
Fat Boy Lo… ‘Live’
In 1990 Harley-Davidson launched the original Fat Boy, which became an overnight success for America’s oldest and largest motorcycle manufacturer. Twenty years later, we test the new 2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo.
This week on the Motorcycle Radio Network, Bill and Todd think back to the early days of the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy. The FLSTF was an instant star on its own, but it rocketed to superstardom when it was featured in Terminator 2 being ridden by none other than Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 2010, Harley has released a new model, the Fat Boy Lo – and we’ve enlisted Ultimate MotorCycling to help us with a ‘real-time’ road test broadcast live over the radio.
Since our test rider is already in the Los Angele area, we decided that the perfect way to test Harley’s meanest and lowest Fat Boy yet was to retrace the route of Arnold in Terminator 2 on his Fat Boy. Unfortunately at our first stop, instead of the once-thriving Corral Bar, we find a none other than a new library has replaced it! Not the best place to walk in and demand: "Give me your clothes, your boots and your motorcycle!" You’ll want to hear the entire ‘real-time’ road test of the new 2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo, and you can get the podcast by clicking here.
(Podcast should open and play in seperate window and the Fat Boy Lo test starts about 15 minutes into the show).
2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo | Engine and Transmission
A counter-balanced Twin Cam 96B V-Twin powertrain, rigid-mounted in the frame, powers the Fat Boy Lo model. The rigid powertrain allows tight packaging of the engine within the frame. Rated at 93.67 ft. lbs. of peak torque at 3000 rpm, the engine features Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI).
The Twin Cam 96B is finished in black powdercoat with bright-machined highlights on the cylinder fins, and satin-chrome engine and primary drive covers. The 6-Speed Cruise Drive transmission features a new helical-cut fifth gear for smooth operation.
The over / under shotgun exhaust with satin-chrome mufflers and muffler shields provides a decent engine note for a stock system.
2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo | Suspension and Ergonomics
The front and rear suspension are each lowered by 1.15 inches to give the Fat Boy Lo model a road-hugging stance. Seat height is just 24.25 inches, the lowest of any Harley-Davidson model. A new seat is narrower, which along with the low seat height makes it possible for almost any rider to place both feet flat on the ground when the motorcycle is at rest.
2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo | Wheels and Tires
Bullet Hole Disc Cast Aluminum 17-inch wheels front and rear have black centers and machined outer rims. Tire sizes are 200 mm-17 rear and 140 mm-17 front. Rolled-edge front fender and full-coverage rear fender round out the Fat Boy Lo look.
2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo | Styling and Finishing Touches
Stainless steel 1.25-inch-diameter handlebar feature internal wiring that is adds to the uncluttered custom style. This handlebar is narrower than the Fat Boy handlebar for a tighter gunner fighter position. Nostalgic half-moon rider footboards are finished in gloss black.
Fat Bob fuel tank is topped with a satin-chrome console with speedometer and ignition switch, a leather tank panel with Harley-Davidson medallion, and satin-chrome tank side badges. Denim black finish is applied to the following components: frame, swingarm, front shock covers, derby cover, horn cover, coil cover, oil tank, and air cleaner cover.
Gloss black finish is applied to these components: triple clamp covers and nacelle, headlight bucket, air cleaner cover trim ring, rear fender supports, footboards.