All Reviews – Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Special Review: Quiet Fat Boy! – Manly, but not violent

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Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Special Review: A Quiet Fat Boy !

All Reviews - Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Special Review: Quiet Fat Boy! - Manly, but not violent

Emblematic model of the Softail range, the Fat Boy gains in charisma and comfort with its Special version. Without being a brand new model, this version nevertheless fulfills its function of large custom perfectly going straight to the point.. Test.

Manly, but not violent

Well wedged "in" the saddle, arms wide apart and feet casually thrown forward on steps as bulky as Pamela Anderson’s implants, the neophyte easily apprehends this mastodon: the intelligent distribution of masses and the low center of gravity greatly participate in facilitating the first turns of the wheel.

However, let’s not kid ourselves: low-speed maneuvers and city walks will still require some effort and a minimum of skill. But overall, the Harley enjoys an astounding balance compared to its pachydermal measurements: 1,630 mm of wheelbase, 313 kg empty and 31.6 ° of caster angle! Not to mention its 140 mm tires at the front (!) And 200 mm at the rear (!!)…

Obviously, at the start of a curve, our "fat boy" suffers from a certain inertia – caused both by the 111 mm stroke of his two large bowls and by his overweight – and driving will be de rigueur. A characteristic that the engine with dimensions worthy of a cathedral adapts very well: far from the kick to the buttocks expected from its high displacement, the tumbled twin with polished fins is content to send gentle knocks..

The 1,584 cc and the 125 Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm are very – even too – docile and if the pick-ups at low revs are only a formality – the twin resumes at 40 km / in fourth -, the acceleration lacks punch and forced to downshift to overtake vigorously. Luckily: Harley-Davidson has installed a helical gear on the fifth gear to smooth the operation of a box that remains a bit surly.

Rubbing is not playing !

In the absence of tachometer, it is difficult to determine the ideal range of use of the Rican mill. But in use, it appears more effective in low and mid-range: above, the twin vibrates copiously and if it accepts to hang 140 km / h in third, the placid twin quickly suggests to stop. torture him like that !

Because the Fat Boy Special is eaten in large slices of small roads (twisty but not tricky), swallowed in peace by concentrating on the heavy vibrations of the twin, the asphalt ribbon and the landscape … Unperturbed on the corner , the machine will then deliver fully and its pilot will forgive it its dry damping and the weakness of its single disc at the front.

Punctuated by vibrations sufficiently present to warm the heart and give an extra soul to this "big boy" stronger in mouth than demanding, the accelerations on the couple propel the crew at good speed, sufficient in any case to quickly get to know you. the limits of the reduced ground clearance (125 mm) !

With the support of the efficient rear brake, the rider quickly adapts to these characteristics: round and smooth trajectories make it possible to shamelessly benefit from mass transfers, surprisingly well controlled by the 41.3 mm diameter fork. , then the excellent traction offered by the enormous 20 cm rubber.

As long as it does not exceed the measure, the Fat Boy Special is predictable if not agile. And if there is no question of smoking Denis Bouan on a special of the Dark Dog Moto Tour, this charismatic custom has nothing against a zest of fantasy … provided it is well anticipated !

In the end, the Fat Boy Special does not redefine the guns of the category, but if Harley could make him gain some muscle, chances are no one would find fault with it. However, the attractive power of its dark colors, its solid wheels – equipped with practical elbow valves – and its polished sobriety works perfectly. !

This "fat boy" is also endowed with a "big heart like that", perhaps a little weak but extremely endearing: alive and conciliating in low revs, the block participates in the charm of this variation and also shows itself relatively sober: with an average of 6 l / 100 km for a ride and its 19.7-liter tank, the American offers quite satisfactory autonomy.

A positive point that will not stop too often … and therefore avoid the risk of theft: with the hubcaps, it is impossible to put a lock worthy of the name in the wire wheels of this model proposed from an elitist rate: 20,520 euros !

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