Harley-Davidson

FLSTFB Fat Boy Lo

2014 model. 103 cubic inch OHV air-cooled V-twin

Why you might like a Fat Boy Lo ...

Looks: 25 years in production must tell you something.

Vibration: Engine counter balancer quells the worst of it.

Wheels: Maintenance free "Bullet Hole" cast alloy discs.

Saddle: Fat on comfort. You can sleep on it if you have to.

Engine: Bomb proof 45-degree V-twin. Tried, tested, trusted.

Torque: Masses of it for lazy, laid-back touring.

Spares: Anything you want they got it right there in the USA.

Tuning options: HDs are the best supported bikes on Earth.

Depreciation: Fat Boys tend to hold their values well.

Belt final drive: Smooth, clean, quiet, proven.

Footboards: You'll be amazed at how they help on a trip.

Presence: If you want to be king of the road, here's a throne.

Six-speed gearbox/transmission: Think overdrive.

Servicing: You'll never raise another spanner. It's dealer time.

Seat height: Any lower, and you'll be on the deck.

ABS: You'll be thankful for this the first time it kicks in.

Security package: Handy electronic fob helps keep it safe.

Hydraulic clutch: Reliable system. Smooth in operation.

... and why you might not like one

Price: £15,995.

Weight: At around 650lbs (dry), these can break a man's back.

Harley scene: It ain't for everyone. But it ain't compulsory.

Fuel economy: Low at around 40mpg.

Theft: Expect sleepless nights and peeks through the window.

Poseur: Folk will think you bought it only to impress.

Centre stand: Hasn't got one, and why would you want one?

Cornering: It gets around them eventually.

Handling: For want of a better way to express it...

Rain: UK weather will cut your annual riding miles.

Constant trade ups: HD men have nowhere else to go really.

Footbrake: Pretty awful ergonomics.

Gear lever/shifter: Pretty awful ergonomics. But kinda quaint.

Forks: Way too soft for many riders.

Softail rear: Adds extra weight to an already heavy bike.

Denim paint: The matt finish needs special care or it'll shine.

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Harley-Davidson, unlike Superman (that other great American icon), doesn't do much in leaps and bounds. The core principle of the firm is "tradition", which is why pretty much everything they do looks kinda new, but kinda old too. And if there isn't a suitable tradition lying around for Messrs H&D to plunder, they go right out and more or less invent one.

One such modern rolling tradition is the illustrious FLSTF Fat Boy.

The Fat Boy has been around since 1990 having undergone numerous changes over decades. The engine began as an 80 cubic incher (1340cc), grew to 88 inches (1442cc) in 2000, grew a little more to 96 cubic inches (1573cc) in 2007, then climbed to 103 cubic inches (1690cc) for 2014.

This new motor, with its "B" designation ("B" for "Balancer") is Harley's renewed battle cry in an increasingly competitive market where rival manufacturers are serving up some pretty fair cruisers and tempting away hundreds of potential Harley buyers.

But these riders, take note, are the "floating voters", because Harley's hardcore rider simply won't have anything to do with any bike that doesn't have a pedigree traceable directly to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

And Harley knows it, which is why its mission is primarily to keep its core customer satisfied, whilst gently reaching out and teasing new buyers into the fold.

This particular Fat Boy, the "Lo" model appeared in 2009 and boasted a 24.5 inch seat height, the lowest in the HD range at the time.

If you're in the market for one, you can forget the derisory "armchair on wheels" jibes. You can forget the lousy brakes sideswipes. You can ignore the fact that the power to weight ratio is laughable. This, instead, is a bike you buy with your eyes, as most bikes are ultimately bought. And for our taste, this Fatty draws some pretty big peepers.

The Twin Cam 96B V-twin engine drives through a 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission and sucks fuel from the 5-gallon tank at 40-45mpg if you're careful.

There's 97.4 ft-lbs of torque @ 3000rpm. There's around 92-96mph at the top end, and all the pose in the world at the other, plus lots of street cred and yards of road presence.

This bike is really a big old '57 Chevy on two-wheels. It's old school, over-powered, under-stressed motorvating, and that's cool with us. But if you want, it will cross a continent at high speed with ease and in comfort. And on this bike you won't simply reach your destination.

You'll arrive.

Sump: Fat Boy buyer's guide