The Fat Bob is PHAT

If anyone else is a bit of a motorcycle fan they have notice that Harley-Davidson has released their 2008 Models. Normally Harley sticks to variation on old themes. One major exception to this is the V-Rod that came out a few years ago. Other than that they have been basing their bikes off the same 3-4 frames with minor styling and sometimes big mechanical changes for years. Normally styling has to do with what gets chromed, what colors they use, how they paint the bike, the wheels, the handle bars, the gas tank, and maybe the mufflers. However lately the same ole, may not be enough for Harley. There is increasing competition from Yamaha, Suzuki, and others in the street bike category.

So this year Harley came out with four new models. two are based on the Softail line but look like they came from the TV show American Chopper. They are stretched out, have flames standard, have the seat floating over the rear fender, and many other styling cues that hobists that build bikes have been using for years. They are pretty cool looking. Finally the customer model has a trick seat that opens up and expands for a second rider. So you can keep the look of solo seat but still have a passenger at times. Though for about 20k I don't think I will be looking to buy one anytime soon. Take a look though they are pretty cool:
http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/2008_Motorcycles/2008_Motorcycles.jsp?locale=en_US&swfsection=family&swffamily=so
See the Rocker and Rocker-c models for the above link.

The next model was actually introduced in the Spring. It is aimed at expanding the younger customer base for Harley-Davidson. It's called the Nightster. It is based on the Sportster family with the 1200cc motor. The main difference for this bike is the blacked out engine, simplified paint, tank and fender modifications, and stripped down nature of the bike. Harley's research into youth buyer's is that they want simpler, less flashy bikes. Personally I think this is because price is more of an issue, but HD believes it has more to due with styling. See it at the below link look for Nightster:
http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/2008_Motorcycles/2008_Motorcycles.jsp?locale=en_US&swfsection=family&swffamily=so

Finally on the list of new models is the addition to the Dyna family. One of the oldest families of bike Harley has. Again playing to youth they have been expanding this family of bikes to include more blacked out options and stripped down models. This can be seen in other models such as the Dyna Low Rider, and Street Bob (one of the more popular models with younger people). This year they came out with what has to be my favorite bike. By combining the styling cues of the Street Bob with those of the larger Softail faimlied Fat Boy they came up with the Fat Bob. It has the blacked out options of the Street Bob, the fat tires and tank of the Fat Boy, and it has Straight handle bars that are normally an option on other bikes, plus a duel headlamp setup that is just the coolest thing I've seen on a Harley. On top of all that it come in Black or Maroon Denim finishes that are pretty simple but wild paint options. If you want to check it out follow the below link and look for Fat Bob:
http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/2008_Motorcycles/2008_Motorcycles.jsp?locale=en_US&swfsection=family&swffamily=so

If I won the Lottery I would probably buy a Fat Bob. It is pretty wild. Though maybe I can wait a few years and pick one up for like 10k. That wouldn't be too bad. Though I'm sure I will find better things to do with my money.