Harley-Davidson’s Fat Boy has cemented itself as one of the iconic American brand’s most popular models since its 1990 introduction. For 2018, it’s had a range of updates – so, we thought it was time to put the iconic cruiser through its paces...
First, let’s take a look at its appearance. As the monster machine rolled off the MSLvan, I was blown away by its styling. With solid cast wheels and massive 160mm and 240mm tyres, at the front and rear respectively, the Fat Boy’s a mean and muscular-looking thing. It blends historic Harley styling with the latest modern technology. It’s a beautifully made too; when you get close you can see that the level of finish and attention to detail is second to none.
From the quality of the paintwork, through to the finish on the welding, the Fat Boy 114 looks and feels like a premium motorcycle. And it even comes with self-cancelling indicators.
Despite its size, settling into its seat for the first time it feels well-proportioned and surprisingly easy to manoeuvre – mostly thanks to its low seat height. I could get both feet flat on the floor, with room to spare. Everything falls to hand – the controls are where you’d expect them to be, the seat’s comfortable, and the riding position’s neutral. Spot on.
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