Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 MY2018: Visible muscles for the sportiest of Softails [ROAD TEST]

Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 MY2018 – It was while returning the unreleased FXDR that, out of the corner of our eye, we noticed a brand new matte white Fat Bob in a corner of the lounge; at that moment it was immediately clear that she would be the perfect candidate for an in-depth test ride. Yes, because 2018 brought 9 new features based on the new Softail platform which is the common denominator of the family and bases its foundations on the concept of individuality.

At the center of the project we find the renewed frame which, thanks to the relocation of the rear shock absorber and the adoption of carbon steel, increases the overall rigidity by 34% while reducing the number of welds by 22%; Half the components are used compared to the previous version, allowing the overall weight to be reduced by approximately 17 kg.

A real revolution if you consider that the frame in use until 2017 was designed by Eng. Bill Davis in 1974 who, after purchasing a '72 Super Glide, was not at all satisfied with the saddle being too high from the ground and the exposed suspension. He thus designed a triangular-shaped swingarm with two shock absorbers under the saddle, between the battery and the oil tank; Davis himself went to Willie G. Davidson (at the time head of the style center) and Louie Netz to submit the project to them but after a long negotiation, they did not reach an agreement. The engineer returned to his home in Missouri where he worked hard to improve an already valid design and moved the shock absorbers under the gearbox making access to the battery compartment easier. The new frame took the name of "Sub Shock" and was characterized by shock absorbers that worked in extension and not by compression; the Eng. Davis advertised it in Easyriders magazine and, after having achieved enormous success but not being able to support the production costs in light of the numerous orders received, he was forced to sell the patent. After an initial unsuccessful negotiation with Honda, the agreement with HD was signed on 6 January 1982 and the first Softail model was presented in 1983 and marketed in 1984. 2018 represented the year of the evolution of the species and all the renewed members of the Softail family composed of Fat Boy, Heritage Classic, Low Rider, Softail Slim, Deluxe, Breakout, Fat Bob, Sport Glide and Street Bob, have received not only technical but also technological improvements such as full LED lights, an improved and increased electrical system in terms of power, new instrumentation, Keyless starting and also a USB port for charging small devices.

Among all its sisters, Fat Bob stands out for its out-of-the-box personality where the term “Fat” is a clear reference to the fat tires that wrap around the 16” die-cast rims present on both axles; “Bob” on the other hand, refers to the particular shape of the rear mudguard which takes the name of Bobtail but also to the Bobber style inspiration which the new model mimics. Obviously, garage-built Bobbers are something else but... the air you breathe riding the new muscle bike from Wisconsin strongly recalls the past even if in an extremely modern way.

At the official presentation of the 9 new ones born under the "Softail" sign, Paul James - Product portfolio manager - declared that he was faced with the largest research and development program ever undertaken by the Milwaukee company. The engineers, technicians and testers invested hundreds of hours to conceive, develop and give life to these cruisers with different uses: "the focus of the project was to raise the level of the driving experience where authenticity, history and spirit could meet the most modern technology, leading to a sensation that needs to be felt to be experienced". The importance of the project was also underlined by the vice president of the Styling and Design department - Brad Richards - who declared that the authenticity that hides behind every Harley-Davidson is the result of attention to detail, from the beginning in the end: difficult to design, difficult to copy. And given what we're talking about, we really don't feel like we blame him.

Aesthetics and finishes:

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Ode to perfection

The Fat Bob is massive, muscular and exudes evil no matter what angle you look at it. Buying a Harley-Davidson is not a point of arrival but a starting point and we will see it in the end, when we understand what prices it costs to own such a vehicle and, perhaps, customize it. The "basic" model represents the sportiest choice of the Softail range thanks to the front end loaded almost like on a naked. The front is dominated by the rectangular LED headlight well integrated between the 43 mm upside down fork plates from Showa which culminates in a wide handlebar with adjustable inclination to adapt it to your riding style.

From the side view, in addition to the generous wheels with a 150/80 front and 180/70 rear section, one can appreciate the shapes of the new frame which manages to camouflage the mono with separate adjustment under the saddle, making it look in all respects like a hardtail. The protagonist remains the powerful Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine of 1868 cc with eight valves set in the frame as if it were a precious jewel while the tank with its characteristic teardrop shape and the Bobtail-style rear mudguard are distinctive elements of a model that appreciated for the almost sporty line when compared to the stylistic course of the other HDs in the family (FXDR aside). The tank itself, with the gray graphics and clearly visible manufacturer's name, also houses the decidedly minimal but more than sufficient instrumentation to keep the rider informed of what is happening to the engine. The clearly legible rev counter is combined with an easy-to-read LCD screen which - by rotation - can display all the most important values ​​including speed, km travelled, total km, gear engaged and clock.

The saddle, comfortable and well shaped, welcomes the rider making him feel immediately at ease: the same cannot be said of the folding seat dedicated to the passenger who will find himself having to deal with an almost "emergency" seat but still comfortable thanks even at the height of the platforms which do not force you into an unnatural position. The current regulations on road traffic forced Harley-Davidson to study a license plate holder that respected the law, obviously to the detriment of the look. The long rear arm disturbs the overall view, ruining its appearance; at the moment there are no solutions (in accordance with the law) that allow the situation to be improved without incurring any sanctions from the personnel in charge.

It's really a shame because the US version can adopt the beautiful side license plate holder which allows the removal of the rear one, significantly shortening the tail and giving it a drag racer look. We leave the touch of class to the 2-1-2 exhaust system with bulkheads in a contrasting finish, in the purest custom style. Ah, in running order the total kg is 306 but, thanks to the torque always available, the inclination of the steering head equal to 28° (almost an anomaly in the HD house!) and the structural stiffening of the renewed chassis, they seem disappear as soon as this muscle on two wheels picks up speed.

Engine and performance:

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Truck torque for a big engine always ready to push

The “Milwaukee-Eight” is the ninth engine in history produced by Harley-Davidson; maintains the classic 45° angle but adopts heads with a single camshaft and 4 valves per cylinder which offer 50% more intake and exhaust flow capacity as well as producing 11% more torque compared to the precedents. The valves do not require any adjustment since the design of the rocker arms allows their clearance to be set directly in the factory and a double spark plug for each cylinder contributes to more efficient combustion and reduced emissions. The single camshaft is lighter and less mechanically complex so it creates less friction and noise but, as Harley-Davidson Chief Powertrain Engineer Alex Bozmoski said, the engine “also retains the signature power that is the true legacy of the Big Twin Harley-Davidson: Strong low-end torque with a broad power curve through the midrange that is ideal for the touring-oriented rider.”

To give you an idea of ​​the improvements brought by the new engine, just think that the unit weighs as much as the engine it replaces, accelerating 8% faster from 0 to 100 and 12% faster from 100 to 130km/h compared to the Twin Cam 110. The Milwaukee-Eight was equipped with an internal counterbalancer capable of cutting vibrations at idle by 75%; they could have done better but it would not have pleased the fans of the brand at all who place one of the secrets of the success of this brand in this very feature. The intake has been redesigned to obtain a more delicate but still typically Harley sound and the relationship with the outside takes place through the new 2-1-2 exhaust terminal with chrome tips.

The engine is optimized for long journeys with just a touch of gas and therefore you can already have a lot of torque at low rpm and then have the peak at around 3.500 where the 145 Nm of the 114 curls the asphalt as if it were papier-mâché. In short, whether you are traveling on the motorway or driving around town at low speeds, there are no doubts about the quality of the new engine which is always easily manageable. Each rotation of the throttle knob corresponds to a full-bodied thrust that propels you forward without hesitation; the gearbox isn't very smooth but you quickly get the hang of it and the driving experience becomes interesting as soon as you manage to become one with the vehicle.

Ride and handling:

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“Fat” in name and in fact: 306 kilos and not feeling it

“Softail” is the name of a patent filed by Harley-Davidson which saw the light in 1984 with the marketing of the first FSXT Softail. The characteristic of this frame is that of having a hidden central monoshock which - aesthetically - gives the sensation of not being there, giving the bike the typical hardtail look. As we said at the beginning, 2018 saw the introduction of the new frame combined with the rear monoblock developed by Showa and characterized by adjustment through an external reference that can be set in preload on 5 different settings; at the front however, we find the new fork - again from the same Japanese manufacturer - with 43 mm stanchions and single cartridge. Once in the saddle, the position is typically Harley with the arms stretched out to grab the grips, the legs forward and the butt resting just 71 centimeters from the ground.

When you set off, however, you realize that this spectacular Fat Bob believes it is a naked thanks to a load on the front axle which is not exactly typical of Bar&Shield branded motorbikes: as soon as you gain the necessary confidence, the 306 kg of weight running order tend to disappear and you can even drive it in a sporty manner thanks to the generous tires which guarantee the necessary support as long as you don't exaggerate too much with the bends. The limit - in any case - will not be dictated by the grip of the tires but rather by the rubbing on the ground of the footrests themselves which, despite being higher than other examples already tested, do not allow going beyond 31-32° of right-left inclination . The pleasure you get from driving the Fat Bob, however, goes far beyond its dynamic qualities which - it is worth saying - have been significantly implemented thanks to the new frame which is decidedly more rigid than the previous version; she takes you around with a class and style that only Harley-Davidson can interpret.

The beauty of this at times sporty version is that, in addition to having a suspension department that faithfully copies the road without ever putting the rider in difficulty, it brakes well thanks to a system that relies on a pair of 300 mm front discs combined with four-piston calipers and a single 294 mm rear disc and related 2-piston caliper. As standard we find independent ABS on the front and rear axle. “When you're in the saddle, breathe deeply. Feed your senses with sights and sounds. Leave your responsibilities behind and feel free to fly. Few experiences are truly life-changing. A ride on a Harley-Davison is one of these": the spectacular intro chosen to open the beautiful 2019 catalogue, leaves no room for doubts or uncertainties. You jump into the saddle, grab the grips and you're ready for an unforgettable journey on a vehicle that boasts a brand that has made history.

Price and consumption:

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Passion at a high price

The Harley-Davidson Fat Bob is available with the Milwaukee-Eight engine available in 107 or 114 cubic inches, equivalent to 1745 and 1868 cc respectively. The 107 version starts at 18.200 euros in the Vivid Black color and then goes up to 18.500 for the color version; the powerful 114 like the one tested - in Vivid Black color i.e. shiny black - stands at 20.300 euros fc To have one of the opaque colors called Black Denim, Wicked Red Denim, Bonneville Salt Denim and Rawhide Denim instead, the cost goes to 20.600; the special painting of the Custom line called Scorched Orange/Black Denim is yours for 22.000 euros. This latest Custom version and the Rawhide Denim color are not available combined with the 107 engine. Now, from here the road is all uphill... or rather: anyone who is passionate about Harleys knows well what it means to choose to own a model of this fantastic manufacturer: almost infinite customization possibilities! To complicate things, there is the "Original accessories, parts and accessories" catalogue, an authentic 880-page bible, a "must-have" for every self-respecting enthusiast, a book to keep as an heirloom and leaf through day by day. day looking for the right part for your motorbike. Also because only Harley produces such a catalogue! For Softail lovers and - in this specific case - for owners or future owners of a Fat Bob, that beloved section called "Screamin' Eagle" begins on page 428: collected here are some of the most succulent modifications for Milwaukee engines -Eight but, it is important to know, the most in-depth ones (such as the transition from 114 to 117 with stage IV kit through which a 40% increase in power is obtained compared to the original configuration) are intended only and exclusively for use in private areas or on the track.

An element that goes hand in hand with the purchase of the bike is the instant order of a pair of Screamin' Eagle Street Cannon mufflers in satin black - which you can take home for 665 euros - combined with the Heavy Breather Perfomance air filter ( 531 euros) and the beautiful dedicated aluminum cover machined from solid (265 euros).

The engine upgrade kits range from Stage I to the monstrous Stage IV but we will not describe them for the simple reason that they are not approved for normal road circulation. The catalog shows the torque diagrams that can be acquired with each kit and we must tell you that they would be really interesting but would increase the price of the motorbike exponentially. The “Engine Decoration Collections” section allows you to customize with extremely personal details, every part of the engine that you like: camshaft covers, primary transmission, clutch access and upper rocker boxes are available in bronze finish coated in powder or in glossy black anodized. Then there are the Dominion pedal controls, the details of the same line and every type of insert or badge to embellish the engine.

And if all this wasn't enough, the "Color Shop" section will make you want to make the bodywork unique: anyone who was able to visit the HD stand at Eicma 2018 will have been left speechless in front of the Fat Bob dressed with the standard kit limited company called “Tagged Limited paint”. The bronze base with satin finish and exclusive metallic signs that convey a restless spirit is combined with a surface on which graffiti art is shown with lines that present messages of freedom and that recall a difficult urban landscape. The three elements that make up the bodywork (front, rear and tank mudguards) are produced in 150 pieces available throughout the world; the kits, each different from the other, are handmade and the overall price is around 3.985 euros.

As you will have understood from this brief excursion, the only objective limit to the customization of a Harley will be our wallet alone!
Keeping our feet on the ground and returning to the gallop of our original Fat Bob, we can state that in the urban cycle we travel about 13 km with one liter of fuel, in the extra-urban cycle 15 and on the motorway we reach 17 km/l which, relying on a 13,6 liter tank, they allow you to cover enough distance to fully enjoy the driving pleasure that this fantastic Fat Bob will be able to give to its lucky owners.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Muscular line
Driving position
Pair of 114

We do not like it:
Standstill weight
Passenger seat

Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 2018: the Motorionline Report Card

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Tester clothing:
Shoe, trousers, jacket and gloves: Dainese
Helmet: LS2 Spitfire Sunrise
Mask: Aries Feather