Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 2022 — Specifications

Is this still a Harley? At first glance, the Fat Bob 114 resembles a combat motorcycle from another world, with its aggressive LED headlight and inverted fork. It’s as if Milwaukee decided to build a custom for those who hate classic customs. This machine, with its redesigned Softail frame and Milwaukee-Eight 114, doesn’t seek camaraderie; it wants confrontation.

Its physique is a declaration of war. More compact and stockier, it seems to have lost all politeness. The shaved rear fender, the wide and low seat at 704 mm, and this 13.6-liter fuel tank that sits between your knees create an attacking posture. The front wheel, with its 150 tire and massive rim, gives the illusion that it could plow through a wall. It's a design that divides, far from the gentle curves of tradition, but that is precisely its charm. For a test ride on a Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114, you should expect mixed looks, but no passerby will ignore you. This radical style, found since the 2018 model, may be the brand's boldest in decades.

The backbone of this provocation is its new Softail frame, which has made it possible to lose precious weight. At 306 kg fully fueled, it’s not light, but it has gained rigidity. The suspension, with its hidden monoshock and tool-free adjustment, is a concession to modernity without sacrificing character. The true heart of the rebellion, however, beats in the 1868 cc V2. With 93 horsepower and 160 Nm of torque delivered very low down, the engine doesn't mince words. It pulls like a tractor from 3500 rpm, with that sensation of infinite power and that deep sound that defines the Harley experience. It is this engine, available in an A2 version via a kit, that fully justifies the choice of the 114 rather than a smaller block.

On the road, the Fat Bob confirms its temperament. It’s not a grand touring motorcycle, with its limited fuel tank and a top speed of 175 km/h, but it is a formidable sensation machine. The torque is omnipresent, making urban acceleration deliciously brutal. The braking, with its two front discs, is sufficient to control the mass. It handles with surprising agility for a custom, thanks to its reasonable wheelbase of 1615 mm. However, the 120 mm ground clearance requires vigilance in tight turns. It consumes around 5L/100km, which is honorable for an engine of this size. It's a motorcycle for those who want a daily custom, capable of dominating urban traffic and enjoying bursts of pleasure on open roads, without pretending to be a sportbike.

The price, around 20590 euros for the 2022 model, places the Fat Bob 114 in a competitive segment. It’s not the most versatile, nor the most comfortable for very long distances. But it offers something that few rivals can offer: a radical visual identity coupled with the unmatched mechanical signature of Harley. For what audience? For those who want a custom but reject the cliché, for those who seek the raw sensation of the big American V2 without excessive folklore. It's a motorcycle with character, with assumed flaws, such as a certain mass and a high price, but also exclusive qualities. Before looking for a used Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114, you must be sure to be in sync with its ethos: it is not made to blend in, but to shake things up.