Alright, so the other day I was wrenching on my buddy’s Harley Fat Boy, and the question popped into my head: “How much does this beast actually weigh?” You know, just one of those random gearhead thoughts that hits you when you’re elbow-deep in grease.
First thing I did, naturally, was hit up Google. I figured the official Harley-Davidson website would have the definitive answer. I typed in “Harley Fat Boy weight” and scrolled through the specs. Turns out, they list the “Vehicle Weight, As Shipped” and the “Weight, In Running Order.”
Okay, cool. But the “As Shipped” weight isn’t really what I was after. I wanted to know how much it weighs ready to ride – you know, with fuel and fluids. So, I focused on the “Weight, In Running Order” number.
Now, here’s where things got a little tricky. The listed weight can vary depending on the year and model of the Fat Boy. I noticed some sites were throwing around numbers like 699 lbs, while others said 712 lbs or even a bit more. My buddy’s bike is a 2018 model, so I had to dig a bit deeper to find the specific weight for that year.
I ended up cross-referencing a few different sources – some motorcycle review sites, forums dedicated to Harley enthusiasts, and even a few YouTube videos where guys were talking about their Fat Boys. Eventually, I narrowed it down to around 699 lbs (317 kg) for his year.
To confirm, I also tried to find an owner’s manual online. Sometimes, the manual will have the exact weight listed in the specifications section. After some digging, I found a downloadable PDF for the 2018 Fat Boy, and bingo! The weight in running order was indeed listed as approximately 699 pounds.
But here’s the thing: that’s just the claimed weight. I was still curious about the actual weight of this particular bike. My buddy had added some aftermarket parts – a different exhaust system, some heavier foot pegs, and a few other bits and pieces. All that stuff adds up!
So, I got a bit more ambitious. I convinced my buddy to help me get the bike onto a proper scale. We carefully rolled it up onto a large platform scale that a local freight company let us use (after a bit of sweet-talking, of course!).
And the result? The scale showed 725 lbs! A good 26 pounds heavier than the factory spec. Lesson learned: those aftermarket parts really do make a difference.
Here’s the breakdown of what I did:
- Googled it: Started with a basic search to get a general idea.
- Checked official site: Looked for the manufacturer’s listed weight (“Weight, In Running Order”).
- Cross-referenced: Compared information from multiple sources to find the specific weight for the year and model.
- Searched for owner’s manual: Looked for a downloadable PDF to confirm the weight.
- Used a scale: Physically weighed the bike to get the most accurate measurement.
Takeaways:
- Factory weights are a good starting point, but they don’t account for aftermarket parts.
- Different sources can have slightly different numbers, so it’s good to compare.
- If you really want to know the exact weight, put the bike on a scale!
So, yeah, that’s how I figured out how much my buddy’s Harley Fat Boy actually weighs. It was a fun little project, and now I have a better understanding of how much these things tip the scales. Plus, I got to hang out with my buddy and wrench on his bike – always a good time!
