Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 2018 — Specifications

Who said that Harleys only knew how to stir up air and rattle shop windows? The Fat Bob 114, arriving in 2018 on the basis of the new Softail chassis, throws a significant stone into the pond of custom bikes. Forget the chrome and retro lines; here we have a machine built for intimidation, with its LED-plated round headlight, flat handlebar, and oversized tires. It's a custom, certainly, but seen through the prism of a somewhat burly café racer. For anyone seeking a Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 test ride, the verdict is simple: it’s not a motorcycle for sensitive souls.

The real revolution is hidden in its frame. The visible spring rear suspension of the Dyna is gone, replaced by a single, concealed shock absorber that radically redefines handling. The wheelbase of 169 cm and the announced weight of 306 kg when fully fueled might be intimidating, but once in motion, the beast reveals itself to be surprisingly agile for its size. The 120 mm ground clearance even allows you to have fun in corners without scraping the tarmac constantly, a slap in the face to the segment’s traditions. On the braking side, the two front discs and ABS are there to bring this mass back to reason, with correct but not transcendent effectiveness.

But the heart of the matter is, of course, its engine. The Milwaukee-Eight 114, a 1745 cm3 V2, doesn’t play around. With 94 horsepower and, above all, 155 Nm of torque available from 3000 rpm, it rips the machine forward with brutal authority. Consumption is around 5.3 L/100 km, which is reasonable for such a displacement, but the 13.6-liter tank requires regular stops. Compared to the base 107, the gain is noticeable, and it fully justifies, for an enthusiast, the extra cost at purchase. The price of a new Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 flirting with 20,000 euros, it is also wise to scan the used market to find a good deal.

It’s not a perfect motorcycle. Some purists will reproach it for its too modern look and its somewhat restrained original exhaust, pushing many towards the purchase of a louder Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 exhaust. The 71 cm seat can intimidate those of smaller stature, and the riding position, although sporty for a custom, remains demanding on long journeys. It’s a machine for a rider who assumes, who wants a custom without frills, capable of getting off the beaten path while exuding that unique presence. It’s neither for a beginner, because of its weight and power, nor for a globetrotter seeking absolute comfort. It’s Milwaukee’s massive provocation weapon, a bold and largely successful gamble.