2010 Harley Davidson Fat Boy Lo
The year 2010 marked a turning point for Harley-Davidson motorcycles with the introduction of the Dark Custom line, aimed at appealing to a new generation of riders who sought a departure from the traditional chrome and shiny finishes. At the forefront of this new direction was the Fat Boy Lo, a motorcycle designed to stand out with its blacked-out and satin-chromed design that exudes a bold, no-nonsense attitude.
This was perfect for me, I had just been thinking, “I’m sick of chrome and I’m done with polishing it”. I went straight out and purchased a matt black Fat Boy Lo.
With a dropped seat height of 26.3 inches, the Fat Boy Lo was designed to be accessible to shorter-inseam riders, without sacrificing its iconic, heavy-duty look. At 6’4 I found this bike to be the perfect height, go figure?
The Softail suspension was adjusted to remove 1.3 inches of travel, making the 700+ pound motorcycle more stable and confident on the road, especially when it comes to straight-line riding. The lowered center of gravity also enhances the Fat Boy Lo's cornering ability, even if it may not have the same cornering clearance as its standard counterpart. I found the suspension to be barely adequate unless you are on smooth roads most of the time.
The Fat Boy Lo offers a smooth, effortless ride, thanks to its reliable transmission, wide powerband, and comfortable floorboards. The flat handlebars put the rider's arms in a perfect cruising position, making it ideal for a full day of riding. The air-cooled engine delivers a balanced performance, with 94 ft/lbs of torque available at just 3000 rpm. Despite the shortened suspension, the Fat Boy Lo is surprisingly comfortable and capable of handling rough roads with ease.
Having a history of modified Harley’s and plenty of sports bikes I thought a power upgrade was essential and promptly upgraded to dealer stage 4 kit. Which makes the bike so much more responsive and fun to ride.
They say the thinner seat may not be ideal for extended freeway rides, as it may not provide enough cushioning. At my height I always upgrade the seat anyway I need something that pushes me further back. I also added extended floor boards, brake pedal and sift lever. This gives you plenty of leg room if you are tall. Additionally, the single brake rotors at both ends, while providing sufficient stopping power, may require you to be mindful when making sudden stops in urban settings, this is no lightweight.
Overall, the 2010 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Lo remains a fantastic motorcycle that perfectly captures the essence of the Dark Custom line, offering you a unique blend of style, performance, and accessibility. With its low seat height, blacked-out design, and confident handling, the Fat Boy Lo is a testament to Harley-Davidson's commitment to delivering motorcycles that are as stylish as they are functional. I love it and a few customary mods make this bike perfect in my eyes. I added straight though long shots, low profile mirrors with the indicators built in and some retro grips.
How does this compare to a modern Fat Boy with a 114 M8 - Check out the video below…
Length 94.30 in. (2395.22 mm)
Overall Width 39.20 in. (995.68 mm)
Overall Height 44.30 in. (1125.22 mm)
Seat Height: 24.25 in. (615.95 mm)
Ground Clearance 4.80 in. (121.92 mm)
Rake (steering head) 31.6°
Fork Angle 31.6°
Trail 5.80 in. (147.32 mm)
Wheelbase 64.50 in. (1638.30 mm)
Tires (Dunlop® Harley-Davidson Series, radial blackwall front and rear):
• Front – D408F 140/75R17 67V
• Rear – D407 200/55R17 78V
Fuel Capacity 5 gal. (18.93 L)
Oil Capacity (w/filter) 3.50 qts. (3.31 L)
Transmission Capacity 1 qts. (0.95 L)
Primary Chain Case Capacity 1 qts. (0.95 L)
Weight: 700 lbs. (317.52 kg)
Engine Air-cooled, Twin Cam 96BTM
Valves Pushrod-operated, overhead valves with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters; two valves per cylinder
Bore x Stroke 3.75 in. x 4.38 in. 95.25 mm x 111.25 mm)
Displacement 96 cu. in. (1584 cc)
Compression Ratio 9.2:1
Fuel System Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Air Cleaner Paper, washable
Lubrication System Pressurized, dry-sump
Primary Drive Chain, 34/46 ratio
Final Drive Belt, 32/66 ratio
Clutch Multi-plate, wet
Transmission 6-Speed Cruise Drive®
Gear Ratios (overall):
• 1st 9.311
• 2nd 6.454
• 3rd 4.793
• 4th 3.882
• 5th 3.307
• 6th 2.790
Frame Mild steel
tubular frame; rectangular section backbone; stamped, cast, and forged junctions; forged fender supports; MIG welded
Swingarm Mild steel, round tube sections, forged junctions; MIG welded
Front Forks 41.30 mm telescopic, “beer can” covers
Rear Shocks Hidden, horizontal-mounted, coil-over
Wheels: Black, Bullet Hole Disc Cast Aluminum
• Front 17 in. x 3.50in. (431.80mm x 88.90 mm)
• Rear 17 in. x 6in. (431.80mm x 152.40 mm)
Brakes:
• Caliper Type 4-piston front and 2-piston rear
• Rotor Type (diameter x width): Patented, uniform expansion rotors
• Front 11.50 in. x .20 in. (292.10mm x 5.08 mm)
• Rear 11.50 in. x .23 in. (292.10mm x 5.84 mm)
Suspension Travel:
• Front Wheel 5.10 in. (129.54 mm)
• Rear Wheel 3.60 in. (91.44 mm)
Engine Torque (per SAE J1349):
North America 93.67 ft.lbs. @ 3000 rpm
(127.0 Nm @ 3000rpm)
Lean Angle (per SAE J1168):
• Right 25.6°
• Left 25.2°
Fuel Economy (EPA urban/highway test) 35/54 mpg (6.72/4.36 L/100 km)
Battery Sealed, maintenance-free, 12V, 19-amp/hour, 270 cca
Headlamp (quartz halogen) 55-watt low beam, 60-watt high beam
Service Interval First 1,000 miles (1,600 km), every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) thereafter