Harley-Davidson 1800 SOFTAIL FAT BOY S FLSTFBS 2017 — Specifications

What drives Harley-Davidson to unleash its biggest twin and drop it into one of its most iconic models? The answer comes down to a single letter: S, as in Screamin' Eagle. With the 2017 Fat Boy S, Milwaukee brings out the heavy artillery and gifts its most recognizable silhouette in the lineup an engine previously reserved for the CVO series — those semi-handcrafted machines sold at a premium. The Twin Cam 110 displacing 1801 cc replaces the 1690 from the standard Fat Boy, and the difference goes well beyond a few cubic centimeters. We're talking 92 hp and, more importantly, 145 Nm of torque available from just 4000 rpm. This 45° V-twin fitted with a balancer shaft delivers its power with an authority the previous engine simply couldn't claim. On paper, the gain looks modest. In the saddle, the thrust shifts to another level entirely.

Visually, this S version has picked its side: the dark one. Chrome, the brand's historic signature, is scarce. The all-black livery swallows the slotted disc wheels borrowed from the Fat Boy Special, the engine covers, the Shotgun exhausts, and the steel double-cradle frame. Only a few metallic accents remain, almost by accident. The Screamin' Eagle-branded air cleaner sits proudly on the right flank, offering a glimpse of dark cylinders lined with carefully machined cooling fins. The result is massive, almost intimidating. This Softail commands a physical presence that few cruisers can match, even among the Japanese or Indian competition.

Speaking of presence, let's talk numbers. At 333 kg wet, the Fat Boy S is no lightweight. The 200 mm rear tire and 140 mm front deliver a spectacular visual footprint, but maneuverability pays the price. At low speed, parking-lot moves demand real skill. The 41 mm telescopic fork provides 130 mm of travel, while the two shock absorbers hidden beneath the engine make do with just 86 mm of stroke. This is a far cry from touring comfort, and rough roads will quickly remind you of the chassis's limitations. The seat, perched at just 670 mm, lets shorter riders plant both feet flat on the ground — no small luxury given the machine's weight.

On the technology front, Harley has closed part of the gap. ABS comes standard, as does cruise control. The braking system, built around a 300 mm front disc with a four-piston caliper and a 292 mm rear disc, benefits from noticeably reduced lever effort compared to previous generations. An electronic throttle replaces the mechanical cable, and the H-D Smart security system rounds out the package. That said, the architecture remains straightforward: two valves per cylinder, a six-speed gearbox, and belt final drive. The 22.7-liter tank provides decent range, though the V-twin tends to drink when pushed hard. Top speed caps out at 160 km/h — a respectable figure, but one that confirms this Fat Boy S was never built for the autobahn.

At €23,390, the asking price is steep. You're entering territory where the Triumph Thunderbird and Indian Chief Dark Horse put forward strong arguments, sometimes with more generous equipment or sharper road manners. But neither of them possesses that silhouette everyone recognizes from a hundred meters away, that deep rumble of the American V-twin at startup, that way of turning every ride into a statement. The Fat Boy S isn't aimed at riders chasing pure performance or versatility. It speaks to heavyweight custom enthusiasts, to those who want to ride with elbows wide on a broad handlebar, boots planted on generous floorboards, with the quiet certainty of piloting a piece of Milwaukee history. Its flaws are part of the character. And it's precisely that character you're buying.