Pretty like everything real American, such as good ole S&W revolvers, muscle cars and lever action rifles, it's the continuation of the perfection of old designs with new technology. People who have it know the feeling, which cannot be talked into people who have not experienced.
Harley don't make anything that suits the kind of riding that I do or the roads in my neck of the woods. But, I can't deny that they're beautiful machines and put a big smile on a lot of people's faces, which is what it's all about. Those header pipes look gorgeous!
Been a moto coach for over 20 years, about 5 years back I expanded to also coach for H-D at a local dealership. Coming in as a non H-D owner I have seen how H-D is far more than just owning one for most of their riders. I can confirm from a previous comment, they are customized and can be built to fit pretty much exactly how a rider wants their bike to be.
Looks fantastic...would definitely have one if I had a garage like Harry Metcalfe's. However how reliable are Harleys? I hear different things and don't know what to believe?
I’ve had two different Harleys over the last few years and I had a side stand sensor fail on my Sportster and front brake level light switch fail on my Breakout and Harley were very quick to remedy both under warranty. I think with any modern vehicle your always going to have the odd electrical niggle but mechanically these new Harleys will last if looked after.
Traded my Striple RS in for a 2020 Low Rider S (second choice was the fatty). These bikes are fucking brilliant, if a bit overpriced. TMF hit the nail on the head with how they make you feel. It's not easily describable, but riding what is effectively a 1.8 litre engine with some wheels on it has this intoxicating joy associated with it. Actual speed be damned, having a 310kg bike move the way it does when you twist the throttle and apply 160nm of torque (stage 2 on mine) to the rear wheel is so much fun. They also handle well. You can push them pretty hard in the mountains and they don't get out of shape. Yeah they're still limited by ground clearance but it's juuust enough to not be annoying. No scraping pegs on normal riding, just on particularly tight or off-camber corners. Glad you're covering HD's. They deserve to be under the spotlight with the new softail range. I'm only 30 and never rode the old HD's that people love to hate, but those days are gone as of this 2018+ platform. There are still lots of people with their head in the sand pretending that all HD's are rusty old shit boxes that tie themselves in knots the second they see a corner. Maybe these videos help convince some of those muppets to go out and actually test one.
Have a 2021 Low Rider S myself. Love it. More than fast enough for anyone not on a track and get's there quickly. That said it really is just the feeling it gives you when you ride. Just a great feeling.
Hey Jasper thanks for the link. Nice to see the Fatty get some love. Agree the 2021 Low Rider S and Fat Bob are the go to bikes in the Harley range if you like to 'push' along a bit. No words can genuinely describe the feeling these bikes give you. The bikes have no right to handle as good as they do considering their weight. Thank you tooTMF for your honest first impression. Look forward to seeing any update after you've had some more time on her.
Beauty as they say is in the eye of the beholder, and my eyes are telling me that bike is pot ugly. I thought Fat Bob was a description of Harley's typical customer 😉
Good video on a really nice bike. Just FYI back in the "old" days Harley used the term "Fat Bob" to signify the type of tanks. Instead of just a smaller, single gas cap tank, they hung two gas tanks with separate caps, one on each side of the frame backbone and instrument panel. Go to any old school swap meet and ask a grey beard if they have a set of "Fat Bob" tanks for sale and they'll know exactly what you're talking about. It was later that the Fat Bob model evolved into what it has become.
Would like to see you review the new sportster. More than welcome to borrow my ( much nicer😜) air cooled 48 to make a direct comparison. Think your review of the new and old version would be really interesting. Now you’re a convert 😂
I enquired about the new sportster the other day but was put off test riding one because of the dealership insurance terms. 5k excess ! 😲 Or pay a tenner to reduce that to £250. No Thanks!
Man visits a house of ill repute and says, "I have £12K, and I would like to be totally humiliated" the madame takes him out to the rear car park and gives him a Harley Fatbob and an open face helmet, job done.
Andy, I remember you rode a Triumph Thunderbird Storm a while ago. I would be really keen to know how you would compare it with the Fat Bob (which is about 6 years newer, I know). Why do I care? Well, I’m a Triumph + GS + Harley owner and fan-boy, like you!
This is the Harley that I would have. I love the design on this one, and would love to test drive one… can’t you mount the pegs in a middle position? But when I look to that classic lines and floating seat from the triumph bobber, I know that the triumph would be my ride. When you can please test ride the 2022 bobber.
Since I started riding back in the 70's I always referred to them as junk. It wasn't until 2015 that I tried one (2014 Low Rider) and I found the magic. I quickly moved up to a 2015 Road Glide and now a 2020 Street Glide. My current Street Glide is by far the best bike I have ever owned. Stock the rear suspension is too stiff but that was fixed with aftermarket coil overs. In two seasons riding it I have put over 38,000 km on it. I did a quick walk around of the bike on my channel if you want to check it out.
Watching this while having coffee and getting ready to go to work on my first-gen 250 Ninja, a bike which also brings a smile every time I ride it, though about as far from a Harley as you can get (I have big bikes, that's just today's choice). I've ridden Harleys and just don't get it, but as a friend remarked once, "he's having fun his way and not hurting anyone, so why criticize."
The Fat Bob is a bit of a marmite bike in the both the looks department and the way it rides , I didn't get on with it myself and preferred the Low Rider S (which you should review ) however your review was as always honest and fair, you hit the Harley riding experience on the head , its the way it makes you feel that makes its special.
Interesting road test. Traded my GS in for a Pan America Special and its a great bike priced competitively against its rivals but it just was not doing it for me. I just missed the low down torque of the GS. But I now had problem in the short time I had owned the PAS I have made so many friends at our weekly meet ups returning to a Beemer was a non question. So what to do then ! Well given my new mates had kept telling me it wasn't a proper Harley I decided I needed to ride one. And my first choice was a Fatbob. It was always going to feel awkward as it was my first feet forward bike but I loved the engine. However with that big fat front tyre riding around a roundabout you would of thought I had only been riding 50 minutes rather than 50 years. So it wasn't going to be my next bike then. Since then I decided to take a Fatboy out and I just love it. So much so I collect it on Saturday. Andy you are so right when you say its about the riding experience of a Harley. Still going to struggle for a while with feet forward riding position but it feels comfortable and the FB is plenty fast enough for me. Never thought I would end up riding a Harley but I am going enjoy riding it I am sure. Ted
Ah ha. You now know… and you do have room to fit a Fat Bob in the garage, I recon you will be getting a Harley on order later in 2022. Once you have one there is no escape. Excellent vid… 👍👍👍👍
This is the Zombie Apocalypse themed Harley. One of the most thrilling motorcycle's I have ever ridden. Guaranteed grin on your face,,head turner. Love it.
"It may well be the depths of winter". I don't know anyone who has your luck TMF. As I watch it is sunny and the mildest November I can recall. Indeed, so nice I'm off out for a ride on my 1991 Kawasaki Voyager xii
Bib the Boulder. Hope you had an enjoyable ride mate 👍, I'm loving the ZZR although I'm still running it in. Make the best of the good weather, the snow's to start up North soon and spread South. -7 to -11 I think I'll need more than heated grips 😉
@@michaellilley6725 Hi Michael, glad to see you are on here! Yep, making the most before winter shows its head.....summer 2022 cannot come fast enough for me...
@@BibtheBoulder We've got to get through winter 2021/2022 first, a little birdie tells me TPTB are going to be hammering us from every angle, food, fuel, power supplies and Wintery storms. Batton the hatches buddy, when they talk about tidal waves you know they're planning a Tsunami
One of the nice things about the big twin Harley's is the way they hold their value, 20 years from now, that bike will still be going and someone somewhere will be willing to pay a lot to get their hands on it. Nice review as always.
@@timholt8141 Yes, I sold my '82 FXRS Shovelhead to my friend 15 years ago and he still uses it almost daily, as did I when I owned it, 40 year old bike now and still turns heads with how it looks, sounds and goes.
@@shegocrazy It has always been something that I have considered when buying any motor vehicle. I know a bloke who lost almost 50% of the purchase price on a Range Rover in a year, and it wasn't a cheap vehicle, it's certainly worth thinking about.
@@shegocrazy Don't get me wrong, I love bikes and have owned lots of them, the biggest financial bath I ever took was on a Ducati 907 ie, I liked it but no one else did, conversely, I sold the HD FXRS for more than I paid for it after 3 years of almost trouble free riding and if I still had it today, it would be worth a small fortune to the right buyer.
Mr M a man after my heart I love anything to do with Harley Davidson I have modal of Harley Davidson motorcycles which is 1200cc sportster 1200 Custom. A Tin with Harley Davidson anniversary 1903 - 1998 on it, it Cards to Harley’s on them. A picture of three wheels Harley. I would love to ride one but not save up enough penny’s for my CTB and not seen many people 5ft 4in riding one. Great reviews can wait to see more. One Harley-Davidson missing on your list Harley Davidson tour.
Its like shooting a colt python, u only enjoy it after riding it. I like the no nonsence color scheme big fat tires. Its pretty good for long long saddle time.
Needs a 10 inch rise, club style fairing, heavy breather air intake, 2 into 1 TBR exhaust, stage 1 tuning. This is what i love about Harleys you can make them what you want. And if your a good rider you can chuck any bike round the twisties like a sports bike.
Harley owners all customise their bikes with loud exhausts etc - partly to increase performance. If you did performance comparisons with your other bikes, particularly the GS and Goldwing, I think they would be very popular.
Hello Lee, I’m also a Lee, I ride an Ultra Limited. In my view a thing Harley have done really well is to recognise the importance the pillion plays in the decision to purchase motorcycles this expensive. The pillion experience on the UL is outstanding, which enabled me to gain permission from the boss to buy one! I’d love to see more motorcycle reviews which focus on the pillion experience. And while I agree with TMF that the Goldwing is magnificent, for me it just doesn’t have the personality or riding experience of the UL.
From the USSA : You have now earned the right to walk into your home and yell at your old lady (formally your wife) , "Where's my meatloaf and beer......?"
Great bike but for me it's extremely ugly compared to the fat boy, hate the matt paint, horrible exhausts and black wheels, it looks like an old army bike. It's all subjective of course and down to personal preference. Good review though.
Harley gearboxes are clunky but that’s because buyers like them that way….there’s a lot that HD does because the buyers like it that way….I am one of them. All these new things are fine and will carry the MOCO forward…but we’ll not forget where we’ve been.
So based on your last few harley reviews which have all been great, can we expect to see a new purchase to add to the TMF garage coming soon? (Martin, IOW)
great colour scheme ,, glad your still liking the harleys , as they are a bikers bike not a teckno spec sheet . == as they say == harleys dont have to do , harleys just are .. and that seems to be working for you , without all those daft electrics ;;; if i were to buy that bike i would like a round headlamp ;;
I have a keyless ignition and alarm on my 2008 Fat Bob and absolutely love the idea that I do not have to have a key sticking up on the bike with potential other keys fitted to it and flapping in the wind. Just walk up to your bike and start her up with the fob in your pocket, get off, walk away and the alarm actives.
I actually like that bike. The Harley guys generally have never liked it. If they had kept the twin headlights (like the Rocket 3 and Thunderbird) I would have probably gotten one by now. In all fairness, I probably only like it because it's so similar (in geometry and power) to the Triumph Thunderbird.
In my mind this is one bike where the keyless ignition makes sense. Just get on and ride, I have never locked the steering on mine and the alarm is armed as you get off. Key never leaves my jacket pocket.
Nice beast that one, I’m no big fan of HD but this one did grab my attention. I ride a Cruiser it’s only a Kawasaki VN900 Custom SE all Matt black no chrome to speak of which weighs 268 Kgs dry. Vance and Hines pipes with quiet baffles (it’s not quiet 😊) Thanks for another excellent review Andy. Much appreciated. Have a good day.
Wonderful bike, every garage should have one but out of my price range. I'll stick to my 2000 Sportster 1200, still puts a smile on my face every time I ride it.
hi like your good reviews --------please advise ----what would you recommend ---for touring long distance-----like around Switzerland---a typical tour bike holiday----either a Fat bob or the Indian Chief Dark Horse and why
Iv had my Harley Night train for 19 years now. Its been all over Europe and the UK with no problems at all. Still looks and runs well although its showing its age in some areas where I haven't kept it that clean. Cost me about 12k 19 years ago and still insured as agreed value at 10k. Will never sell it.!!
I love my Road King Special, I have done more miles on my Harley than I have done on ALL of the bikes I have owned collective, purely because I prefer riding it, as you said Andy, the smile is always there on it. I'm sure the mileage thing is based on the type of bikes I have owned in the past but I just love riding a Harley. I know there is people that don't and won't, which is totally fair enough. Everyone is different, boring if we all rode the same bikes anyway. Great little incite as always TMF, thanks
Another great review. Glad you’re doing Harley Davisons as a Harley rider myself I like your honest opinions been watching the videos over a while now and you’ve done a good selection of Harley’s I’d like to see you do one on the heritage.. I think you should definitely find room in your garage for one specially the heritage.
Seems like this bike is equped with options like: 1) heated right passenger peg; 2) heated riders right foot; 3) heated man parts with rear cylinder head; 4) oil radiator on air-cooled engine that bigger then some radiators on water-cooled bikes; 5) wet legs because of short front wheel mud-guard (puddles and rainy situations); 6) auto-bow riders head to look on speedo before every speed cameras (with full face helmets).
For many many years I did not get the Harley thing but after taking a Fat Bor 1600 for a test ride in 2009 I was hooked. My wife still wasn't impressed (see has her own bikes) Since then I had the 2009 Fat Bob a small break (regrets) for an MV Agusta Brutale one bike season then a 2012 Fat Bob for 5 years sold because of ill health regrettably then got sorted health wise and last Christmas I brought my dream Harley a 2010 CVO(1800) Fat Bob which is fantastic and a keeper.... I have every type of bike over the years but sport bike where my bag until I got a Speed Triple which was great but had a crap gearbox. My wife got a 1200 Sportster and she loves it, we both put Vance an Hines open pipes on them and they sound great and various other customised parts. We really want to ride them to Gran Canaria to tour on there great roads with fab all year weather. I can ride as fast as I like, my CVO corners as good as anything i've ridden (its the rider that counts) but it sounds great and makes me feel alive when I ride it! Just come back from a ride (18/11/21) cold but in a Irvin flying jacket and open face helmet brilliant therapy My advise is absolutely don't knock it until you've tried it, I love forward control pegs but my wife has mid mounts... find what suits! Phil
Late to seeing this video! Re: your Richa Daytona 2 jacket, do you remove all the D30 protection when you're using the inflatable jacket? I have the Daytona 2 in brown and I love it but I find it quite a heavy jacket. Yours looks very light weight compared?
Harley Davidson...the only bikes that testers/reviewers like to make excuses for. £17k ish...42ish bhp per litre 😂 unadjustable suspension (except rear preload), vibrating mirrors, potentially uncomfortable for more than 1 hours riding (fuel tank will probably be dry by then anyway) Thee only Harley which compares to any other modern bike is the Pan America...and that's fugly. And yes I have ridden a Harley!
@@TheMissendenFlyer Sadly not, I like the appearance... except the indicator wires dangling below the bars. But the engine performance and suspension all of which should be improved.... without spoiling the appearance are way short of the price
like many I'm not an HD enthusiast . I definately don't hate on them I respect all bikers on all bikes..scooters mopeds etc.. this however looks great to me . It's got a lot of what I like about your interceptor since its revamp .. basically I'm a sucker for green and knobbly ( ish) tyres .. Scrambler / military etc .. Peace and love brother 👍🏻☮♥️.
What a fantastic pick-me up on a freezy November day. I have one of the last ducktail twin headlight fatbobs, on paper it does nothing great, it canna go, stop, corner, anything. What it does do is make me smile. What more would you want.
Week Done Andy I see you left the best till last wanted to see your views before I brought one I loved it 1st time I rode it but price got me for a basic bike looks great but nothing on it look at bikes same money and you get a lot more triumph speed triple RS Suzuki GSXS1000 Ducati street fighter I don’t know what to do great review Andy take care I always like your road tests keep up great work
You have to try a Road King. You said Harleys were uncomfortable. Yeah the bikes that are made for looks like the Fatbob might not be the most comfortable but give a Road King a try and i will be really surpriced if you wont absolutely love it!! There is a reason its called the Road King (=
Not really liking the look of this one tbh. The pipe configuration and the square headlight are two style designs I’m not keen on . But hey, it’s all about individual preference. The best looking cruiser I have seen recently is the Indian scout bobber.
I was looking forward to this review ever since you posted on Instagram about it. You didn't disappoint either my good man, fantastic viewing and a astounding bike. Best looking Harley they make to my eyes, because it doesn't look like one?
Many years ago I competed with them, as far as I'm concerned, they are just a pile of shiny loud American junk, I would not have one as a gift, Well, I would accept it and sell it for a real bike
Sorry, I disagree about electronics. So long as they’re not intrusive or require a lot of rider configuration then I don’t see the issue. I’ve had traction control and other aids step in over the years and I was very glad I had them. It’s the difference between binning the bike over some diesel or gravel etc and not. Just my humble opinion..
I don't get it! Heavy, ugly, unreliable, clunky, vibey, well overpriced, prone to rust, thirsty and although you say it handles well, it won't handle anywhere near as well as pretty much any bike for a quarter of the price! As you can tell, I am not a fan!
How did you find the furygan airbag vest TMF? Thinking about buying one rather than a tethered to the bike helite air vest for convenience. Hopefully not form over function
Very good but I do wonder under some of my jackets if there’s enough room for inflation, plus the Helite tether is pretty foolproof….so I’m actually a bit on the fence between the two at the moment…
'Cruiser or Busa, cruiser or Busa?' - sixteen grand in your skyrocket & thinking of the future (as you do). 'Well looked after - which will hold the best value with forty thousand on the clock?' 'Which is more likely to leave your licence free from 'junior moment' smudges (no contest really) & which is more likely to be stolen?' Ho hum . . . tough call. "Will you take a fantasy 30K for the pair?" : )
What is it with bike manufacturers these days big engine heavy bikes but with very little consideration towards a pillion, HD,Triumph Rocket 3, and the BMW R18, all too much money and wanting you to spend even more money just to make it useable, buy second hand, a lot better value for money, none of that euro 5 Crap, and chances are Some one else will have done the mods for you 😜😉
Iv'e soured to H-D lately., I sold my FXDR for an R1250-GS Triple Black...then when I was given an offer I couldn't refuse , I sold the GS, and Iv'e decided to continue with BMW and Today 11/17...I'll make a deal on a new R9T-719 , the Aluminum and Black one...simply Stunning Bike that H-D could never match . I finally saw their new SportsterS, and frnkly, it looked too small and Cheap. The rear hugger section of that bike is hidious. The only H-D worth looking at is their LowRiderS, and perhaps the Pan-America once that platform Evolves a bit.
Sorry, but I don’t like these (types of) bikes. I don’t get it about Harleys. It’s all a bit too much. Too heavy Too expensive Seating is too low Awkward seating position Ugly headlights. Don’t like the mirrors and indicators; too small compared to the massive other parts of the bike. Massive exhaust pipes on one side, just to heat one leg.
@@TheMissendenFlyer you have asked me that before. No, but I tried if I fit on them and the answer is no. And I tried several types of HarleysI. If I have to put my feet forward, I can’t reach the handle bar in a normal way. I have to bend double to reach it. Just too dangerous to ride such a bike. If I would let one hand of the handle bar, I never would be able to to get hold of it again while riding
