The Yamaha I was referring to was the Midnight Star XVS950 not the XV950 which is more like the Harley 883 Sportster.
Not sure what sort of rider I’m going to be. Cautious is one thing I think at the moment. I’m lucky enough to have a 5.0ltr V8 engine in my car which plenty satisfies any speed desires I currently have. When I was younger I was never really into bikes, but always had a soft spot for Harley’s as have spent a lot of time in the US and sit in the camp of no substitute for cubic capacity and love the rumble of a good exhaust.
I thought a couple of years ago lets have a go at biking and from CBT I was kind of hooked on it. It just feels nice to be out on a bike. For that sort of ride that’s what I want the Harley for (or maybe another cruiser) as I think they will be perfect for that. Commuting is another thing. It just seems a logical next step to take. I hate travelling by train but its a means to an end. I have a good job working in IT but to do what I do I need to be in London so if I have to travel by train I will. Don’t always like it and if I can go by bike and enjoy it then why not. But I don’t know if I’ll like it yet or whether if I get the bike that’s good for my leisure riding and try to ride that for commuting will that put me off commuting on a bike. I don’t think I’ll mind a bit of rain. Not sure about when it really cold. Sure I wouldn’t commute by bike when it gets near or below zero as I would like to live nearly as long again as I already have and two wheels just doesn’t seem sensible in the ice and snow. Who knew this would all be so effing complicated 
the choice you have given is still quite a difference between cruisers. fat bpy will be heavy compared to the yam.
the fat boy I doubt would be a good commuter but good at the weekends on the bigger roads etc, the yam would be better for commuting.
have you tried a sportster? if you like Harleys and should be ok for commuting that’s your best bet, may be best to go for the 1200 too
Don’t really like the Sportsters especially the 883 ones too small in my view and sorry for anyone who has one. I’m 6ft and they just seem too little to me. The 1200 ones are getting there but for me the full fat options are what I want if I go for a Harley.
I don’t think a Fat Bob would be that bad a commuter in the better weather not sure about when the weather goes bad. Very different to that Fat Boy (aka the Terminator 2 bike) which while a good bike its a bit more to handle than the Fat Bob. If anyone has preconceptions about what a Harley might be like to ride e.g. heavy, hard to ride, poor brakes, I would challenge to go to you local Harley dealer and get them to let you out on a Bob. you might be very surprised. What’s peeing me off is that pretty much whatever bike from their range I wanted to buy I could get a test ride on the Harley’s but the the Yamaha dealers expect me to buy their bikes on spec as they can’t get me one to test ride on.
Hi Seajay and welcome - I have a Kawasaki VN900 after trying a Triumph Speedmaster and a HD Sportster 883. The Kawasaki is physically quite a big bike but has better fuel economy than the big capacity Harleys and is very easy to ride. I thought the Speedmaster was a lovely bike but wanted a V-Twin. I can’t afford the Harleys I really like (Fat Bob/Softail Slim)and the Sportster felt slightly top heavy plus I wanted forward controls.
I’d get the bike that really appeals to you - a huge part of motorcycling is making heart v head choices.
that’s fair enough mate, I like Harley I pretty much like most bikes.
Although saying that Harleys are heavy and brake crap but you compensate for that when riding 1 and know when to brake etc.
I had a sportster 1200 and was fine for me as am shorter than you but could not get use to the engine so traded it in for a triumph Bonneville and as soon as I jumped on that it fealt like a sport bike and stopped on the nose compared to the sporty.
only prob I reckon will get commuting on a fat bob will be when you get into London etc I reckon otherwise rest of journey will be cool.
if your set on the FB go for it otherwise you will always have that inkling.
Decision made - Sod it I’m going for the Fat Bob. It was the desire to ride a Harley that made me get my license in the first place so I got to scratch the itch so to speak. If it don’t work out I can at least move on to something else with the knowledge gained.
Taken on the points about the practicalities of this bike as a commuter though. Will give it a try in September and see how I like it. If I find I do but the bikes not quite right then I can look to get a 2nd bike for that usage.
Thanks for the help from the board and I’m sure I’ll still be around for more tips and advice…
Always good to get what you want if you can 
ha ha, nice 1 mate, might as well.
True, why put up with always wondering. If you change yer mind later no matter, don’t knock it til you tried it etc etc.
Still wish we hadn’t read this thread though cos we keep getting Superglides in the banner ads now. (Suppose that’s better than Thai brides or older fat gals dating sites).