2012 Fatboy

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Dec 14, 2022 | 11:40 AM

Tommy B

Thread Starter

Tourer

Joined: Sep 2013

Posts: 497

Likes: 575

From: Maryland

2012 Fatboy

Considering buying one with low mileage. Anything good/ bad to say about the particular model/year? Known mechanical issues? Thanks for your thoughts.

Dec 14, 2022 | 03:01 PM

WS6_Keith

Tourer

Joined: Aug 2022

Posts: 282

Likes: 129

From: Palm City, FL

I bought my 2011 Fat Boy a few months ago with 2000 miles on it. Fuel pump was shot, fuel filter was disintegrated and plastic lines needed to be replaced. It also blew the original oil tank cap/dipstick out after a few weeks of riding. Replaced with a new stock one, no issues since. Seems like the old rubber was hard and didn't do a great job of providing friction any longer. No other issues so far.

Dec 14, 2022 | 03:54 PM

Kojax

Grand HDF Member

Joined: May 2009

Posts: 4,677

Likes: 141

From: haverhill mass

i bought my 2010 fatboy lo new it has been a great bike i still like it

Dec 15, 2022 | 09:29 PM

whynotme

Cruiser

Joined: Apr 2021

Posts: 143

Likes: 97

From: New England

Bought my 2013 about a year ago after doing much research. Besides the normal maintenance, I'm not aware of any common or recurring issues with this generation of Fat Boy.

Dec 16, 2022 | 12:52 PM

sire86

Road Captain

Joined: May 2013

Posts: 505

Likes: 117

From: Nj

I have a 2010 Fatboy Lo, no issues at all, def none of the problems mentioned in 1 of the above posts, maybe with such low mileage the bike just sat ther and things got gunked up ??

Dec 16, 2022 | 06:44 PM

hattitude

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Sep 2008

Posts: 14,143

Likes: 11,214

From: San Diego, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by WS6_Keith

OP... these are not problems associated with the 103" Twin Cam engine...

They are most certainly from lack of use, lack of maintenance, and neglect from the prior owner. They can happen on any vehicle that is ignored... Sounds like it was left, untouched for years.... that can cause bad things to happen...

I have 3 twin cams, and two are older than the above bike. I have 2001(only 12K miles) and 2003 (28K miles) models. The fluids are changed at 18 month intervals even if very low miles, they are used enough to have fresh gas in the tank, and the tires are switched at 7 years, regardless of tread. They have not had the issues mentioned above.... That is the difference proper maintenance and some use, even if infrequent, can make on a bike...