OK, so I ordered a 2018 114" Softail FatBob and it won't be here until 30th September as that is the 2018 model year launch date here in the UK. So I have a few weeks to wait and scheme.....

Anyway. I plan to ride the bike bone stock for a while, but wanted to get started on thinking about future upgrades even though I know it will take a while for the aftermarket guys to catch up.

As background, my current ride is a 2014 Dyna Fat Bob, 103 with DK Customs 636 AC, D&D BobCat 2:1 exhaust, Andrews 57H cams and some expert headwork including bigger valves and stronger springs. It runs great!

So, I'll list out a few things I am thinking about for the new bike and hope you guys will chime in with thoughts and suggestions...

I know there's a lot of talk about warranties getting voided right now, but we don't have the EPA here in the UK, so we may have a less restrictive regime. I need to have a good chat with the dealer though before I pull things apart.

Air Cleaner
The bike comes with the Ventilator A/C - the kind of lozenge shaped open one. It has a whitish synthetic filter in it - at least I think it's synthetic. Is this a true Stage 1 filter, or should I swap out to a K&N filter? If so, does anyone have a part number?

Slip On Mufflers
Looks like the only choice at the moment here is the HD Street Cannon offering. I'll need to hear these before making a decision, but I'd really like a set of mufflers with a wider bore. Nothing on offer yet though due to the completely new shape of the FatBob exhaust. I know you can get the TBR 2:1 pipe, but I don't really like the look of it... I guess I need to wait for a wider selection of aftermarket exhausts here. I'd also like to get rid of the cat from the headpipes at some point....so a full system exhaust will probably be the final solution, but some slip ons might be a good short term plan.

Tuner
I have a Powervision and will get a licence to swap it over to the M8. This shouldn't be a problem - again though this depends on what the dealer says about warranty.

I don't know if the stock exhaust has 12mm or 18mm O2 sensors, but if it's 18mm then I will think about adding the Target Tune module to the PowerVision

Cams
HD offers a "Torque" or "Power" cam. Of these two, I would probably take the Torque option - but what other good cams are out there for 114 M8 motors? Most of my riding is under 4500 RPM and I like a strong low and mid range....but not averse to hitting the rev limiter every now and then.

That's about it for now - just looking to go to a very strong Stage 2. No plans for headwork at this point - I need a long discussion with my headwork guy first to see what he thinks about the stock heads and porting possibilities, and will probably leave that until the warranty isn't quite so long!

So - what are your thoughts or speculations on a good Stage 2 route for the new Softail ????

(EDIT: Probably should have posted this in the Softail forum! But then you guys know more about the M8 than anyone at this point. Mods - feel free to move)

 

Congrats on your new ride, i'll be having a demo on the 114 FB on the 30th sept, not buying one but looking forward to riding it.

With ref to your tuner Q's, I've got a 2017 road king & i re-licensed my power vision from my slim s & all was good when i did the stage 1, i'm just about to have a stage 3 kit with the torque cam fitted at the dealer & they are happy to re-tune the bike with my power vision so you won't have any problems with your new bike.

Enjoy your new bike when it arrives.

 

Cheers Paul! Was the dealer Guildford HD?

 

I picked up my 2018 Fat Bob 114 this past Friday (Industrial Gray Denim), and wonder the same thing abut the air cleaner. i will prob just swap it out for a K&N anyway, but want to know if it has the same airflow as the Screamin Eagle Ventilator as it looks almost identical.

FYI, the cat is now located in the exhaust cans of the 2018 Fat Bob and not in the head pipes like the 2017 M8's, which is awesome. I too want to hear the Street Cannons before I decide, but would also like a muffler with a wider bore. I like the style of the stock exhaust, so slipp-ons might just do it for me with the open stock head pipes.

Cheers and congrats on your new Fat Bob!

 

And the same cheers and congrats on yours! It's identical to the one I am getting....and I am jealous. Do post about your impressions of it!

One thing though - I have heard people say the cats are in the mufflers on these bikes, but I am not sure about that. Have a look at the parts fiche here:

http://shop.outpostalaska.com/oempar...T_SYSTEM_-_FXF

Item 23 says "Header Assembly Catalytic" for all markets - which would lead me to believe that the cat is NOT in the mufflers. Which is a pain in the ***. I won't know for sure until I can pull the pipes apart and have a proper look....

 

Looks like the Cat is in the Head Pipe Assy where the two come together.

 

Yep. Just like in the OEM 2:1:2 pipes in my 2014 FXDF

So same procedure as for other ones - either cut that sucker out and weld the header back up or swap for an aftermarket header or full system.

Or just keep the cat. Have to say I'll ride the bike around as stock for a while and if I like the performance then the cat may stay. Although that's doubtful as I have a personal dislike for them. Not for any real reason other than to wanting restrictions in my pipes.

 

Definitely would love to read a review of the 114 Fat Bob.

 

There's a few on YouTube - but mainly people just riding them around and saying "Wow" and "This baby just gets up and goes" and "Handling is great".

I haven't found any really good technical reviews from decent motorcycle journalists yet....will post links if I do.

 

so with the cat in the muffler, you will probably need a tuner just going with a slip on muffler. interesting.