Test-Riding The 2023 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114

The 2023 Fat Bob had stiff competition during a two-day test in Milwaukee and its outskirts this last weekend – the Harley-Davidson Homecoming festival was going full-tilt at the same time.

It was a gas, of course – the “Wall of Death” motorcycle show, demonstrations of the new LiveWire S2 Del Mar, the 120th Harley motorcycle parade as well as the people, the food, the music and the merch.

But the highlight of the trip was navigating this angry, stylish, handsome motorcycle in and out of town.

After saddling up, I noticed two things – how easy it was to maneuver the substantial guy (675 pounds), and the old-school gauges. A basic RPM meter, speedometer and a gas gauge are all anyone needs to get on the Fat Bob and go investigate the world.

The grips fit me like gloves and there was almost no ramp-up time getting used to its personality. Swiveling, swerving, jamming on the brakes at speed, hitting potholes and accelerating all passed their first tests, and then it was time for the fun heading out of town to open ‘er up. To where? Who knew? Who cared?

Another thing I quickly noticed is the respect I got from those on far larger, more decked-out Fat Boys and Road Kings, many of whose owners asked me about my machine when I was parked. I’ll tell you what I told them:

It’s fast, it’s solid and it moves like a ballerina, especially for a Harley. It houses a Milwaukee-Eight 114 V-twin 1868cc engine delivering 118 ft-lbs of torque to a 180mm Dunlop Harley-Davidson D429 rear tire. 300mm disc brakcs stop you quickly – in fact, you’ll need to get used to the tight brakes. It starts at $20,199. ABS is an option. The seat’s 28 inches, meaning those in smaller bodies will find the Fat Bob ideal. The riding position’s super-comfortable as is the seat, though the seat isn’t adjustable.

What is easily adjustable, though, are the handlebars, with a hex wrench, so you can set the distance you’d like your hands and arms to be, then find your own sweet spot. Your rear monoshock, too, can be adjusted by twisting a knob.

Despite the weight, leaning into corners wasn’t an issue once I had done it a couple of times. I also liked that you could accelerate in whatever gear you were in and the motorcycle wouldn’t answer you back with coughing or sputtering – you’ll move, even in 6^th gear. The dual exhaust is Harley-buttery but not obnoxious.

Gripes? A couple. The side pipes on both sides are hotter than Hades, so watch you don’t fry your thighs or calves. The ignition switch is oddly placed in relation to other controls and it’s hard to find when it’s dark until you’ve done it a bunch of times.

Complaints were few, however. The Fat Bob’s been a hit since it was first launched in 2018, popular with everyone from boomers to new riders. It also works both in getting-around-town and longer distances – just attach a couple of saddlebags and you’ll have the storage you’ll need for journeys that keep you out overnight. While there are pegs for a rear rider, that rider will need to be a tiny human, or a kid.

Couch-sized motorcycles get more attention than smaller ones, but for the pleasure, style and speed it delivers, the 2023 Fat Bob is a great choice.