Fatboy 2023
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 152
Likes: 26
From: Swansea, Wales
Fatboy 2023
Hi......... I'm thinking of buying a new Fatboy. On a Street Bob at the moment. Have always had mods on my Harleys, mainly Dynas. - apes, loud pipes, sissy bar etc. Thinking of just stock this time. Had a new Fat Bob 107 in 2019 which handled really well. Loved the power of my test ride on the 2023 114 Fatboy but slightly concerned the 240 back tyre may be a problem on sharp turns. I have always used counter steering. What is it like on this bike? I also found 1st and 2nd gears had a rev limit but fine in 3rd. Something to get used to as my Stage 1 Street Bob will rev to the limit in all gears. However, fast overtakes in 4th were really exciting on the test ride. I mainly ride in town and on urban faster roads. Is this the right bike? I love the looks and the latest model with all that chrome is drop dead gorgeous! Any input welcome!
HDF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 3,392
From: Seattle
M8 Fat Boy likes body position. Lean over the tank to the inside of the turn, and point your inside leg outward, and hold the tank with your outside leg.
Bike goes through turns very easily.
It hates Counter-Leaners. You only want to counterlean doing parkinglot stuff. Also Trail braking is very important.
If you need to learn the basics of how to ride with motoGP body position start here:
I absolutely love my Fat Boy, I have no desire to go to any other bike.
Here's me riding a twisty road pretty quick on my Fat Boy.
Bike goes through turns very easily.
It hates Counter-Leaners. You only want to counterlean doing parkinglot stuff. Also Trail braking is very important.
If you need to learn the basics of how to ride with motoGP body position start here:
I absolutely love my Fat Boy, I have no desire to go to any other bike.
Here's me riding a twisty road pretty quick on my Fat Boy.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 2,296
Likes: 1,807
From: space
I had that thought at first too when I first test rode the new Fatboy when it was first released. That test ride put all my worries to rest. I honestly believe that my Fatboy is the best handling Harley that I've ever owned. Curves and corners aren't an issue at any speed.
Supporter
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 412
Likes: 208
From: Bothell, WA
I have a 2022 Fat Boy. It is my favorite motorcycle in my fleet. It is different. If it is handling that you are after, I would test ride a Low Rider S as well. See which one of the two you prefer.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 78
Likes: 37
From: Roseville,CA & Grangeville,ID
I can't be much help coming off 50-years of Japanese sport bikes. My 23 Fat Boy is for enjoying scenery now, after grinding the floorboards on easy slow corners I decided it's time to just enjoy the bike.
Edit: I still take the R1 out when I want to test the twisties and bring back memories of the track and younger days. The FatBoy is a beautiful bike and really a joy to be riding.
That said it wouldn't be my first choice for pushing it in the twisties.
Edit: I still take the R1 out when I want to test the twisties and bring back memories of the track and younger days. The FatBoy is a beautiful bike and really a joy to be riding.
That said it wouldn't be my first choice for pushing it in the twisties.
Last edited by Husky44; Jun 6, 2023 at 04:00 PM.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 152
Likes: 26
From: Swansea, Wales
Yes the slimmer tyred bikes like the low rider are better for handling I'm sure but my long legs mean forward controls. At least on the FB I know what I'm getting but it's difficult where I live to find a demo bike that had forwards put on as an extra to try - I like to test what I'm riding. Been riding for 50 odd years now and can still manage my Kawasaki 14 but have to admit my Street Bob is a hard act to follow. I'm not sure the new Softails can compete with the older Dynas. Still, the power and looks of the Fatty did impress me. Whether I take the leap forward into new 'Harleyland' again like I did with the Fat Bob (a bit cramped for me but handled more like a Jap bike) will remain to be seen. Thanks for input, guys.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 3,392
From: Seattle
Yes the slimmer tyred bikes like the low rider are better for handling I'm sure but my long legs mean forward controls. At least on the FB I know what I'm getting but it's difficult where I live to find a demo bike that had forwards put on as an extra to try - I like to test what I'm riding. Been riding for 50 odd years now and can still manage my Kawasaki 14 but have to admit my Street Bob is a hard act to follow. I'm not sure the new Softails can compete with the older Dynas. Still, the power and looks of the Fatty did impress me. Whether I take the leap forward into new 'Harleyland' again like I did with the Fat Bob (a bit cramped for me but handled more like a Jap bike) will remain to be seen. Thanks for input, guys.
They handle much better, much more rigid, engine is solid mounted, and the stock suspension is much better as well.
Dynas are wobbly messes with rubber mounted engines that bounce around in the cage.
The M8 Softails are more aggressive, lighter, and more powerful.
Dynas do just 1 thing better, Stunt Bikes. Stunters like Dynas because they are easy to modd into stunt bikes and are easier to find replacement parts when they trash them.
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Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 152
Likes: 26
From: Swansea, Wales
I've had 2 Dynas with Stage 1 and an M8 Softail with Stage 1. I would not have the Softail back again even though it was a good bike. Both the Dynas had soul, guts and the Harley 'X' factor of old. HD has moved forward and backwards at the same time. My opinion maybe but there are a lot of members on here who would agree. If I want a new Hog I have to move with the times. If I could buy a brand new 20 year old Fat Boy (if that makes sense) I would. The older bikes were much easier to mod too. Modern tuners are state of the art and the dealers know it - you can't just put on a slip-on now, I'm told, you have to have it tuned by a Harley technician. Takes the fun away a bit (and your dosh!) I'm probably showing my age but newer does not always mean better - slicker maybe! So we will have to agree to differ. So, my friend, let's say Dynas make M8 Softails look like trash. Not necessarily true but I enjoyed saying it. 
Ride whatever makes you happy.
I suspect some of the 'modern Harleys are better' brigade will not be riding electric bikes - "no way, the old M8's were much better! "
But I still might by a new Fat Boy.
Ride whatever makes you happy.
I suspect some of the 'modern Harleys are better' brigade will not be riding electric bikes - "no way, the old M8's were much better! "
But I still might by a new Fat Boy.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,094
Likes: 309
From: Marineland Florida
One does not have to use a Harley tuner but an aftermarket tuner and a full exhaust make the M8 Fatty an even better bike, and this is coming from someone that had owned 3 older Fatties and a Dyna, amongst many more...my current '20 Fatty is my last bike.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 335
Likes: 58
From: Camarillo, Ca
Late reply, but this!
The Fatboy makes you work a little harder but it rewards you when you do! It's not going to do that being a stationary rider.
Also, watchout for any roads with stones imbedded in them. I found that big Michelin loves to skip across them like ice
YMMV
The Fatboy makes you work a little harder but it rewards you when you do! It's not going to do that being a stationary rider.
Also, watchout for any roads with stones imbedded in them. I found that big Michelin loves to skip across them like ice
YMMV
M8 Fat Boy likes body position. Lean over the tank to the inside of the turn, and point your inside leg outward, and hold the tank with your outside leg.
Bike goes through turns very easily.
It hates Counter-Leaners. You only want to counterlean doing parkinglot stuff. Also Trail braking is very important.
If you need to learn the basics of how to ride with motoGP body position start here:
https://youtu.be/VFZoZLMZGqQ
I absolutely love my Fat Boy, I have no desire to go to any other bike.
Here's me riding a twisty road pretty quick on my Fat Boy.
https://youtu.be/61rT3lpBiOo
Bike goes through turns very easily.
It hates Counter-Leaners. You only want to counterlean doing parkinglot stuff. Also Trail braking is very important.
If you need to learn the basics of how to ride with motoGP body position start here:
https://youtu.be/VFZoZLMZGqQ
I absolutely love my Fat Boy, I have no desire to go to any other bike.
Here's me riding a twisty road pretty quick on my Fat Boy.
https://youtu.be/61rT3lpBiOo
Last edited by Felix 808; Aug 8, 2023 at 01:52 PM.
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