2019 Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Bob

Harley-Davidsons are sometimes derided as slow handling or even ponderous, but the 2019 Fat Bob makes a clean break from that mindset. Spirited, agile, and muscular, the former dual-shock-equipped Dyna model represents a seismic shift from The Motor Company’s traditional V-twin bruiser. H-D designers refer to this bike as one for the zombie apocalypse, and a quick look tells you why. Chunky tires, a unique, horizontally oriented LED headlight, and a bold 2-into-1-into-2 bronze-hue exhaust-pipe treatment identify the Fat Bob as something special, while the rest of the bike receives a darker, more menacing styling treatment.

The standard-issue Milwaukee-Eight 107 delivers its power predictably throughout the entire rev range, with a claimed 107 pound-feet of peak torque at 3,500 rpm (and even more from the optional M-8 114 engine). An aggressive 28-degree steering-head angle and a relatively compact 63.6-inch wheelbase help the Fat Bob roll easily into corners, while the inverted 43mm Showa Dual Bending Valve fork adds stiffness and reduces weight for a more composed ride. The front brakes are impressive too; four-piston calipers clamping dual discs offer excellent stopping power with great feel.

Likes: Unique styling, stout brakes, and a broad powerband

Dislikes: Forward-biased foot controls; 16-inch wheels

Verdict: A spirited V-twin that is a couple of tweaks from perfection

Editors who have ridden 107- and 114ci versions of the Harley-Davidson Fat Bob agree that the performance and refinement are vastly improved over its Dyna-platform predecessor. Some still grumble, however, about the smallish 16-inch wheels and wide tires as well as the overly forward foot controls.

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From pretty much any angle, the Fat Bob is a unique-looking motorcycle, especially for a Harley-Davidson Big Twin. The Triumph Thunderbird and Thunderbird Storm ABS could easily be seen as direct competitors. Some folks also believe the Ducati XDiavel should be in that mix as well.

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Base price for a black Fat Bob is $17,049. Adding color ups the bill to $17,449, and custom hues will run you another $2K plus. A security system comes standard on the 107, but ABS costs $795. The 114 engine option adds $1,800 to the base price, but ABS and security are standard.