2020 Harley-Davidson Fat Bob

We became big fans of the Fat Bob 114 right from the launch in 2018 because it offered seemingly impossible dynamics from a chunky-tired chassis and big-bore engine. Despite its unique looks defined by the signature horizontal LED headlight and 2-into-1-into-2 exhaust (H-D designers say they built this bike “for the zombie apocalypse”) the muscular, Softail-based cruiser represents a seismic shift from The Motor Company’s traditional V-twin profile. But if the Fat Bob 114 stretches The Motor Company’s styling DNA the most, it also pushes the boundaries of expected performance, with a steep 28-degree rake, dual disc brakes, and a solidly mounted 114ci Milwaukee-Eight V-twin engine giving it a combination of power and agility you don’t find on most cruisers.

The Fat Bob 114 was so much fun to ride, we picked it as Cycle World’s Best Cruiser of 2018.

The last time we ran it on the Cycle World dyno, the portly Softail made 82.3 hp and 111.39 pound-feet of torque, so it matches well against other beefy models in the musclebike category, such as the Ducati Diavel, Yamaha’s evergreen VMAX, and Triumph’s new Rocket 3, due similar category positioning and intent. We matched up a couple of those models in a power cruiser shootout last year.

When it was first launched, the Fat Bob was available in both 107 and 114ci engine options, but for 2020 it only rolls with the Milwaukee-Eight 114, and ABS and security comes standard.There are new color options and pricing as well.