Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy 2010 — Specifications

Who would have thought that a simple machine weighing 330 kilograms fully fueled, with a claimed power of 73 horsepower, would become a global icon? The answer lies in three words: Harley-Davidson FLSTF Fat Boy. Contrary to the heads-up display of the Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s real mount in T2 was not a futuristic creation, but indeed this 1991 behemoth. That’s where its genius lies: embodying a cinematic legend while remaining faithful to the Milwaukee DNA.

The recipe is simple, but devilishly effective. Take a V-twin engine of 1584 cm3, a torque of 122.6 Nm available from 3500 rpm, and wrap the whole thing in a massive silhouette with full wheels and sparkling chrome. The Softail frame, with its faux swingarm, gives this low and pure line that defined an era. With a seat height of 64.5 cm, even the least experienced feel like they are on familiar ground. But don't be fooled, beneath this attire of a gleaming custom lies a motorcycle that has evolved. The 2010 version benefits from the Twin Cam 96 engine, smoother and less vibrating, and a six-speed gearbox that makes long stretches less tedious.

However, it must be admitted that riding a Fat Boy remains a constant negotiation. Its 200 mm rear tire and generous wheelbase give it the stability of a liner in a straight line, but as soon as the road curves, the limits appear. The wide footpegs quickly touch the asphalt, reminding the rider that rake angle is not the priority. The brakes, with a disc at the front and rear, do the job correctly for a machine of this size, but do not rival the bite of a Brembo caliper on a sportbike. It’s another world.

Who is it for then? Certainly not the track racer seeking thrills, nor the mountain explorer. The Fat Boy is a motorcycle of atmosphere, for those who value style, presence, and raw experience more than raw numbers. It is made for wide avenues, peaceful road trips, and for turning heads at every parking spot. At over 20,000 euros new, it is a sentimental investment much more than a rational one. Faced with more modern and more performant competitors, it wins no technical comparison. But it wins all the battles of the heart, and that, no specification sheet can quantify.