Harley-Davidson Fat Boy has to be on your list. This beast has been a legend since the ’90s, thanks to its chunky tires and that unforgettable rumble. Born in Milwaukee, it’s all about cruising wide-open highways from California coasts to Route 66. I’ve ridden a few Harleys, and the Fat Boy stands out for blending old-school vibe with smart updates. Let’s break it down – safety, how far it’ll take you on a tank, what it’ll cost at the dealer, and those cool touches that make it one-of-a-kind.
Power Under the Hood: The Heart of the Fat Boy
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy packs the new Milwaukee-Eight® 117 Custom V-Twin engine. We’re talking 1,917cc of displacement, cranking out 104 horsepower and a massive 126 lb-ft of torque right from 3,000 rpm. It’s air-cooled with electronic fuel injection, hooked up to a slick six-speed transmission. That two-into-two exhaust? Updated for better flow, it growls deep without waking the neighbors. Pair it with those fat Michelin® Scorcher® 11 tires – 160mm front, 240mm rear on 18-inch Lakester wheels – and you’ve got a bike that plants itself on the road like nothing else. It’s not just fast; it’s got that effortless pull for passing trucks or just rolling through town.
Safety That Keeps You Rolling Confident
Nobody wants to think about mishaps on a ride, but Harley gets it right with Rider Safety Enhancements on the 2025 model. Standard ABS keeps braking steady in wet spots or panic stops, while traction control steps in if the rear wants to dance. Cornering ABS and traction mean you can lean into turns without second-guessing. Drag-torque slip control smooths downshifts so you don’t jerk around. Adjustable levers let you tweak for your hand size, and full LED lighting – headlamp, signals, everything – lights up the night. It’s not nanny tech; it’s quiet backup that lets you focus on the fun. I felt way more planted hitting curves after dark last summer.
Real-World Mileage: How Far Will It Go?
Fuel efficiency isn’t what most folks chase in a cruiser like this, but the Fat Boy surprises. ARAI tests clock it at about 18 kmpl, which shakes out to roughly 42-45 mpg on the highway if you’re easy on the throttle. City rides dip to 35-40 mpg with traffic and stops. With a 5-gallon tank, that’s 200+ miles per fill-up – enough for a solid day trip without hunting stations. Real riders on forums report 45 mpg on backroads at 60 mph. It’s no scooter, but for the power, it’s solid. Tip: Steady speeds and avoiding jackrabbit starts stretch it further.
Showroom Price: What’s the Damage in the USA?
Head to your local Harley dealer across the States – from New York to Texas – and the 2025 Fat Boy starts at $22,599 MSRP for the Billiard Gray base. Fancy colors like Blue Burst or Whiskey Fire bump it to $23,000-ish. The limited Gray Ghost edition? That’s $25,399 with its chrome-mirror PVD finish. Add taxes, fees, and maybe some accessories, and you’re looking at $24,000-$27,000 out the door. Financing runs about $350 monthly on a good plan. Worth it? For the build quality and resale, yeah – these hold value like gold.
Exclusive Features: What Makes It Uniquely Fat Boy
This isn’t your average ride; it’s loaded with touches that scream Harley heritage. The steamroller stance comes from cutback fenders over those massive wheels, plus a beefy chrome headlamp nacelle that nods to the original 1990 model. Cruise control and ride modes (Road, Sport, Rain) via updated hand controls let you dial in the mood. USB-C charging keeps your phone alive for maps or tunes. The Gray Ghost adds yellow accents, a round air cleaner, and that wild Reflection paint – like liquid chrome. It’s comfy too, with a low 25.6-inch seat and hydraulic preload suspension that soaks up bumps. Exclusive? Totally – it’s the bike that starred in Terminator 2, still turning riders into fans 35 years later.