We have been testing a lot of Harley-Davidson’s recently, including their all-new 2008 models, the Dyna Fat Bob and Softail Rocker. In addition to our first riding impression on these new models, stay tuned for a full report on all of Harley’s CVO models that will be coming up shortly (CVO stands for “Custom Vehicle Operations”).

2008 Rocker C

While both the Dyna and Softail models feature the new twin cam 96 engine (and six-speed transmission) introduced last year by Harley, the motor is rubber-mounted on the Dyna, while it is rigidly attached to the frame of the Softail. The Dyna can be quickly identified by its exposed rear shocks, while the softail has that traditional “Hardtail” look with hidden twin shocks allowing the rear swingarm to provide some comfort to the rider. Both lines are fuel injected these days, and all Dynas benefit from a chassis redesign in 2006 that improved handling significantly.

Fat Bob

The all-new 2008 Dyna FXDF Fat Bob represents a new custom look from Harley characterized by dual headlamps, wide tires mounted on 16-inch cast aluminum wheels, a unique 2-1-2 exhaust, flat drag bars and forward foot controls (as an option, the Fat Bob can be had with mid-mount foot controls).

The beefy 49mm forks and blacked out fork lowers, combined with the extra wide front tire, compliment the dual headlamps and give the front end of the Fat Bob a mean, purposeful look.

We found the Fat Bob comfortable and nimble. In fact, we were a bit surprised by the handling of this bike given the unusual tire sizes, particularly, the wide front 16 incher (130/90/16).

Fat Bob – Instruments

The Dyna Fat Bob is very stable in a straight line, and has plenty of poke from the twin cam 96 engine we have sampled on so many Harleys since the new motor was introduced last year. To remind you, this motor is rated at 92 foot pounds of torque at only 3,000 rpm, and displaces 1584cc (96 cubic inches). A more detailed discussion of this engine is contained in our article here.

With dual 300mm discs squeezed by four-piston calipers in the front, and a single 292mm disc and two-piston caliper in the rear, the Dyna stops quickly, and with decent, if not great, feel. These brakes are more than adequate, but they do not live up to the standards set by the new Brembo systems found on the touring and VRSC models (more about that in a future article).

All-in-all, the Dyna Fat Bob has unique, aggressive styling, and performs surprisingly well through the corners. The rubber-mounted twin cam 96 engine is very smooth, and pulls with authority.

The even more radical looking Softail Rocker is another all-new 2008 Harley model that we had the chance to ride. The Rocker looks like a genuine custom, not a factory bike. The radical single-seat, hardtail look, and raked-out forks make you feel cool just sitting on the Rocker.

The Rocker is very comfortable given its radical styling, and we had a chance to sample it both with the windshield (and other Harley accessories) and without. The bike seemed to handle better without a windshield at higher, freeway speeds (where the windshield made the front end slightly unstable).

The rear suspension on the 2008 Softail line (at least the Rockers that we sampled) is reasonably progressive, and resists bottoming over all but the harshest bumps.

Rocker Instruments

Some handling capabilities are sacrificed in the name of style on the Rocker, notably low-speed steering with the raked-out forks and the 19-inch front wheel, which can make the bike feel like it is falling into corners a bit suddenly. Given its radical chopper style, however, the Rocker is easy enough to ride, and as speeds rise the handling is predictable and stable (aside from our experience with the model featuring the accessory windshield).

The Rocker features a single front brake that is merely adequate, but understandably lacks the power of the dual brake set-up on the Fat Bob (as well as the Brembo-equipped models we will discuss in a future article).

Rocker C pillion seat

One neat trick available on the “Rocker C” model (that has chrome just about everywhere the standard Rocker features powder-coat, as well as color-matched swingarm and oil tank) is the “Trick” solo seat that conceals a passenger pillion. This passenger seat can be quickly moved into place over the rear fender without tools. The passenger seat normally resides under the main seat cushion, and can be folded out in less than a minute. Although the passenger is perched over the rear fender, the tail can still move through its full suspension range.

In fact, it is that “Rocker Tail” that really sets the look of the Rocker apart. The rear fender is mounted just above a huge 240mm by 18 inch rear tire and, despite the hardtail look, the fender and wheel move together as the rear suspension travels through its available 3.4 inches of stroke. By the way, the Rocker seat height is just 24.5 inches, which is one of the lowest stock seat heights available.

Custom-look features include the oil tank, which is a new cast-aluminum design on the Rocker, and stop/turn/tail lights which combine the stop and tail-lamp functions with the rear turn indicators, completely eliminating the traditional tail-lamp from the rear fender. The 5-gallon fuel tank mounts the instruments in a typically stylish fashion.

The all-new Fat Bob and Rocker (as well as Rocker C) are Harley’s attempt to combine unique style, attitude and function in a high quality OEM package. If our first ride is any indication, we would have to say that they have succeeded with both bikes.

The U.S. MSRP of the Dyna Fat Bob begins at $14,795, while the U.S. MSRP of the Rocker begins at $17,295 (the Rocker C starts at $19,495). For additional details and specifications, visit Harley-Davidson’s web site here.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.