Đánh giá harley-davidson fat bob

A bike that certainly turns heads, the Harley-Davidson Fat Bob is a machine that you will either love or hate and is best thought of as Harley’s take on a naked bike. And a very big one at that!

Designed to appeal to European riders who view a bike’s ability to go around corners with equal importance to straight line cruising, the Fat Bob is the sportiest model in the firm’s petrol-powered range and yet still has more than a hint of the cruiser about it with its 16-inch wheels shod in fat balloon tyres.

• Related: Best cruiser motorbikes
• Related: Best base bikes for custom projects

Long, low and imposing, the latest Fat Bob arrived in 2018 and sits in the Softail family, which was thoroughly updated that year through a new chassis (the Softail and Dyna families were combined) and the new Milwaukee-Eight motor (in two capacities, 107 and 114) to coincide with Harley’s 115th Anniversary.

Not one of Harley’s biggest selling models, the Fat Bob’s Marmite styling sees it generally owned by enthusiasts and while its fairly hefty weight and extensive use of metal parts for the running gear hints at a high level of build quality, owners are a little underwhelmed on this front and it seems as if a few corners have been cut, which is a shame on a bike that is certainly at the premium end of the price scale.

As with all things Harley, there is a huge network out there if you need to get any extra info and the best thing to do is go to your local Harley dealership and chat to members of HOG, the Harley Owners Group. If you are uncertain about the bike itself, Harley are very proactive when it comes to test rides (they can be booked via the firm’s website) so as long as you have a full licence, you should be able to borrow one.

And if a quick blast isn’t enough, many dealerships allow you to hire a bike for an extended period of time (a weekend or even a week) and often if you buy the bike (if it is new) they will take the cost of hire into account and reduce the price a bit or even wave the hire costs.

Ride quality & brakes

3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Softail family contains everything from the Breakout to the Heritage and as such Harley have made a 'platform' tubular steel double cradle chassis that can be altered with minimal effort through different head angles or a choice of swingarms to suit the intended bike’s role in life. All-new for 2018, the Softail range has a 'hardtail' look of a solid back end but actually contains a monoshock under the seat area (previous generations had twin shocks under the transmission).

As well as being a claimed 65% stiffer than before, the new chassis also uses the engine as a stressed member and the swingarm is stiffer. Why is this important? Because it allows the Fat Bob to actually handle fairly well. Unlike most Harley models, the sporty nature of the Bob sees it come with Showa inverted forks with dual bending valve technology, but sadly no adjustment which is a shame as they are a little crude in their damping.

Far from a lightweight bike, the Bob’s 296kg weight and fat 16-inch wheels is initially a bit daunting as it does give the bike a strange feeling and a slight reluctance to turn into bends, however once you get used to muscling it about you can actually build up a bit of pace and although limited by ground clearance, bends are certainly not something to be feared.

This is a bike that is happy on a twisty road and is far more than just a straight-line cruiser. Owners report the OE Harley-branded Dunlop tyres are fairly poor in their performance in the wet and dry, so updating them for European-spec alternatives is right at the top of the to-do list, but the brakes have ABS as standard and are a twin-disc four-piston per caliper set-up, which is enough to haul-up the heavy Bob.

Engine

4 out of 5 (4/5)

When it was launched the Fat Bob was sold in two formats - 107 and 114 – which refer to the Milwaukee-Eight engine’s size in inches (1745cc or 1868cc if you don’t speak imperial) however nowadays only the bigger 114 is available.

All-new in 2017, the Milwaukee-Eight motor is different to the one used in the touring models where it debuted as its rigid-mounting instead of rubber and sees the Softail models run two, not one, balancer shafts to keep the vibrations down.

A fabulous motor that sounds and feels exactly like a Harley should, the Milwaukee-Eight marked a huge step forward over the old Twin Cam motor and as well as better reliability, it is more powerful and has a (marginally) slicker gearbox. We say marginally because there is still a hefty clunk when you select a cog.

On the go the four-valve air-cooled motor (hence its name, as it has a total of eight valves) is a real beauty with bags of torque delivering lots of instant punch. Although Harley dislike claiming power figures, it makes 86bhp with 107ft.lb of torque in 107 guise and 94bhp and 114ft.lb in 114, so there isn’t too much of a difference if you opt for the lower capacity model. The one thing it is missing, however, is any form of traction control and given all that grunt and the poor OE tyres, on a wet road you do need to exercise a degree of caution over white lines or on slippery surfaces.

Reliability & build quality

3 out of 5 (3/5)

A lot of Harley owners tend to cherish their bikes and if they are cleaned regularly, not ridden much in the wet and generally cared for the build quality seems acceptable. However should you get a bit behind or let things slip the Fat Bob starts to look very second hand very quickly, which is a real shame on a bike that costs so much.

report that the paint finish is very poor indeed with paint rubbing off on areas where your knees touch and also the engine shedding its finish. Not only that, corrosion on exposed metal components seems rife if the bike hasn’t been treated to a lot of anti-corrosion spray. One owner has even has the clocks misting up and the fuel cap’s lock fail. When you talk to Harley dealers they say a big problem is owners cleaning their bikes and then putting them away wet, which allows the water to pool and corrosion sets in, however a slightly low level of build quality is also certainly to blame.

In terms of the motor the Milwaukee-Eight is very solid and not that expensive to get serviced with annual costs of roughly £300. Always give the belt and sprockets a good check when buying any used Harley as if a stone gets in there it can damage the belt and swapping one is a big bill as it requires removing the swingarm due to the fact there is obviously no soft link in a belt!

Value vs rivals

3 out of 5 (3/5)

Buying a Fat Bob is not a cheap proposition and a new 114 will set you back in the region of £17,000, however they do tend to hold their value fairly well with year old examples costing around £15,000. The 107 option costs roughly £13,500 as it is less desirable however not that many were sold as most owners opted for the 114 motor.

As with all Harley models, the price tag is very much dependent on condition, mileage and extras and as the Bob is such a new model, nearly every one is sold through the dealer network rather than private sales, which boost the price tag. Official Harley extras also up the price however unlike some Harley models, very few Fat Bobs get accessorised that heavily aside from the usual exhausts and air filter. Insurance isn’t too bad and with roughly 40mpg fairly easily achieved, the Bob isn’t that thirsty on the petrol either.

The problem with the Bob is when you look at it in terms of its value – is it really worth paying £17,000 for an air-cooled bike that lacks most modern electronic assists? That’s a decision only a serious buyer can make and when you consider a Ducati Monster 1200 S is £15,095, an Indian FTR R Carbon £15,595 or even a Ducati XDiavel £16,995 it seems very steep for what it is once you ignore the name on the tank.

Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

There is no denying the Bob is lacking in terms of its equipment. There is no traction control, only basic ABS, no power modes, no quickshifter, no connectivity, little adjustment in its suspension, the list goes on and on.

Then again, this is an air-cooled Harley and they do tend to be quite basic in terms of their spec. Owners can up the ante through the H-D parts and accessories catalogue, but most simply opt for a set of loud pipes and a free-flowing air filter, which to be fair makes a huge difference to the bike’s sound levels and also releases a welcome bit of extra mid-range.

When it comes to tyres, most known brands make a hoop for the Bob and you have the choice of the likes of the Michelin Scorcher, Metzeler Cruisetec, Avon Cobra Chrome or even a non-Harley branded Dunlop D427, which are the OE fitment but better in terms of grip when made in Europe.

Specs

Engine size 1746cc Engine type 45º pushrod V-twin Frame type Tubular steel double cradle Fuel capacity 13.6 litres Seat height 710mm Bike weight 296kg Front suspension Showa inverted telescopic forks, no adjust Rear suspension Monoshock, adjustable spring preload Front brake 2 x 275mm discs, four-piston calipers. ABS Rear brake 275mm two piston caliper. ABS Front tyre size 150/80 x 16 Rear tyre size 180/70 x 16

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption - Annual road tax £111 Annual service cost £3,350 New price £14,295 Used price £11,700 - £14,300 Insurance group 17 of 17 How much to insure? Warranty term Two years

Top speed & performance

Max power 86 bhp Max torque 107 ft-lb Top speed 110 mph 1/4 mile acceleration - Tank range -

Model history & versions

Model history

• 2008 – the first generation of Fat Bob is launched.
• 2018 – The all-new Fat Bob is launched. Powered by the Milwaukee-Eight motor in 107 or 114 sizes, it has an all-new chassis and even meaner look.

Owners' reviewsfor the HARLEY-DAVIDSON FAT BOB (2018 - on)

15 owners have reviewed their HARLEY-DAVIDSON FAT BOB (2018 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your HARLEY-DAVIDSON FAT BOB (2018 - on)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 3.9 out of 5 (3.9/5) Ride quality & brakes: 3.9 out of 5 (3.9/5) Engine: 4.2 out of 5 (4.2/5) Reliability & build quality: 3.6 out of 5 (3.6/5) Value vs rivals: 3.4 out of 5 (3.4/5) Equipment: 3.4 out of 5 (3.4/5) Annual servicing cost: £3,350

3 out of 5 Fat Bob 114 - mods required

Today 09:14 by Mike A

Version: 114

Year: 2021

Annual servicing cost: £300

Harley Davidson sporty cruiser - good bike let down badly by Harley Davidson and their dealers

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5

One of the few soft-tails with twin discs up front - this should be a must Harley Ride was ok but dangerous dunlops had to go awful when damp - a poor choice of tyre - replaced with cruisetecs they changed the bike

Engine 3 out of 5

114 motor needs improvement- had a 117 conversion but it needs more

Reliability & build quality 2 out of 5

Not the best build quality as the paintwork on the tank was poor .Spots of corrosion appeared in the first 12months . Switchgear failure (right side controls) was the main reason to get rid off - no replacement available for 4months - come on Harley get your act together as if you don’t someone will get hurt . Condensation in the clock - local dealer refused to do anything about it - that’s normal was the reply Brake pedal was on order for 12 months never got it

Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

Average but when work was carried out some parts/rates were unreasonable

Equipment 2 out of 5

Very basic - had to retrofit cruise control and heated grips - no electronics or aids apart from ABS (basic) but Harley doesn’t do modern technology they always get it wrong

Buying experience: Main dealer good at the start then extremely poor not interested after the sale

4 out of 5 A decent bike that might just change your opinion of Harleys for the better

24 March 2023 by Bob Backer 114

Version: 114

Year: 2018

Annual servicing cost: £300

It is a 3/5 bike, the extra star comes from the sense of occasion you get, every time you fire it up to go for a ride. Best short description? It's alright (in a nice way). It seems reliable, many of the niggles mentioned elsewhere in these reviews are a ten minute fix, BUT, you shouldn't have to on a bike at this price. Best feature? They hold their value. Worst features? Shoddy designs and last minute build quality. A gaping hole under the seat to spray road muck all over the electrics and rear suspension? Check. A battery that needs a hundred piece toolkit and an engineering degree to change? Check. Happy with my purchase once I sorted the glitches out and it is a lot of fun, but my over 20 year old Jap Hypersports Tourer was leagues ahead of the Harley 20 years ago. As a functional bike.

Ride quality & brakes 3 out of 5

It's alright.....again. Brakes are adequate....just, but I am used to the modern Japanese anchors. Strangely, the rear brake actually does something, not a lot, but something. It is a relatively stiff ride, even with the preload on zero (6'3" 14 stone), but not jarringly so. Whack the preload up and your dental bills will exceed your Harley parts bill. For no great gain. I would never call it a tourer. An hour and I want to have a rest. Most surprising thing? This beast actually handles and well. Yes, it weighs about the same as a house, but the new design frame makes for assured cornering (on Cobra Chromes, junk the OEM tyres) and your bottle will probably go before you run out of ground clearance. And no feeling of a frame with a hinge in the middle. One thing, tyre pressures need to be spot on or it can get a bit wayward.

Engine 4 out of 5

Archaic tractor bought into the 21st century. It goes quite well. If you want to pull 3G on takeoff, look elsewhere. But for everyday usage, it is tractable, responds well and gives about 44mpg. 94bhp is less than a half decent 600 these days and although the torque is good, it is no more than many other well sorted Japanese bikes at half the capacity. Definitely a stick some highway pegs on, riser bars and lope along at 1800rpm is the order of the day. And it will do that in spades.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Rattling gas cap. Ten minute DIY fix. Fogging and wonky clock. Ten minute DIY fix. Lopsided mudguard. You guessed it, ten minute DIY fix. Wonky handlebars. About an hour and new polyurethane riser bushes at £100. Gaping hole under seat. Twenty minute fix and £15 parts. So, an hour or fairly easy spanner work and £200 and it is where it should be. This should be a part of any dealers PDI. So, if you are a modern TFT screen techy rider who is "everything is the dealer", this bike is probably not for you. If you can do the basic checks such as oil, air, stick it on an Optimate every time and some routine spannering to tighten a few things up now and again, or maybe fit a screen or something of that nature, the Harley might surprise you with its competence.

Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

Everything is expensive if you need parts. Fortunately, the M8 softails seem to be fairly robust, so routine servicing seems to be the main thing if you look after it and do your routine checks. Everyone has a bad insurance story, but the HD insurance is not badly priced. HOWEVER, you do need to factor in the extra bits and bobs they throw into the cover. Once you load up the other well known providers with those add ons, they are much of a muchness on price. And you can get agreed value on the HD insurance at no extra charge.

Equipment 2 out of 5

Haha. One clock, a rev counter dial and a digital speedo (plus fuel, odo, neutral light all in one). Cable clutch. Self cancelling indicators. ABS. That is about it. But if you are of an age when you can't see the tiny writing on the TFT screens on the Yamaguchi 900, a single rev and speed clock works surprisingly well. It is all you actually NEED.

Buying experience: Dealer. Two years old. Advertised at £13K, got about £600 off and a few bits chucked in. The dealer guy was actually alright and played it fairly straight. As it happens, I met the previous owner a couple of years later who told me that he had dropped it at parking speed and there was cosmetic damage. Which cost ELEVEN THOUSAND POUNDS to repair at the dealer. Harley parts are expensive! The guy I dealt with didn't mention that surprise surprise.......

4 out of 5 FXFBS 114 Fat Bob, The Beast

06 February 2023 by BOB 2

Version: FXFBS

Year: 2018

Annual servicing cost: £350

Great bike, been looking for something else to replace it, but can't find anything else which is as comfortable, can be loaded with camping/touring gear, has grunt, and doesn't require me to carry out major building work to garage it (Rocket III), so given up looking. 23000 miles in just over 5 years, used at least 10 months of each year I've owned it from new.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Brilliant bike for full day riding. Round trips from West Yorkshire to North Queensferry in day is no problem at all. Diabetic testing/Petrol stops force you to take breaks, 54+ mpg, unless playing around which is still high 40's. Catches other riders by surprise with how quick it actually is for a large bike. Good for two up too, still handles really well.

Engine 4 out of 5

Engine is brilliant, but could do with a slipper clutch when down shifting when playing.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Pretty well built, but digital has a tendancy to get covered up by condensation, common problem with Fat Bob's, but Harley Davidson think it's not their fault!!!!

Value vs rivals 3 out of 5

Don't use Harley Davidson dealer, use local specialist who doesn't want arm and a leg for decent service. I can't understand why servicing is only every 5000miles, bit poor in this day and age.

Equipment 4 out of 5

Seat and riding position are spot on. Need to get rid of the original tractor tyres and fit Pirelli Night Dragons or Metzellers. You also have to be careful with rear tyres when getting close to 5000miles, starts to rip tread off with torque.

Buying experience: Bought from Southampton Harley. Sales experience just OK. After sales has been appalling. I wouldn't recommend.