By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Cruiser
Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe FLSTN (MY2008) vs Softail Fat Boy FLSTF (MY2008)
At a red light on a long boulevard, the Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe FLSTN puts both your boots flat, and the big twin doesn't feel heavy. The Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy FLSTF rides soft on its long wheelbase as the light turns green. It doesn't twitch down the straight.
What makes each one tick
Softail Deluxe FLSTN
The Deluxe's counterbalanced Twin Cam 96 pulls from a stoplight up to highway speed without asking for revs. On the freeway, the chassis stays planted, while the hidden rear shock doesn't trade comfort for the hardtail look. The brake lever has 724 lb (328 kg) to haul down when traffic bunches up. It's happiest at a lazy pace.
Softail Fat Boy FLSTF
The Fat Boy's Twin Cam 96B pulls deep and lazy from low revs, and there's no reason to chase the tach. A bump goes into the hidden rear shock, which doesn't give up much comfort for that rigid hardtail look. On Iron Mountain Road, its bars take a deliberate shove at every bend. The six-speed settles in for hours.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Softail Deluxe FLSTN has the lower seat: 24.5 in (622 mm) vs 27.5 in (698 mm).
- The Softail Fat Boy FLSTF makes more peak power: 77 hp (57 kW) vs 72 hp (54 kW).
- Heated Grips: option on the Softail Fat Boy FLSTF, not offered on the Softail Deluxe FLSTN.
Which one for the way you ride
Daily commuting & city riding
Look elsewhere
Neither one is built around the commute. If that's the bike's main job, keep shopping.
Comfortable long-distance riding
Wrong job for both
Both of these get tiring on a long day. A proper tourer will treat you better on big miles.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Not built for this
A string of bends won't flatter either of these. They're built around other priorities.
Call it even on character and running costs. Choose on fit, price and the one that makes you grin.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Softail Deluxe FLSTN
What owners say
Strengths
- Accessible low seat height
Softail Fat Boy FLSTF
What owners say
Strengths
- Torque-rich, dependable engine
- Stable ride and comfortable cruising
What they share
- Displacement
- 1584 cc
- Engine
- 45° V-twin
- Cooling
- Air-cooled
- Fuel capacity
- 5.0 US gal (18.9 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Belt
- Front brake
- 292 mm
- Wheelbase
- 64.5 in (1638 mm)
Where the spec sheets split
| Softail Deluxe FLSTN | Softail Fat Boy FLSTF | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 24.5 in (622 mm) | 27.5 in (698 mm) |
| Wet weight | 724 lb (328 kg) | 714 lb (324 kg) |
| Softail Deluxe FLSTN | Softail Fat Boy FLSTF | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 72 hp (54 kW) | 77 hp (57 kW) |
| Torque | 92 lb-ft (125 Nm) | 89 lb-ft (120 Nm) |
| Softail Deluxe FLSTN | Softail Fat Boy FLSTF | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | MT90-16 | 140/75-17 |
| Rear tire | MU85-16 | 200/55-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Softail Deluxe FLSTN | Softail Fat Boy FLSTF | |
|---|---|---|
| Heated Grips | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
