2025 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Review – First Ride
Bulbous boys
I’ve always loved the low, wide look of the Fat Boy. Maybe Terminator 2 played a role in this subconsciously, but the Fat Boy does an excellent job of having a classic silhouette with some additional attitude. Style-wise, not much has changed from 2024. You still get the wide, low handlebar perched atop the massive headlight nacelle, all which prepare you for this Boy’s fat wheels. With a 160/240 Michelin tire combo wrapped around 18-inch “Lakester” wheels, the Fat Boy has a presence all its own – at the detriment of handling.
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The result of the Fat Boy’s big shoes is a bike that takes more effort than anything else in the line-up to force around a corner. It would much prefer to be upright and that’s apparent while trying to do anything but. A 32-degree rake and 65-inch wheelbase do little to help the character. At 694 pounds, the Fat Boy is the third heaviest in this line-up.
But hey, if going in a straight line is all you plan to do, the Fat Boy not only looks badass doing it, it’s downright comfortable. Setting the cruise control and settling in, the Fat Boy’s 26.6-inch tall seat wouldn’t be a bad place to find yourself while crossing our great nation. Swapping ride modes wasn’t at the top of mind with the Fat Boy as handling took most of attention. Road mode was just fine for most of the riding on the FB.
The 2026 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy starts at $22,599 in Billiard Gray with Vivid Black, Blue Burst, and Whiskey Fire/Vivid Black upping the ante.
Of course, let’s not forget, evidence obtained by our own Dennis Chung tells us that this year’s Icon model will be stylized after the 1990’s Grey Ghost which would mark the 35th anniversary of the Fat Boy.
Scorecard
Engine | 18.5/20 | Suspension | 12/15 | Transmission | 8/10 |
Brakes | 7/10 | Instruments | 3.5/5 | Ergonomics | 8.5/10 |
Appearance | 9/10 | Desirability | 9/10 | Value | 7/10 |
Editors Score: 82.5% | |||||
In Gear
- Helmet: Shoei GT-Air 3
- Communicator: Sena SRL 3
- Airbag: Alpinestars Tech-Air 3 V2 Canvas
- Jacket: Alpinestars Calabasas Air (discontinued)
- Jeans: Pando Moto Steel Black (discontinued)
- Gloves: Alpinestars Chrome
- Boots: TCX Ikasu 2 Air
2025 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy FLFB Specifications | |
|---|---|
MSRP | $22,599 |
Engine Type | Milwaukee-Eight 117 Custom, air/oil-cooled 45° V-Twin, pushrod-operated, overhead valves with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters; four valves per cylinder |
Capacity | 1,923cc |
Bore x Stroke | 103.5 mm x 114.3 mm |
Compression Ratio | 10.3:1 |
Horsepower | 104 hp at 4,800 rpm (claimed) |
Torque | 126 lb-ft. at 3,000 rpm (claimed) |
Engine Control | Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) |
Clutch | Mechanical, 10 plate wet, assist & conventional |
Transmission | 6-Speed |
Primary Drive | Chain, 34/46 ratio |
Final Drive | Belt, 32/66 ratio |
Lighting | All LED |
Frame | Mild steel, tubular frame; rectangular section backbone; stamped, cast, and forged junctions; MIG welded; aluminum forged fender supports |
Swingarm | Mild steel, tubular sections, stamped x-member, forged axle junctions; MIG welded; removable belt spacer |
Front Suspension | Dual-bending valve 49 mm telescopic with aluminum fork triple clamps; dual rate spring; "beer can" covers. |
Front Travel | 5.1 inches |
Rear Suspension | Hidden, free piston, coil-over monoshock; 43mm stroke; hydraulic preload adjustment. |
Rear Travel | 3.4 inches |
Front Brake | 4-piston fixed front caliper, 300mm disc |
Rear Brake | 2-piston floating rear caliper, 292mm disc |
ABS | C-ABS |
Front Wheel | 4.5 x 18" machined, Lakester cast aluminum |
Rear Wheel | 8.0 x 18" machined, Lakester cast aluminum |
Front Tire | Michelin Scorcher 11 |
Front Tire Size | 160/60B18 70V BW |
Rear Tire | Michelin Scorcher 11 |
Rear Tire Size | 240/40R18 79V BW |
Rake / Trail | 32°/4.7 inches |
Wheelbase | 65.0 inches |
Length | 93.1 inches |
Width | 40 inches |
Seat Height | 26.6 inches |
Curb Weight | 694 pounds (claimed) |
Fuel Capacity | 5.0 gallons |
2025 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Review Gallery
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Ryan’s time in the motorcycle industry has revolved around sales and marketing prior to landing a gig at Motorcycle.com. An avid motorcyclist, interested in all shapes, sizes, and colors of motorized two-wheeled vehicles, Ryan brings a young, passionate enthusiasm to the digital pages of MO.
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I'm amazed they can sell a single one of these. For one thing, the look of the bike from the side with the ridiculous wheels and skinny sidewalls is anything but "fat." You already mentioned the insanely bad handling, and there aren't enough straight roads in the world to make up for that.
This thing for that price is an absolute joke.