A Closer Look at The 2022 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 114
On 26 January 2022, the Motor Company brand Harley-Davidson launched a World Premier Event to showcase some of its new models. Currently, the brand has already begun rolling out the 2022 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 114 model. The Fat Bob 114 comes with the same two-tone color design but with a new H-D logo branded on its bodywork to give it a more edgy appearance. This bike has an average market price of $19,149 and, in this post, we will see why. Let’s take a closer look at the 2022 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 114.
2022 Updates
Some of the notable features of the new Fat Boy 114 include its outstanding build design and a wide array of amazing accessories. Harley Davidson has equipped this bike with enough new features to make the likes of the Honda Rebel 1100, Ducati XDiavel, and the Indian Scout look bad. Here is an overview:
Weight and Operability
Regardless of its large 16-inch rear wheel fitted with a 180/70 tire and an even larger 16-inch front wheel with a 150/80 tire, the 2022 Harley- Davidson Fat Boy 114 holds up well for a cruiser. This bike is also the heaviest motorbike in the line as it weighs roughly 676 lbs. However, it still offers an enjoyable riding experience even when making sharp turns. Another feature of the Fat Boy 114 that improves its overall handling is its wide wheelbase of 63.6 inches and a 28-inch rake. Also, it has a perfectly stiff suspension design and front and rear wheels made from cast aluminum that largely contributes to its excellent handling abilities.
Engine and Torque
The Harley Davidson Fat Boy 114 comes with a four-valve engine with a 119 lb-ft of torque that is both powerful and efficient. The Milwaukee-Eight 114ci V-twin motor in this bike has an impressive torque that offers an RPM of as low as 2,000. Additionally, the bike cruises at a hardly audible hum from its engine and has an unmatched mid-range that makes overtaking much simpler. Thanks to its 6-speed gearbox, downshifts are barely needed. Power is transmitted to the rear wheel of the bike via an efficient and smooth-performing belt drive system.
Design
In terms of design, the 2022 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy bike is the perfect blend of old charm and modern excellence. One distinctive feature of its design is the dual exhaust and bronze shaded header, which provides the bike with a modern and sleek look. When viewed from the front, the darkened forks with reflectors and LED headlights with LED DRLs make the bike a sight to behold. Moreover, the minimal Harley-Davidson embossing and wide rear and front wheels give the bike a stealthy appearance. This motorcycle comes fitted with an elegantly crafted engine with reduced amounts of chrome, thus, ensuring the rider does not spend much time in the garage fixing it. The three primary colors of the Fat Boy 114 also blend perfectly with its bodywork, giving it an overall appealing look.
Suspension
Unlike most of the other mainstream Harleys available today, the 2022 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 114 is a state-of-the-art cruiser. This is especially true about its amazing suspension. For instance, the front-rear of the bike is fitted with a non-adjustable 43mm inverted fork with triple rate springs. The rear wheel has a load adjustable mono-shock suspension with a 4.4” spring. This suspension design is vital in improving the handling and riding abilities of the Fat Boy 114. Moreover, this suspension setup enhances the overall stability of the motorcycle to the ground feel, which is an added advantage for shorter riders.
Superior Build Quality
A primary downside of previous models of Harley-Davidson was their lackluster body-build quality. However, the 2022 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 114 comes fully installed with a dense switchgear that offers improved tactile sensation. All wirings on this motorcycle are neatly routed to prevent any occurrence of rust that may negatively impact overall performance. The Fat Boy 114 also does not produce any squeaks or rattle sounds even after long rides.
Braking System
According to Flying Iron Harley Davidson, the overall weight of the Fat Boy 114 is 699 lbs. This significant weight does not affect the bike’s braking performance at all. The main reason behind this is that the bike is fitted with efficient hardware to coordinate its weight. The braking system of this Softail cruiser consists of a 2-piston floating caliper with a single disc at the rear wheel and 4-piston calipers with dual discs at the front wheel. It enables the bike to come to a complete stop with just a simple grab of the front brake lever.
Motor Rumble
Even with its exhaust stock pipes, the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy offers a rather pleasant rumble of the oil and air-cooled Milwaukee-Eight 114ci V-twin motor. Its exhaust roars at mild basses and low RPMs that are sure to leave you feeling great about your bike.
Con: Comfort
Unfortunately, even with its professionally-fitted soft suspension setup and wires, the 2022 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 114 is not the most comfortable bike available on the market. The main reason behind the bike’s lack of comfort is its soft seat that comes with the pike. The standard seat is narrow, and the stepped-up design of the seat also makes the seat quite uncomfortable, especially for shorter riders. The lack of ergonomic design can cause back pain. Fortunately, you can get rid of this seat by getting yourself the gel/air seat or the optional Sundowner Harley seat from Harley Davidson. Seat aside, the suspension and braking system makes for a great riding experience.
Final Thoughts
The 2022 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 114 bike boasts of an 11-spoke turbine design and Lakestar cast-aluminum wheels that are hard to find among its rivals. It also comes with a six-speed gearbox, a superior build quality, impressive suspension setup, and stunning vintage charm. As we have seen, the only setback from this installation is its slightly uncomfortable seat. Otherwise, the bike offers great performance and a sleek design. You can enjoy all this at an average market price of $20,349.
