Test of the Harley Davidson Fat Bob: A powerhouse

Chugging around comfortably is not quite the thing for the new Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114. The "fat bob" has other things in mind than being quiet and well-behaved. When you sit on it, you don't have the feeling of sitting on a cruiser, but rather on a naked bike or on an enduro, because you sit in a fairly upright position and have a wide, straight handlebar in front of you. At 71 cm, you don't sit insanely high, although significantly higher than on a fat cruiser à la Breakout or Fat Boy. The roughly 300 kg weight doesn't feel too heavy now. I was able to walk it backwards and maneuver the bike around while sitting on the saddle without any problems during my test. Not a big story. The relatively slim rear tire also contributes to this with its only 180 mm width - think comparatively of a Breakout with a 240 mm wide rear tire.

Not only powerful, but also very agile

Going from testing the Harley-Davidson Breakout 117 to the Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 is quite a change. It's like switching from a chrome-plated design piece on two wheels, with which you cruise through the area with a powerful sound and power in a confident but relaxed manner, to an agile, powerful, slim two-wheeled monster that notoriously excites you to open the throttle and wants to be chased frantically around the curves. With increasing revs, the exhaust roars more through the area. From 3,000 revs, the roar gets really intense. The Milwaukee Eight^™ 114 engine with its 94 hp and 155 Nm may not sound like that much, but it feels like it when you turn on the throttle. The high-set pillion keeps the rider from sliding backward. Handling is light and controlled, with the seating position and tire thickness working hand in hand. The frame geometry is also partly responsible, of course: the wheelbase is significantly shorter than on the Breakout and the steering head angle is smaller, making the fork steeper, which significantly increases the bike's overall agility. The tire choice also provides incredible stability and powerful grip. Never once did I feel like I was slipping on a slick spot and losing the bike, especially in a corner. No, the bike felt like tanks when it comes to its grip. This agility and security tempt then also the one or other time to turn on the throttle. The machine is fast, agile, roars and is fun to ride. Clearly a bike for young riders who want to have fun. And the powerful front dual disc brake ensures that you always come to a safe stop, even if you have once engaged the 6th gear.

Bullish design paired with digital technology

The Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 impresses with a real beefy design with a raised 2-1-2 exhaust system with a slightly glittery custom finish. Bullish and dark has something of the "underworld" about it. The wide LED headlight gives the bike a unique, almost futuristic look. The hub on the tank, where the trip meter and digital instruments (digital speedometer, gear indicator, odometer, fuel level, clock, trip and range indicators) are recessed, is not so mine. The designer has probably made a mistake here and copied badly from big names. The readability of the display also leaves a lot to be desired. It works, but that's exactly what I don't want, that "it works", but no more. The view in the rearview mirror is not convincing either, because I can see my arms for the most part and I can't adjust them much either. Here's room for improvement or better mirrors that look out from under the handlebars, for example. And who sets on much comfort, is not quite right here. The saddle feels relatively narrow. This is not for older comfort lovers, but something for young strapping types with athletic physiques who do not yet need or want such comfort.

All in all, the makers of the Fat Bob 114 have created a beefy bike that pulls powerfully when you turn on the throttle, that draws attention to itself with a louder roar as the revs increase, that moves agilely and quickly, that is at home in the city and in the country and that is a lot of fun if you are young and wild. It seems that Harley has also adjusted the tariff downwards in line with the younger buyer class, because the good piece is available from CHF 22,850.00 new. Safe, strong and young, that is the Fat Bob and probably also his buyers.