Editor's Comments: Eric Ellis, Courtney Halowell, Ernie Lopez
As the newest member of the Dyna family, the FXDF Fat Bob was aptly named after the signature Fat Bob tank found on so many stock Harleys and aftermarket customs. What better way to pay tribute to such an archetypal component to theV-Twin industry then to create a model that encompasses the Fat Bob style? The FXDF is powered by the 96ci Twin Cam Electronic Fuel Ignition motor finished in black with polished accents throughout the power plant, and the power is plentiful. The torque and horsepower are present in the higher rpm ranges and the sixth gear from the six-speed Cruise Drive trans made for a smoother ride once at highway speeds.
"I found myself throwing this...
"I found myself throwing this bike into corners, jumping curbs, and splitting lanes like a madman."
Harley's aggressively styled Fat Bob features dual four-inch headlamps housed in between the polished aluminum trees, and the thick, meaty front and rear tires wrap around the Slotted Cast Aluminum wheels. The trend-setting Fat Bob Tank mounted on the backbone houses 5.1 gallons of fuel, making gas stops few and far between. A key component on the Bob is the 2-into-1-into-2 Double Barrel "Tommy Gun" style exhaust system featuring the slotted shield located just beneath the redesigned air cleaner cover. A vintage element is present with the rear shocks wrapped in the all-encompassing Full Metal Jacket shock cans, reminiscent to the FLHs of yesteryear. Harley-Davidson describes the Fat Bob as a "bold street presence." A bold street presence indeed with a 28-degree fork angle, the Fat Bob pulls no punches and handles with ease in the corners of freeway on- and off-ramps. We assumed the chunky tread on the 130mm front and 180mm rear tires would inhibit handling, but Harley was one step ahead in the design process because it hugged the tightest U-turn type hairpins. The FXDF's bobtailed fender is aesthetically pleasing and it sets the bike apart from many others in the Dyna family since it's only found on one other model, the FXDWG Wide Glide.
The specific model we received was fitted with mid-controls, which is a no-no to some riders (big guys), but also available is the forward control option. The mids in this case were comfortable and the accompaniment of the black drag-style bars, which made the riding position for an average male at 5-feet, 10-inches a good fit. As a whole, the HOT BIKE staff was pleased with the Bob. Follow along and check out their input.