Harley-Davidson FLSTF Softail Fat Boy 2012 — Specifications

Is it possible to ride a legend without betraying it? That’s the challenge taken up by the Fat Boy, this chromed blockhouse silhouette that crushed screens in Terminator 2. More than a motorcycle, it’s a symbol, and the 2012 version has only one mission: to embody its name with even more authority. To achieve this, it inherits the large Twin Cam 103 engine with a displacement of 1690 cm3, a mechanical unit that delivers 81 horsepower and, above all, a monstrous torque of nearly 134 Nm, available from low RPM. It’s not a sportbike; it’s a tractor delivering sensations, and the V2 knows it.

At a standstill, the Fat Boy asserts itself with its mass, displaying a weight in running order that approaches 330 kg. The wide, solid rim at the front, the 200 mm rear tire, and this faux rigid frame typical of the Softail models define a timeless silhouette. The low seat, 63.5 cm from the ground, and the wide handlebar invite you to mount, promising a posture of quiet conquest. But don't be fooled, this apparent nonchalance hides progress. Since the 2000s, Harley has seriously reworked the chassis and suspensions, offering a more rigorous handling that better digests road imperfections without sacrificing the soft comfort characteristic of the range.

In action, the large twin-cylinder engine is the central element of the experience. It growls, pulses, and delivers its force with a generosity that flatters the ego. The six-speed gearbox is precise, and the final belt drive ensures remarkably smooth operation. Where things are lacking is in pure dynamics. Despite the improvements, the Fat Boy remains a heavy motorcycle not inclined to tight turns. The wide footpegs quickly touch the ground, reminding you with a metallic squeak that its kingdom is the straight and sweeping curves. The brakes, with a single disc on each wheel, do the job correctly but require anticipation, especially without the ABS that is now standard on this model.

Who should ride this monument? Certainly not a beginner, intimidated by the weight and raw power. It’s the mount of the globetrotter who prioritizes style over absolute performance, of the aesthete for whom the journey begins at the traffic light, when onlookers turn to look at this mechanical work of art. At over 20,000 euros, you’re not buying a simple motorcycle, but a piece of American mythology. The Fat Boy is not the most agile, nor the fastest, nor the most technologically advanced. It is simply, and superbly, itself. A perfectly mastered exercise in style, which simply asks you to ride in grand style.