Harley-Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Bob 114: A Detailed Comparison

Both the Harley Davidson Sportster S and Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 are powerful, fast, and stylish motorcycles. Both motorcycles have an attractive modern look and are manufactured using quality parts. The Harley Davidson Sportster S is a muscle cruiser, while the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 is a standard cruiser with a unique look.

If you are a fan of classic cruisers and the level of comfort they provide but are looking for a modern design and advanced technology, then the Harley Davidson Sportster S and Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 are the right motorcycles for you. This article provides a detailed comparison between the Harley Davidson Sportster S and the Harley Davidson Softail Fat Bob 114.

2. 2022 Harley Davidson Sportster S

2022 Harley Davidson Sportster S

3. 2022 Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114

2022 Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114

4. A Brief History of the Harley Davidson Sportster S

The Harley Davidson Sportster line-up has been in production since 1957. Sportster models are cruisers, designed with a sportier stance. The Sportster series replaced the sporty and lightweight Harley K series. The Harley Sportster line-up is considered the foundation of modern Harley Davidson models.

Initially, the Harley Sportster line-up could not meet emission regulations and was discontinued in 2020. In 2021, the Harley Davidson Sportster S was launched with a brand new engine, the Revolution® Max.

5. A Brief History of the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114

The Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 was introduced in 2008 as part of the Dyna line-up, which was eventually discontinued in 2017. Though the news upset many Harley fans, they were soon cheered up by the introduction of the new Harley Fat Bob 114 in Fall 2017. The new Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 was popular for its modern looks and comfortable ergonomics. This motorcycle attracted all kinds of riders, especially youngsters, because of its modern design coupled with the classic Harley Davidson look.

6. Key Similarities and Differences between Harley Davidson Sportster S and the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114

Key Similarities	Key Differences
Modern design and look	Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 has a bigger engine and produces more torque
Fat Tires	Harley Davidson Sportster S is quicker and has more horsepower
Available in two similar color schemes	Different riding ergonomics
V-Twin engines	Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 is bigger in size and is heavyweight
Both have a six-speed transmission	Different riding positions and stance
Both have dual-channel ABS	Harley Davidson Sportster S has more features
Both offer good handling	Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 comes with a passenger seat
Both have the same-sized rear tires and wheels	Harley Davidson Sportster S has a taller seat height
Both have two-cylinder engine	Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 is more expensive
Both have DOHC valve configuration and two valves per cylinder	Both have different engine cooling system

7. Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Engine and Performance

7.1 Harley Davidson Sportster S’s Engine and Performance

The Harley Davidson Sportster S has a 1250 cc V-Twin engine with a liquid-cooling system, able to produce a horsepower of 121 hp at 7,500 rpm and a torque of 127.45 Nm at 6,000 rpm. It is equipped with a six-speed gearbox, offering smooth gear shifts.

7.2 Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114’s Engine and Performance

The Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 has more torque and a larger engine displacement. Its 114 cu in (1868 cc) V-Twin engine can produce a horsepower of 100.5 hp and a torque of 160.01 Nm at 3,500 rpm. This motorbike also has a six-speed transmission.

7.3 Engine and Performance Comparison

The Harley Davidson Sporster S has a sportier stance and is smaller than the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114. Its design also shares similarities with the café racer because of its compact design, handlebars position, and tail cowl.

Though the Sportster S’s engine displacement is 618 cc less than the Fat Bob 114, it is faster, more responsive, and accelerates better due to its low weight. Though the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114’s engine produces 32.56 Nm more torque, the Harley Davidson Sportster S produces 20.5 hp more horsepower than the Harley Fat Bob 114.

7.4 Detailed Engine and Performance Specs Comparison: Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114

Engine and Performance
Harley Davidson Sportster S		Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114
1250 cc	Displacement	1868 cc
Revolution® Max 1250 T, V-Twin	Engine Design and Type	Milwaukee-Eight®114, V-Twin
Liquid-Cooled	Cooling System	Air-Cooled
Two	No. of Cylinders	Two
Four	Valves Per Cylinder	Four
121 hp at 7,500 rpm	Horsepower	100.5 hp
127.45 Nm at 6,000 rpm	Torque	160.01 Nm at 3,500 rpm
120.7 mph	Top Speed	110 mph
2.846 in	Stroke	4.5 in
4.134 in	Bore	4.016 in
Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)	Fuel Injection System	Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
12:01	Compression Ratio	10.5:1
Six-Speed	Transmission	Six-Speed
Belt Drive	Final Drive	Belt Drive
Wet Multiplate	Clutch	Wet Multiplate, Assist
49 mpg	Fuel Economy	47 mpg
Two-Into-One-Into-Two Exhaust System	Exhaust	Two-Into-Two Shorty Dual Exhaust System
High Strength Low Alloy Wheel Trellis Frame	Frame	Mild steel, Tubular frame
BS-VI	Emission Standard	BS-VI
Dual-Channel	ABS	Dual-Channel

7.5 Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Top Speed

Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114’s Top Speed

Despite having the larger engine displacement of 1868 cc, the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 can attain a top speed of 110 mph, 10.7 mph less than the Harley Davidson Sportster S. This is only possible because the Fat Bob 114’s engine produces less horsepower and has a heavier wet weight than the Sportster S.

Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114’s Top Speed

The Harley Davidson Sportster S produces more horsepower and is lighter than the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114. It can attain a top speed of 120.7 mph thanks to its lightweight and faster throttle response.

7.6 Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Handling

Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Handling

Photo Credit: @manofmany , @hamptonroadshd

Both the Harley Davidson Sportster S and Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 handle beautifully, but because of the Harley Sportster S’s smaller size and less weight, it is more nimble. The Sportster S has a greater lean angle of 34° than the Fat Bob’s 32° left and 31° right lean angles, making it possible to lean farther without scraping the footrests.

The Harley Davidson Sportster S comes with three different ride modes. It can be a little slippery if you are riding the Harley Sportster S in rainy weather conditions. Make sure to switch from sports mode to road mode if the roads are a bit greasy.

7.7 Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Gear Shifting

Both the Harley Davidson Sportster S and Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 have a six-speed transmission that offers smooth gear shifts, though it is slightly harder with the Harley Fat Bob 114. The Fat Bob 144’s clutch operation requires more effort than the Harley Sportster S.

7.8 Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Fuel Economy

Both the Harley Davidson Sportster S and Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 are fitted with electronic fuel injection systems that allow optimum fuel intake and ensure better fuel consumption. Despite being powerful motorcycles with large-displacement engines, both motorcycles are fuel-efficient. The Harley Davidson Sportster S has a mileage of 49 mpg and the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 has a fuel economy of 47 mpg.

7.9 Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Suspension

The Harley Davidson Sportster S is fitted with a 43 mm inverted fork with aluminum fork triple clamps towards the front. It has spring, rebound, and compression adjustability as well. A link-mounted piggyback mono-shock with preload hydraulic spring adjustability is fitted towards the rear.

The Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 is also fitted with a 43 mm inverted fork with aluminum triple clamps towards the front, and a coil-over, free piston mono-shock with 56 mm stroke and hydraulic preload adjustment towards the rear.

The Harley Davidson Sportster S’s suspension is a bit harder than the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114’s, making the former a bit uncomfortable to ride on damaged roads and across long distances.

7.10 Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Braking

The Harley Davidson Sportster S is equipped with a radially mounted four-piston caliper mono-block brake towards the front and a floating, single-piston caliper brake towards the rear. Meanwhile, the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 is fitted with a four-piston caliper towards the front and a two-piston floating caliper brake with Split 7-Spoke rotors towards the rear.

Both motorcycles come with an ABS as a standard feature, but the Sportster S has better braking because it has a cornering ABS installed.

8. Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Looks

8.1 Harley Davidson Sportster S’s Look

The Harley Davidson Sportster S has a sportier look and more compact design that draws inspiration from café racers. It is smaller and weighs less than the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114. It is available in white sand pearl, vivid black, and mineral green metallic. Most parts are blacked out in a matte finish, with the engine including a golden touch.

The Sportster S has a simple cockpit design with a round handlebar-mounted display meter. This motorbike has a small front fender and no rear fender. Its LED tail light, turn signals, and license plate are swingarm-mounted towards the rear.

8.2 Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114’s Look

Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114’s Look

Photo Credit: @motorcyclenews , @peakpx

The Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 is a modern cruiser with a dip in its seat and straight handlebars that are slightly swept-back. The cockpit is very simple with no instruments installed. The Fat Bob 114 is larger than the Harley Davidson Sportster S. It has a small front fender and a large rear fender that looks like a tail cowl. An analogue display meter that includes the speedometer and tachometer is mounted on the fuel tank.

The LED taillight is fitted inside the rear mudguard and the license plate is positioned next to the turn signals. A rectangular LED headlight is enclosed inside a frame attached to the front forks.

8.3 Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Handlebars and Side Mirrors

Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Handlebars and Side Mirrors

The Harley Davidson Sportster S’s handlebars are more swept-back and have a U-shape in the middle compared to the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114. Its round-shaped side mirrors are mounted at the ends of the handlebars.

The Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114’s handlebars are wide with no tilt in the center and are slightly swept-back so they are within reach of the rider. Modified teardrop-shaped side mirrors are also mounted on the handlebars.

8.4 Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Exhaust/Mufflers

Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Exhaust/Mufflers

The Harley Davidson Sportster S has a two-into-one-into-two exhaust with a catalyst converter in the mufflers. Meanwhile, the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 has a two-into-two short dual exhaust with a catalyst converter in the mufflers. Because of the Harley Sportster S’s small size, the exhaust pipes and mufflers are placed almost at seat height. This can be a problem in hot weather conditions because the mufflers can overheat after riding this motorcycle for a little while.

8.5 Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Tires and Wheels

Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Tires

Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Wheels

The Harley Davidson Sportster S is fitted with satin black aluminum cast wheels covered in a Dunlop 160/70R17 73V front and 180/70R16 77V rear fat tires. Meanwhile, the Harley Davidson Fat Bob is fitted with structure cast aluminum wheels in denim black color covered in a Dunlop 150/80-16,71H, BW front and 180/70B16,77H, BW rear fat tires.

9. Dimensions

9.1 Harley Davidson Sportster S’s Dimensions

Harley Davidson Sportster S’s Dimensions(1)

Harley Davidson Sportster S’s Dimensions(2)

9.2 Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114’s Dimensions

Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114’s Dimensions(1)

Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114’s Dimensions(2)

9.3 Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Fuel Tank Capacity

The Harley Davidson Sportster S has a fuel tank capacity of 3.1 gals. Meanwhile, the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 has a fuel tank capacity of 3.5 gals. Smaller fuel tank capacities are adequate for daily commutes and city travel. But for touring, a minimum fuel tank capacity of 5 gals is ideal.

9.4 Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Rake and Trail

Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Rake and Trail

The Harley Davidson Sportster S has a rake of 30° and a trail of 5.8 inches, while the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 has a rake of 28° and a trail of 5.2 inches. This means the Fat Bob 114’s front tire is closer to the handlebars.

9.5 Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Dimensions and Weight

Dimensions and Weight
Harley Davidson Sportster S		Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114
5.8 in	Trail	5.2 in
30°	Rake	28°
3.1 gal	Fuel Tank Capacity	3.5 gal
3.5 in	Ground Clearance	4.7 in
33.19 in	Width	37.8 in
42.87 in	Height	43.7 in
89.4 in	Length	92.1 in
28.9 in	Seat Height	27.7 in
59.8 in	Wheelbase	63.6 in
227.7 kg	Wet Weight	306.18 kg
34°	Lean Angle (Right)	31°
34°	Lean Angle (Left)	32°

10. Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Comfort and Ergonomics

Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Comfort and Ergonomics

10.1 Seat

The Harley Davidson Sportster S has a flat solo seat that is a little less comfortable than the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114’s cushioned seat. Because of its cruiser ergonomics, the Harley Fat Bob 114 has a little dip in the rider’s seat with a backrest. It also comes with a passenger seat.

10.2 Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Handlebars Position

The Harley Davidson Sportster S’s handlebars are more swept-back but, because of the higher and flatter seat, the rider has to lean more forward than when riding the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114. Meanwhile, the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114’s handlebars are a little less swept-back but are within reach of average-sized riders.

10.3 Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Riding Position

Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Riding Position

Photo Credit: @ultimatemotorcycling , @ironcitymotorcycles

Harley Davidson Sportster S’s Riding Position

The Harley Davidson Sportster S is a muscular cruiser with sportier ergonomics. Though having a smaller overall size, its seat height is 1.2-inches taller than the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114. It is not ideal for touring or long-distance travel because of its aggressive and forward riding position. This motorcycle is only comfortable if ridden within an hour.

Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114’s Riding Position

The Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 has standard cruiser ergonomics and is more comfortable. Though the handlebars are not swept-back as far, the seat height and forward foot position ensure a relaxed riding position.

10.4 Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Foot Controls

Both the Harley Davidson Sportster S and Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 have forward foot controls that help even taller riders sit comfortably. However, the brake pedal for the rear brake and the gear shifter is better positioned in the Harley Sportster S. When riding the Sportster S, riders can comfortably press the brake pedal and shift between gears without having to apply much force with his/her foot.

11. Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Technology and Features

Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Technology and Features

Photo Credit: @rideapart , @conradshd

Technology and Instruments
✓	All LED Low and High Beam Headlights	✓
Analogue	Tachometer	Digital
Analogue	Speedometer	Digital
✓	Gear Indicator	✓
✓	Odometer	✓
✓	Clock	✓
✓	Trip Indication	✓
✓	Fuel Level Indication	✓
✖	Bluetooth	✓
✖	Mobile attachment	✓
✖	Headset Attachment	✓
✖	Low Temperate Alert	✓
✖	Ambient Temperature	✓
✖	Side Stand Down Alert	✓
✖	Screen Display	✓
✖	Navigation	✓
✖	Voice Recognition	✓
✖	USB	✓

Ride-Assist Features
✓	ABS	✓
✖	Cornering ABS	✓
✖	Traction Control	✓
✖	Cornering Enhanced Traction Control	✓
✖	Tire Pressure Monitoring	✓
✖	Wheel Lift Mitigation	✓
✖	Enhanced Lift Mitigation	✓
✖	Drag-Torque Slip Control	✓

12. Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114: Available Colors and Cost

12.1 2022 Harley Davidson Sportster S

2022 Harley Davidson Sportster S

12.2 2022 Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114

2022 Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114

13. Pros and Cons of Harley Davidson Sportster S Vs. Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114

13.1 Harley Davidson Sportster S Pros and Cons

Harley Davidson Sportster S Pros	Harley Davidson Sportster S Cons
Compact design	No passenger seat
Sportier cruiser look	Does not handle well in sports mode
Unique and modern design	Mufflers are placed near the seat and they get hot after riding for a while
Does not make excess sound	Not a touring motorcycle
Lightweight	The seat slightly vibrates while riding
Quicker and responsive	Smaller overall size
Good acceleration	Uncomfortable on long rides
Handles beautifully	Hard suspensions
Equipped with heated grips	Not an ideal cruiser
Performs well when turning corners	Taller seat height
Smooth clutch operation
Comfortable
Different riding modes (Three pre-programmed and two customizable modes)
Digital four-inch display screen
Built-in navigation
Equipped with advanced technology
Equipped with several rider safety features
Considering the technology and features, it is a cheaper motorcycle
Cornering ABS and traction control system
The lean angle is good, footrests do not touch the road while leaning
Adjustable clutch
No vibrations in the handlebars while riding
Stylish fat tires

13.2 Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 Pros and Cons

Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 Pros	Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 Cons
A modern cruiser look	Not a fast motorcycle
Low seat height	Less horsepower
Relaxed riding position	Gear shifting is a bit harder
Offers better handling	Vibrates more while riding
Produces more torque	No ride modes
Stylish fat tires	Cruiser control is not standard
ABS	Expensive motorcycle
Comfortable seat
Large engine displacement
The riding position is comfortable

14. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

14.1 Is the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 a Good Beginner Motorbike?

The Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 is not a good beginner motorcycle because it is powered by an 1868 cc engine, which is too much for beginners to handle. Ideally, beginners should start with an entry-level motorcycle with a smaller engine size between 125 – 650 cc. The Harley Davidson Street 750 is an example of a good beginner motorcycle in the Harley Davidson line-up.

14.2 Is Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 Reliable?

The Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 is a reliable motorcycle if maintained properly and regularly. This motorcycle has good resale value as well. This motorbike has not gone through major overhauls, except for fixing the common issues in the head and wheel bearings.

14.3 Why is the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 called the Fat Bob 114?

The Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114’s name is a combination of words that describe its size, style, and engine displacement. The word Fat comes from its wider fuel tank size and Bob comes from its cut-down fenders. The 114 came from its engine displacement: 114 cu in (1868 cc).

14.4 Which is Better: Harley Davidson Dyna or Softail Series?

Both the Harley Davidson Dyna and Softail series are made up of quick, powerful, and easy-to-ride motorcycles. However, the Harley Davidson Softail series cannot carry much weight and performs best when there is no passenger.

The Harley Davidson Dyna series has better handling and is more stable. It performs well on busy street roads, can carry more weight, and can carry a minimum of two people.

15. Conclusion

Both the Harley Davidson Sportster S and Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 are stylish motorcycles with modern looks. The Harley Sportster S is sportier than most cruisers and the Harley Fat Bob has comfortable cruiser ergonomics.

Despite having a smaller engine displacement, smaller size, and produces less torque, the Harley Sportster S is quicker, accelerates faster, and has smoother handling. This motorcycle is equipped with several ride safety features, including a cornering ABS, traction control, a four-inch display screen, Bluetooth connectivity, and a GPS. The Harley Sportster S is cheaper than the Harley Fat Bob. However, if you are looking for a Harley Davidson cruiser that is more comfortable and better for touring, then the Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 is the preferred option.

16. Aftermarket Parts and Modification Options

The Harley Davidson Sportster S and Harley Davidson Fat Bob 114 can be transformed into ideal touring motorcycles if equipped with LUGGAGE options, including SADDLEBAGS and SISSY BAR BAGS. Other modification options include SISSY BARS, HANDLEBARS, FAIRINGS, BACKRESTS, and CRASHBARS.

Viking Bags also has specially designed SISSY BARS, SADDLEBAGS, and HANDLEBARS for Harley Davidson Fat Bob.

Photo Credit: @harley-davidson , @harleydavidsonsouthafrica.co.za