

[Mount'nman]

I don't see any mismatched parts on my FLSTSE2..  Maple and Roman Gold...  Bike now has 400 mi on it and starting to feel strong.. handles well and rides nice... The counterbalanced motor is great.... If it matters to ya.. the 2011 CVO ST has HDLAN.. it's the way they all will be soon..

[StreetDog]

 Are you saying the counterbalanced motor helps reduce the vibration you feel in the habd grips and foot pegs....and that's why it is so good? So does that mean that the Fat Bob HAS a lot of vibration because it is not the counterbalanced motor? And what is HDLAN ?

[tazmun]

 I don't know how long you may wish to keep either, but BOTH lose there value
quickly. One person on the site has a 2010 Convertible, and was insulted at what
the dealer wanted to give him on a trade in. I've seen dealers this summer that
still had left over anniversary CVO Springers, and Dyna's! The choice is yours.
I'd be thinking used myself, if I was buying one.

[mjb765]

Are you saying the counterbalanced motor helps reduce the vibration you feel in the habd grips and foot pegs....and that's why it is so good? So does that mean that the Fat Bob HAS a lot of vibration because it is not the counterbalanced motor? And what is HDLAN ?

The Softail needs the counterbalanced motor to reduce vibration because it is solid mounted to the frame. The Fat Bob is a Dyna which means it is rubber-mounted to the frame to reduce vibration from the non-counterbalanced motor.

HDLAN is the new electrical system design that is used in the Softails for the first time this year. It uses an additional module to route power to certain devices (mush like a car). For instance--the high beam headlight--instead of the switch controlling power to the light, the switch tells the BCM to turn on the light and the BCM sends the power to the light itself.

See pages 27-36 for a better explanation
http://www.wec-online.de/daten/2011_Models.pdf

[michaelbmenaker]

This is easy. Pick the one you think is most beautiful.

[pm203]

Comparing the Fat Bob to a Conv, would be like comparing Ugly Betty to Jessica Alba.

[Air-Cooled]

Are you saying the counterbalanced motor helps reduce the vibration you feel in the habd grips and foot pegs....and that's why it is so good? So does that mean that the Fat Bob HAS a lot of vibration because it is not the counterbalanced motor? And what is HDLAN ?

The counterbalanced engine does indeed reduce vibration in the grips and foot pegs compared to the old softails that were unbalanced (but still felt pretty cool, vibes and all). The Fat Bob reduces vibes by rubber mounting the engine in the frame and is super comfy, maybe a little more so than the softail, although you feel less "connected" with the engine. Neither is a touring bike, and though you'll hear many say they have ridden them to Sturgis, they are really not ideal for 3-400 mile days unless you add a good seat, wind protection, and bags. Even then, a touring bike is preferrable.

[Air-Cooled]

Comparing the Fat Bob to a Conv, would be like comparing Ugly Betty to Jessica Alba.

Which one is Jessica? 

[pm203]

Why the Conv of course.