Ladies' man: the 2010 Fatboy Lo

October 18, 11:15 PMFort Collins Motorcycle Travel ExaminerAbby Clabough

Previous Next

4 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Fort Collins Motorcycle Travel Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

2010 Fatboy Lo at Nostaligic West Leather in Masonville, Colorado

Since the new 2008 models showed up in the fall of 2007, I've been cheating on my '01 Softail a little each year, test driving new models. It's not that I don't love my bike anymore or want to find something new, but it's exciting to have a little variety every once in a while. Everyone one of these test rides has ended with a stronger relationship between me and my baby; shiny, new and fast is good, but the quirks I've found on the new models haven't made me feel like dumping my tried and true love.  Until yesterday. I rode the 2010 Fatboy Lo.

Shelley Erdmann, one of the owners of Thunder Mountain Harley-Davidson, thought it would be a good bike for me to try out. She explained that it's the lowest seat height in the new 2010 model line-up - 24.25" (laden). Because one of my biggest pet peeves is women buying Sportsters or smaller non-Harleys because they feel they can't handle the size and weight of a big twin, I jumped at the chance.

It's amazing how much difference an inch or two can make. My feet were flat on the ground, and not right next to the bike. I was able to extend my feet out substantially and remain flat-footed, which made pushing the bike around in parking areas effortless. The only sacrifice here is a slightly reduced lean angle that became apparent on some very slow, tight turns. It was unnoticeable when up to speed in the curves.

Another component of fit that was good was the foot controls. The heel-toe shifter and wide brake pedal make the foot controls easy to use, and the floorboards provide plenty of area to find a comfortable spot. The only complaint I had with fit was, once again, the handlebars. (see my 2010 Street Glide and Fat Bob review) With the Street Glide, I felt that an option for extended risers or handlebars would make the bike more friendly to those of us with shorter limbs. I'm assuming the Fatboy Lo was designed for those who are more vertically challenged, so why on Earth wouldn't pullback risers be stock on this bad boy? Fortunately it appears to be a  much easier fix on the Fatboy than it would be on a touring model. Come on Harley! You talk a good game for the women, now walk the walk.

OK, aside from my little rant about the handlebars, this bike was perfect. Incredibly smooth and quick acceleration, effortless turning, and it balanced so well at slow speeds that I felt I could get off the bike without putting the kickstand down and it would remain upright. Despite the bold, chunky silhouette of the Fatboy Lo, it was fluid. There was nothing awkward or stiff about this bike. If you have any question about your ability to handle the bulk of a Harley, ride the Fatboy Lo.

I could never turn my back on my trusty FXST, but I have a wicked crush on that Fatboy.

Check out the latest articles from other Motorcycle Examiners:

• Shocking Barack; can the U.S. President accept the gift of a Brammo electric motorcycle? - Shreveport Motorcycle Travel Examiner
• Motorcycle sales figures third quarter 2009 - Colorado Springs Motorcycle Examiner
• Installing a Reduced Effort Clutch kit (Easy Clutch) - Denver Motorcycle Travel Examiner
• Pink Harley to raise money for 'the cure' - National Motorcycle Examiner
• Harley-Davidson announces third quarter earnings decline of 84% - National Motorcycle Travel Examiner
• Harley-Davidson Discontinues Buell Motorcycles - Baltimore Motorcycle Travel Examiner
• Motorcycle to Zoka's Restaurant and Bar - Colorado Springs Motorcycle Travel Examiner
• National crackdown on Pagan MC leaves at least one dead - Newark Motorcycle Examiner
• Open house at Morton's BMW this weekend - DC Motorcycle Examiner
• Learning to ride a Sidecar Rig - Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner
• Mental and physical discipline in motorcycle riding - target fixation and gravel - Spokane Motorcycle Travel Examiner
• BMW demo ride - first impressions: Sport - K1300S - DC Motorcycle Travel Examiner