There’s something about the Fat Bob that keeps on gathering a crowd this year too, the drag bike look sustained by the very same V-twin engine as on the rest of the Dyna models. So it is purely aesthetical. Of course not! It’s about offering comfort and the engine’s unique performance in a package that is designed accordingly to the rider’s preferences which in this case conclude in the aggressive drag bike appearance.

harley-davidson-fxdf-dyna-fat-bob

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: harley-davidson-fxdf-dyna-fat-bob

2009 Harley-Davidson FXDF Dyna Fat Bob

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2009 Harley-Davidson FXDF Dyna Fat Bob
  • Engine/Motor: Air-cooled, Twin Cam 96
  • Torque: 92.00 ft lbs @ 3,000 rpm
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array


 

Introduction


Among the bike’s top features is the one that nobody could possibly miss, the beating and powerfully sounding heart also knows as the Twin Cam 96 engine. The bike’s centerpiece and a work of art itself - the motor - is fuel injected so it will not only provide the unmistakably grunty engine torque of 92 ft. lbs. but ensure low fuel consumption and great responsiveness. There’s also a sixth gear and forward (or mid, it’s optional) mounted foot controls so that you’ll be riding in style down the highway and obtain great mileage while on it too.

The low seat height of only 26.1 inches might manage to make the Fat Bob look like the ride of everyone, but once you become aware of the massive stature and 703 lbs wet weight (not always an advantage), it will be once again clear that Harleys are destined to serious riders with serious demands from their bikes. Also, riding on big tires with an aggressive tread pattern mounted on 16-inch Slotted Cast Aluminum wheels, the Fat Bob is a cool and confident ride.

New features include high performance chrome-covered coil-over rear shocks and silver-faced speedometer with range countdown while the two-into-two exhaust and flat drag bars might seem like being all-new, but these are defining the Fat Bob style ever since.

Rake and trail (29° / 4.92 in.) is more aggressive than on the rest of the Dyna models we’ve covered yet. That, together with the low center of gravity is supposed to keep on ensuring the good cornering abilities that the Fat Bobs are known for.

The biggest disadvantage is the fact that a windscreen and a pair of saddlebags will never fit the Fat Bob well and it’s almost a shame hitting the open road without those. But, the Boulevard is where this bike will most likely be taken and that’s always the proper environment to show off without catching a cold or needing any luggage whatsoever.

History


In 1979, Harley-Davidson had introduced the FXEF Fat Bob motorcycle derived from the Super Glide series. This bike is famous to have “donated” its fuel tank to most models of the series and retains the very same original lines of this piece to this day.

After production of the Super Glide was stopped back in 1985, the Fat Bob became base model of the series it once came up to complete and that’s when most of the first generation bikes were sold.

2008 saw the introduction of the all-new FXDF Fat Bob, a machine that was practically reborn just so that the modern Dyna lineup would meets various riding demands. This is also when the aggressive drag style was approached and when the engine together with all goodies of modern technology ended up reflecting the best of it so far.

Exterior


The very first things that set the Fat Bob apart from other Dynas are the twin led headlights braced between polished triple clamps as well as the fat wheels. Thanks to the large diameter brake discs, these lasts actually look like Fat Boy units so it’s easy to start confusion especially if the bike cruises along you down the highway.

With drag-style bars and a 5.1 gallons tank that fits different models apart from the Fat Bob (it’s good that they do mention this bike as being the source), this thing already qualifies for a bad boy machine, but not completely. Not yet. Just wait to hear about the right rider side mounted two-into-two exhaust that looks just as good as the one on the V-Rod.

The seat is a one-piece unit which, despite the bobtail rear fender, manages to offer decent room for the passenger without losing the original Fat Bob style. There’s a 180 mm wide rear tire, chromed lamps and shocks, but as much as we’d try, it’s impossible to take our eyes away from the 96 c.i. motor being black powder-coated and featuring polished rocker boxes. Above that, the shiny new speedometer looks cool too sitting in between the two gas caps.

Color options of the 2009 model year (Vivid Black; Black Pearl; Black Denim; Pewter Denim; Red Hot Sunglo (New)) further enhance the compact and mean look of this bike although the only pieces that are going to be painted are the fenders and the gas tank.  

Price


The MSRP of the 2009 model year starts at $14,999 which positions the Harley-Davidson Dyna Fat Bob just above the lame Japanese alternatives when it comes to price as well. Still, this isn’t the most expensive Dyna there is. 

Conclusion


Overall, today’s Fat Bob is just a natural evolution of the late 1970s model which brings Harley the benefits of the drag bike they never had for the Dyna lineup. Because it was brand new in 2008, changes aren’t abundant, but the small touches are definitely there and that’s always enough to mark another model year.

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SPECIFICATIONS

 

Engine and Transmission


Engine: Air-cooled, Twin Cam 96
Displacement: 96.00 cu. in.
Bore x Stroke: 3.75 in. x 4.38 in.
Engine Torque: 92.00 ft lbs @ 3000 rpm
Fuel System: Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Compression Ratio: 9.2:1
Miles per Gallon: 53 hwy / 34 city
Primary Drive: Chain, 34/46 ratio
Gear Ratio (overall)
1st: 9.312
2nd: 6.421
3rd: 4.774
4th: 3.926
5th: 3.279
6th: 2.790

Chassis and Dimensions


Brakes: 4-piston fixed front, and 2-piston torque-free floating rear
Parking Brake: N/A
Lean Angle (per SAEJ1168): 31° / 30°
Exhaust System: Chrome, 2-1-2 collector exhaust w/ dual mufflers
Front Wheel: Silver, Solid Disc Cast Aluminum
Rear Wheel: Silver, Slotted Disc Cast Aluminum
Wheel Option: N/A
Front Tire: 130/90B16
Rear Tire: 180/70B16
Length: 91.7 in.
Seat Height: 26.1 in. (laden) / 27.0 in. (unladen)
Ground Clearance: 4.92 in.
Rake Steering Head/Trail: 29° / 4.92 in.
Wheelbase: 63.7 in.
Track Width: N/A
Fuel Capacity: 5.0 gal.
Oil Capacity: 3.0 qt.
Dry Weight: 669.7 lbs.
Running Order: 703.0 lbs.

Electrical


Instruments: Tank-mounted electronic speedometer with odometer, time-of-day clock on odometer, dual tripmeter, fuel gauge with low fuel warning light and countdown feature, low oil pressure indicator light, engine diagnostics readout, LED indicator lights, 6-speed indicator light
Indicator Lamps: High beam, directional light bar, neutral, low oil pressure, engine diagnostics, turn signals, security system6 (optional), 6-speed, low fuel warnings

FXDF Dyna Fat Bob features:


  • Vibration isolated Twin Cam 96 engine
  • 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission
  • Black powdercoated engine with polished rocker boxes
  • New silver-faced speedometer with range countdown
  • New fuel sender
  • High Performance “Full metal jacket” chrome-covered shock absorbers
  • Chrome Tommy Gun exhaust with Staggered Dual mufflers
  • 180 mm-16 rear / 130 mm-16 front tires
  • Cast Aluminum Slotted Disc 16-inch front/rear wheels
  • Bobtail rear fender
  • 5.1-gallon Fat Bob fuel tank
  • Drag-style handlebar on black riser
  • Polished aluminum triple clamps
  • Black fork lowers and mirrors
  • 28-degree fork angle
  • Dual headlamps
  • Forward or mid foot controls
  • Optional Smart Security System