Harley Davidson Fat Bob new vs old, which will win? Musclehead vs. Fathead.

Read the more thorough review of both bikes below: Surely you have heard by now that Harley-Davidson ceased making Dyna framed bikes. One model of the Dynas was the Fat Bob. Well, the model name may have remained the same but the frame changed so does it hold up to my picky riding preferences? First up the 2017 Fat Bob based on the Dyna frame. As I explained in the video, the Dyna frames are not the tightest handling frames on the market. My opinion is that they are a cheap knockoff of the old FXR. They get wiggly if not properly maintained and even then still might do the Harley Hula. Check out some of the aftermarket manufacturers for ways to improve the tightness of the frame/powertrain. One I used on my 1999 FLHTPI was the True-track at www.True-Track.com (I am not getting anything to name dropping by the way). Now for the other Pros and Cons: Pros • Five gallon fuel tank at the 42 MPG combined city Hwy estimate means 210 miles per tank – SWEET! • Well, that is about it because all other pros are the same as the 2018 Fat Bob Cons That powertrain mounting VIIIIBBBBBBBERRRRATIONSSSSS Forward Controls are too far out and combined with the drag bar = I cannot carve the curves.  Ability to adjust the rear suspension with ease What the heck is with that side stand? All other cons are the same as the 2018 Fat Bob Next up, the new kid in school. The other Dyna friends are not easily impressed but WAIT! What does the new kid have? Pro • Tight frame with the swingarm tied to the frame means no leveraging the rear wheel in a lean. This means little possibility of a hula dance • Pick up a passenger? No problem just crank on it. Your wrist may get sore and you really need to keep count – so could this be a con? • Forward controls are actually forward AND useable for controlling the bike in twisties • Ah, no unwanted foot and hand massage! • That oil cooler! Could a true liquid cooled radiator be next? Cons 3.5 gallon tank at an estimated 47 MPG City/Hwy means about 150 miles per tank. It is livable but I have been in areas of the US where 150 miles will sneak right on by you Those mufflers look nice but what about saddlebags? I need to carry a small gas can now. That rear fender will make awesome rooster tail in the rain I bet. Plus the mud thrown up and forward will look nice on your leathers. All other cons are the same as the 2017 Twin Cam powered model and those are: you need a thin passenger to fit on the thin seat, drag bars are ok for going straight and slight curves but slow speed tight turns will be a bear, catalytic converters are right where my leg goes for stops which means more burns, and bobbed rear fenders look cool until they throw debris in your eye when riding behind them. So for me the winner is the 2018, despite the flaws, the improvements over the 2017 handling from the frame and engine mount as well as lack of annoying vibrations alone are huge! I wish I could have really taken it out and got some good twisties under it. However, HD is scaling back production for 2018 and that means some dealers will be getting tight with the miles. The price of used bikes will go up too so reviews like this will hopefully help you make well informed purchases. If you like what you see and want to see more reviews like this on Harley-Davidsons let Jason Altenburg over at Appleton HD in Clarksville TN know at www.appletonharley.com . If you want to see reviews on other brands, leave a comment below and I will try to make it happen. -Have Fun PS update 9/28/17 - someone doubted that a rider's feet can be used to steer a bike. Sport bike riders and canyon carvers have been doing it for a while http://www.sportrider.com/sportbike-r... Just a little light reading.