HARLEY-DAVIDSON FAT BOB FXFB (2018 - on) Review
Highlights
- Less vibey than previous Harley-Davidson models
- Hardtail style hides preload adjustable shock
- Strong aftermarket parts availability
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £2,940 |
| Power: | 86 bhp |
| Seat height: | Low (28.0 in / 710 mm) |
| Weight: | High (653 lbs / 296 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesA bike that certainly turns heads, the Harley-Davidson Fat Bob is a machine that you will either love or hate and is best thought of as Harley’s take on a naked bike. And a very big one at that!
Designed to appeal to European riders who view a bike’s ability to go around corners with equal importance to straight line cruising, the Fat Bob is the sportiest model in the firm’s petrol-powered range and yet still has more than a hint of the cruiser about it with its 16-inch wheels shod in fat balloon tyres.
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Long, low and imposing, the latest Fat Bob arrived in 2018 and sits in the Softail family, which was thoroughly updated that year through a new chassis (the Softail and Dyna families were combined) and the new Milwaukee-Eight motor (in two capacities, 107 and 114) to coincide with Harley’s 115th Anniversary.
Not one of Harley’s biggest selling models, the Fat Bob’s Marmite styling sees it generally owned by enthusiasts and while its fairly hefty weight and extensive use of metal parts for the running gear hints at a high level of build quality, owners are a little underwhelmed on this front and it seems as if a few corners have been cut, which is a shame on a bike that is certainly at the premium end of the price scale.
As with all things Harley, there is a huge network out there if you need to get any extra info and the best thing to do is go to your local Harley dealership and chat to members of HOG, the Harley Owners Group. If you are uncertain about the bike itself, Harley are very proactive when it comes to test rides (they can be booked via the firm’s website) so as long as you have a full licence, you should be able to borrow one.
And if a quick blast isn’t enough, many dealerships allow you to hire a bike for an extended period of time (a weekend or even a week) and often if you buy the bike (if it is new) they will take the cost of hire into account and reduce the price a bit or even wave the hire costs.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThe Softail family contains everything from the Breakout to the Heritage and as such Harley have made a 'platform' tubular steel double cradle chassis that can be altered with minimal effort through different head angles or a choice of swingarms to suit the intended bike’s role in life. All-new for 2018, the Softail range has a 'hardtail' look of a solid back end but actually contains a monoshock under the seat area (previous generations had twin shocks under the transmission).
As well as being a claimed 65% stiffer than before, the new chassis also uses the engine as a stressed member and the swingarm is stiffer. Why is this important? Because it allows the Fat Bob to actually handle fairly well. Unlike most Harley models, the sporty nature of the Bob sees it come with Showa inverted forks with dual bending valve technology, but sadly no adjustment which is a shame as they are a little crude in their damping.
Far from a lightweight bike, the Bob’s 296kg weight and fat 16-inch wheels is initially a bit daunting as it does give the bike a strange feeling and a slight reluctance to turn into bends, however once you get used to muscling it about you can actually build up a bit of pace and although limited by ground clearance, bends are certainly not something to be feared.
This is a bike that is happy on a twisty road and is far more than just a straight-line cruiser. Owners report the OE Harley-branded Dunlop tyres are fairly poor in their performance in the wet and dry, so updating them for European-spec alternatives is right at the top of the to-do list, but the brakes have ABS as standard and are a twin-disc four-piston per caliper set-up, which is enough to haul-up the heavy Bob.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityWhen it was launched the Fat Bob was sold in two formats - 107 and 114 – which refer to the Milwaukee-Eight engine’s size in inches (1745cc or 1868cc if you don’t speak imperial) however nowadays only the bigger 114 is available.
All-new in 2017, the Milwaukee-Eight motor is different to the one used in the touring models where it debuted as its rigid-mounting instead of rubber and sees the Softail models run two, not one, balancer shafts to keep the vibrations down.
A fabulous motor that sounds and feels exactly like a Harley should, the Milwaukee-Eight marked a huge step forward over the old Twin Cam motor and as well as better reliability, it is more powerful and has a (marginally) slicker gearbox. We say marginally because there is still a hefty clunk when you select a cog.
On the go the four-valve air-cooled motor (hence its name, as it has a total of eight valves) is a real beauty with bags of torque delivering lots of instant punch. Although Harley dislike claiming power figures, it makes 86bhp with 107ft.lb of torque in 107 guise and 94bhp and 114ft.lb in 114, so there isn’t too much of a difference if you opt for the lower capacity model. The one thing it is missing, however, is any form of traction control and given all that grunt and the poor OE tyres, on a wet road you do need to exercise a degree of caution over white lines or on slippery surfaces.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueA lot of Harley owners tend to cherish their bikes and if they are cleaned regularly, not ridden much in the wet and generally cared for the build quality seems acceptable. However should you get a bit behind or let things slip the Fat Bob starts to look very second hand very quickly, which is a real shame on a bike that costs so much.
MCN owners' reviews report that the paint finish is very poor indeed with paint rubbing off on areas where your knees touch and also the engine shedding its finish. Not only that, corrosion on exposed metal components seems rife if the bike hasn’t been treated to a lot of anti-corrosion spray. One owner has even has the clocks misting up and the fuel cap’s lock fail. When you talk to Harley dealers they say a big problem is owners cleaning their bikes and then putting them away wet, which allows the water to pool and corrosion sets in, however a slightly low level of build quality is also certainly to blame.
In terms of the motor the Milwaukee-Eight is very solid and not that expensive to get serviced with annual costs of roughly £300. Always give the belt and sprockets a good check when buying any used Harley as if a stone gets in there it can damage the belt and swapping one is a big bill as it requires removing the swingarm due to the fact there is obviously no soft link in a belt!
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentBuying a Fat Bob is not a cheap proposition and a new 114 will set you back in the region of £17,000, however they do tend to hold their value fairly well with year old examples costing around £15,000. The 107 option costs roughly £13,500 as it is less desirable however not that many were sold as most owners opted for the 114 motor.
As with all Harley models, the price tag is very much dependent on condition, mileage and extras and as the Bob is such a new model, nearly every one is sold through the dealer network rather than private sales, which boost the price tag. Official Harley extras also up the price however unlike some Harley models, very few Fat Bobs get accessorised that heavily aside from the usual exhausts and air filter. Insurance isn’t too bad and with roughly 40mpg fairly easily achieved, the Bob isn’t that thirsty on the petrol either.
The problem with the Bob is when you look at it in terms of its value – is it really worth paying £17,000 for an air-cooled bike that lacks most modern electronic assists? That’s a decision only a serious buyer can make and when you consider a Ducati Monster 1200 S is £15,095, an Indian FTR R Carbon £15,595 or even a Ducati XDiavel £16,995 it seems very steep for what it is once you ignore the name on the tank.
Equipment
There is no denying the Bob is lacking in terms of its equipment. There is no traction control, only basic ABS, no power modes, no quickshifter, no connectivity, little adjustment in its suspension, the list goes on and on.
Then again, this is an air-cooled Harley and they do tend to be quite basic in terms of their spec. Owners can up the ante through the H-D parts and accessories catalogue, but most simply opt for a set of loud pipes and a free-flowing air filter, which to be fair makes a huge difference to the bike’s sound levels and also releases a welcome bit of extra mid-range.
When it comes to tyres, most known brands make a hoop for the Bob and you have the choice of the likes of the Michelin Scorcher, Metzeler Cruisetec, Avon Cobra Chrome or even a non-Harley branded Dunlop D427, which are the OE fitment but better in terms of grip when made in Europe.
Specs |
|
| Engine size | 1746cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | 45º pushrod V-twin |
| Frame type | Tubular steel double cradle |
| Fuel capacity | 13.6 litres |
| Seat height | 710mm |
| Bike weight | 296kg |
| Front suspension | Showa inverted telescopic forks, no adjust |
| Rear suspension | Monoshock, adjustable spring preload |
| Front brake | 2 x 275mm discs, four-piston calipers. ABS |
| Rear brake | 275mm two piston caliper. ABS |
| Front tyre size | 150/80 x 16 |
| Rear tyre size | 180/70 x 16 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | - |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £117 |
| Annual service cost | £2,940 |
| New price | £14,295 |
| Used price | £11,500 - £14,300 |
| Insurance group |
17 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two years |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 86 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 107 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 110 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | - |
| Tank range | - |
Model history & versions
Model history
- 2008 – the first generation of Fat Bob is launched.
- 2018 – The all-new Fat Bob is launched. Powered by the Milwaukee-Eight motor in 107 or 114 sizes, it has an all-new chassis and even meaner look.
Owners' reviews for the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FAT BOB (2018 - on)
17 owners have reviewed their HARLEY-DAVIDSON FAT BOB (2018 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your HARLEY-DAVIDSON FAT BOB (2018 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews |
|
| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £2,940 |
Version: FXFBS
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £300
The FXFBS Fat Bob is brilliant, whether it's only your own around the country lanes, with mates on other bikes or touring with lots of luggage, holds its own and is a jack of all trades, despite its size. (Currently struggling to find a suitable replacement)
Have no problem with riding from Leeds to North Queensferry or to Holyhead and back in day. It's my food intake that's the problem, not a seating/tiredness issue.
Performance is brilliant for a heavy Harley.
Drive belt guard and oil cooler surround are a bit iffy, but other than that bike is good for 30000 miles
Found good local V twin servicing locations, but they're now getting a bit thin on ground. Main dealer is way too expensive for a 7 year old bike.
Engine is brilliant, and didn't realise exactly how quick it was until late last year, even after owning it for nearly 7 years!!! From experience on an ealier Fat Bob, original tractor tyres have poor grip and are noisy, changed them as soon as I'd got best use out of them, and it transformed bike.
Buying experience: Leeds Harley Davidson were spot on with purchase, and gave me good deal on old Fat Bob I part exchanged.
Year: 2020
Annual servicing cost: £300
Initial enthusiasm for the Fat Bob eroded after a year mainly due to issues mentioned by others, such as the bike acquiring a 'second hand look' rather quicker than it should have done. I noticed details such as the engine paint & some chromed parts starting to suffer from corrosion. This Harley is clearly not designed to cope with our damp British weather. This was a particular disappointment as the bike was garaged & I'm a fair weather rider only. But the killer for me was the sheer weight of the machine. There were several occasions when I struggled to heave it around. Including on one occasion when I needed to reverse it up an incline which was impossible without someone else on hand to assist. Another pet hate was the clunky gearbox & the prohibitive cost of insuring it ! Would I recommend this bike to a friend ? No, I'm afraid I wouldn't. I was relieved to part with it.
Brakes are effective in dry conditions. I don't ride in the wet so unable to offer an opinion on how well it stops in the rain. This bike is very heavy which means it does not stop as smartly as a sport bike. This was another reason we had to part company. It's a difficult feeling to describe. I always felt 'in control' in the twisties but I was always aware of the undeniable fact this bike is a heavy beast which would be extremely difficult to lift off your leg if you got it wrong & ended up in a ditch. Ride quality (seat & suspension) are good. I could ride this bike for several hours in comfort.
Immensely powerful engine which delivers eagerly. No complaints re the power. It's not the same acceleration as a sport bike - but the engine has all the grunt you're ever going to need for overtaking & then some. Unfortunately I really disliked the clunky box. It prob came straight off a WW2 truck.
Harley Davidsons are expensive. I was disappointed with the build quality. I sold it because the bike was just starting to show signs of corrosion in the places where you might expect it. It's possible that stone damage could have started the paint flaking off the underside of the engine casing but at this price point (£17k) it shouldn't be happening. Other places where corrosion was evident included the nuts securing the mirror arms to the handlebars & on the exhaust. There were no breakdowns in my ownership of 12 months.
Service costs were about what I'd expect to pay (£300). Oil change, belt check & new tyres after 2500 miles.
Standout positive feature was the sound this monster makes. No need for a horn. Just blip the engine. It's louder. The one feature I really missed from other bikes - no heated grips on the Bob. For the price HD charge for these bikes you'd think this would be included as standard.
Buying experience: Bought 2 years old from Lind HD dealership used with 1500 miles. £15k paid. Sold to another bike dealership with 4500 miles, for £12k & changed back to a lighter bike (2022 Kawasaki Z900RS with 700 miles). Harleys are fairly straightforward to trade-in as there's reasonable demand for them. I was happy with positive buying & selling experience. no complaints.
Version: 114
Year: 2021
Annual servicing cost: £300
Harley Davidson sporty cruiser - good bike let down badly by Harley Davidson and their dealers
One of the few soft-tails with twin discs up front - this should be a must Harley Ride was ok but dangerous dunlops had to go awful when damp - a poor choice of tyre - replaced with cruisetecs they changed the bike
114 motor needs improvement- had a 117 conversion but it needs more
Not the best build quality as the paintwork on the tank was poor .Spots of corrosion appeared in the first 12months . Switchgear failure (right side controls) was the main reason to get rid off - no replacement available for 4months - come on Harley get your act together as if you don’t someone will get hurt . Condensation in the clock - local dealer refused to do anything about it - that’s normal was the reply Brake pedal was on order for 12 months never got it
Average but when work was carried out some parts/rates were unreasonable
Very basic - had to retrofit cruise control and heated grips - no electronics or aids apart from ABS (basic) but Harley doesn’t do modern technology they always get it wrong
Buying experience: Main dealer good at the start then extremely poor not interested after the sale
Version: 114
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £300
It is a 3/5 bike, the extra star comes from the sense of occasion you get, every time you fire it up to go for a ride. Best short description? It's alright (in a nice way). It seems reliable, many of the niggles mentioned elsewhere in these reviews are a ten minute fix, BUT, you shouldn't have to on a bike at this price. Best feature? They hold their value. Worst features? Shoddy designs and last minute build quality. A gaping hole under the seat to spray road muck all over the electrics and rear suspension? Check. A battery that needs a hundred piece toolkit and an engineering degree to change? Check. Happy with my purchase once I sorted the glitches out and it is a lot of fun, but my over 20 year old Jap Hypersports Tourer was leagues ahead of the Harley 20 years ago. As a functional bike.
It's alright.....again. Brakes are adequate....just, but I am used to the modern Japanese anchors. Strangely, the rear brake actually does something, not a lot, but something. It is a relatively stiff ride, even with the preload on zero (6'3" 14 stone), but not jarringly so. Whack the preload up and your dental bills will exceed your Harley parts bill. For no great gain. I would never call it a tourer. An hour and I want to have a rest. Most surprising thing? This beast actually handles and well. Yes, it weighs about the same as a house, but the new design frame makes for assured cornering (on Cobra Chromes, junk the OEM tyres) and your bottle will probably go before you run out of ground clearance. And no feeling of a frame with a hinge in the middle. One thing, tyre pressures need to be spot on or it can get a bit wayward.
Archaic tractor bought into the 21st century. It goes quite well. If you want to pull 3G on takeoff, look elsewhere. But for everyday usage, it is tractable, responds well and gives about 44mpg. 94bhp is less than a half decent 600 these days and although the torque is good, it is no more than many other well sorted Japanese bikes at half the capacity. Definitely a stick some highway pegs on, riser bars and lope along at 1800rpm is the order of the day. And it will do that in spades.
Rattling gas cap. Ten minute DIY fix. Fogging and wonky clock. Ten minute DIY fix. Lopsided mudguard. You guessed it, ten minute DIY fix. Wonky handlebars. About an hour and new polyurethane riser bushes at £100. Gaping hole under seat. Twenty minute fix and £15 parts. So, an hour or fairly easy spanner work and £200 and it is where it should be. This should be a part of any dealers PDI. So, if you are a modern TFT screen techy rider who is "everything is the dealer", this bike is probably not for you. If you can do the basic checks such as oil, air, stick it on an Optimate every time and some routine spannering to tighten a few things up now and again, or maybe fit a screen or something of that nature, the Harley might surprise you with its competence.
Everything is expensive if you need parts. Fortunately, the M8 softails seem to be fairly robust, so routine servicing seems to be the main thing if you look after it and do your routine checks. Everyone has a bad insurance story, but the HD insurance is not badly priced. HOWEVER, you do need to factor in the extra bits and bobs they throw into the cover. Once you load up the other well known providers with those add ons, they are much of a muchness on price. And you can get agreed value on the HD insurance at no extra charge.
Haha. One clock, a rev counter dial and a digital speedo (plus fuel, odo, neutral light all in one). Cable clutch. Self cancelling indicators. ABS. That is about it. But if you are of an age when you can't see the tiny writing on the TFT screens on the Yamaguchi 900, a single rev and speed clock works surprisingly well. It is all you actually NEED.
Buying experience: Dealer. Two years old. Advertised at £13K, got about £600 off and a few bits chucked in. The dealer guy was actually alright and played it fairly straight. As it happens, I met the previous owner a couple of years later who told me that he had dropped it at parking speed and there was cosmetic damage. Which cost ELEVEN THOUSAND POUNDS to repair at the dealer. Harley parts are expensive! The guy I dealt with didn't mention that surprise surprise.......
Version: FXFBS
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £350
Great bike, been looking for something else to replace it, but can't find anything else which is as comfortable, can be loaded with camping/touring gear, has grunt, and doesn't require me to carry out major building work to garage it (Rocket III), so given up looking. 23000 miles in just over 5 years, used at least 10 months of each year I've owned it from new.
Brilliant bike for full day riding. Round trips from West Yorkshire to North Queensferry in day is no problem at all. Diabetic testing/Petrol stops force you to take breaks, 54+ mpg, unless playing around which is still high 40's. Catches other riders by surprise with how quick it actually is for a large bike. Good for two up too, still handles really well.
Engine is brilliant, but could do with a slipper clutch when down shifting when playing.
Pretty well built, but digital has a tendancy to get covered up by condensation, common problem with Fat Bob's, but Harley Davidson think it's not their fault!!!!
Don't use Harley Davidson dealer, use local specialist who doesn't want arm and a leg for decent service. I can't understand why servicing is only every 5000miles, bit poor in this day and age.
Seat and riding position are spot on. Need to get rid of the original tractor tyres and fit Pirelli Night Dragons or Metzellers. You also have to be careful with rear tyres when getting close to 5000miles, starts to rip tread off with torque.
Buying experience: Bought from Leeds Harley Davidson, brilliant service, no problem at all with purchasing.
Version: 114
Year: 2019
Biggest problem’s that I have with Harley is the weight and the flex in the frame and swing arm. Harley addressed this in 2018 but needs more work
Sporty feel for a Harley. Brakes are okay for the weight.
Plenty of power and torque, traction control would make this a safer bike.
No real issues, noisy engine, they told me was normal. But mine is louder than any others.
I do regular maintenance, Harley cost is way to high.
Aftermarket anything, Harley is to expensive.
Buying experience: Prices are to high. Every Harley dealership I have been to seems to just want your money.
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £450
I'd previously had a 2015 Fat Bob and really liked the look of the 2018 soft tail version. I took a test ride and ended up purchasing one. I've currently covered over 21000 miles and it's been brilliant. Certainly not what people think, 3500rpm 100mph running it in. Bin the tractor tyres and get something decent (cheaper/longer lasting) Currently in two minds in keeping for at least another couple of years rather than getting CB1000R
Live the the Fat Bob, can ride to North Queensferry, in Scotland, and back to Yorkshire in day with no problem 👍
Tyres are poor, and paintwork not brilliant
Original tyres are too noisy and are poor☹️
Buying experience: I bought from new, couldn't fault Cal at Leeds Harley Davidson 👍
Version: 114
Year: 2019
Annual servicing cost: £300
As long as you remember what you're riding it's a pretty good place to be. The weight and basic suspension makes bend swinging a bit of a challenge, my other bike's a ZX9R, but also fun. The pillion seat's a supermodel only width so I bought a real-world width touring seat, at around £350 Harley accessories aren't cheap but are decent quality to be fair. The speedo/rev counter/info readout on the tank is a pain. Hopless for reading on the move and tankbags are not an option.
It's a big heavy bike and ride it as such and it can be fun. The front brake is good enough with decent feel, but you need to give it a handful to stop in a hurry. Rear brake is a bit wooden though. OE Dunlop tyres are utterly lethal in the wet and shouldn't be on the bike. Change them! I'm six foot three and long legged and I'm ok for a tank of petrol, around 120 miles, before needing a break. No worse than any other bike for my skinny backside! Pillion comfort with the wider seat is ok too. Longest ride I've done is 250 miles on a mix of A and twisty B roads. I've got a HD screen on mine, which I'd recommend.
Engine is good. Plenty of pulling power for heavy bike and 15 stone rider. Luggage or pillion isn't a problem either. If you want a missile look elsewhere though, or be up for spending up to around four grand on performance mods.
I clean it with Muc-off after every ride and garage it, and it's off the road over winter but still some of the engine fasteners have corroded. Why they have some in stainless and some in cheap alloy crap I don't know. Speedo mists up, same problem as my previous HD, a 2000 year Dyna Lowrider. The paint on the tank is crap, so if you buy one make sure to get some Turtlewax scratch removal polish.
Usual expensive HD hourly rate. At Edinburgh HD you're well looked after though.
ABS, that's about it for standard kit, although there is a usb socket and a lead for a battery maintainer, which you need as the standard alarm is a real drain. The HD seat £350 and screen £370 I've fitted are premium priced but are good quality to be fair. As already mentioned the OE tyres are extermely bad in the wet. I take my other bike out if there's a hint of rain for that reason. Next service I'll be getting Metzeler Cruisetecs fitted. I had those on my last HD and they were superb.
Buying experience: Bought at a year old from Edinburgh HD at advertised price of £14k with around 1,200 miles on it. No chance of a haggle as they'd another three in stock which all sold within a week and weren't getting any new ones for six months. The sales and service staff are great, as is the waiting area and coffee, although you're paying for being well looked after.
Year: 2019
Annual servicing cost: £350
Best feature is its a bike of substance. You feel like you're riding so.ething special. Worst feature is Harleys build quality. Still no where near Triumph or jap and German standards.
Stock tyres are shocking. Change them as soon as you can, changes the bike massively and its a joy to ride after. Go for the 200 rear as well as it fits straight on.
Very torque and fast enough. Add a nose fairing helps deflect the wind a bit.
Paint came off mirror within a week. Indicator lense just fell off. Speedo glass fogs over when damp and you can't see the info.
Buying experience: Excellent service from sales, not so much from Manager of the dealership.
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £200
comfortable with predictable handling for a heavy bike. needs tuning to make reasonable power mine has a stage 2 tune
Great for country ride outs
no sign of corrosion unfortunately the speedo mists up ( a common fault ) which HD doesn't accept responsibility for ??
HD prices are high but as a uncomplicated machine running costs are reasonable
riding position is great, standard tyres not great in wet . a screen is well worth it
Buying experience: bought at a main dealer who were great until they closed ( Birmingham HD) .Now use Wolverhampton who have been good and part of same group.
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £150
Handles very well for such a heavy bike , whereas I like that all harleys are made assuming you will customise them , included are design faults that you have to change - for instance if you want mirrors that show behind you . Plus HD prices are high .
comfortable to ride brakes are good not great
Servicing is fine , insurance however is not
the engine is why I bought it , great up to legalish motorway speed's its not a race bike
Buying experience: bought from dealer happy with price although HD don't really haggle
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £250
Very nice Harley comfortable seat no room for a pillion but very smooth m8 engine pulls like a train
After 1 hour of continued riding I need a rest especially for my bum lol
Does what it should pulls like a train even two up you wouldn't notice a passenger on the back
Buying experience: Purchased second hand from Sykes H-D Lewes cracking service delivery was free as was the service and HOG membership and 12 months H-D warranty sales man Craig went above and beyond
Version: 114
Year: 2019
Annual servicing cost: £300
If you buy this in context this is a superb bike, if you want a sports bike then look elsewhere! The engine on this is addictive, low down grunt making it superb for squirting out of corners. Amazingly, for a Harley, this thing goes round corners well and shock horror ! The brakes work and it doesn't vibrate. If you want a cruiser bruiser with V twin cred this is the bike for you.
For a Harley this is superb, it is vastly improved by ditching the original Teflon Dunlop tyres and fitting something that actually sticks!
Nice and grunty, sounds superb with a set of cans and a Vance and Hines FP3 sorts out all the issues.
The downside with this bike is the paint. I have made plastic models with better quality of paint than this. It has Lancia quality finish, definitely bio degradable!
Service costs depends on mileage. I like to use my bikes so it does soon add up. It is not bad on petrol hitting high 40's if you don't drive it like you stole it.
ABS...............that it!
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £40,000
old version is fantastic
takes a while to embed in but strong performance
lazy and lumpy :)
no issues after 2 years
awesome servicing at reading
Clearer dispalys would be good
Buying experience: amazing
Year: 2019
Best Harley I’ve owned. No more peg scraping and although no sports bike rolls into corners and bends with ease. Had to throw the rattling gas cap and buy another immediately. 16k and a two bob cap ? Can’t see out of mirrors.
Early days no issues as yet. Rides nice and smooth with no vibration. Front a little soft.
Great performance and torque. Takes a while to get the hang of which gear when slow cornering. I found first a little harsh and better to keep it in second and slip the clutch slightly otherwise your hands are removed from the bars.
Great no keys and better view of cluster
Buying experience: Brought from Riders Bristol and didn’t leave the arm chair. Great service.
Version: 114
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £300
Out of the box it's a lovely bike to ride. A massive step in the right direction for Harley Davidson. Unfortunately after nearly 1 years ownership and 3000 dry miles the poor build quality is starting to show. Based on my ownership experience over the last 12 months I wouldn't recommend any Harley-Davidson to anyone.
Surprisingly usable motorcycle. Not for two up touring but pillion seat OK for my daughter on short trips. All day comfy ride below motorway speeds so best suited for A/B road cruising. The bike handles surprisingly well for it's size and the suspension is pretty good. Only adjustable for preload at the rear and at 80kg I need the shock wound right out or it's too harsh. The brakes are excellent.
It's a Harley and a unique experience. Cruising along a favourite road on a sunny day and it makes a lot of sense. Try and push on and you'll soon find it's limitations.
How long have you got? Battery drain overnight. Faulty fuel cap. Faulty preload adjuster. Condensation in clock. Wonky handlebar and clock. Thin paint easily scratched on both matt and lacquered finishes. Paint rubbing off. Corrosion issues and paint flaking off all over the bike i.e. Forks, regulator, indicators, bolts and fixings, etc. I'm too scared to look underneath now. Some issues fixed but most blamed on "poor maintenance and environmental issues."
Considering the bike cost over £16k I expect better so it's overpriced. Most H-D dealerships are around £100ph now. £300 for the annual oil change. Parts are ludicrously expensive. However, the engines are basic so If you can service it yourself or know a decent independent mechanic then they are relatively cheap to run. High insurance cost though.
ABS is your lot in terms of rider aids. It has keyless ignition and a factory fitted alarm which I can't help thinking will cause me issues in the future. OE tyres look the part and are fine in the warm but hopeless in the cold and/or wet. S&S slip ons improve the sound without being obnoxious.
Buying experience: Bought from Southampton H-D for list with some extras thrown in. Buying experience just OK but aftersales and customer support have been a joke. The worst motorcycle company I have dealt with in 30 years.
Version: 114
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £300
Ridden in isolation the Fat Bob is a nice cruiser. Try to keep up with other road traffic or crack on and you soon feel it's limitations. This is a motorcycle that you need to be in the 'cruiser' mindset to enjoy fully. For a Harley this is a step forward and the handling and ride is much improved but when compared to other bikes it has flaws. If you must have a H-D then this is the one to try.
First off the brakes are excellent, some of the best I've used recently. The bike is comfortable and the stock suspension is pretty good for UK B roads, just make sure that you adjust the shock with the remote pre-load adjuster. Handling is good as long as you remember what you are riding, it takes a good old push of counter steer to turn in the front wheel but it holds a very stable line. I personally don't find it particularly comfortable on the motorway above 70 but that may be the fact that I don't exclusively ride in the cruiser position, I would rather travel distances on my XSR, but cruising on the back roads at 60 it's all day comfy. The pillion seat is fine for my 7 yo daughter, but not a grown up size.
I have to love the engine. Yes it's under powered for it's size but it is a nice place to be with it thrumming away. The sheer weight of the motorcycle means that you're never going to win many races but it's nice riding the torque out of corners. Very smooth for the capacity too. I was specifically looking for a bike to cruise on as I own other sports bikes so in this market with the likes of the V7, Speedmaster, CB1100 etc, the Harley engine just has a lot more of the 'C' word than all of those other bikes so it's the one I'm happier to potter along on and not be frustrated by the traffic or get impatient.
After less than a year with 2500 dry miles the cracks are showing. Excessively vibrating (non locking) fuel cap replaced, pre-load adjuster stiff and a software patch after an overnight battery drain. However, the condensation in the clock and all the paint peeling off the regulator has been blamed on 'cosmetic and environmental issues'. Harley have not been empathic about these issues despite my assurances that I haven't taken it green laning... I'll admit that I don't have high expectations for the long term reliability of the bike and with hindsight I probably wouldn't have bought it. I expect better on a £16k+ bike.
Considering the apparent lack of build quality then the purchase price seems more than excessive. Palatable if you want the 'lifestyle' though which appeals to some. Harley dealers by me tend to be around £100-110 per hour but thankfully there are some very good independents locally. Parts and accessories are as expensive as you would expect.
Some slip-on's make it sound just right, not too obnoxious. The stock tyres look the part but they are terrible in the winter and only slightly better in the wet, I may swap them for some Cruisetecs. Non-locking fuel cap and a ridiculously placed speedo are impractical and the keyless ignition/alarm comes standard but I would rather not have them. I would recommend putting on an oil cooler guard ASAP.
Buying experience: Bought from Southampton Harley. Sales experience just OK. After sales has been appalling. I wouldn't recommend.
