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.
Denne historien er fra August 2018-utgaven av Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra August 2018-utgaven av Motorcycle Sport & Leisure.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Honda CRF1100L ES Africa Twin
Without panniers he was adventuring nowhere - so at least Bertie's got something sorted now
BMW R 12 nineT
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Test fleet: VOGE 525 DSX
After testing the Voge's abilities on a long ride, it was time to take it to the Cotswolds and see how it would manage on the rougher stuff
Portuguese Perambulations
Nearly over before it had begun, a brief workshop stint allows Spain and Portugal to be explored
Highway to Heaven
Three friends take on the challenge of riding the length of Canada, from Vancouver in the southwest to Inuvik in the north. The road is long, the conditions merciless, and wildfires are tearing through the country. To top it all off, the final leg of the journey is the ultimate test of gravel riding skills, nerves, and courage - it's the legendary Dempster Highway...
Battlaxes at the ready!
We tend to take tyres for granted, never really looking at them in any detail, or at how they work, just hoping that they keep us shiny side up at all times. Even in the wet
Ducati Riding Experience
When I rode the Ducati DesertX to France last year, I did have a bit of an explore on some easy fire roads and gentle green lanes in the wilds of the Médoc area, but was left with the feeling that, had I the experience, the DesertX would have been capable of taking me along some more extreme trails to some even more exciting places. If only there was a way of finding out just how well the Italian adventure bike could cope with some more extreme terrain...
Four pot flyer
Many said that sports bikes, and particularly bikes in the traditional Supersports class that was populated by 600cc inline fours, were dead. Maybe they spoke too soon?...
Eastern adventurer
With an increasing interest in smaller capacity adventure bikes, the market expands with a new entry
First Time Lucky?
It's ironic that the first all-new MV Agusta model to hit the marketplace right after Italy's No.1 trophy brand was acquired by Austrian giant Pierer Mobility, owner of off-road titans KTM, should be the company's first dual-purpose model of the modern era, powered by MV's all-new 931cc three-cylinder engine that's destined to form the basis of a whole series of new models in coming months and years.
