Triumphrat

FireyPete

Folks,
Firstly this is not a post designed to annoy any one! I really would like some opinions of these two bikes. I have stared at the internet for hours read all I could and its down to these two.
I have just got back from my local dealer.(both HD and Triumph) after standing there for 15 mins and the salesman was pathetic. "oh those two are chalk and cheese" and thats it! He had no idea, and it was like getting blood from a stone to organise a test ride on a 'bird (they were simply to busy to do it today, the shop was empty! oh and no HD to try)
All I could ascertain was seating positions.
If you have tried both I would love to hear a riders thoughts, not a magazines or an imbicile, I mean salesperson.
I know if your reading this you've bought a 'Bird but still any thoughts....Perhaps someone has rode a few HD's and is a convert?
P.S. please don't flame me, my asbestos undies are in the wash.

Ifby2

I'm going to start off by saying, and I mean no offense and this is an opinion and I know what they are like but, the Fat Bob is so ugly it could scare the stink off of sh*t. I had a Dyna, no not a FB, but it's the same riding philosophy in terms of comfort and such and it was nowhere near as comfortable as they look. If you want a good ride go softail with the counter balanced engine. Even the touring models have engine mounts that don't do such a great job of removing the vibes. My dyna was not the most comfortable bike, even after upgrading the shocks maybe b/c it was a Low Rider and there wasn't much room for movement. The vibrations were okay to deal with on that bike and didn't bother me but like I say, the softails are the smoothest. No experience on the T/Bird, but the T/Bird is a better looking bike.

My 2/100s

rfj

I currently have aT-Bird and a 2009 Softail Deluxe. I have also had four of the dyna series Harleys over the last few years. Comparing the bird to the harleys is kind of difficult, because when riding them they are very similar in my opinion. Triumph has done a very good job at capturing the "Harleyness" in the new Bird. I know they dont look alike, but they ride alike. The Triumph has more power, but not a lot more. The triumph also handles considerably better. And in IMHO the T-Bird is better looking. All in all though the riding experience is similar. It may just come down to your brand favorite.I personally prefer the Bonneville to either

Thatch

Welcome Pete. No flames from me.

I won't deal much with looks as that is a subjective thing. If you like the fatbob you like it, nothing I can say for or against that will alter that fact which is fine.

One thing I will touch on about looks though is that one of the design features of the fatbob is in direct odds to it's functionality and that's where I think things take a turn away from the subjective. Now I'm not sure who decided that fat front tires were cool but I think they should be shot in the pecker and staked out on a mound of fire ants. First of it looks like hell (yes back to subjective) but more importantly it really robs the bikes handling. Just looking at it shows it will be a lot less compliant in the curves. That would be enough for me to decide on but lots of cruiser riders are surprisingly disinterested in handling.

Handling is the major area of difference in the tbird and any of the harleys. If you really like riding and playing in the twisties and love the riding position of a cruiser then I think the tbird is the natural choice. Horsepower is going to be down 12-15 and torque is down nearly 20 from bird. The fb will also cost you a good $2500 more than the bird (put that into a big bore kit and pipes and you'll embarrass the fb)

Truth be told there is nothing that the Harley beats the tbird on. It has less power, handles worse, is less comfortable and costs more. The bird is on par with the Harley on finish, has arguably more cache and is unique. Even if we consider the Harley as an equal how cool is it to have the same thing everyone else has. BMWs might be nice but if the parking lot is full of them I would want an Audi.

At the end of the day it's about what you want. There is little to argue about the objective merits of the bikes though. There is only one area that the Harley beats the Triumph on and that's the number of accessories, bandannas, t-shirts, commemorative coasters, screamin' eagle lip balm, branded tongue depressors, William Harley inspired hair pieces and 'live to ride' marital aids. Do you want a riders bike or a shelf full of tchotchkes

If nothing will scratch the itch other than a Harley, no matter the reason, well then a Harley is what you need to get.

888captain

Gidday Pete. I was struck by the exact same drama as you when I was looking to purchase my bike with the added problem of a Victory premium hammer thrown in. In the end after riding all three I purchased the Thunderbird. I loved the feel and power of the 106cubes of the hammer but $32000.00 was a lot of money. The fatbob I rode was in stock trim with 5000 k's on it. For the limited time I rode the bike it did not invoke the same feeling as the Victory did and by the time I added the engine chrome kit and exhaust it was up over $30,000. Sorry not for me I,m afraid. Next I stumbled onto the Tbird about 6months before its release. It was well worth the wait. Once I road it I was impressed and when I saw the silver machine I was in love.Still am!
The price of $23000 on road was head and shoulders above the other 2 for value, so my choice was made. If money was not an issue the Victory would probably have won the race but I am not in that game.
In the end it is up to you and your needs.All I can say is that my Tbird is a great toy at a very reasonable price for the quality and joy that you will receive.
Good luck with the journey ahead and I hope you have a great outcome as I did.

Cheers Ian

DruAde

Buy the Harley much better bike . It costs more and theres loads of other Harely riders out there that will tell you you have done the right thing in buying one . Thusly making you feel better about your purchase . Just remember that when you see a Bird fly past you and into the distance arround the twisties that its Ok because all your other Harley mates will be all watching it together from way back down the road as well. hehe

Im only jesting and having fun. Look, you need to ride the bikes otherwise you just cant make the right descision even if its the wrong one and you get a Harley hehehehe. Sorry cant resist it.

Leonidas

I thought i would chime in. I dont own a T-Bird or a Fat Bob, but...I did ride both a couple weeks ago. I am in a similar spot trying to decide which bike. For me, its between the T-Bird, Raider, and yes..
oddly enough, the heritage softail.

So, let me share my assessment.

I drove the T-Bird first. I posted my experience of the ride on here a couple weeks ago. The short of it is, rides great. Feels solid, gobs, and gobs of torque. Over the years, i always lusted after a harley for the large amounts of torque they delivered. However, the T-Bird has the HD beat hands down in the torque dept. T-Bird handles well, and is a lot of fun to ride. Its unique, and wont give you the "me too" feeling that a HD will. Seating position is good, but i felt the handle bars were too low and a bit too far forward. A decent set of risers will fix that. In general, the bike feels classy and muscular at the same time. For a two tone ABS, was quoted 13.9k including TOR pipes, OTD.

As for the Fat Bob. Its a nice bike, really nice. It is touted as one of the best handling HDs, and I can attest, that it handles very well. I dont think that there is a great enough difference to make a decision based on that alone. The bike also feels very solid and substantial. The HD seemed a little quicker to me, but it did not offer the huge "im a bad a**" type of torque that the T-Bird did. The seating position is very comfortable, but again, it could use a set of risers. Size wise, they are about the same. minimal passenger seating on both, and about the same riders amount of room. I love the fender on the HD, i love the headlights of the HD, love the handlebars of the HD, but as a package, it looks a little odd to me. I think its one of the closest bikes to compare to the T-Bird. As far as price, if you can find a 09, they are offering some good deals. Around 15k, including stage 1 upgrade OTD is what I was quoted.

So the HD will be around 1k more expensive, but in the grand (no pun intended) scheme of things, i consider that minimal.

In terms of value, the T-Bird wins hands down, not even close. I do feel that either bike would be great to own. As for me, I dont think I could make it past the looks of the HD. Its got that love it or hate it thing going on.

I think both are awesome bikes, so in the end, as everyone on here will tell you, go with your gut. Thats what i try to tell myself. :-)

Making the decision is not an easy one. I am going through the same thing. I have a little bit of time waiting for my Sprint to sell. But, soon as it does, its decision time for me also.

Good luck

__________________
Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum

KingOfFleece

Like the Harley boys will tell you, "if you have to ask you'll never know", Harley, Yamaha, or Triumph? There is a question here? All fine machines but we don't ride machines-we ride Triumph motorcycles, and they are better. "If you have to ask.........".

Just having fun. Buy what you want-as long as it's British!

engage

The fact that the Tbird handles better and costs less has been mentioned, but the Tbird is also more technically advanced:

• Twin rotors up front vs a single
• ABS as an option - not offered on the FB
• Water cooled
• Dual over-head cams vs push-rods
• Belt vs Chain
• Helical gears 2nd thru 6th - FB is 5th only
• Larger gas tank

I wanted to buy a HD because it is an american company, but in light of everything that has been said here, I couldn't do it - just didn't add up.

97TB

FYI, the Fat Bob has a belt drive and a 6th gear :-)

Having owned 3 Triumphs (currently have a Thruxton) and one Harley, one thing I have noticed is that the fit and finish of a Harley is second to none. When it comes to performance, both are just fine when it comes to doing their intended duty of cruising. IMO, Harley defines what all other cruisers are aiming to be. The culture of the HD riders, though, sours the experience for a lot of us :-)