This is a big year for the Harley-Davidson Softails, as they’re brought into the 21st century with a comprehensive electronics package, a bigger motor, revised suspension, and a few more goodies. It’s even bigger for the Fat Boy, as this is the 35th anniversary of the chubby-tired custom inspired by the 1949 Hydra-Glide. Literally reflecting that milestone is the chrome-drenched 2025 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Gray Ghost, which is the newest member of the Icons Collection. While the Gray Ghost has no functional differences compared to the new standard Fat Boy, we haven’t done a full test of the ’25, so now’s the time.
- In the 35 years since its debut, the Fat Boy has gotten fatter in appearance and more muscular in performance. Horsepower has more than doubled with a 44 percent displacement increase, the tires are taller and wider, the wheelbase is extended a half-inch, and the seat height dropped 0.8 inches. However, the 2025 Fat Boy is slightly lighter than it was when it debuted in 1990. The Fat Boy has come a long way, baby.
- Riding the 2025 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy is pure fun. It starts with a low seat height and center of gravity, then adds in a wide handlebar and sensible ergonomics. The result is a 694-pound motorcycle that is easier to throw around in traffic than anyone would expect. Mounted on the signature Lakester machined cast aluminum wheels, the Michelin Scorcher tires deliver all the confidence that comes with the traction afforded by a 240mm rear and 160 front.
- Harley-Davidson lets you decide how quickly you get around town. The new Milwaukee-Eight 117 gets the Custom tuning—the medium of three levels for the 2025 Softail lineup. That means 101 horsepower at 4800 rpm and a thunderous 126 ft-lbs of torque at 3000 rpm. The new ride modes—Sport, Road, and Rain—let you tailor the power delivery. Road mode is superb for casually tooling around town, knowing that you can still accelerate aggressively when twisting the throttle hard. However, Sport mode means a snappy throttle response that demands more attention. It’s not that the Sport mode is unrideable; it’s just that your wrist movements are magnified at the rear wheel. Save the Rain mode for new riders and, yes, the rain—though I can’t see riding the shiny Gray Ghost in the wet.
- In addition to the ride modes, Harley-Davidson gave the Softail lineup electronic rider aids. ABS, traction control (TC), and engine braking control (EBC) are all cornering-aware. I was able to actuate the ABS, though only intentionally. If the TC and EBC were active, they were completely transparent. I was hard on the throttle in Sport mode and never felt any spin-up or TC intervention—the 117 ci Fat Boy just went forward very quickly. While purists will balk at the very existence of these nannies, even though TC can be turned off, the intrusion is virtually non-existent. Electronic aids are an invisible safety net that allows for greater performance for those who believe in them—that includes me.
- The 2025 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy has all the cornering clearance you need. The 240mm Michelin isn’t about canyon carving and wants to go straight. Its profile is flat, so you’re not encouraged to lean it over any more than necessary. The Fat Boy is perfectly composed in corners thanks to the big footprints, though you have to respect the limits. In Sport mode, the Fat Boy can get a bit squirrely when heeled over if you’re aggressive with the throttle. Ride smartly, and you’ll be rewarded with a confident ride at more than reasonable speeds. Sure, you can touch those floorboards down if you’re pressing the issue. However, in normal spirited riding on urban twisties such as the famed Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills, you’ll be scrape-free.
- The trick to slowing the Fat Boy down quickly is the use of both brakes. We’re always told that the front brake provides most of the braking power. While that’s generally true, the nearly 900 pounds that the bike and I weigh are only partly served by the 300mm front disc and traditionally mounted four-piston caliper, even when it’s helped by the traction of a 160mm front tire. For anything other than casual riding, the brake pedal, 292mm rear disc, and 240mm rear tire combine for considerable braking power, implemented smoothly and predictably. Getting hard on just the front brake requires attention to keeping the wheel straight; the rear just slows things down right now. Although it’s heretical, going with the rear brake as your main deceleration option is perfectly acceptable and defensible—just don’t forget the front brake is there when you need it.
- While new suspension settings and springs elevate the Softails’ performance, it’s still limited. The Showa Dual Bending Valve fork has a hair over five inches of travel and does quite well by the Fat Boy. Still, 3.4 inches of rear wheel travel has its limits. Until the end of the stroke, the action is good, taking the jolt out of most road imperfections. However, exceed its limits, and the Fat Boy’s hidden shock will let you know.
- The upright ergonomics work in town. You can cruise around all day on the Fat Boy without getting worn out. The seat is like a catcher’s mitt, and your posterior will not complain. The clutch has an assist function, though that doesn’t make it a light pull. Still, the reduction in effort means less fatigue and longer rides. Rocketing away from red lights with the cars shrinking in the mirrors never gets old. Also enjoyable is the sound emanating from the motor and dual mufflers—industrial music you can listen to all day long.
- Hop on the freeway, and the 65-inch wheelbase and 32-degree fork angle are all about stability. When getting away from erratic traffic, you can accelerate up to 100 mph without thinking too hard about it. High-sweeping connector ramps—the San Diego Freeway southbound to the eastbound Century Freeway near LAX, for example—let you settle in and enjoy the view of the Los Angeles metropolitan sprawl and the San Gabriel Mountains in the distance. If you happen to glance down at the tank-mounted speedometer, you might be surprised to see a number like 90.
- The old-school five-inch round speedometer fits the 2025 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Gray Ghost perfectly. It’s analog-style with a small LCD screen at the bottom. There, you’ll find a rotating display of info, with range and time being my favorites. There are also pictograms for the ride modes, identical to those on the Sportsters and Pan Americas.
- The angled turn signal switches are a fantastic upgrade from the previous bulbous buttons. The right turn signal button does double duty, and it’s an intentionally long reach to change ride modes. The left turn signal switch also actuates the horn, making the horn harder to find than I like. It’s not as important as it might be, as the horn is anemic.
- I haven’t mentioned the Icons Collection aspect of the 2025 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Gray Ghost because it’s simple—chrome! From a visual standpoint, the Gray Ghost is one shiny ride. Almost everything that could be chrome is chromed. Heads turn and questions are asked. The interesting thing is that the “chrome” isn’t what you think it is. Harley-Davidson utilizes a process called physical vapor deposition, which leaves a thin, reflective coating on the surfaces to which it is applied. Harley-Davidson has snuck it in on smaller pieces. Presumably, no one complained, so they’ve gone whole hog on the Gray Ghost. There are other retro touches, including yellow valve covers, an unobtrusive round air filter cover, leather seat valance with tasteful tassels, 3D fuel tank medallions, some nice leatherwork, and a number on the fuel tanks. Our test bike was #0316 of 1990.
- The 2025 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Gray Ghost combines welcome technical updates with styling befitting a 35th-anniversary model and membership in the Icons Collection. The Fat Boy has always been a fun and stylish ride. For 2025, the Gray Ghost brings the glitz, the Milwaukee-Eight 117 Custom provides the muscle, electronics help smartly exploit the power, and new suspension settings help you keep it all under control. Remember, if a T-1000 is chasing you in a semi-truck, you can always jump into Bull Creek with John Connor on the passenger seat and a shotgun in your left hand. Hasta la vista, baby!
Photography by Kelly Callan
RIDING STYLE
2025 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Gray Ghost Specs
ENGINE
- Type: Milwaukee-Eight 117 Custom V-twin
- Displacement: 117 ci (1923cc)
- Bore x stroke: 4.075” x 4.5”
- Maximum power: 101 horsepower @ 4800 rpm
- Maximum torque: 126 ft-lbs @ 3000 rpm
- Compression ratio: 10.3:1
- Valvetrain: Single cam w/ pushrods; 4 vpc
- Exhaust: 2-into-2; catalyst in mufflers
- Cooling: Air and oil
- Transmission: 6-speed Cruise Drive
- Clutch: Wet multiplate w/ assist function
- Primary drive: Chain
- Final drive: Belt
CHASSIS
- Front suspension; travel: Non-adjustable Showa Dual Bending Valve 40mm fork; 5.1 inches
- Rear suspension; travel: Spring-preload adjustable shock; 3.4 inches
- Wheels: Lakester machined cast aluminum
- Front wheel: 18 x 4.5
- Rear wheel: 18 x 8
- Tires: Michelin Scorcher 11
- Front tire: 160/60-18
- Rear tire: 240/40-18
- Front brakes: 300mm disc w/ 4-piston caliper
- Rear brake: 292mm disc w/ floating 2-piston caliper
- ABS: Standard
DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES
- Wheelbase: 65 inches
- Rake: 30 degrees
- Fork angle: 32 degrees
- Trail: 4.1 inches
- Seat height: 26.6 inches
- Fuel capacity: 5 gallons
- Estimated fuel consumption: 49 mpg
- Curb weight: 694 pounds
2025 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Gray Ghost Price: $25,399 MSRP
2025 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Gray Ghost Review Photo Gallery
