The All New 2018 FatBoy (FLFBS)

by Rocky Marks

The all-new FatBoy (FLFBS) is one fat and fun motorcycle.  I took this video on the sales floor a few hours ago and went through the benefits of some of the new features on the motorcycle in a virtual 360 degree tour.

These are the widest tires to ever be put on a FatBoy.  240mm in the rear and 160mm in the front.  The front tires are even wider than the rear tires of some touring models!  The solid disk wheels made a return to this model after a 10 year hiatus.  These new polished aluminum wheels are called the "Lakester Solid Disc Wheels".

The frame is lighter and stiffer but the ride is not. It is a very smooth and comfortable ride. The new mono shock rear suspension is the heart and soul of the Softail line up and it can be adjusted with an external rear shock pre-load adjustment.  It's located conveniently where the oil tank used to be just below the seat.

The dash on the tank also received a re-design this year as well.   The analog speedometer, digital speedometer and tachometer are condensed into one easy-to read gauge on the top of the tank.  The tank and dash also feature satin chrome finishes throughout.

The freight-train sized headlight is still front and center and comes standard (much like the other Softails) with an LED Daymaker headlamp.

The FatBoy comes in both a 107" and 114" engine.  The bike in this video features the later.  With 119 ft. lbs of torque, you have to be sure to hold on for the duration of your ride.  Take one for a test ride today at Hot Metal Harley-Davidson.  1122 Lebanon Road, West Mifflin PA, 15122.  You can also see more features and specs online at www.hotmetalharley.comhttps://www.hotmetalharley.com/

My thoughts on the 2018 Fat Bob®

By: Rocky Marks

Just when I thought the Fat Bob® was on the ropes for Harley-Davidson®, it came roaring back to life in a bold new way!  Though I’m a bigger rider, the Fat Bob® always had a place in my heart.  It “fit” me.

The new 2018 Fat Bob® “fits” even better with it’s 114 Milwaukee Eight® Engine.  It’s a powerful smooth-running engine with a responsive throttle that is sure to make you hold on tight for a white-knuckled thrill ride.  The model that I was able to test-ride was a 114, but the Fat Bob® also comes in a 107.

One of the things I was most excited to try out was the new suspension for the all new Softail® line-up this year.  The mono-shock felt great.  It was much more smooth than the Dyna’s® and Softail’s® of the past.  The all-new suspension combined with the new inverted front forks deliver better handling.

Another feature of the Fat Bob® that I’ve always been a fan of were the Cast wheels with Fat tires along with dual disc brakes for better stopping power.  In Pittsburgh, we have a lot of potholes and uneven surfaces.  These features make the ride much smoother.

When Harley-Davidson® announced that the bike would be 35lbs lighter, I didn’t think that would make much of a difference.  I take back my thoughts on that.  The bike is very light and nimble, and I wouldn’t hesitate to put a first-time rider on it.

The final design changes were in the aesthetics of the motorcycle.  The 2-1-2 upswept exhaust is really cool to look at.  I remember when they originally came out with the Tommy Gun exhaust a few years back and thought that it was neat.  This new exhaust gives it a high-performance look.

I also am very impressed with the new LED headlight design.  Looking through the brochures when it was first announced gave me the feeling that it looks weird and out of place.  After getting my hands on the new Fat Bob®, I really can appreciate the high visibility of that light in the daytime when going into oncoming traffic, and it lights the road up at night.

This bike is designed for the next generation of Harley-Davidson rider, and I think the Motor Company hit this one out of the park!