2009 Harley Davidson Fat Bob Review

2009 Harley Davidson Fat Bob Review

1. I was asked to provide a review of the bike on another thread, so here goes ya FF's!

   The Bike - general impressions......

   The motomags pretty much got the reviews spot on. I bought mine prior to any of the reviews... I just rode several configurations of different harleys at a local demo day... and the fat bob just stood out. The handling is just plain neutral and the cornering clearance is quite adequate. I have the forward controls and would recommend them for anyone over 6' tall. The mid-mount controls would probably be a little more comfortable on a long ride, but at 6'2" and some change, my legs were terribly wadded up with them, so I opted for the forwards. I've scraped the boots on the pavement a few times and kind of use that lean angle as a gauge to prevent any hard parts touching down. Anyone planning on taking a longer ride, especially on the interstate, had better plan on buying a detachable windshield. Any speed over about 60mph gives you the sail-in-the-wind feeling. Bucking a headwind just sucks without one. Harley does not offer detachable saddle bags for the bike as of now. However, a detachable sissy bar with rack is available... with several luggage options with plenty of storage that attach to it for the long haul.

   The Engine/Tranny....

   Ok, the engine just flat rocks. I mean its a harley, so you're not gonna be riding many wheelies from a stoplight. But the 96 cube engine is torquey as all hell and makes for probably one of the funnest bikes to rip around town on. It just launches from zero. A screaming eagle stage 1 kit is mandatory, not for sound, but for performance. The stock exhaust, air filter and fuel/ignition mapping leaves the engine feeling a little anemic, but all the fun is unleashed with the upgrade. I've heard that some dealerships are programming the bikes with the 103 cube mapping, rather than the 96 cube mapping and gaining additional power with no ill effects. I have yet to try it.

   The 700 pound heft is largely left behind at about 15mph. Roll-ons are impressive from 30-60, and from 60 above requires a quick snick down to 4th or 5th gear for impressive passing power. Sixth gear is rather tall. Any speed under about 60mph is best utilized in 5th. The 6-gear heli-cut tranny is a far cry from the harleys of old. The shift throw is still longer than most german and japanese bikes, but the shifts are precise and predictable with not a single missed shift or false neutral in 1600 miles. First gear in the morning still results in a good clunk... and would it be a harley if it didn't? I find this to be mildly amusing and adds a little character to the bike as a whole. The clutch can be actuated with two fingers as the clutch pull has been modified on recent harleys, and I find that short shifting is the key to riding nirvana on this bike. The last twin-cam 88 I rode required all four fingers and a slight hesitation before the bike would allow me to shift. Not so on obese robert. A two-finger pull followed by a quick snick is all it takes.

   Brakes....

   The brakes are great, period. Full floating rotors with twin pots up front provide more than adequate stopping power. Utilizing both front and rear binders will haul the beast to a full stop with little effort. Just hang on.

   Overall, the bike is a hit. It has a perfect balance of engine power, handling, braking.... and just enough small quirks and a rumbling engine tone to to make for a fabulous mount. I've owned Hondas, KTMs, Yamahas, Suzukis, and a BMW.... so far this Harley is my favorite.

   fish

2. Thanks for the report TWF. I like most everything about this bike, except maybe the rear fender.

   Hmmm - I wonder if something like this would work...

   

   

3. Good report, thanks.

   I'm hoping that the ABS option will work its way down to Dyna family. There is something about this bike that I like.

4. Congrats on the Fat Bob! I'm torn between a white Street Glide or red Fat Bob. Going to the bike show tomorrow with BillC. Peace.

6. Test rode one at our local dealer here in Adelaide, and it's the best handling Harley I have ever ridden. Wanted to order one, and they said there is a 8 month wait. Bought a Triumph Rocket 111 instead.

7. 
   how is the throttle response? there have been very mixed reviews on the stock mapping with the new drive by wire setup, seems 50-50 as to whether you get a good 08 or not

8. 'very nice looking bike but your right, switching out the fender would help a great deal I think, maybe also a flatter seat while your at it. I think forward controls also get a bum wrap at times too, if you are long of leg, they can be way more comfortable. 'Glad to see you're given the option here.

9. I was never a fan of the traditional Dyna fender, the Fatbob's fender looks much better imho

   I was wondering about the headlights. What kind of bulbs do they use. Do both lights work on high and low beam or is it one for low, two for high?

10. No doubt TWF can verify, but on the video on H-D site it shows both lights on at the same time - which I'm assuming is for both high and low.

11. 

    RoyB Dartmouth, Massacusetts

    Is the Street Bob the same bike?

    Here's one on Craigs List that seems to be a good deal

    http://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/mcy/494088728.html

12. no.

    Street Bob was introduced MY 2006. Ape hangers, mid controls, superglide rear fender, 19" front wheel, speedo on Superglide dash.

    Fat Bob introduced MY 2008. Drag bars, dual headlights, Wideglide rear fender. Wideglide front trees. Fat 17" front wheel.

    Same dyna frame/drivetrain...

13. I like it too. The mid mount footpegs are the best option. I've yet to see some pics with them though. I decent touring saddle and backrest would make it.

14. Hey! Quit screwing with my rear fender! I like it stock! :)

15. No fly-by-wire available on the dynas. Its on the baggers only me thinks. The fat bob uses cables.

16. Yep, both bulbs are on all the time on US models. A quick look at my handy-dandy $60 service manual shows a different part number for FXDF (fat bob) bulbs than the other dyna models. The fat bob uses part number 69838-08, whereas the other dynas use 68329-03. From the illustrations/pictures, the regular dyna bulb is a standard H4. I don't recognize the bulb used on the fat bob models. Anybody know what this is?

    edit- The fat bob bulb appears to be a 9004 HB1 or a 9007 HB5 variant.

17. Anyone got any news to add about the Fat Bob?
    I just plopped a down payment on one as I was leaving a assignment in Iraq where I qualified for discount on one.... and had a little money burning a hole in my pocket... plus a little patriotic feeling from working around the people there. OK enough of trying to justify my first Harley after some 37 years of riding.

    It has been out for awhile now so any one that has lived and loved or hated one for awhile please speak up.

    MODS HELP
    There is plenty of info on the motor mods etc to get it running stronger... suspension and brakes are a different matter.. I know it will never hand with my KTM or Ducati in the curves but some way to upgrade the brakes so I can scrub off speed a bit quicker and ...... OK maybe as a bling thing also to show where I'm coming from a bit

18. I got a flat black 09 Fatboy 2 month ago and love it. Droped it off the get some power coating done yesterday. Last big ticket mod. It's been a very fun bike so far. I did the stage one hop up - computer stuff, Arlen Ness big sucker and Vance and Hines big shot staggered. It does make a big difference. Opens it up good and with the new pipe I can hear it much more but not too loud. I have a pro street Vmax as well so I am not going to do any more to make this fast. I did a ton of mods to clean it up and give it an old school look. Sorry can't post pix. Enjoy your new toy and be safe over there.

19. so when you buy an HD you gotta buy a Screaming Eagle Kit to make it perform better and then you dont get bags?

    Why would you buy one, other than the HD factor?

    V

20. 

    3power Cafe'er

    Joined:

    Aug 20, 2007

    Oddometer:

    1,141

    Location:

    NJ

    If you have to ask . . . .

2009 Harley Davidson Fat Bob Review

Source: https://advrider.com/f/threads/08-harley-davidson-fat-bob-review.289287/