Finally a review on this bike from someone who knows what he's talking about. I love this bike & don't get the hate. This is what I've been waiting to hear, it's not your typical Harley, it's like a beefed up Sportser on steroids. The most comfortable bike I ever sat on. I'd love to own one but it's very pricey, some day! Nice review!
I like the Fat Bob a lot. I had been considering trading my Breakout in on one, but ended up finding a nice, low milage Low Rider S which i shall be collecting next weekend.
I have a 2018 Fat Bob 114 in Matt black and love it. I throw it through the twisters and can also cruise on it so get the best of both worlds. Makes me smile just jumping on and going for ride. I moved the registration to the side to expose the tyre. Originally I wanted to replace the rear fender as thought it was all wrong but it has grown on me. I also have S&S exhaust slip on’s in Matt black which improve the sounds and looks.
Finally the review I was looking for. Someone actually doing what the bike was intended to do. I want to see the limits of it's performance. I want a bike that's capable of exceeding my skill level. This way I can improve. I currently own a bike where my skills exceed the bikes (Iron 1200) ability. Fantastic review. Thank you Motonewbrider! I believe a spot has opened up in my garage for the Fat Bob.
Went from FXDXI to the 114 bob and before that I use’d to own a YZF-R1, just a great bike to ride, just feel like a kid on Christmas morning every time I sit on it.
I am a proud owner of a FatBob 114 with a Stage II power cam. Tuned it with an FP3 and wow! It flies. Can rev out to 6400 now versus the stock 5400.Some feedback. The stock air filter is already stage I so you don't need to change it unless you want a different look or you want to go to stage III or IV. You don't need a new exhaust either. I have the screaming eagle slip on's that are designed for performance all the way up to stage IV. So to get to stage I you just need high performance slip on's. Stage II you just need the power cam or the torque cam. I got the power cam. I also recommend the FP3 tuner but you will need to upload the map so that V&H can add the right cam (so know your cam part number).Stage II is really powerful, so I can only imagine what stage IV would do. The downside is that if you use the revs (typically above 2.5k or 3k) you use the fuel. So hard on the throttle I get about 150k. Easy on the throttle I would say at least 250k on the 13.6 litre tank (maybe more). Needless to say I carry spare fuel in the day bag.For me the back brake is something I just got used to. Just practice. Besides I mostly only use front brakes anyway and wouldn't back brake into curves, even gently (emergency stop excluded but I would stand the bike straight for that).Two issues. First the speedometer acts as a giant sun reflector on sunny days and blinds you (depending on where the sun is of course).Second the petrol tank. Its too small and should be the usual 20 litres in my opinion. You can tour on this bike and with a windshield touring is quite comfortable. When I tour I carry even more spare fuel.Glad you have seen the light brother! The FatBob 114 rocks! Yep its the best.
howartthou really great advice I will look into this stage two that you are referring to. I’m glad to hear you are enjoying yours as much as I am enjoying mine. Ride safe ride hard!
Well I have to agree. Traded my 10 day old 2019 sportster 883 for the Fat Bob 114. First off Bike is way comfortable. Seat is nice and comfortable. Power incredible and smoother then older 114's Vibrations next to none. Exhaust Ugley as hell. But When you hit it it roars. Now Im still in break in mode so i have not taken it over 3,000rpms. Took Mulholland from Universal Studios today to Rock Shop in Malibu. So Cal. They have closed the Snake from Malibu Fires. From Rock shop to Kanen. This bike handles like a dream on the twists. By far the most comfortable bike Ive been on. I would also like to adjust the rear brake pedal a touch. Led turn signals so nice. Front headlight super light at night. I think with some slip ons It would be nice and flip my mirrors down . In cali we don't have that weird tale thing going on.
I love my fat Bob, and I completely agree with you the rear brake pedal is way too far down I constantly feel like I have to stretch and I am 5‘10“. Great video I look forward to watching More.
I can’t drive the 114 in France because of the restrictions for beginners but i bought the 107 and i’m so excited that this amazing bike arrived in France. Don’t have a long experience of HD but this bike is an HD without HD’s defaults. A great cruiser bike but you can have a lot of fun by opening the throttle.
Nice review. I’m new to harleys, I have tried to like the fatboy with all the hype etc, however the handling is just not there and I couldn’t lean it. I will test ride this one next see how I go. Thanks. 👍
I could not agree more with your observations. I bought a new 2018 Fat Bob late September and I've never had so much fun in a cruiser in my 20 years riding experience. My only issue was the mirrors, which have been replaced. Next year it's a stage one upgrade.
my dream bike and for me the best over all package that HD has in terms of design, power, agility and handling. I will buy one for sure but the first things to change will be the exhaust and the rear fender. This one needs to have a great sounding exhaust and a license plate put aside to the left side.
I road a few over the weekend but didn't get on this one it looks like the 48s big brother which is one if the ones I was on. Handling was on point but the 1200cc just isn't enough for me.
Just test rode a 2019 Fat Bob 114. THIS WILL BE MY NEXT BIKE!!! Tested rode most HD, Indian, Yamaha, Honda, Triumph and BMW models looking for what I want next (not to say the others are bad but I really like this HD FAT BOB). I currently have a 2017 SGS and after riding the Fat Bob, will keep the SGS for touring, long distance rides but will have the Fat Bob for a around town, sporty fun ride. It's just an awesome bike!!! Will definitely switch out the exhaust, get a Stage 2 engine upgrade with high performance cam, HD pro street and HD pro auto tuner at purchase so its covered under warranty. PS - I'm in my fifties so it's not just for the youngsters.
I believe we have exactly the same clothing now for riding😂🤦♂️I completely agree with you in that the ride position is great! You feel like the bike is part of you. The suspension is great and works really well. The breaks are really good and it looks pretty darn good. Definitely change the same things you mention. BUT I was really disappointed with the handling...I found it hard to corner. I felt like I was fighting the front end the whole time. It felt quite twitchy for me in the bends. Great lean angle but I didn’t feel as confident in the corner. Dunno if the fat tire had something to do with it? I was really disappointed in the end. Otherwise I would have been with you 100%. 🤷♂️ I’ve had some people have similar experiences to me and others say I’m mad. I will ride one again at some point no doubt. Maybe my mind will change? 🤘
How would this beauty of a machine compare to the scout bobber? And I don't mean just raw power, but performance, handling, feeling, fit and finish, ergonomics, etc.
Love Harley's. Always have done. But I'm a bit tired of shelling out 15 grand plus for the bike and then before I even throw a leg over it I gotta spend another 5 grand to make it look nice...
A lowrider tank or any of the 5 gallon tanks will fit straight on the frame but will have to do some mods to fit the speedo housing.Im hopefully having my 5 gallon tank delivered next week to do the mods
Can you please tell what the technical or design differences are between the 2018 and 2019 Fat Bob? I can hardly see any and don’t find anything online concerning that.
Just bought a 2017 fatbob with a 103 on it for my wife as her first bike. She loves it and I like it pretty good. Just test rode a 2019 fatbob for myself and I loved it. Now if I can just convince my wife to let me buy it.
If you live and ride on two lane crowned black top roads, the Fat Bob is the bike for it. Will do short 200 milers on the interstates with no problems either. A fabulous bike. Plus, it fits me.
Like Your review, can hear Your enthusiasm😎 one question did You by any chance or will test the FXDR 114 I’m comparing those to bikes and collecting as many information about them as possible before purchasing one
Beautiful bike. Too bad I can't afford one. I'm trying to decide between the Iron 883 and the 1200 Custom. The 1200 is a stretch (financially) for me; I have to check them out to see if it is worth the extra money over the 883.
Bigger fuel tank for 2019? I can't stand the 3.5 gallon capacity of the peanut tank. Your right, most fun and capable softtail, zero range... beyond the city limits.
I recently got a chance to ride the new 114 fat bob. I had the same problem with the rear foot break pedal. Can you adjust it. If so, can you do a video on that hopefully. Because I plan on getting a 114 fat bob as my first bike. Not because it is a Harley but it was such an easy bike to ride for me personally at low and high speeds.
Hey you think this is better than FXDR? I have the option on a '19 FXDR that's had a stage 1 plus fender tidy and drag bar with indicators tidied up too. It's a demo (4300kms)and pretty much same price but as a stock new Fat BOB Thoughts ?
I went to do this till US Customs put a stop on the tank I bought. So still keeping an eye out and will fit a Rick's custom rear fender when I have saved.
Motonewbrider thanks brother!!! Love the videos and I actually just rewatched your test ride of the Sport Glide. Which is my favorite next to the Fatbob 114
Chris Alexander personal preference I’ve used cobras 🐍 and Dunlop GT tyres both are super sticky however the compound is softer so the tread goes quicker!
I’m good with the break peddle now... took my 1500 miles but no I’m fine to press it firmly n deeply... not a sports bike, won’t skid easily... totally different.
These videos are super cool. Highly immersive when you are high. Now I wish I had a bike. This is marketing well done!!! I hope they're paying you well too. You sure deserve it. Thanks!
One of the best reviews done. Not unnecessary jibber jabber like a lot of them. Plus I didn't hear any parts scraping. Your corners were a bit open compared to where I ride. Yes, exhaust must be changed and that awful license plate mount. However, I'm not a fan of all the blacked out stuff. If I can't get a bright work bike I will not buy it no matter how good it is.
I would really like this bike if it actually came with the 5gal fat bobs like on the earlier Fat Bobs so you could ride it instead of some useless 3.6 gal tank for city boys.
Nope... Just can’t bring myself to like these bikes. The quality of the controls look cheap for example. And why does is the rear brake not in the right place. Hmmmm.
More than 2 hours straight, you really start to get uncomfortable, ass starts hurting, legs get cramped, etc. Just keep that in mind, this is a short distance bike, no way in hell you would go across state on this thing, let alone the country! Also, stock mirror position is absolutely fucking useless, why they haven't changed this and dropped the mirrors to the bottom where you can ACTUALLY SEE BEHIND YOU, it's just another reason why Harley is out of tune with the actually RIDE of the bike. I swear its like after they make a bike they just ship it immediately without actually test riding the bike they just built.
