Hindsight is always 20/20. And even with years of producing icons behind them, there's a good chance Harley-Davidson wasn't aware of just what they were getting ready to debut in 1990. The Fat Boy, which was the pet project of Willie G Davidson, would go on to sweep the world with its design, character, and appeal.

UPDATE: 2024/02/18 05:13 EST BY RAUNAK AJINKYA

The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy has been an integral part of the American manufacturer's lineup for a long while now, and given its longevity, there's a lot to dissect about the legendary cruiser. Given that, we have updated this list with a few more entries regarding the iconic Fat Boy that are worth keeping in mind before buying one.

To this day, the Fat Boy is an irreplaceable part of Harley-Davidson's lineup, and rightfully so. A carefully thought-through set of updates over the years has not only kept it relevant but also integral to the lineup Harley-Davidson boasts, even in 2024. And today, you could get your hands on a spanking new Fat Boy or simply scan the used market for a good nick. Either way, you can't really go too wrong. That said, there are a few things you should know before you take the plunge.

All the information regarding the Fat Boy has been sourced from Harley's official website. Other reputable sources have also been referenced to provide a rounded and factually correct piece.

12 The Fat Boy And The Softail Family

Each time the name 'Softail' comes up, Harleys also comes to mind; well, at least most times, since 'Softail' is now a diluted and generic trademark. Harley-Davidson first coined and registered the name for the FXST Softail model in 1984. The FXST Softail uniquely stood out because of its rather hardtail-like profile, with the rear suspension springs nesting from direct view.

Over 30 years later, Harley-Davidson has developed the Softail into one of the most iconic and well-loved families of motorcycles. The Softail lineup brings numerous styling options and incredible designs ranging from hot rods to classic cruisers.

Notable Harley-Davidson Softails Over The Years:

• Heritage Springer Classic
• Heritage Softail
• Springer Softail
• Deuce
• Night Train
• Softail Slim
• Fat Boy

11 The Controversial Fat Boy Nameplate

If you love controversy, here's a steamy one for you. A parts manager in New York and lifelong Harley-Davidson enthusiast, Kevin Lang, once quoted an urban legend claiming that the company named the Fat Boy after the Fat Man and Little Boy atomic bombs. Absurd, right?

The first Fat Boy had medium-gray color accents, school-bus-yellow trim, and a pilot insignia-like winged logo. On the other hand, the Enola Gay and Bockscar B-29s, the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bomber planes, had silver bodies and black propellers with yellow tips. Coincidence? But, of course, Harley-Davidson squashed the theory and explained the Fat Boy's name was a poetic way to describe the enormity of the bike.

10 The First Fat Boy Was A 'Handmade' Classic

Willie G. Davidson, the grandson of Harley-Davidson co-founder William A. Davidson, had initially turned down Bill Davis' original 'Softail' proposal in the 1970s. Years later, success with the FXST Softail motivated Willie G. and Louie Netz to design Harley's Fat Boy prototype in Milwaukee.

The first Fat Boys to hit showrooms for the 1990 model year had a unique styling that featured a Softail frame, fat front fork, cast aluminum wheels, wide-body fuel tank, rider floorboards, 1340cc Evolution engine, five-speed transmission, and belt final drive. In addition, the bikes rocked a distinctive monochromatic silver finish that exuded a classic handcrafted style. This signature look is the reason the original Fat Boy got dubbed 'The Gray Ghost.'

9 The Fat Boy Wheels

Although Harley-Davidson's decision to use solid disc wheels, similar to those on the Boeing B-29 bomber planes, remains a touchy subject, there's no doubt they are a big part of the Fat Boy's signature aesthetic. Like most parts on the Fat Boy, the sturdy wheels accentuate and complement the bike's muscular frame.

However, according to reports posted on several forums, some people have raised concerns about the dangers posed by the Fat Boy's solid disc wheels, especially during heavy winds. A few others further claim that the crosswind effects make a rider's hands and arms go numb. Nonetheless, all factors considered, there are no concrete safety concerns raised by Fat Boy riders, Harley-Davidson, or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration concerning the solid disc wheels.

8 The Fat Boy Is A Film And TV Icon

2021 marks the 30th anniversary of the sci-fi film, Terminator 2: Judgement Day. The Fat Boy earned its iconic status through a starring role in the movie, as Arnold Schwarzenegger pulled some of his career's most thrilling and genuinely memorable action scenes. The Fat Boy must have impressed because it later made an emphatic return to the Terminator series in Terminator: Genisys.

However, the Fat Boy's fame extended beyond the Terminator. The bike has made an impressive number of appearances in films and TV series.

Notable Film And TV Appearances For The Harley-Davidson Fat Boy:

• The Sopranos (1999)
• CSI: Miami (2002)
• Wild Hogs (2007)
• Jumper (2008)
• Sons Of Anarchy (2008)
• Blood Out (2011)
• Law & Order: Los Angeles (2011)

7 Fat Boy CVO And Anniversary Special Editions

Since its introduction in 1990, Harley-Davidson has commemorated the Fat Boy's journey every 15 years. The 15th Anniversary FLSTFI Fat Boy Special Edition features a counter-balanced Twin Cam 88B powertrain, 24K gold-plated tank emblem, double-stitched seam seat, timer cover, and gold striped air cleaner cover. In 2005, the Fat Boy also received the CVO treatment. The FLSTFSE2 Screamin' Eagle Fat Boy boasts a Screamin' Eagle 103 Stroker Twin Cam engine and comes in three two-toned paint options.

Harley-Davidson unveiled the 30th Anniversary Fat Boy model in 2020. Limited to just 2,500 units, the 30th Anniversary Fat Boy was uniquely cloaked in all-around dark finishes, a blacked-out Milwaukee-Eight 114 engine, and bronze highlights for contrast. In addition, each 2020 model came serialized with a number plate mounted on the fuel tank console.

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Special Editions Specifications

(Specs sourced from Motorcycle Specs)

6 The Fat Boy Lo

Harley-Davidson first rolled out the Fat Boy Lo in 2010 as a new riff on the Fat Boy. Dressed in denim black, and satin chrome, the Fat Boy Lo offered a fresh interpretation after 20 years of the Fat Boy model. Although the Fat Boy Lo retained the same bold presence, the bike's 24.25 inches was the lowest on any Harley motorcycle at the time.

As a spin-off model, the Fat Boy Lo differed slightly from the standard Fat Boy. The bike featured a counter-balanced Twin Cam 96B V-twin, Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection, 6-speed Cruise Drive transmission, lower rear suspension, a narrower seat, narrower handlebars, nostalgic half-moon rider footboard, full-coverage rear fender, rolled-edge front fender, and Fat Bob fuel tank.

5 From V-Twin To Milwaukee-Eight

Harley-Davidson Fat Boys, produced between 1990 and 2017, share the designated FLSTF code, characterized by V-twin engines. From 1990, the Fat Boys rocked 1,340cc V-twin cam engines before switchgear and master cylinder revisions bore a new 1,450cc engine from 1999.

The last V-twin upgrade arrived in 2006, with the Fat Boy gaining a larger 1,584cc twin-cam and a six-speed gearbox. Harley-Davidson then made a complete overhaul in 2018. The Softail frame was redesigned, and the Fat Boy received two new variants of the Milwaukee Eight counterbalanced engines. The FLFB models housed a 1,746cc unit, while the FLFBS variants boasted 1,868cc.

4 The Fat Boy's Reliability

Owners' Reliability Rating: 4.7/5 (1990-1999); 3.8/5 (2018 Onwards)

Like every other motorcycle manufacturer in the world, Harley-Davidson is not devoid of bike complications. Some MY 2016 Fat Boys reportedly had isolated incidents with bikes losing the ability to generate enough lift to disengage the clutch after being parked for an extended period. Units with this undetected condition had control issues when put into first gear or started in gear.

Later, in 2018, the 2017 Fat Boy S was among the MY 2017-2018 models recalled over safety concerns. Harley-Davidson scheduled the recalls after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration published a report detailing how fluid in some bikes leaked inside the clutches. Nevertheless, Harley-Davidson deserves credit for delivering reliable Fat Boy models for more than three decades and for adequately addressing the safety concerns raised along the way.

3 The Latest Fat Boy

The 2021 Fat Boy arrived in the wake of the 30th anniversary; therefore, Harley-Davidson had to ensure it made a statement on its own. The latest model still commands the road with the same genetic markers that identify the Fat Boy family, only this time in a modernized style for the new generation of riders.

First impressions reveal that satin finishes have been foregone entirely, and instead, bright chrome styling dominates every inch of the bike. The 2024 Fat Boy houses a 114 cubic-inch Milwaukee-Eight big twin-engine that offers 119 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 RPM.

2024 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Specs

(Specs sourced from Harley-Davidson)

2 The 2024 Fat Boy Comes Packed With Goodies

Starting MSRP: $21,999

Harley-Davidson continues to chug along with the Fat Boy, and the 2024 MY version of the cruiser has quite a lot going for it.

To begin with, prices start at $21,999, which will get you the Fat Boy with the base color, or as they call it, Billiard Gray. What you also get as standard with that is ABS, Harley's Security function, and Cruise Control. If you're keen on upgrading to their other colors, it will come at a cost.

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy 114 Color Options:

• Vivid Black - $350
• Red Rock - $525
• Sharkskin Blue - $650

The starting MSRP does exclude the California Emissions surcharge and the freight cost, which, put together, tack on another $900 to the price of the Fat Boy. So, if you were to consider the Fat Boy with the base paint, you're looking at a bare minimum cost of $22,899.

Other features include stock ABS, standard-equipped keyless ignition, LED forward lighting, full footboard, short rise/slight-pullback handlebars, side-mount license plate holder, 25.9-inch seat height, and solid disc Lakester wheels.

1 Used Fat Boys Could Make For A Great Bargain

Used Price Range: $4,000-$11,000

Given all that, a new Fat Boy may not be to everyone's taste. In this regard, Harley-Davidson's iconic cruiser has plenty of examples you can pick up in the used market for pretty reasonable prices, depending on the year and generation you decide on.

As an example, a used 2005 FLSTF Fat Boy in relatively good nick goes for as low as $3,995. On the other extreme, there are people selling custom Fat Boys worth up to a whopping $68,500. As mentioned earlier, it all depends on your budget and what year and generation you're aiming for. What's undeniable is that there is no shortage of used Fat Boys on the market.

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• Source for features: Harley-Davidson, MCN
• Source for technical specifications: Motorcycle Specs
• Source for used prices: Cycle Trader
• Source for reliability ratings: MCN