Fat Boy

The last Screamin' Eagle offering for 2006 is the Fat Boy. And just like me, this year the Fat Boy got even fatter. A new Dunlop 200/55R-17 rear tire is fitted on a handsome 6-inch by 17-inch forged aluminum Road Winder wheel, replacing the 150/80B-16 tire and 16-inch polished disc from last year. In order to fit the fatter wheel and tire, the Softail frame tails had to be widened, along with the shorter rear fender and strut covers. The rear suspension has also been lowered to accentuate the look. So as not to leave the front end feeling unloved, the front got fatter, too. The former Dunlop MT90B-16-inch tire and 16-inch disc wheel was replaced by a new 140/75-17 tire riding on a 17-inch Road Winder wheel. And of course, matching Road Winder billet sprocket and brake rotors complement the look. The fatter tires and wheels resulted in the bike being a bit slower turning in, but you get good leverage from the Beach Bars.

The Screamin' Eagle Fat Boy boasts the same 103-inch powerplant used on the Ultra Classic, with a Stage 1 air cleaner kit. But since it weighs 145 pounds less than the Ultra, the Fat Boy accelerates even quicker. The rider can feel a bit more vibration from the Stroker motor than on a standard counter balanced engine, due to the larger displacement and different compression ratio. But instead of the vibes being annoying, the extra pulse lets you know that this Fat Boy is ready to rumble when you feel like dialing it up. And the snort form the dual Screamin' Eagle Slash-down mufflers let others know you're ready, too.

The Screamin' Eagle Fat Boy features parts and accessories from the Buckshot collection. That means that many of the parts like the new grips, mirror stalks, brake and shifter levers, shifter linkage, strut covers, and derby cover all have the matching holes drilled in them, for a unique and unified look. The seat is a trick piece, too. Replacing the standard seat with pillion, the CVO seat is a solo job with a stainless steel pan surrounding the seat and accenting the rear fender. (Naturally, a two-up seat is available). But if you don't plan on taking anyone along with you, that solo seat is really hot looking.

The wiring is hidden inside the 1.25" handlebars. The chrome handlebar clamp has a nice metal-faced tachometer inset into it which matches the face on the speedometer. The chrome fuel tank console has a leather tank extension. Like the Ultra, the turn signal lenses are smoked with amber colored bulbs, and like all the Screamin' Eagles, the Fat Boy has the Harley-Davidson Security System with siren alarm, special CVO key, and storage cover. And again, chrome abounds from the front fork, to the chin spoiler, and onto the rear license plate holder.

The paint, graphics, and pinstripes on all CVO bikes are applied by hand, and are impeccable. The Fat Boy paint schemes come in Nebula Yellow Pearl and Cobalt Blue (my favorite), Autumn Haze and Abyss Blue, and Canyon Copper and Concord Purple with ghost flames subtly embedded into the design along with bare metal grind accents under the clear coat, which is incredibly difficult to get to look right. But they did, and it looks really sharp. The frame, frame inserts and swingarm are color-matched to the body paint. All the paint jobs on all the models proved to be a gawker magnet every time we stopped for gas in the little hamlets of upstate New York. Not wanting to go into long explanations we just told folks that the paint jobs were just a result of the painter being on drugs and let it go at that.

Only 2,600 Screaming Eagle V-Rods will be built for 2006 at an MSRP of $26,595. The Screamin' Eagle Fat Boy will be copied only 3,900 times and carry a sticker of $28,495. And 4,000 lucky souls can fork over $31,995 for the Screamin' Eagle Ultra.

That's only 10,000 CVO bikes out of a total number of 300,000 or so Harley builds for the world, so owning a Screaming Eagle puts one in a seriously exclusive club. And if you think that the prices of these bikes are excessive, think again. A standard two-tone, fuel injected Fat Boy lists for $17,430, while the Screamin' Eagle version sells for $11,065 more. But you'd spend over $15,000 if you bought all the custom parts separately, and that's not even counting the labor to install them.

But the Screamin Eagle Harley's aren't just built as design exercises, or to satisfy a small number of buyers who want exclusivity. These bikes are produced so that owners of the standard motorcycles can see what can be accomplished by using the parts and Accessory Catalogue to dress up their own motorcycles and combine the various parts into a unified look. Virtually all the parts on the Screamin' Eagle bikes are or will be available through the catalogue and most of them will retrofit to older models.

The only things that Harley will not replicate are the paint schemes. They are serious about maintaining the integrity of the special Screamin' Eagle bikes for those who buy the complete package. If your Screamin' Eagle gets into an accident and you need to replace a tank or fender, you'll have to show proof through the VIN number that you do, in fact, own an original Screamin' Eagle before they will send you a replacement painted part.

So be on the lookout at your local dealer as the CVO bikes begin to hit the showrooms in late summer to early fall. With the limited number available, you'll want to get your order in early.