I rode a 09 fatbob. The look was the first thing that caught my eye. I am 6.2 250 lbs 96 inch worked well had mid controls needed forward. The D427 tires matched perfect for the bike. Had a blow out 120km boom 💥sounded like a 12 gauge going off ,not a wobble rear tire pulled over complete control. The seat sucks . Love the look. Traded up to a 2014 fatbob 103 for power heavy breather fp3 tuner VH pro pipe. Pulls real well . Hot 130 mph so far. The ride is not bad the seat has been changed the angle is different most comfortable stock seat yet.D427 hold like you are on rails . Rain no problem best rain tire I rode on yet . I ride hard and fast and Bob does not disappoint. THE FATBOB is for more of a experienced rider it is heavy but with the 103 power plant counter steering the bike whips through the city or highway with ease. Hands down my favorite Harley . I am going to turn it into a bagger I love it that much. RIDE HARD RUBBER SIDE DOWN .
I love my older 2011 Fatbob. I love the design, it rides great and I wouldn't ever give it up. That being said the new one is a piece of art. A great redesign and I would love one.
Hey Mack, I rode the 2016 Fatbob in Daytona Bike week & loved it so much better than my 2006 WideGlide. So 6 weeks ago I collected my brand new 2017 Dyna Fatbob with a S&S Stage 1 exhaust & airfilter kit plus tall boy seat! I absolutely love it! The S&S upgrade is definitely worth fitting. Here in the UK, we ride to bike rallies carrying tents etc & the longer rear fender allows more stuff to be carried. The new bike really should have been called a new name, it's clearly more of a bar-hopper than a long distance cruiser. I love the stability in my Fatbob & I feel I ride with greater confidence! It's my 7th Harley since 1990, & a great choice!
Awesome Nick! I have a sissy bar luggage rack set up on my Bob too. Camping in the UK off the back of a Fat Bob sounds like a true adventure. Ride on man!
Nick Richardson you say "here in the UK we ride to bike rallies carrying tents etc". You sound like you might be surprised to learn a lot of us do that in the USA and Canada too. On Indians and Triumphs too!
My 2017 Fat Bob in Laguna Orange is perfect for me, 6’ 5” rider, much better fit and dig the old school rumble and vibe, ... last Dyna , RIP Dyna, ....great video
There really is no comparison. The new bikes are vastly superior. The feel is tight, composed, no longer 'cobbled together' and coarse. The new bike leaps, is eager, lighter, faster and so much easier to ride fast, too. Love the old school bikes... But the new Fat Bob is beyond competent, it's a really, really good motorcycle - - with or without the badges.
Lol. Yeah I say the same things to myself when I tried to convince myself that I just blew two or three times the price on something that is marginally better. You can spend $1,000 on an older model upgrading suspension and stuff like that and still be half the cost of a new one. Not to mention spending $2,500 on taxes and dealer fees. Whatever makes you feel good man. Nice bike either way. But my 2011 rides amazing and sounds even better.
@@I-Libertine no. I'm talking about trying to rationalize myself into doing it. But logic and reason always prevails and I end up making the reasonable choice LOL. Same reason I never buy boats or luxury cars from the dealership. That seven-year devaluation on the graph before it levels out is just terrible.
I've been looking at this model for a few months for my first Harley and they completely change it for 2018. Thanks for the comparison. I have to test ride it soon. Would be interested in a comparison of the 17/18 Fat Boy. Ride safe.
I keep reading people lamenting about the demise of the Dyna what was so good about the Dana, seriously? I wanted a Dyna for years. went and test rode one. Changed my mind and bought a Triumph. Went and test rode the new 2018 Softails and now I want one.
I love the 2018 Fat Bob. I own a 2014 Fat Bob and think Harley did a fantastic job on the 2018 Fat Bob. The only complaint is the price for the 114cu. I think I will keep my 2014 and just ride it till the wheels fall off! Lol. Great video!
Hey great video, the fat bob was the first harley I test rode and I love it, although I have not puled the trigger yet on one, the fat bob has always been my favorite dyna. I have a few questions, 1. Being a fat bob owner, do you feel you want to “upgrade” to a touring bike? 2. The only thing I disliked about pre 2018 fat bob was the feet forward controls felt they were to far from the rider, I see that in 2018 they’re still forward but they look more like the diavel from dicati, higher and closer to the rider. Is this accurate?
Yes, I think that is an accurate read on the peg placement for the 2018 Fat Bob. And yes, there have been times especially lately when I have been tempted to upgrade. This past year I have been pretty much obsessed with the Road King Special. The term "upgrade" is appropriate in that the the Road King is bigger and more expensive, but to each his own as to whether one is better than the other :) Pretty sure my next video is going to be Road King Special Vs. Street Glide Special
There is only one point. If you are small say under 5'10" then you do not look out for Dyna Fat Bob. It's goot that they have something for big guys (+ Wide Glide of course). There's plenty of other models from them and other companies for "small" people.
There was once a time where Harley put out the fastest production bike ever made. The sound and rumble is definitely iconic but it looks as though they are finally trying to go back to their roots and are focusing on the more important factors, performance. I can’t wait to see the new Bronx!!! May purchase one of those to park next to my 2018 fat bob!
Thinking about a new Fat bob, but found a nice 09 but I think the forward controls will be too far. All I can find is how to do a full mid conversion w/side cover. How do you move the controls back just a little as you say you did?
Good review and an honest and accurate opinion of the 2 bikes. Anyone that doesnt agree with the direction HD is taking with the new model(s) can always get the older model(s),designs change its a fact of life and people need to acknowledge it, they dont have to accept it. Gr8 review.
Good word man! That is exactly where I am at. Part of why I wanted to do the comparison and include the Dyna model was to remind riders that those bikes weren't wiped off the face of the earth... People want a dyna? Go get it! Thanks man.
I have the 2016, I like the 2018 but only for barhops and short trips, the lean angle is only one inch dif same with the rake,still dragged the pegs and is cramped,I had a Honda 600 Hornet that would slay this new one.
Hey Mack, a few questions. I’m in the market going to make the Harley leap from my 92 Honda Shadow. Im going to go Fatbob I haven’t decided on the Dyna or Softtail yet. I live on Long Island in NY. There’s a fair amount of traffic, which bike did you feel more comfortable in said arena? Which bike was more comfortable over all and had a more relaxed feeling? Please lmk thank you ! The video helped !
John Pizzarelli great to hear from ya! Hmmm... I really appreciated the Dyna as a med/long distance cruiser, but the softail is much more nimble and probably better for traffic and city applications.
Mack, great review. 'Hit the nail on the head' with your comments at the end. The Softail Fat Bob is for a new team of riders. Same name but different ride, different feel. Will miss that vibration!
Nice video! The new fat bob has the power but it just doesn't have the distance like the 2017 prior. They should have just put a 6 gal tank on it then it would be a true awesome new bike! Got a question if you got the time or already know? I also got a 2015 fat bob I've been thinking about changing the baffles out of the stock. I have an old pair of vanes and hines replacement baffles but I'm here in the Philippines waiting on my wifes visa. I was wondering do you know how long the stock mufflers are on the fat bob yours should be the same size as mine. Thanks! and keep the videos coming!
Thanks! I upgraded from stock mufflers to the Vance and Hines big shots a couple of years ago, not sure on that stock length question. I have a 2014, the 2017 in the video was dealer stock.
Good to see Harley is finally waking up and moving on. All the traditional customers that bought a bike, sunk a bunch of money into them, and then rode them until they died weren't keeping the lights on anymore. Well that and half of them are all on thier death beds. Time to start innovating and keeping ahead of the curve, out with the old and in with the new (bikes and customers).
Not to mention these bikes cost as much as an economy car what they really need to do is start making affordable bikes like throwing the milwaukee motor in a sportster frame
Those folks are, like it or not, what keeps HD going.....for now. Sure HD desperately needs new younger customers but this won't do it because it's like putting lip stick on a pig (hog?). Affordability is one HUGE issue for younger riders......these are EXPENSIVE. All in all a momentous and quite dangerous fail for a company that already has a flagging stock price.
That’s an AWESOME bike! I don’t think they should have named it the Fat Bob though, a name like the ROAD BOB would have made more sense. It looks hungry for dirt roads, it’s a Road Warrior.
Took a look at one today. The Fat Bob has been my favorite since it arrived. Still like the 1st and 2nd generation better. They are nice all-around bikes. Decent performance (in HD terms), comfy for a long ride with a shield, and good manners around town. I'm okay with change. I would be alright with the new style. I never much liked the Fat Boy that everyone copied but wow that new one is stunning. Wish they would offer a new Bob with that beauty treatment.
Got to ride a 107,114, and a 103 back to back and the handling is night and day so much better and the new bike feels 100 pounds lighter that it is truly a completely different bike. The 114 didn't feel as well mannered as the 107 but the new engine is so smooth it was hard to feel if it was faster. The 103 had a Stage one done on it and felt so much faster than the others it was embarrassing. Too easy to out ride the suspension of the old bike though. Still love the old style, but would buy the new for the same money if that was possible.
I wish you would have been a little more clear as to which one you liked better. I'm on the fence as to which one I'd rather have. I enjoyed your video though, so keep up the good work.
The comments I read on the 2018 bikes are...they are way different, better lean angle, totally different bike, no more shake, sound is different, doesn't even feel like a Harley. Well...then why would you buy a 2018 Harley when you can get even better technology in other machines costing less. I buy a Harley for its old school heritage. Its like an old muscle car, classic and raw and one with character. If I want a better driving car I drive my Honda but when I want class I drive my muscle car. It's the same for me with Harley. Sorry 2018, just ain't for me.
That's like asking why make a 2018 dodge challenger with modern tech when the 1970 version is more classic Americana. If you want a smooth ride and sat nav buy a Honda civic.
The company would die if it kept making the same bikes for the same old crew. They need to attract new customers, and they are. These new bikes are such an improvement over the old ones, get a stage 4 kit if you want that rumble and character.
The motors are totally different, but the main thing they have in common as with all twin cams and M8’s is the chain primary drive. The chain primary is old unnecessary technology that Harley-Davidson will and needs to phase out ASAP.
Great question man... I am pretty sure that there were 0 changes during that time period. 2014 is when the chopped fender came out and the bike was pretty much unchanged through 2017.
I had a Roadster Warrior stage IV 98hp 112 lb ft and my neighbor wanted a similar bike but all Harley He bought a 2014 Fat Bob. They shook about the same but the bob felt heavy slower and sat like a recliner laid down 👎 This 2018 looks like actual competition. Also forget about any bike without dual front rotors in my opinion. Single rotors are for scooters and dirt bikes
I’m am considering buying a second hand 2016 Dyna Fat bob, less than 3,000 miles asking price $10k... wondering if I should hold off and get the extra $6 to get a softail version.... anyone have an opinion if saving 6k is worth going second hand?
Love that recycled scuba mask headlight on the 2018.....and those lovely looking pipes....and the way HD made it look like a Kawasaki Vulcan 900......good job HD !!! And what a great move killing off the Dyna! Back to the good 'ol AMF days I'd say.
well owning a Ducati Diavel and after taking a 2018 Fat Bob for a spin I can honestly say that my Diavel is my bike, it's the most addicting bike I ever rode, lighting fast, nimble and super fun, I love to find sport bikes and Harley to leave them in the dust, forget a Fat Bob and stage 2 3 or four, get a Diavel for a spin will be your bike.
gerardorockerman69 I ride Ducati S4Rs 998 ( real Ducati) and Diavel is just looking like a ridiculous plastic egg... you can be as fast or powerful as you want.. a ridiculous Diavel design will stay a ridiculous design. And I guess Harley owners don't give a shit about your op plastic toilets with wheels 😂
Mitch Clyman yeah, saw that. Hard to explain but getting back on the dyna just tall and bouncy... less plantes. May have to do with the distance between the pegs and seat too. Thanks for watching man
Funny, one bike you were smiling and displaying joyous laughter, excitement and amusement. The other you seemed depressed. Guess you don't know how to read your emotions to well. So i'm going to help you out. You liked the newer fat bob better.
Mack's Moto I heard the C3 pro is good don’t know what upgrade I want to go with yet but thank you. It’s going to be my first modular helmet and I want to pick the best.
I have a 2011 and sat on the 2018 recently. I like my 2011 better however I didn't ride the 2018.The tank is way smaller. I think the older version looks a lot better. I did like the tach on the 2018. I wish the 2011 had a tach.
Y'all need to let the Dyna thing go. This is a lighter, better handling, more advanced bike, better in every way over a twinkie, just saying.....over 10 years wrenching at a dealership, so bring it with your gripes and complaints.
So Where's the comparison? Just basically a vid of two guys riding and no commentary other than what we can already read from a pamphlet at the dealership.
Did you actually watch the video? I did an exhaust comparison, idle between the two then commentary on first impressions... then talked about what it felt like getting back on the 103.
I want the 2017 headlights and gas tank, and the 2018 rear fender. The exhaust would be replaced anyway, so that’s not an issue. I know Harley had to quiet the bike down because it was scaring the libertards. Harley didn’t want it categorized as an assault bike.
I'm not the Harley Davidson customer I am a rocket 3 Triumph but my own personal opinion is the new Fat Bob looks more like the Ninja Turtle Donatello bicycle or Michelangelo it looks cartoonish it just looks ugly I'm sorry if you guys really want to try horsepower try the Rocket 3 Triumph that's power at the rear tire forget about the song Feel the speed at the touch of the throttle
Why are you comparing a 114 2018 fatbob to a 103 2107 fatbob. Why would you not compare the 107m8 to the 103tc. Of course the 114 is going to have way more power. Compare apples to apples
I have to Say I am not a Fan of the 2018 on upgrade..... They have taken the Fatbob Personality and Lobotomized it! - TWIN HEADLIGHTS..... it is well I just hate it- They could have changed anything else..... why not just put on all DUAL LED Daymakers to keep the Fatbob Look! No Wonder sales are down .... Harley Davidson is just no getting it.... Totally lost touch with reality.
Walking around the 2018 model it appears to have many improvem...HOLY SHIT WTF IF THAT LICENSE PLATE BRACKET DOING IN THE NEXT LANE? Wait. Wait. Wait. I can tell from the "Old familiar shake" comment that this isn't going to be a favorable 2018 review. And, that's too bad. To the rest of the motorcycling world the NEW HD lineup finally pulls along side of the best 1980's Japanese motorcycles - technology wise, sans 2 cylinders. HD has definitely improved but is it too late? I stopped watching @ 3:47.
DesmO69 ha!! That is still on the table man :) I really hope to be able to pull the trigger on something by the end of 2018. Lots of review videos and demos till then!
The 2018 model is so ugly the headlight looks like something that would belong on a off-roading buggy. The fender in the back is too small the exhaust are ridiculous they look like they came out of a transformer movie and are super fat and looking to futuristic. And the worst part about it is that they got rid of the authentic Harley rumble when riding the bike...
Gypsy Rider BMS you should check out Matt Laidlaws vids. They are super informative and technical, he does motorcycles for a living. Pretty long... but he gives all of the tech info you could ever want.
Mack's Moto thanks for the info, I work in the same Industry, I honestly don't have tons of time to see videos and reviews for there is a lot I need to cover, dozens of models and variations, so when I watch a video I can't afford the super long ones that have a lot of dead air time or simply nothing in many areas, is not criticism, it is just my opinion but a video should be informative and entertaining,just my opinion.Thanks again.
Harley messed up in so many ways with the 2018 FatBob. Harley triws to copy either KTM or Ducati. The exhaust is not for a Halrey, the front headlight looks ridiculous. The fenders dont follow the likes of the tire like the previous models. And that ugly cheap looking plastic fearing around the headlight. Harley did away with the aggressive look of the FatBob. I have a 2008 model Fat Bob and aside for an engine upgrade I want to to I will keep mine until Harley gets its head out of its a....
I text road one it was fast it didnt shake an it felt like I was riding a Kawasaki so instead of buying the 2018 they had a 2009/10 I bought that an ime happier then the 2018 the only thing I really liked about the 18 was the front headlight but otherwise ime a firm believer an Harley 2012 an newer isnt American anymore just because a bike is assembled in the usa dosnt make is American that's like me shippi.g all the parts from a Yamaha from China putting it togeather here can I call that American no you cant so 2012 an newer are no longer there American made bike anymore the new engine the Milwaukee 8 should be called the Saigon 7 since al the poo arts are made over seas
Zach if you don't like better smoother performance, better handling, anti-lock brakes , Etc then I guess you won't like this bike. That exhaust looks like crap and so does the tank. But I'll take better performance over looks.
40mmrrsmith Dyna Low Rider s outperforms both Milwaukee 8 motors, has abs, dual disk brakes, security, electronic throttle body etc...keep drinking the kool-aid, harleys goal was to cut costs. Less welds, one frame, equals more money for the moco.
If HD wanted to attract younger buyers, more buyers (i.e. young Hipsters, more females, young female Hipsters etc.) and rejuvenate their market all they needed to do was put a 6 speed box in a 1200 Sportster and stretch the frame a couple of inches. Younger buyers are price sensitive.....the Fat Bob is way too expensive and ugly as could be as well.
I'm a younger buyer (32) compared to a normal harley owner and this appears to be right up my alley. I've never considered a harley because of that "classic" vibration, and every review I see says that is gone in this bike. The price isn't a issue for me.
Both my wife and i are 30 and we both own gsx-r's. I bought a 2017 Fatboy 3 week's ago as the 2018 doesnt appeal to me, iv always loved the older style for that bike. My wife just put a deposit on a new 2018 Fat bob. She on the other hand doesn't like the traditional looking harleys but she loves the new Fat bob look and feel. So harley has done the right thing trying to attract a younger generation of riders, obviously its working. Old fokes aren't going to be riding forever and harley need to a draw in a younger crowd.
Jeff Malz i really like it. Its more futuristic. I really like that headlight. It reminds me of a vehicle that's set in the future but in an old movie from the 80's.
HD completely lost their mojo. The bikes are so so ugly and obsolete as far as usable tech for today's riders. The new Fat Bob is no acception. Looks like a toy and probably the fugliest bike in the whole line up....
I think its the best looking one yet by a long shot. Depends if you like classic or modern. Myself and many others prefer the modern hybrid/bobber vibe.
