2007–2009 · Cruiser · Buyer's Guide
Solid Discs, Zero Apologies
The Fat Boy runs Harley's air-cooled 45° V-twin, 1584 cc of it, tuned for a deep and lazy pull rather than revs. It makes 77 hp and 87 lb-ft down low at 3,200 rpm, so the muscle sits right where boulevard riding lives. A belt feeds the 6-speed box. What sets this generation apart is the stance: solid disc wheels at both ends, a fat 200mm rear tire, and a hidden rear shock that keeps the clean hardtail silhouette. In its class it stands as the definitive statement piece, heavy on metal and heavier still on presence.
On the road it rewards a relaxed hand. The low 26.8 in (680 mm) seat and 714 lb (324 kg) curb weight give it a planted, low-slung feel that stays composed at highway speed. Point it down a straight two-lane and it is in its element. Ask it to change direction quickly and it wants deliberate input, because there is real mass to move. This is a bike for riders who buy character and looks first and accept the trade. The honest caveat: that wide rear tire chews through fast, so budget for a new one every 4,000 to 6,000 miles (6,500 to 9,600 km).
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 77 hp (57 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 87 lb-ft (118 Nm) @ 3,200 rpm |
| Displacement | 1584 cc |
| Engine | 45° V-twin |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Front brake | 292 mm |
| Front tire | 140/75R17 |
| Rear tire | 200/55R17 |
| Wheelbase | 64.5 in (1638 mm) |
| Seat height | 26.8 in (680 mm) |
| Wet weight | 714 lb (324 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 gal (18.9 L) |
Equipment check
Comfort
Thumb the starter and the V-twin settles into that uneven, chesty idle you feel through the pegs and the seat before you really hear it. Roll away and the pulse smooths into a steady lope, present enough to remind you there is a big twin under the tank without ever going numb or harsh. Your boots sit forward, your back stays upright, and the reach to the bars comes easy, so an afternoon in the saddle never nags at your shoulders. The chrome catches every glance at a stoplight, and the fit and finish hold up to close inspection. Wind hits your chest at speed, yet the bike tracks arrow-straight and feels rock solid once the numbers climb. Walk it around a tight parking lot, though, and you feel every pound, so plan your moves.
Excessive rear tire wear
Owners report rear tire lifespan of 4,000-6,000 miles (6,500-9,600 km), possibly due to heavy bike and wide 200mm tire.
Where this Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy FLSTF pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Softail Fat Boy FLSTF is actually built for.
This is your bike. It is built for the ritual: sound, chrome, presence, and long boulevard miles between Sturgis and Daytona. Nothing about it asks you to apologize for wanting exactly that.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
For small-town runs and historic routes at an easy pace, its looks and lazy torque fit the mood well. Just keep the days relaxed, because it prefers open lines to tight, endless curves.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
Here it is a stretch. The style and the high-speed stability are there, but with no wind protection, a 5.0 gal (18.9 L) tank, and quick rear-tire wear, big two-up mileage will test you and your budget.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2005–2006
All Cast Wheels, All Icon
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
Any price note compares both bikes at the same age — the youngest age both have on the used market — against this Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy FLSTF. “cheaper/pricier” is what that bike costs second-hand, not how worn it is.
Successor · 2010–2011
Disc Wheels, Genuine American Thunder
Successor · 2010–2011
Slammed, Blacked-Out, Built Mean
Same Platform · 2009–2010
Factory Bobber Done Right