What you Really Want
Out of the crate, our testers scored the Star Road Star as the best all-around machine. One tester opined, "It won the comparison for me not because of anything it did really well, but because it had no really glaring negatives." Perhaps the competition has developed more personality, too, because one of our guys was "surprised at how vanilla the Road Star is."
Victory's Kingpin finished up near the top for nearly all-surprising everyone. The Fat Bob simply doesn't belong in this group ergonomically, but many agreed the motor was loads of fun. Kawasaki's big Vulcan Classics have traditionally run near the front in our comparisons, but the poorly shaped seat and awkward ergonomics conspired to sabotage it here. But if you had a passenger to consider, they'd probably prefer the Classic to the stock Fat Bob. If you like being able to replace every part on your bike with something shinier, the Fat Bob is your boy. And if power and stand-alone styling matter to you, the Victory might make you pull out your wallet. But if money is an object, then you'd go straight to the C90.
If you're not keen on the bike as delivered, most of these models offer plenty of bolt-on accessory options to help mold them to fit your riding plans. Victory is steadily, constantly increasing its accessories line, and because the C90 has been around in the same basic form for over a decade, owners can find plenty of aftermarket support for it as well.
'Course, the Star might just be the bike that does it all-as is.
'08 H-D Fat Bob FXDF
MSRP: $14,795; $15,485 as tested (with Smart Security option)
Standard Colors: Black (other colors $345 extra)
Warranty: 24 months, unlimited mileageRecommended Service Schedule:1000 mi. initial; 5000-mi. intervals thereafter
Engine & Drivetrain
Type: Air-cooled, 45-deg. V-twinDisplacement, Bore X Stroke:1584cc, 95.25 x 111.25mm
Valve Train: Overhead valves, 2 valves/cyl.
Compression: 9.2:1
Fuel System: EFI, 50mm throttle bodies
Lubrication: Dry sump
Recommended Fuel: 91 octane
Transmission: Wet clutch, 6 speeds
Final Drive: Carbon-fiber belt
Chassis
Overall Length: 91.7 in.
Wheelbase: 63.8 in.
Handlebar: 31.5 in. wide, 1-in. diameter
Seat Height: 27.1 in.
Wet Weight: 705 lb.
GVWR: 1085 lb.
Rake/Trail: 29 deg./ 4.5 in.
Wheels: Cast-aluminum discs, 16 x 3.5 in. front, 16 x 5 in. rear
Tires: 130/90B16 D427F tubeless radial, front; 180/70B16 D427 Dunlop D221 tubeless radial, rear
Front Brake: 300mm dual discs; two 4-piston calipers
Rear Brake: 292mm disc, 2-piston caliper
Front Suspension: 49mm telescopic fork, 5.1 in. travel
Rear Suspension: Link-type damper,preload-adjustable, 3.1 in. travel
Fuel Capacity: 5.1 gal.
Electrical
Battery: Sealed, 12V, 19 AH
Lighting: 55/60-watt quartz halogen headlight, position lights, bulb taillight
Instruments: Analog speedometer with LCD clock, odometer, tripmeters; analog fuel gauge; indicator lights for high beam, neutral, oil temp, engine check, sixth gear, low fuel, turns, Smart Security System (optional)
Performance
Top Gear Roll-On, 60-80 MPH: 6.08 sec.
Fuel Mileage: 31-42 mpg; 38 mpg averageAverage Range: 192 miles
Quarter-mi. Acceleration: 13.98 sec @ 95.4 mph
'08 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600
MSRP: $10,699
Standard Colors: Black, black/blue
Warranty: 12 months, unlimited mileage
Recommended Service Schedule:600 mi. initial; 4,000 mi. minor; 7500 mi.major; 3500-mi. intervals thereafter
Engine & Drivetrain
Type: Air/oil-cooled, 54-deg. V-twin
Displacement, Bore X Stroke:1552cc, 102 x 95mm
VALVE TRAIN: SOHC, 4 valves/cyl.,hydraulic adjusters
Compression: 9.0:1
Fuel System: EFI, 36mm throttle bodies
Lubrication: Semidry sump
Recommended Fuel: 90 octane
Transmission: Hydraulic wet clutch,5 speeds
Final Drive: Shaft
Chassis
Overall Length: 98.6 in.
Wheelbase: 66.1 in.
Handlebar: 35 in. wide, 1-in. diameter
Seat Height: 27.4 in.
Wet Weight: 754 lb.
GVWR: 1153 lb.
Rake/Trail: 32 deg./6.6 in.
Wheels: Cast alloy, 16 in. front, 16 in. rear
Tires: 130/90-16 Bridgestone Exedra G721 tubeless, front; 170/70-16Bridgestone Exedra G722 tubeless, rear
Front Brake: 300mm dual discs, two 2-piston calipers
Rear Brake: 300mm hydraulic disc, 2-piston caliper
Front Suspension: 43mm fork, 5.9 in. travel
Rear Suspension: Dual dampers,preload-adjustable, 3.7 in. travel
Fuel Capacity: 5.3 gal.