The Harley-Davidson motorcycle introduced for the 1990 model year with solid-cast aluminum wheels was the Fat Boy.
The Fat Boy was created as part of Harley-Davidson’s Softail family, whose hidden rear suspension gave the motorcycle a hardtail-inspired appearance. Its broad front end, solid wheels and distinctive styling quickly made it one of the company’s most recognizable cruisers.
The model was designed by Willie G. Davidson and Louie Netz. It became especially familiar through popular culture, including its appearance in the 1991 film Terminator 2: Judgment Day, although the film’s motorcycle was a customized version.
The Fat Boy name is sometimes confused with other Softail models, such as the Heritage Softail or Springer Softail. The original Fat Boy’s defining visual feature was its pair of solid wheels, rather than the spoked wheels used by many traditional Harley-Davidson motorcycles.