Harley-Davidson 1870 Softail Fat Bob FXFBS 2024 — Specifications

Who would dare slap cruise control on a motorcycle that seems designed to intimidate everything on the road? Harley-Davidson did it in 2023, and it's perhaps the only piece of equipment on the Fat Bob FXFBS that its owner will never activate. Because this machine is anything but a docile tourer. With 1868 cc housed in a 45° V-twin built on a 102 mm bore and 114.3 mm stroke, the Milwaukee Eight 114 puts out 93 hp at 5020 rpm and, more importantly, 154.9 Nm of torque from just 3500 rpm. These kinds of numbers aren't meant to be enjoyed on the highway in cruise mode. They're savored with every twist of the throttle, when the twin shakes the frame and hurls the 306 kg wet weight forward with unapologetic brutality.

The major turning point for this generation is the abandonment of the Dyna chassis in favor of the Softail platform. In practical terms, the two lateral shock absorbers gave way to a single mono-shock hidden beneath the seat, adjustable via a knob accessible behind the right calf. The steel double-cradle frame, deceptively rigid in the Softail tradition, offers markedly improved rigidity. Up front, a 43 mm inverted fork with 130 mm of travel holds an imposing front end fitted with a 150/80-16 tire. The whole package exudes an impression of raw solidity, reinforced by the two 300 mm discs clamped by four-piston calipers. The bike shed around fifteen kilos through this transformation, which is immediately noticeable at low speed and during maneuvers.

Visually, the Fat Bob makes zero concessions. The dual LED headlight, almost aggressive in its rectangular design, breaks radically from Milwaukee's usual styling cues. You could almost mistake it for a Japanese offering, so thoroughly does the style shatter the house conventions. The rear fender trimmed to a minimum, the sculpted seat, the 13.6-liter tank with its narrowed flanks, the massive and stubby exhaust pipes: every element contributes to a compact, stocky silhouette that announces a fight. The seat, set at 710 mm from the ground, allows most riders to plant their feet flat, a reassuring detail given the machine's weight.

The engine remains the heart of the experience. The M8 114, with its 4 valves per cylinder and dual spark plugs, delivers cleaner and smoother operation than the old Twin Cam 107. Vibrations settle down at idle, throttle response gains precision. But the character remains deeply American: torque to spare in the low revs, a broad and generous surge that makes the six-speed gearbox almost secondary. The belt drive, silent and maintenance-free, fits the machine's philosophy perfectly. In terms of outright performance, top speed caps out at 175 km/h. You won't be rivaling a Ducati Diavel or a Triumph Rocket 3 on that front, but that's not the point. The Fat Bob sells an attitude, a character, not lap times.

At 22,290 euros, the bill is steep. That's the price of a Harley loaded with personality, but also the price of a motorcycle with a limited tank, zero wind protection, and spartan comfort on long hauls. The Fat Bob is aimed at riders who want a machine with character for short, intense outings, from muscular urban commutes to Sunday rides on back roads. Long-distance tourers will look elsewhere. Those who crave raw mechanical sensations and menacing looks already know they want it.