By LESTER DIZON
They call it a legend. Massive low-slung stance. Solid-disc wheels. Unapologetic style. It’s always looked the part, and now, with the new 117 Custom V-Twin engine, it has the performance to match. This big boy just got meaner.
Some bikes make history. Others rewrite it. In 1988 and 1989, Willie G. Davidson rode early Fat Boy prototypes into Daytona, seeking direct feedback from riders and igniting a legacy that would span generations. By 1990, the Fat Boy was born, quickly becoming one of the legendary models in Harley-Davidson history.
Design and performance
Now, 35 years later, the new 2025 Fat Boy Gray Ghost charges forward, bringing that legacy full circle. Inspired by the riders who made it an icon, this tribute honors the past while the next generation keeps the fire burning. The low 25.9-inch seat height makes it an easy-to-ride muscular cruiser.
The Fat Boy Gray Ghost blends classic style with modern power. The Milwaukee-Eight 117 Custom V-Twin engine cranks out 101 hp @ 4,800 rpm and 165 Nm @ 3000 rpm for a quick getaway from the humdrum of conformity. A round air cleaner gives it the perfect mix of timeless muscle and attitude. An estimated fuel mileage of 20.83 km/L gives it some social responsibility toward preserving the environment.
Innovation
The original Fat Boy set the standard, and the all-new 2025 Fat Boy Gray Ghost takes it further. Its legendary silver and yellow color scheme returns, now with a stunning mirror-like finish created through an advanced Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) process, plus full LED lighting for a bold, modern edge.
Rider safety
All the benefits of Rider Safety Enhancements, such as ABS, DSCS, TCS, TPMS, C-ABS, C-TCS, and C-DSCS, as well as Ride Modes are kept in classic cruiser form and managed with intuitive, ergonomic hand controls.
Harley-Davidson’s Rider Safety Enhancements is all about giving you that extra peace of mind when things get a little unpredictable. It’s a set of smart tech that steps in during tricky situations, helping the bike handle traction while you’re accelerating, braking, or slowing down. With the Cornering Rider Safety Enhancements, the bike even adjusts for cornering, keeping things smooth and steady without you having to think twice.
ABS is designed to prevent the wheels from locking under braking, helping the rider to maintain control when braking in a straight-line emergency.
Drag-Torque slip control
DSCS is designed to reduce excessive rear-wheel slip and prevent rear-wheel lock under powertrain-induced deceleration, which typically occurs when the rider makes an abrupt downshift gear change or quickly reduces the throttle while on wet or slippery road surfaces.
Traction control
The TCS is designed to keep the rear wheel from “spinning out” when the motorcycle is accelerating in a straight line and enhances rider confidence.
The tire pressure management system alerts the rider through the information display to low or high tire air pressure. Maintaining proper tire air pressure is crucial for both vehicle performance and tire longevity.
C-ABS is a variant of ABS that takes into consideration the lean angle of a two-wheel motorcycle, or the lateral acceleration of a Trike model. The brake pressure required to limit wheel slip when cornering is typically lower than the pressure required under straight-line operation.
The cornering enhanced traction control system (C-TCS) is designed to prevent the rear wheel from excessive spinning under acceleration when going straight or cornering.
Cornering drag-torque slip control system (C-DSCS). On bikes equipped with C-DSCS, this helps prevent the rear wheel from slipping or locking up when you quickly downshift or release the throttle, especially on wet or slippery roads. When turning, it can adjust based on how much a two-wheel bike is leaning or the side-to-side motion on a Trike.
