Today I got to take the 114ci Fatbob for an extended test ride. I was only planning to have a look at them in the flesh and maybe have a sit on one for something to do today. Instead I was thrown the keys and told take as long as you like.... and that's exactly what I did. Take note I'll compare this bike to my current one, a 2017 Low Rider S (110ci) with a Bassani Road Rage 3 exhaust, intake and a good tune (95hp/114ft lb)



First things first, the big one... the looks. You either love the look of this bike or hate it. I on the "hate" side of the fence until I saw it in the flesh. The 2 big detractors are the hiddeous ADR compliant licence plate brackets (think Diavel style wrap around off the swingarm) and the gaudy gold pipes. I think HD are trying to replicate heat soaked Stainless here for a bit of contrast but it just looks naff in the flesh. All black would have been a much better option. But then again who keeps the stock exhaust.



The tank is noticeably smaller, thinner and suits the bike quite well. Mileage on one of these things once tuned properly will be pretty dismal I imagine, but I digress. Switchgear is nothing really new. The dash is a mixture of analogue tach and digital speedo. It's in a better position than the FXDLS that's for sure, but I did have some issues seeing the speed in direct sunlight.



Hopping on the bike in the carpark, first thing that comes to mind is this thing is a) short and b) light! It really surprised me how compact the bike felt. You cant see the front fender/wheel from the seated position so you get a bit of a sports bike position to it. Hitting the starter you are met with what is honestly a joke for an exhaust note. I've farted louder than this thing at 1500rpm. What I can tell you though is this M8 engine is so smooth I checked numerous times at the lights to make sure it was still idling via the tacho. The bike is robbed of it's heritage and soul a bit this idle.



First impressions after leaving the dealership are quick to come to fruition, these "forward" controls are completely wrong for this bike and holy shit is this thing nimble. I also noticed the stock seat is an absolute masterpiece. You wouldn't change it even if you had sultan of Brunei type money it's that good! So far so good!



Getting out of inner Sydney traffic and onto the first bit of open space I give the right hand a twist, compared to the 110ci twin cam this engine is so refined and smooth it's amazing. Torque builds super early but dithers out just as quick, it feels strangled and begs for an exhaust and tune. After 3500rpm the torque is diminishing but snicking up another gear you get another surge of grunt. The gearbag is real nice to use. A different Clunk from my Dyna but a re-assuring "snick" every upshift I made. The clutch is also super light. I was able to "1 finger" it for a while but 2 fingers is enough. I will note I had a lot of issues getting this bike into neutral particularly at the end of the ride, I was the first person to put any serious Km's onto it so it's still probably bedding in and could do with an adjustment at the ramp.

The big question you are probably asking "is this as fast as a stage 1 low Rider S?"..... Honestly I would have to say no, but it would be VERY close in a drag race. Remember this is a 100% stock standard bike with literally 40km's on it. Give this bike a good 2-1 and Dyno tune (by someone who knows what they are doing) and it's left right goodnight for the FXDLS. Put it this way, it's still enough to make 1st gear a smokeshow if you feel the need :)

Handling wise this bike sets a new benchmark for big twin HD's in my opinion. I've been lucky enough to ride more or less everything from the MoCo over the last 5 years and all I could think of was sportster handling combined with Big Twin power to sum it up. I never got close to scraping pegs no matter how hard I tried. The brakes were excellent and had fantastic initial bite. Another level up from my FXDLS. Suspension was a real good effort but I found the limits of the fork a few times and it still dives under brakes with my 100kg ballast. The rear shock is very good and had a plush initial feel and excellent bottoming resistance, coming from a motocross background I could definitely appreciate the work gone into this rear shocker. My favourite adjustment was to be at full stiffness via the hand adjustable knob to the right of the rear cylinder. It was firm enough for aggressive riding but combined with the excellent seat was fine for navigating Sydney's shit house roads.



I really had to nitpick for things I found problematic with this bike. The fork is too soft for aggressive riding, or maybe I'm just too fat. The rear cylinder head hits your inner thigh when stationary at the lights. Fortunately this engine runs so cool it wont result in 3rd degree burns like a twin cam. The stock exhaust is a joke as far as giving any aural enjoyment. I'm really trying to find faults but these are all so minor.

So the big questions:

1) Is this better than your FXDLS? - Yes, without a doubt this is a better motorcycle. I do however feel like this bike has foregone a bit of it's soul and character with this engine. It's smooth..... but too damn smooth. It needs a bit of mongrel about it. For your die hard Harley guy who probably still rides his Evo powered Softail and has a beard down to his Belly button he is going to hate this bike. This bike is targeted at the next gen of HD owners without a doubt.

2) Would you trade your bike in for one? - I thought long and hard about this as I handed back the keys and debreifed with the salesmen, at that point in time I probably would have. I hopped back on my bike, hit the starter and heard that 110ci engine shake and clatter beneath me, the exhaust echoing off the surrounding building. Turning out of the dealership giving it a handful of throttle, the rear steps out in one smooth fluent motion, bang 2nd gear and the big black bitch hits jail speed before you blink an eye. Nope... the FXDLS is here to stay! :)

Saw a Breakout outside our local dealer in the flesh today. I thought it looked good.

Yeah great review, thnxs for sharing. I'm not a fan of the look myself but it seems many are. If I want a "fast" bike, I'd choose something else.

Thanks for the good review brash. Glad you still want your fxdls given I just bought one! 

Thanks for such an informative review Brash. 

brash, thanks too. Very good report on the Fat bobby. thanks as well.

Stutter.....

The best review I've read so far Brash. Why journalists dribble about everything bar the bike, let alone struggle to compare with the previous generation bike, is beyond me.

Good write up Brash. Makes a change from the suckhole journos just making sure they get the next test bike. I don't think the Softail II will lure many tourer riders across but I'll keep an open mind until I ride one. Fattys are back in white, I'm keen for that. 

Is that the number plate bracket coming of the axle ,

Nice write up, thanks for the effort to do it.

I think I would prefer the tacho and speedo the other way around, digital tacho and analogue speedo, especially given the over zealous policing of the speed limits in this country.

Do you think the overall handling is better than the latter model Dynas, given that the Dynas are supposed to handle better that thier contemporary Softtails.

Not sure why they went for that number plate set up.

But I think I'll hang onto my FXDX too :)

Cheers  

Thanks

Cool, thanks :)

Thanks again Brash.