To create the 2023 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 Cruiser, Harley-Davidson dug deep into its past, into the soil of the custom culture of yesteryear. The devilishly clever moniker alludes to the fact that the sheet metal has been roughly hacked to resemble old-school gassers. Keeping with the same aesthetic as its forefathers, the powerful V-Twin engine provides plenty of power for your stoplight-burning escapades. In late 2017, right around the time when The MoCo discontinued its aging Dyna platform in favor of the second-generation Softail chassis, the first bikes built on the current Fat Bob platform hit the streets. The Fat Bob is one of the few motorcycles to survive the factory’s efforts to streamline production around its best-selling models.
2023 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 Cruiser – Features and Specs
Performance and Capability
There are 100.5 horsepower and 118 lb.-ft of torque available from the Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114. If you want to secure the hole shots as you come off the light, you’ll be happy to know that the grunt maxes out at a low 3,000 rpm, so you can rely on lots of tractable power as soon as you crank up beyond idle speed.
H-D’s newest Big Twin is powered by the Milwaukee-Eight 114, which also appears in a smaller twin model. Gassers prioritized speed; therefore increasing the size of the engine was a logical choice. Since the Mil-8 engine only uses a single tool to time the pushrods for both heads, it returns to the norm after years of Twin-Cam foolishness. It means the right side of the engine may once again have its original nosecone cam cover design. It is a beautiful machine since the pushrod geometry has been restored to its initial configuration.
A slip-and-assist clutch with anti-back torque protection and a mild lever pull channels the power. With a carbon fiber strengthened belt driving a six-speed mechanical gearbox, the Fat Bob can reach around 110 miles per hour.
Design
Bike manufacturers used to pare down bikes to the bare essentials to increase their performance. Proof of this can be seen in the very short front fender, the smashed rear fender, and the lightning holes in the exhaust shield. The large hoops, like the rest of the heavy use of blackout, are a classic bespoke accessory. It has a sporty look thanks to the inverted forks, which are covered in blackout material to match the headlamp housing and triple-bar arrangement.
Likewise, the risers, handlebar, mirrors, and bullet turn-signal housings in the cockpit are all black. The tank-mounted control panel and gas cap, a perfect spot for stealth black detailing, are also included. There’s nothing worse than having reflective surfaces like chrome attempt to poke out your eyes in bright light. The teardrop shape of the 3.5-gallon gasoline tank is echoed by the contrasting color panels on its sides. It stands out dramatically against this year’s other three sheet-metal color schemes.
If you weigh at least 180 pounds, the seat’s suspension will contract to cradle your posterior at 27.7 inches above the deck in a deep-scoop design. The seat is shaped like a Mustang’s and has a pillion cushion built in. Aesthetics, not traveler convenience, take center stage. The blackout bullet housings on the fenders and struts complement the LED lightbar. The tag affixed to the side does not detract from the aesthetics of the vehicle’s rear end.
Chassis
The Fat Bob’s chassis plays an important aesthetic role. The Softail’s frame architecture recalls prewar motorcycles when stiff rear ends and hydraulic front ends coexisted. It’s not the case. The triangular swing-cage swingarm is reminiscent of those seen on rigid bikes, but it is hinged and equipped with suspension to provide a comfortable and contemporary ride. It is particularly true today since the shortcomings of the first-generation frame have been fixed to give a more comfortable and athletic ride with improved handling.
The frame is made of high-tensile steel, and it has a complete dual-downtube/double-cradle portion that acts as a non-stressed part to hold the engine in place. With a rake of 28 degrees and a trail of 5.2 inches, your boat will appear more tailored to your liking and handle with confidence in high winds. The front end is suspended by inverted 43 mm forks with preset damping levels. A single, concealed shock in the rear does all the heavy lifting, and its preload may be adjusted by hand for instantaneous adjustments in reaction to shifts in freight and passenger weight.
The 16-inch cast-aluminum wheels finish off the movable frame. They are shod with Dunlop H-D Series black walls, sized 150/80 up front and 180/70 in the rear, delivering a ton of low-end oomph. The wet curb weight of 675 pounds is high for a cruiser. A pair of 300 mm discs and four-bore calipers sit up front, while the rear has a smaller 292 mm disc and twin-pot binders. You can get ABS if you want.
Price and Availability
Harley-Davidson’s Fat Bob 114 will set you back $18,899 in 2023. That, of course, refers to the glossy Vivid Black version. Redline Red or Grey Haze paint jobs will cost an additional $525. The cost of adding ABS is $950. The safety features and cruise control are already installed.
Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 vs Triumph Bonneville Speed master
The aesthetics of these constructions will be our first focus. When designing its updated version of the legendary Bonneville platform, Triumph looked to its rich history for inspiration. Both sides of the aisle use blackout tactics, and they often have the same cultural roots. To distinguish themselves, Triumph uses somewhat wider fenders and bellow gaiters on the forks. The tank has a classic Bonneville teardrop shape and large knee compartments on both sides.
The Speed Master’s visual attractiveness is enhanced because its frames are the closest approximation to traditional proportions and tailfins. Triumph deserves credit for hiding its throttle bodies under vintage-style soup cans with a mechanical slide. Triumph’s standard pillion kit improves comfort for your passenger with a thicker cushion and a secure, convenient buttress.
Triumph, like Harley-Davidson before it, has a tiered pricing structure based on the paint job. The base model in Jet Black costs $13,795, while the Cordovan Red model goes for $14,095 and the two-tone Sapphire Black / Fusion White model is priced at $14,295.
2023 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 Cruiser – Price
The new 2023 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 Cruiser is available at $20,199 to $21,699 only.
2023 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob 114 Cruiser – Technical Specifications
Dimensions
Length | 93.3 in. |
Seat Height, Laden | 25.9 in. |
Ground Clearance | 4.5 in. |
Rake | 30 |
Trail | 4.1 in. |
Wheelbase | 65.6 in. |
Tires, Front Specification | 160/60R18,70V,BW |
Tires, Rear Specification | 240/40R18,79V,BW |
Tire, Type | Michelin Scorcher “11” front and rear |
Fuel Capacity | Five gal. |
Oil Capacity (W/Filter) | Five qt. |
Weight, As Shipped | 671 lb. |
Weight, In Running Order | 699 lb. |
Engine
Engine | Milwaukee-Eight 114 |
Bore | 4.016 in. |
Stroke | 4.5 in. |
Displacement | 114 cu in |
Compression Ratio | 10.5:1 |
Fuel System | Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) |
Exhaust | 2-into-2 staggered; catalyst in muffler |
Performance
Engine Torque Testing Method | J1349 |
Engine Torque | 119 ft-lb |
Engine Torque (RPM) | 3000 |
Lean Angle, Right (DEG.) | 25.6 |
Lean Angle, Left (DEG.) | 25.6 |
Fuel Economy Testing Method | Estimated City/Hwy |
Fuel Economy | 47 mpg |
Drive train
Primary drive | Chain, 34/46 ratio |
Gear Ratios (Overall) 1st | 9.311 |
Gear Ratios (Overall) 2nd | 6.454 |
Gear Ratios (Overall) 3rd | 4.793 |
Gear Ratios (Overall) 4th | 3.882 |
Gear Ratios (Overall) 5th | 3.307 |
Gear Ratios (Overall) 6th | 2.79 |
Chassis
Front fork | Dual-bending valve 49 mm telescopic with aluminum fork triple clamps; dual-rate spring; “beer can” covers |
Rear Shocks | Hidden, free piston, coil-over monoshock; 43mm stroke; toolless hydraulic preload adjustment |
Wheels, Front Type | Machined, Lakester cast aluminum |
Wheels, Rear Type | Machined, Lakester cast aluminum |
Brakes, Type | Front and rear silver, Split 7-spoke floating rotors |
Brakes, Caliper Type | 4-piston fixed front and 2-piston floating rear |
Electric
Lights, headlamp, tail/stop/front signal lights | All LED headlamps, low and high beams including signature position lighting, All LED Tail/Stop lamps with signature tail lighting, LED bullet front turn signals, Incandescent bullet rear turn signals |
Gauges | 5-inch analog speedometer with digital gear, odometer, fuel level, clock, trip, range, and tachometer indication |