Good comparison between the two. The Sportster S and Nightster are basically a re-birth of the same concepts behind the V-Rod. They are decent bikes that are made to compete in the middleweight cruiser market. But in all essence of tradition, H-D is and will always be about the 45 degree, pushrod air cooled V-Twin. That's what you buy a H-D for. As the EVO Sportsters are discontinued, those who are new to riding who want an entry level H-D don't really get the heart of what a true H-D is about with the Sportster S or Nightster, and the Sportster S is in my opinion priced well outside of what an entry level bike should cost. One can get on a Softail Standard 107 for $2000 less than a Sportster S, and have a real H-D to customize to their liking. There's already an endless set of factory and aftermarket options for any of the M8 powered H-D's.
The Sportster S is not intended for classic HD beginners. I have never owned or considered a Harley until the Sportster S. I got the cruiser looks, the Harley benefits, I can be part of the community but I also get the sporty riding experience I am used to and love. With the few mods I have done my SPORTSTER S is now as fast as my z1000sx was. I will get a second bike next year once I have moved out of London and paid the finance off. I don't think I will buy anything else than a Harley from now on. I think I am not the only one. So HD created a gateway drug for a totally different demographic.
HD has been needing a 60+ year revival. The pushrod 45 deg drivetrain is a classic, nobody could deny that, but selling the same bike for a decently high ticket price in comparison to what other brands are rolling out is just gonna put you out of business. Change is inevitable, its honestly showing everyone what harley is capable of.
In my experience (I have owned over twenty bikes, including Harleys, sport bikes & sport nakeds): In general terms, Harleys are about bragging rights and status symbols. Very few Harley riders will ride sprightly; they are more interested in straight line riding and loud exhaust. Both of these bikes are good handling bikes despite relatively low lean angles (34 degrees). They both have cartridge style inverted front suspension and both have back-bone mounted mono shocks (as opposed to the terrible pre-2018 soft-tail “suspension”). IMHO the FatBob is the better of the two for a couple of reasons: More reliable (Sportster S has electrical gremlins), better brakes and better resale value. They’d both be fun to haul ass on through the twisties.
Thank you for the comparison. These bikes are simular but very different. The sporter s is a modern spot curser with tech. The fat bob is more of what you'd expect from harely davidson. I think what this is really going to come down to is do you want a comfortable sport bike or down you want a softail with more performance to it. Sense both engines act so differently it really seems what you want to do with the bike or what characteristics do you like more.
I fell in love with sportster s when first time I looked at it. It just looks like taken straight out of the Cyberpunk :) I was kinda disappointed with the sound of it (lack of usual klang), also the storage capacity sucks. But I bought it and I don't regret. Please do keep in mind though that I still have my old street bob as a second bike if I need.
Cyberpunk eh? Never thought of it that way! I heard there are some really cool exhaust options out there for them, such as Cobra Sport UK. Awesome. Sometimes having more than one bike is the way to go!
Good review! As an owner of a 2018 FB 114 with a stage one. The FatBob is almost o.k. in a straight line at speed, but compared to a sport bike? No. It needs new tires and new suspension and proper brakes to make it actually stable enough to be trustable in the corners at speed. It all depends on what you want from your ride. I put mid controls, raised the rear 2 inches, quarter fairing, Saddlemen seat, and 10 inch risers. I also notice if you let go of the steering on decel it will start a wobble. Many other bikes don't do this. Some say new tires will fix this?
Thank you. Yes. The big cruisers are generally not known for handling corners too well. As for the wobble... my 2017 SCR950 has the same problem. I heard it has to do with steering head bearings.
Good comparison between the two. The Sportster S and Nightster are basically a re-birth of the same concepts behind the V-Rod. They are decent bikes that are made to compete in the middleweight cruiser market. But in all essence of tradition, H-D is and will always be about the 45 degree, pushrod air cooled V-Twin. That's what you buy a H-D for. As the EVO Sportsters are discontinued, those who are new to riding who want an entry level H-D don't really get the heart of what a true H-D is about with the Sportster S or Nightster, and the Sportster S is in my opinion priced well outside of what an entry level bike should cost. One can get on a Softail Standard 107 for $2000 less than a Sportster S, and have a real H-D to customize to their liking. There's already an endless set of factory and aftermarket options for any of the M8 powered H-D's.
The Sportster S is not intended for classic HD beginners. I have never owned or considered a Harley until the Sportster S. I got the cruiser looks, the Harley benefits, I can be part of the community but I also get the sporty riding experience I am used to and love. With the few mods I have done my SPORTSTER S is now as fast as my z1000sx was. I will get a second bike next year once I have moved out of London and paid the finance off. I don't think I will buy anything else than a Harley from now on. I think I am not the only one. So HD created a gateway drug for a totally different demographic.
HD has been needing a 60+ year revival. The pushrod 45 deg drivetrain is a classic, nobody could deny that, but selling the same bike for a decently high ticket price in comparison to what other brands are rolling out is just gonna put you out of business. Change is inevitable, its honestly showing everyone what harley is capable of.
In my experience (I have owned over twenty bikes, including Harleys, sport bikes & sport nakeds): In general terms, Harleys are about bragging rights and status symbols. Very few Harley riders will ride sprightly; they are more interested in straight line riding and loud exhaust. Both of these bikes are good handling bikes despite relatively low lean angles (34 degrees). They both have cartridge style inverted front suspension and both have back-bone mounted mono shocks (as opposed to the terrible pre-2018 soft-tail “suspension”). IMHO the FatBob is the better of the two for a couple of reasons: More reliable (Sportster S has electrical gremlins), better brakes and better resale value. They’d both be fun to haul ass on through the twisties.
Thank you for the comparison. These bikes are simular but very different. The sporter s is a modern spot curser with tech. The fat bob is more of what you'd expect from harely davidson. I think what this is really going to come down to is do you want a comfortable sport bike or down you want a softail with more performance to it. Sense both engines act so differently it really seems what you want to do with the bike or what characteristics do you like more.
You're welcome. And yes, to your last point that is exactly the case.
I fell in love with sportster s when first time I looked at it. It just looks like taken straight out of the Cyberpunk :) I was kinda disappointed with the sound of it (lack of usual klang), also the storage capacity sucks. But I bought it and I don't regret. Please do keep in mind though that I still have my old street bob as a second bike if I need.
Cyberpunk eh? Never thought of it that way! I heard there are some really cool exhaust options out there for them, such as Cobra Sport UK. Awesome. Sometimes having more than one bike is the way to go!
Good review! As an owner of a 2018 FB 114 with a stage one. The FatBob is almost o.k. in a straight line at speed, but compared to a sport bike? No. It needs new tires and new suspension and proper brakes to make it actually stable enough to be trustable in the corners at speed. It all depends on what you want from your ride. I put mid controls, raised the rear 2 inches, quarter fairing, Saddlemen seat, and 10 inch risers. I also notice if you let go of the steering on decel it will start a wobble. Many other bikes don't do this. Some say new tires will fix this?
Thank you. Yes. The big cruisers are generally not known for handling corners too well. As for the wobble... my 2017 SCR950 has the same problem. I heard it has to do with steering head bearings.
I generally don’t take any notice of weirdos with ridiculous moustaches but this once I’ll have a look
Thanks! Lol.
@@outcast4389 haha
without the famous HD sound I'd go japanese then.
Definitely an option for sure. I'd probably grab a newer Suzuki Katana. 😉