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spdivr · 02-09-2011, 11:33 AM

Hello all, new to the forum. It's been about 10 years since I've ridden, and I am ready to start up again, this time with a nice cruiser. I'm having a lot of trouble deciding between a HD Fat Boy Lo, or a Victory Kingpin.

I like the looks of the Victory much better, except for the satin chrome finish on the engine of the Fat Boy Lo. I've heard the Victory is a much easier bike to ride, but that the FBL's counter balanced engine is much smoother.

One advantage with the HD is that it has a huge variety of custom parts, while I don't find a whole lot out there for the Victory.

It's really hard to know which way to go to drop a lot of money. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

pushrod · 02-09-2011, 12:21 PM

Used Victory's tend to be a lot cheaper than used Harley's.

And, if you should ever need one, there are a hell of a lot more HD Dealerships than Victory Dealerships.

I've never heard anything really negative about the Victory bikes (styling not included), but then nothing really outstanding, either.

spdivr · 02-09-2011, 12:29 PM

Thanks Pushrod. I'm looking to buy new, and there is a Victory and Harley dealership near me, so no issues there.

I've heard the Victory is a much more comfortable ride (with an after market seat), and I am looking for something that I can enjoy long rides up the coast on.

Morbo the Destroyer · 02-09-2011, 01:57 PM

I'd say they're so close in every respect, just pick the one that barks the loudest at you. Vic has a great reputation, HD is...HD. You can't go wrong with either one. Newer Vics, the old ones aren't as good.

Buzglyd · 02-09-2011, 04:05 PM

If you want to ride long distances, I'd stay away from Low anything unless you're really short.

I'm partial to H-D but you can't go wrong with either one.

acecycleins · 02-09-2011, 04:12 PM

Typically, Victory bikes are cheaper to insure. My ex bro-in-law owns an 8ball. Pretty nice ride. I like the suspension better than the softtail suspension. Just a personal observation.

spdivr · 02-09-2011, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzglyd

If you want to ride long distances, I'd stay away from Low anything unless you're really short.

Why would you stay away from "Lo"s? I'm average height, 5'10". I sat on the Lo and it really felt comfortable. Low center of balance is nice, too, i would think.

Good to know on the insurance part. Everything counts. Still hard to pick, guess it'll come down to a test ride when it warms up.

12er · 02-09-2011, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdivr

Why would you stay away from "Lo"s? I'm average height, 5'10". I sat on the Lo and it really felt comfortable. Low center of balance is nice, too, i would think.

Good to know on the insurance part. Everything counts. Still hard to pick, guess it'll come down to a test ride when it warms up.

Lo means you have less suspension (thats how they lowered them), so if your doing longer hauls your tailbone and back will hate you.

acecycleins · 02-09-2011, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdivr

Why would you stay away from "Lo"s? I'm average height, 5'10". I sat on the Lo and it really felt comfortable. Low center of balance is nice, too, i would think.

Good to know on the insurance part. Everything counts. Still hard to pick, guess it'll come down to a test ride when it warms up.

When you have a seat at 29 in or under you should fit on ANY cruiser. Don't worry about that. Balance and cg will be nearly the same.

Dr_Sprocket · 02-09-2011, 06:47 PM

Go with the one you like looking at the most. When you wake up and walk out to the garage in the early morning, you should be able to open the door and appreciate the fine beaut' that is your new ride.

For me, with the exception of the Road Glide, Victory has my $$.

02-09-2011, 11:33 AM	#1
spdivr Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Portland, ME Posts: 3	Victory or Harley? Hello all, new to the forum. It's been about 10 years since I've ridden, and I am ready to start up again, this time with a nice cruiser. I'm having a lot of trouble deciding between a HD Fat Boy Lo, or a Victory Kingpin. I like the looks of the Victory much better, except for the satin chrome finish on the engine of the Fat Boy Lo. I've heard the Victory is a much easier bike to ride, but that the FBL's counter balanced engine is much smoother. One advantage with the HD is that it has a huge variety of custom parts, while I don't find a whole lot out there for the Victory. It's really hard to know which way to go to drop a lot of money. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

02-09-2011, 12:21 PM	#2
pushrod Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Baja 'Bama Posts: 3,478	Used Victory's tend to be a lot cheaper than used Harley's. And, if you should ever need one, there are a hell of a lot more HD Dealerships than Victory Dealerships. I've never heard anything really negative about the Victory bikes (styling not included), but then nothing really outstanding, either. __________________ You would not understand, this is not how I am... I have become - Comfortably Numb.

02-09-2011, 01:57 PM	#4
Morbo the Destroyer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,309	I'd say they're so close in every respect, just pick the one that barks the loudest at you. Vic has a great reputation, HD is...HD. You can't go wrong with either one. Newer Vics, the old ones aren't as good. __________________ Fun Facts to Know and Tell! Thomas Jefferson wrote that the 1st Amendment erected a "wall of separation" between the church and the state (James Madison said it "drew a line," but it is Jefferson's term that sticks with us today). The phrase is commonly thought to mean that the government should not establish, support, or otherwise involve itself in any religion. Its.......A FACT!

02-09-2011, 04:05 PM	#5
Buzglyd Founding Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 10,137	If you want to ride long distances, I'd stay away from Low anything unless you're really short. I'm partial to H-D but you can't go wrong with either one. __________________ Jay Leno: "President Obama released his tax returns. It turns out he made $900,000 less in 2011 than he did in 2010. You know what that means? Even Obama is doing worse under President Obama."

02-09-2011, 04:12 PM	#6
acecycleins Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: North Georgia Posts: 4,125	Typically, Victory bikes are cheaper to insure. My ex bro-in-law owns an 8ball. Pretty nice ride. I like the suspension better than the softtail suspension. Just a personal observation. __________________ "Slack" - a state of being in which everything flows smoothly.....a frame of mind so at ease that the universe naturally cooperates.

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02-09-2011, 12:29 PM	#3
spdivr Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Portland, ME Posts: 3	Thanks Pushrod. I'm looking to buy new, and there is a Victory and Harley dealership near me, so no issues there. I've heard the Victory is a much more comfortable ride (with an after market seat), and I am looking for something that I can enjoy long rides up the coast on.

02-09-2011, 06:47 PM	#10
Dr_Sprocket Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Delmarva Peninsula Posts: 2,331	Go with the one you like looking at the most. When you wake up and walk out to the garage in the early morning, you should be able to open the door and appreciate the fine beaut' that is your new ride. For me, with the exception of the Road Glide, Victory has my $$. __________________ "Aid to the helpless indigent is civilized. Aid to the irresponsible is socially corrosive." ----- Schizuki (c. 2011)