2021 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob - First Ride Review

When I first saw the new Harley-Davidson Fat Bob, I was immediately drawn to its looks. It's a brutish, squat muscular looking bike, which now has the equally brutish 114 cu in Milwaukee 8 motor. So not being a particular Harley or cruiser type of rider, what did I make of it? What's it like to ride, how does it perform, is it just form over function? I aim to explore all of these aspects of the 2021 Fat Bob during this video.
In this video I'm wearing;
Goldtop 72' Easy Rider Jacket - tinyurl.com/72easyrider
Bike Shed Protective Jeans - tinyurl.com/BSMCjeans
Arai Profile V Helmet - tiny.one/ProfileV
360 Bike footage was shot on an Insta360 One X2 - tiny.one/OneX2deal
Helmet and Bars footage on a GoPro Hero - Huge deal on Hero 10 - tinyurl.com/hero10deal
Intro 00:00
Engine, Gearbox & Controls - 00:40
Build Quality & Style - 02:50
Seat Height, Weight and Handling - 04:03
Is is comfortable? - 05:04
Price - 06:23
But its slow right? - 07:36
Equipment - 08:15
Ride Quality - 09:51
Who's it for? - 10:52
Any negatives? - 11:49
Conclusion - 12:55

[@paulmorris3022]

Hi Tony, I have had mine for just over 2 years now. i had a stage 1 done and added heated grips and cruise control and i have put on a Memphis shades windshield on it and an engine guard. love it

[@1983mdg]

I own a fat Bob 114 with Vance and Hines mufflers and stage 1, simply brilliant!!!!

[@JLOSTAFF1]

The only HD I would have. Seeing your review I think I want one even more!

[@oztursen]

I almost bought one of those after a test ride. This bike destroyed all my presumptions about HD. Currently riding a KTM 790 Adventure, I never would have thought I would like a HD. This bike did it! It's still in my radar if I can save a few bucks and open up some garage space.

[@mancavemoto]

As a fellow 790 Adventure owner, I felt the same!

[@andrewvickers4487]

I've been lusting after this bike for years - revisiting this video was a joy, one of the best reviews I've watched and I didn't thank you enough the first time round - top job mate. I can see that it really did pull at the heartstrings for you too!

[@mancavemoto]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it, yep it could have dragged me into the Harley-Davidson world

[@stickers8447]

Bought one in this colour about 5 months ago. Absolutely love it! 2500km’s so far and enjoy more and more each ride.

[@mancavemoto]

Great to hear!

[@Dan-56]

The “tractor” joke at the end made me laugh out loud 😆👍!

[@KSMotoCafe]

lovely review mate! I loved the Fat Bob 114 when I test rode it for a review - the most comfortable and best looking softail in my opinion!

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

Excellent review. I really like these bikes but my lower back doesn't allow me to get on with the low seat height/feet-forward combination. I think it's a stunning-looking bike, though, and I even like the look of the exhaust. The most attractive visual aspect is the drag bars and where the clock is.

[@joker6805]

Thanks for this great review, just myself the exact bike and look forward to some great driving!

[@mancavemoto]

Enjoy!

[@stuartmahoney8761]

Another great review Tony. This Harley and the new Indian chief both look great. They are definately trying to step up for the next gen riders. I may finally trader my bobber in for one.

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers Stuart

[@MrAndrew1953]

Agree with your comments on the exhaust system which I think I'd prefer blacked out. Fuel tank is too small for styling purposes. I'd change that for a 5 gallon tank as on the Low Rider. Some beefier sounding end cans would be nice, nothing too raucous. Not a fan of forward controls, definitely have to fit mids. Trash the drag bars for shoulder high Z bars that encourage you to sit back a bit and enjoy the scenery. I've seen some handle bar fairings that give some good wind protection. Toss up between one of these and a Pan America. Some interesting camera angles which you've gone to considerable trouble and expense to get. Thanks, much appreciated.

[@stickers8447]

The fuel range is frustrating at times, I’ve got one in the same spec as the test bike. It’s got a short shots one it which sounds great. Super comfortable on long distances however if you’re 5’10” or under, you will definitely want more relaxed bars

[@MrAndrew1953]

@@stickers8447 I'm 5'8 of stocky build. I was told with cruisers the most comfortable bar position is should high . Drag bars look as though they pull you too far forward. I like the twin disc front end on a big, heavy bike like the FB.

[@stickers8447]

@@MrAndrew1953 you’ll definitely want to change the bars then. On the FB you’ll find you’ll have a slight constant lean forward to have a comfortable grip on the bars. If you’re going to do lots of touring definitely get a front fairing for it though. The brakes are great too. I doubt you will be disappointed in the bike, I’ve had mine for 4 months and I never want to get off it. It’s such a great bike and you’ll get heaps of comments on it, especially if you buy the denim green. It really is an awesome bike that I feel is underrated

[@CathodeRayNipplez]

When I was young I took the piss outta these. Now I'm old I want one.

[@Ride_on54]

That was me as well especially this model

[@danielbarber2677]

Same! Have 3 other bikes in the garage but absolutely itching to get a Harley and most likely the Fat Bob. Turning 40 this year so that must be it!

[@jjnewman65]

Brilliant review Tony. I loved that bit of camera gyroscope you did at 11m20s in. If I could afford another bike I’d buy a cruiser. Something like this or perhaps an Indian bobber.

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers Jamie, yep I like the look of the Indian too, but I can’t seem to get hold of them to review any more

[@richiew3184]

I chopped in my Tiger 800 for a Fat Bob 114 a few weeks ago after wanting one for a couple of years. I love it.

[@sirrideabit651]

I did the exact same thing, Tiger 800 for the Fat Bob, had mine 3 weeks awesome bike

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

Just watched this again. Great bike. Looks fantastic: the bars, the clock... Good review, Tony. 1990 [Nick J]

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers Nick

[@JaySingh-ex6xc]

Hi Tony, Had mine delivered yesterday went out on a short ride today what beast of a bike. Will be changing the rear mufflers to black Vance & Hines just to get a stealthier look and powder coat the exhast covers black too. Great review.👍👌 Atb.

[@mancavemoto]

Hi Jay, nice and yes thats definitely the first thing i'd do too.

[@hansvancauwenbergh]

Brilliant review. Brilliant video and quality. Brilliant bike as I understand. Nicest of HD line-up as concerns for me. Only pitty that the green military color is not available in 2024 or can you do a professional paint job?

[@robertwitczak1225]

Hi all I am looking at getting a fatbob ready for this spring I would like to ride to Spain during the summer can anyone let me know how it fairs on long motorway run thanks

[@stevenhill6214]

I really like this one and i agree totally about the colour, it absolutely suits that bike perfectly. I would love to own one but i am somewhat limited by my short legs, the seat height is ok but i am wondering if the foot pegs are adjustable rearwards, and i would probably need the bars to be swept back a little more.

[@mancavemoto]

I think the pegs would be fine as they are not a reach, maybe sweeping the bars back more would help, but the pegs I think would be fine

[@leonardbartley5670]

Excellent review. I own a 2016 Softail Slim S and love it for all the reasons you stated in the video, and I'm an old fart to boot.

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers

[@andrewvickers4487]

Great review and video thanks. Is that a photoshop edit on the exhaust pipes? Matte black powder coat is quite common but a gloss black finish would be awesome. The latter is a very tricky proposition due to the high heat and I haven't found any readily available options out there, although Harley did manage to pull it off on a 2018 CVO Road Glide...

[@mancavemoto]

Thanks and yes that was a photoshop mock up

[@vicfdez7830]

Nice review, would it be suitable for long rides? lets say Spain or Portugal? Still cannot decide between Street bob, Sport Glide or this one.

[@berndbitzer7669]

It has one big issue…..what to do with the luggage. This ans the more comfortable seating postion makes me go with the sport glide

[@jeremiahbaguilod4660]

I’m planning to buy another bike but im torn between 2017 NIGHTROD and 2020 FATBOB. What do you guys think?

[@Ride_on54]

Couldn’t agree with you more about the bike I bought one 👍

[@mancavemoto]

Nice!

[@markmundy3435]

I'm not sure if its me or what Harley are doing nowadays, but I do find myself looking at a lot of their modern bikes going Mmmmm! Don't get me wrong, it would still need to be a lottery win dream garage deal, as I still think they're a little over priced, I'm just not down with the "brand buy in" price hike, but when I find myself making that list they do seem to be working their way up the table. Think its only a matter of time before one makes it into the top half of that list. OMG, whats going on!!!

[@maxcheese5586]

What a ‘jolly good review’ 😂

[@MOTOUK1]

Nice, I’ve just reviewed the Fat Boy on our channel very similar bikes 👍

[@nigeloscarmarsden]

It’s funny - I spent 20 years on Harleys and have just changed over to a KTM 1290 super adventure . Who knew that bikes could be so good ….

[@gazb8667]

Great video mate, I'm 6,2 with a 33 inch leg do you think it would still be suited for me? Cheers. Keep it up

[@mancavemoto]

Cheers, yep no problem I would say

[@badger4361]

Had the old twin shock fat bob, it handled horribly, but it was still a hoot to ride, I have a bit of a soft spot for Harleys.

[@stuartmiller9648]

Nice bike but i hate that rear number plate holder and for almost £17k you get a cable operated clutch rather than hydraulic.....would still like one tho.

[@bambalam9170]

A year and a half later and that base price has gone up by 2 grand!

[@mancavemoto]

ouch!

[@KevinofWessex]

Lovely motorcycle .....

[@dry509]

Which do you prefer riding and why this or the sport glide? Thanks.

[@laurieclair6293]

@Matty Cook Thanks

[@mancavemoto]

I prefer the Fat Bob, the 114 motor does make a difference.

[@bernardlesperance742]

Try the Slim.

[@jonelvidge9191]

Which dealer did you use Tony, or supplied direct from HD UK. Picked up my GT EasyRider jkt from Joe today. Really pleased with it.

[@mancavemoto]

It was from the HD UK press fleet. Nice! Enjoy the jacket, I’ll be wearing mine and riding the Fat Bob into the shop tomorrow!

[@jonelvidge9191]

@@mancavemoto damn I’m working, punting the boss’s Roller about with him

[@mancavemoto]

Tough life 😂

[@SuperZeppelin2112]

Sorry’ where can you get the jacket from?

[@phill1491]

Loved this bike on the test ride, but couldn't figure out how it was priced as high as it is. Seems like it should be about 2k less.

[@mancavemoto]

I think you can say that about most HD's?

[@TheLeevtr]

Was watching this thinking some of the roads look familiar..... Essex if I'm not mistaken.

[@mancavemoto]

It is indeed

[@TheLeevtr]

@@mancavemoto I test rode one of those from Lakeside HD before it disappeared, thought it handled weirdly and wasn't keen. I did like riding the Sport Glide though.

[@chrislecouteur2360]

It has a soul it feels like it's alive .... lol

[@thatguy1321]

I want one of these so bad but I think I’m too big and fat

[@mancavemoto]

can you be too big & fat for a harley?

[@davidmckeown6313]

The FAT Bob will take you anywhere mate , I have one and love it . Go treat yourself friend 😎

[@georgehatcher8867]

Quite desirable 😎

[@IanTed]

Prefer the Indian Chief but it’s the best Harley…