What Is the Most Challenging Harley to Ride?
The Harley-Davidson Motorcycle has attracted many enthusiasts due to its powerful engines and iconic designs. Generally, sport touring bikes and sport bikes are the hardest to ride. Their forward body and high center of gravity make it much more challenging to ride at low speeds. Heavy sport touring bikes become more resistant to rolling on the side when up to speed. Considering the Harley line-up, The Fat Boy is the most challenging bike.
The Harley Davison Fat Boy
Have you ever looked at a motorcycle and stopped to stare? Among the Harley line-up, Fat Boy will always capture your eye no matter how many times you’ve seen it. Customization, from the oldest to the latest model, will always leave you yearning for a ride. However, many bikers experience riding challenges with this motorcycle. The bike has a rawer feel because the engine is counterbalanced and not rubber mounted.
This motorcycle gives a more active feeling than the Road King and other touring models, although the rider and especially the pillion feel less comfortable. The bike looks mean, and how you ride it differs from other Harley models. Motorcyclists who ride this bike tend to blip the throttle more at traffic stops. That doesn’t mean it’s like a sports bike; Fat Boy runs out of ground clearance fast, and its steering geometry is very relaxed.
Fat Boy’s Historical Popularity
Most American motorcycle enthusiasts have been thrilled by this bike for over 25 years. It performed in public for the first time in 1990 and captured the attention of various enthusiasts, including Ducati owners.
Before Harley-Davidson started selling Fat Boy to the public, Willie G. tested its prototype twice in his riding experience to Daytona. The original design hasn’t received numerous modifications compared to other sporty brands. In 2010, a darker bike version was introduced with a low-slung stance.
Dimensions and Performance
This low-rider bike has a wide front end, chrome fork skirts, and a chrome headlight. It is 93.3 inches long, 38.8 inches wide, and has a height of 43.1 inches. Its wheelbase is 65.6 inches, with a ground clearance of 4.5 inches. For a new rider, this bike may be too much to handle if you’re 5’3” and less than 120 pounds. Ergonomics is essential when choosing a bike; at 5’7” and 10 pounds, you can trade the Harley bike for a street glide, since a Dyna is still too far stretched.
The 2023 Fat Boy produces 94 horsepower and 119 pound-feet of torque. The engine power is coupled to a six-speed transmission with a chain and an assist-type clutch. The Sportster also has a carbon-reinforced belt that delivers low maintenance power to the rear wheel.
The Fat Boy is a good bike for shorter rides, but if you want to ride along with a pillion, an Electra Glide or a Heritage Softail would be a great choice. If you’re a Harley enthusiast, visit Redline Harley-Davidson in Saskatoon for access to various motorcycle options.