17:31 «I identify as 6'2", but my actual hight is 5'7"» Really made my day. With all that's happening in my life right now, I really needed that laugh. Thank you.
I test drove both before I bought. I like the sound of the Fatbob, but the Sportster S was light years ahead in performance. It's more stable at high speeds, more nimble, and cuts a line better. The Fatbob seems to fight the turns and starts to wobble above 65. The Sportster S is rock solid at ridiculous speeds. I like the riding modes & cruise control. Once I adjusted the suspension and threw on the Sundowner seat, it became a far more comfortable ride. The display on the Sportster S is also better positioned. I really liked the Fatbob, but I bought the Sportster S.
The first thing I changed at my Fat Bob where the tires. The one from factory are rubbish and wobbling. With other tires the Fat Bob is a curve hunter at all speeds. Had the same choice and never regret to own a Fat Bob now. In my sight, the Fat Bob is the Bike for the men and the Sportster S the toy for the boy.
I don't tour too much these days so I bought the Sportster S. FYI I was riding sportier bikes only before. This is the first HD that caught my attention but I have fallen in love with this instantly.
Harley Davidson has been losing market share for years. Their customers are aging out. And a lot of young people aren’t interested in larping as bikers while they stand outside a coffee shop
@@alteredstateskustom lets be 100% honest todays men under 30 bahaha they dont deserve to ride harleys they are soft and entitled. so run along and enjoy your soy latte soi boi let the real men talk ok princess
@@alteredstateskustom ah, so they're more interested in playing Rossi or pretending to be Dakar racers while they take selfies to post on social media?
As usual, a great review!! I'd have to go with the Fat Bob. Its just more "Harley" to me, HD is trying new things (which is good) but HD folks are "Pure'ist's" for sure, but I hope these do well with younger riders, I'm 56 (but I identify as 26, lol) , so I would love both lol!! God bless ya'll Jerry, and I pray Donna is doing well after hip surgery : )
Nice comparison video. Jerry, I love your passion for teaching others. I’m a lightweight man @140 lbs. this never stopped me from trying out the big boys. I’m a multiple cylinder man from the Hondas I raced. But at 67 I tried the big twin again. Not much change in handling, brakes got better. Just being truthful, I’m on my 14th motorcycle and I eagerly await delivery on my new 2022 Honda Goldwing tour DCT. And as always keep the shiny side up. Much respect Jim Thomas
V ROD beats anything Harley ever built , really like mine!! the big twins have been trying to catch up with the Sportster since 57 , since the big twins were never able to equal a Sporties performance they have been bad mouthing the bike since then because all they ever see is the tail light on the sportster anyway
I'm 68, and a veteran of sports bikes, CB 750, KZ 900, but have always loved the Harley aura. Neither of these bikes deliver that, all things considered, I would favor the Sporster. If I decide to go traditional HD, I think a used Softail Slim, or Street Bob is for me. I don't really need to go fast any more.
I ride the hell out of my Fat Bob on canyons and commutes alike and that low end torque is a beautiful thing for both. Still ‘sporty’ enough for all my needs but I can also load it up with gear and a a passenger and disappear for the weekend. That Sportster S would still be one hell of a fun freeway flyer tho.
Cornering ABS is a nice feature, it's comforting to know that if the need ever arose, you can brake hard in a curve without going down. My current bike has no rider assists at all, but when I get another one in the future, I want all the safety features that money can buy.
I test rode a Fat Bob a few times and was stoked. Really liked the bike. If I had the funds, I would buy one to add to the stable. All you need is a Stage 2 torque cam upgrade and good to go. Haven't ridden the new Sportster S but did the Pan American and the engine is a beast too but just doesn't have that Harley V-Twin feel. I am planning to add a Pan American once I get the SGS paid off. Two different bikes for different riding styles.
As a former owner of a 2018 FatBob114 and test rode the Sporster S. On the bottom end of power it is a wash. I have joked and even called the Sportster S a liquid cooled Fatbob. Other than technology, the overwhelming difference to me would be the top end. Other than that it is just a matter of preference and available aftermarket modifications. The Sportster S is just a faster bike STOCK!! Stock is the key word. The Fatbob 114 would be just as fast if it was not speed limited by the ECU. But in the H-D tradition, they always put heavy ass biasply tires with traditional H-D tire sizes rated for 130mph. Tire rating is one of the reasons they speed limit vehicles now. You can always tell how fast a car is by the speed rating of the stock tires. If they would put 17" tires so you could put some race tires on the Fatbob, the weight savings alone would make the 2 bikes a match. Think I am joking? Look at the speed ratings on the Panamerica tires.......
Sportster S is so modern with engine part of stressed member of frame. That keeps weight down and helps handling. Less weight helps braking, acceleration, and handling. Sportster S standard with RDRS(stability control). Liquid cooled motor allows more horsepower and less heat with the Sportster S. Love the connected TFT dash like other European premium bikes. The Sportster S does not need expensive stage 2-4 as adequate power from the factory as it should be.
great review, when I was looking for new Harley I looked at the Forty Eight and the Fat Bob, I chose the Fat Bob because of the low end torque and the front end. It rides great on the Angeles Crest Hwy. my favorite mountain roads in Los Angeles CA.
im warming up to the style of these new Harleys, although im still an indian girl... just purchased your drop guards by the way and they look great once i finally got them on :) I love your videos btw...
Love this review. I wanted a sportster s until I rode one. But my mother recently got a 2022 fat bob and as soon as I tried it out, I said “this is exactly what I wished the sportster S was!”.
@@guamazolopez6456 in my personal opinion the seating position is just terrible. I’m only 5’7” and the bike feels so tiny to me. No denying it’s fast but I just didn’t find it enjoyable at all. Especially with the forward control option, you feel like you’re literally sitting on top of the front wheel.
It still amazes me that I could get both these bikes for less than my street glide special 🤪 A friend that I have, she’s tempted by the fat bob and she’s been race biking all her life…😎 Thanks for the beautiful comparison
That Sportster S has a lovely green tank but I too prefer the Fat Bob with its more comfortable riding position, more comfortable suspension and longer range fuel tank.
I can see exactly why you are comparing these. They both appeal to me, an experienced rider who has never considered a Harley before. On reflection, I'd much rather have the 114. More torque low down and more comfortable. Air/oil cooled, too.
The Harley demo truck came around a couple months ago. I rode both of those bikes. I hated the Sportster S and loved the Fatbob. The riding position on the Sportster S is terrible (footpegs are very high), the handgrips are pencil-thin, the exhaust doesn't sound good, the overall feel is just off. The Fatbob feels like a performance version of a classic Harley Softail. No complaints about the Fatbob.
@@jonnymac8925 it was a 2014. I got it with 40k miles on it. Kept up with maintenance and everything. But the bottom end of the motor failed. At this point I am unsure if the previous owner took good care of it. But it was a beauty. My first bike. Hard to let go.
I have never owned a harley but went to a hd demo at my local hd dealer to try out the sportster s. Out of all the hd I tested the fat bob was my favorite. I didnt like the sportster s ergonomics, its a weird lean that you have to do, it had the forward controls and they said that with the mids are better, Im 6ft tall. Also the seat was uncomfortable even on the 20min ride we did. The sportster s did feel faster up top but the fat bob had very nice tq which made me like it more. I was very disappointed with the sportster s but the worse one was the 883 by far. I think I was just blown away by the fat bob that everything else didnt impress me as much. Looking foward to try the new nightster. Great review Jerry!
I really like both bikes, I might prefer the sitting position of the Fat Bob slightly better. Not just because I want to look like the Terminator!! I'm 6'1" and 260 lbs. I love the more relaxed position and forward pegs. Great review Motorman!!!
For me if it was going to be my only bike, it would be the Fat Bob. If it would be a second bike, and I already have a big twin HD at home, Sportster S for sure.
I don't really understand why H-D riders want less bike for more money. The Sportster is $3000 less but when money isn't an issue get what you want. Enjoy your videos.
Great in depth review. The only negative I have is the new style Harley is going for I hate the new looks of the bikes I dream of a look of maybe the 90s to early 2000s when the bike alone looked like they had a mean attitude. This “back to the future” “jetsons” looking bikes and vehicles is depressing.
Jerry. I love your channel. You should take your show in the road and do test rides throughout the country. Florida is a boring place to ride. I grew up there. Straight lines forever. I sell HD's. Love it !
Prefer the Fat Bob; the torque is delicious and the exhaust sound made with my Vance and Hines is delicious. Very easy to throw around while being big enough to handle the open road. Love the Fat Bob! HP is no replacement for usable torque!
That's a strange outlook seeing as how Sportster S is 200 pounds lighter and still makes great torque numbers at 94ftlb compared to to Fatbob 118ftlb. The Sportster S would dust the Fatbob, and don't get me wrong I absolutely love the Fatbob!
@@jonnymac8925 torque comes on later, probably 6000 rpms with the Sportser S, it also has less torque than a Fat Bob overall. Fat Bob lays that torque out earlier at around 3000 rpms. Torque on the Pan America is fairly the same as the Sportster S as well. Torque is king for me, not HP.
@@StrengthLabAZ the Fatbob also redlines before the Sportster S, the Sportster S also revs MUCH faster. The Fatbob makes that torque at 3000rpm and dies off after that so unless it's from a stop light to stop light it's not exactly quick and it red lines at around 6000RPM. The Sportster S makes 94ftlb at 6000RPM and revs to near 10 000RPM, but the bike revs at 3500-4000RPM while cruising so it's almost always in the zone of torque. Again, the bike is 200 pounds lighter, makes 30 more hp and is only 20ftlb short of torque. The Sportster S demolishes the Fatbob off the line, on a roll, and at top speed. Everyone always says "the torque" but torque is useless without horsepower and horsepower is useless without torque. I had a Fatbob in 2018, it was a 107ci and it was an awesome bike. I have ridden many other Softails like a 2013 103ci Slim. A 2018 Street Bob 107, an FXDR 114, Lowrider S 114, and I recently test rode a new Sportster S. I can assure you none of those softails come anywhere close to the Sportster S. Don't knock it until you try it. I just want to be clear that I absolutely love the Fatbob, it's an awesome bike in many ways but the Sportster S is another type of beast! The Sportster S and Pan America are close in torque, but the thing is it pulls and feels like it makes more torque than the Fatbob because the 94ftlbs doesn't have to haul around an extra 200 pounds, and it feels like it makes that torque through the entire RPM range where the Fatbob dies off. They are two totally different machines, but very similar at the same time. The fact the Fatbob makes more torque down low is only one very small part of the equation. I'm a little confused how a bike that makes peak torque before 3000rpm has "usable torque" unless like I said, it's from stop light to stop light because max torque at 3000rpm isn't very useable at speed.
From someone who owns one, the sportster 1250S is closer to a KTM super duke than an average Harley, this bike is an absolute monster. It is absolutely NOT a Harley Davidson low and slow cruiser. It will absolutely eat my Honda VFR 800 in every respect. Think UFC cage fighter and you will get the jist.
I tried the sportster s about a week ako in NV I got on it from my Pan America, and that thing is Faaaast... took off a light looked down at a speedometer and I saw 97 ..... damn... loved it!!!
I was driving to buy a sportster s from one dealer. stopped by Gail's who is retiring here in KC Got a 2020 Fatbob in that grey color for the same price as the sportster.
Great job - If wasn't 6'4 230 lbs and I lived and commuted to a big city I'd probably go sportster- Otherwise I'll stick with my completely rebuilt custom 2020 RG with fat tires and 131. I love you mentioned the quietly checking out how it handles so much better to find out that way vs trying to avoid some drunk in a car- Those Sportsters are looking amazing I am too much a shaved yeti or I'd have one
I love my sportster S, the torque and speed is something special for sure, and yea the sound isn’t great…. I do agree the fat bob is way more confortable for sure…. Both great machines, hope everyone ride safe …..
How's the sportster for daily drive? I'm new to bike scene and the sportster caught my eye even if i need to add some upgrades to it. I have a truck 3500 and scatpack challenger they aren't that good on gas mileage
@@randomguy2369 Everyone has a different opinion on what's daily drivable. If you need storage space it's a no-go. If you live where it gets really cold and windy I'd also say no, there's nothing to protect you from the elements. If your commute isn't overly long, the weather is decent, and you don't need any more storage than what you can fit in a backpack, then sure, you can make it work. The Sporty's riding position is pretty aggressive and I imagine most people don't want to spend more than an hour or two on it at a time. You can probably expect 40-50mpg out of it stock.
The Fat Bob has aged very gracefully. It's an elegant bike, like the bad brother to the Fat Boy. I find it also one of the more comfortable bikes in the line. For value, the LRS is a better deal, but I think if I got a sporty HD it would be the Fat Bob.
I've owned a 114 FatBob for the last three years. I'm seriously considering trading in for the Sportster S though - it's a great balance of performance and style and I think they did an amazing job with it.
I like them both and rode the Fat Bob and seriously considered buying it. I went with the ‘22 Low Rider S. I didn’t compare the Sportster S to either. It may be a good comparison, but I’m doing a little more mileage each day on my Low Rider S and felt it would be more comfortable for an hour at a time.
I've been considering the same two options...HD putting a 117 on the 22 Low Rider S makes it an even more difficult choice! Kinda waiting for a 117 Fat Bob
@@hamiltonspeed Yes. I got the ‘22 Low Rider S for a little less money than what I would have paid for the Fat Bob. The 117 for less money and with a slightly better/more comfortable ride and a bigger tank. I really think this decision was an easy one. I just liked the look of the Fat Bob and did consider it alongside of the Low Rider S for a few minutes. LOL
As the owner of a Pan America and a M8 Fat Bob, the sportster will wipe the floor with the Fat Bob but the Fat Bob will look and sound better doing it. If the difference is only $3k I’d get the Fat Bob. The sportster should be a $12-13k bike.
I still don't understand why they dropped the 1200 Sportster. I'm old school and like the Evo option for the Sportster. Enjoyed your video, and the Fat Bob sounds much better than the Sportster S. The Sportster S doesn't sound like a Harley Davidson.
Damn Jerry, no gloves? How could you chance that? The wind burn on them knuckles must be almost unbearable. Better have camera girl throw some aloe on as soon as you get home. 🤣🤣🤣
I test rode the Sportster S last year at Sturgis and it was fun, very fast motorcycle! I haven’t rode a Fatbob yet but plan on riding it this year at Sturgis
I want a Full Size Fatbob with a Revolution Max engine on it, I do not care about if its "more harley" "more traditional" nor if it sounds like . I want Harley style with modern performance, the sportster s is great but too small and the new nightster has a modern styling which I am not convinced.
I went back and looked for this video, I thought I remembered you reviewing and test riding this bike. I'm considering this bike. Great review. I was concerned with the handling because of the fat front tire. Joe
Lake County has some solid roads. But it is Florida. Lol BTW I have 2018 Fatbob 114. I really love it. I have 3" risers on the bars. At 6' 1" stock is too low. My biggest gripe about the Fatbob is it is cruise control ready but you need to buy the left side switch cluster that has the cruise buttons on it separately and then bring to Harley to have it unlocked at the ecu. The sportster S looks okay. Not a fan of the 2 ft high pipes though.
I’ve ridden both and glad i own the fat bob mainly because it actually feels like a Harley to ride and all you have to do to bring the power up to the sportster S is throw a cam in it and man it would probably eat it
As beautiful as the Sportster is, something has been bugging me about the sound of this engine ... It took a while, but I think I finally recognize the sound. At low revs it sounds like a sewing machine, and at higher revs I hear an old fashion gas lawn mower. Now please don't hate me, because I happen to love this bike. It just that it ain't the HD Sportster rumble we are all used to. 👁👂👁
I haven’t ridden the Sporster S (Metric HD ) due to my third back fusion but to be honest it sounds like a sewing machine on the video i am sure it’s geared towards a younger market , I would definitely prefer the Fat Bob
Did you really need to buy metric tools to work on it, or are you just saying it is a better motorcycle because it is made like the Japanese and European bikes.
I am 56 yrs. Old with 9 1/2" titanium rods in my spine from getting hit from behind while sitting on my newly rebuilt Shovelhead at a red light during Bike Week 1997. I rode my Shovelhead for 24 years before I sold it. I loved the looks of the Sportster S from its concept drawings of almost 4 years ago. Back then I promised myself if that bike (it was called a 1250 Custom then) was ever made I would be first in line to buy one. That part came true as Gainesville HD told me I was the first person in the state of Florida to order one when I put my deposit down minutes after the Reveal started playing online. It reminds me of the Cafe racers I watched in Daytona for more than 50 years growing up there. With forward controls it rides like an immensely powerful muscle cruiser. Not everyone will be young that ride this bike.
@@jayveen2471 , motorcycling isn’t ALL about performance. Look at how well the Royal Enfield brand is selling these days. Some of us are surrounded by 45 mph country roads the “...ridge”, “...hollow”, “...stream”, and “...river” in the name. These roads can be enjoyed on 250cc bikes much more than on 1200cc bikes.
excellent review but i will stick with my 2020 lrs with torque cam. i had instrument panel mounted on the handlebars to make it easier to focus on the roads. i am in the market for a second fun bike because the lrs is more of a work horse with back rest bar and bags mounted on the body of it. i can haul a lot of stuff on that bike. thinking of getting a 1200 sportster with souped up engine with a good quarter mile time. thanks for your reviews been watching your shows for quite a while now keep up the good work.😀
Love the review. Having had one of the new softails, I found that "Traditional " Harley fans denigrated the new softails as they were not proper Harley's. I see the same happening with the Sportster S. I am not sure the FatBob is something I'd compare with the Sportster S with. The S is lighter faster ( a lot) and far more nimble. Looks wise, I think they both look great.
Here is what I know about Sportsters at least the iron head shovels and the Evo is that internal transmission is an issue. The Fat Bob looks like a better choice to me. I've always had FLH type bikes and nothing newer than an 02 FLSTC so I may not be the guy to know but you May outgrow a Sportster faster than the Fat Bob.
I like the new Sportster. It has a low, dense muscular look about it. Very compact. HD is on a demographic mission to attract women (shorter inseam) and aging sport bike riders (me). Must be working if I’m here. Well done HD!
Having owned the Sportster S for some time now, I can tell you, that cornering is fine with it. The only time you will feel it's a bit more difficult is when you need to transition from a left corner to a right immediately and vice versa
They are both great bikes, but you really said you get more for your money (technology, safety features, performance) with the sportster s, but you’d still choose the fat bob lol imo that doesn’t make sense, but that’s why it my opinion and it’s all subjective. Great video!
Its like choosing a woman. We all say we want one that can cook and raise children, yadda yadda, but we usually pick the one that looks and feels the best to us at the time (especially when younger). Its more than numbers. Its the experience. Hahah and it usually ends up costing more too!
Cost is a consideration as regards these motorcycles. I live in Canada. The Fat Bob's price starts at $23,799 whereas the Sportster S starts at 18,499. Both are sharp looking motorcycles though I prefer the Fat Bob. Would I choose the Sportster S over a Softail? Not sure. But at my age I prefer comfort over the cool factor. I'd need to look at the bikes up close and personal. I am now in my 60s and retired with the yearning once again for a Harley Davidson. As always, a fine review, Jerry Palladino.
I bought a 2018FB. $35G CDN out the door. Stage one, Bassani 2-1, K@N filter, TTS tuned, Saddlemen seat, Dougs fairing, Bung King crash bars, tall sissy bar, and a few other custom bits. I like it, but after riding super moto and crotch rockets it feels sluggish and needs better levers, tires and new suspension badly. If you don't PUSH the corners hard though, it is a fun scooter. Can't beat the torque and sound!
I’m jonesing to ride the sporster (never thought I’d ever say that). Owned a 2019 sgs , 2020 fat boy and currently a 09 vrod. The m8 engine is…ok. The vrod is truly an amazing bike. Thinking the new sporty is the vrod killer.
Horsepower shmorsepower. The Sporty is screwed by its trivial rear suspension travel. The leg roaster pipe and hideous radiator don't help matters any. The Fatbob is a peach. For a heavy bike it will hold a line in a fast sweeper sans drama. Far better suspended too. I agree. Save your pennies and go Fatbob...before it gets a new Sporty makeover.
@@dancarlin5434 That's the problem with high power, liquid cooled engines. They need humungous radiators. I have a Triumph twin and the radiator is about the size of a postage stamp, but the bike only makes 90 hp, which is plenty if you do more than yank the throttle on straight roads.
1000 miles so far on the Sportster S, pipes are fine. Actually get more heat off aft cylinder on opposite side than the pipes. As for suspension, it takes about 15 minutes to make the adjustments and then it rides fine, too.
@@brianbraden2697 I'm glad it works for the riding you like to do, but I'm not aware of a way to adjust 1.5" of rear suspension travel comfortable over anything but freshly paved roads. I guess being skinny & young would help, but I'm a lot of neither. Looks like the pegs are set far back enough to lift your butt outta the seat if you see a disturbance in the road ahead of time. I even do that on the Road King that has an extra couple inches of travel. In fairness, the S is designed as more of a short hop bike. People rode hard tails around before shocks were invented, so maybe I'm just a wimp, but I prefer that the discs in my spinal cord don't become pancakes.
I think the new HD Nightster might be more up your alley from the positives you mentioned from both of these bikes, it's basically the Fat Bob but has the Revmax engine and a more traditional cruiser front tire.
To me, both these bikes would be for winding hilly roads.......I have WG, V-Rod, Zuki for same purpose....ultra for highway I believe it would be close ratio tranny for Sportster S (it takes more rpm for each mph......but you have more rpm to use) Bad thing about the high power high rpm bikes(Sportster S, V-Rod, crotch rockets, Indian Scout and FTR) is if you want to use that power other than 2nd gear then you have to go to a track...where there's going to be a bunch of other people wanting to feel the HP 3500 it hasn't started taking off yet The new one 975/Scout 60 would be better for using the available power......still won't be using it all I would take fat Bob, street Bob, any of them before Sportster S........ I've got 113hp Zuki and 120hp V-Rod
I guess it's all in what tricks your trigger. I'm not a Harley guy, but if I were to ever buy one, I'd would go with the Revo engine. They've done a good job with preserving more than adequate low-end torque, while giving you a great top end. The power delivery and gear changes are buttery smooth as well. I'm no spring chicken, but I'm not gonna say vibrations and shifting like agricultural equipment is how a V-twin cruiser should be. They started that way and have been paralyzed by "that's not a Harley" ever since. That's the dilemma Harley faces with old crowd versus new. Emissions and the need to start bringing in a younger crowd pretty much forced their hand out of the stone age.
Love Tampa/ Tarpon Springs. Hope you stopped in at Hela’s for some awesome Greek food. I’m seriously considering the sportster s as my next bike. It seems motor is very similar to the VRod which was my last bike. Great review. Sam in San Antonio Tx
Fat Bob just because I have always liked the 🏍Bike🏍 and have had the pleasure of riding both the dyna and the newest soft tale. Unfortunately both are about $4 to $5k more than they should be 🤑 but that is beating a dead 🐴 I payed up and bought several new Harley Davidson bikes over the years and I plan to keep the ones I have, so to me the price no longer matters... and I understand you pay more for a Lincoln than you do a nissan. But Harley Davidson needs to understand these new styles they are getting into have a different, shall we say soulful nature to them 🤔 and a lot more competition than their big twins do. I believe they will compete in the market if they can keep the costs down...
SUGGESTION - DO A WALKAROUND IN THE SUN !! I wanted to see both sides of the paintwork in its full glory but the shade made seeing the left side difficult !!
2:20 Close but not quite! The flashing is because the refresh rate of the display isn't matched with the capture rate of your camera. If you change your shutter speed to a different number, you can typically make this go away as they will display at the same speed. I'd guess the refresh rate of the sportster display is 1/30 or something like that. It's true that you won't see the flashing in real life though!
As someone who is getting into Harleys and wants them to be more sporty but still a harley I gotta go with the fat bob. The sportster s is really cool but it's such a weird naked cruiser thing. Would rather a scout 101
17:31 «I identify as 6'2", but my actual hight is 5'7"» Really made my day. With all that's happening in my life right now, I really needed that laugh. Thank you.
I test drove both before I bought. I like the sound of the Fatbob, but the Sportster S was light years ahead in performance. It's more stable at high speeds, more nimble, and cuts a line better. The Fatbob seems to fight the turns and starts to wobble above 65. The Sportster S is rock solid at ridiculous speeds. I like the riding modes & cruise control. Once I adjusted the suspension and threw on the Sundowner seat, it became a far more comfortable ride. The display on the Sportster S is also better positioned. I really liked the Fatbob, but I bought the Sportster S.
I think you made a mistake.
@@bertberlich943 mistake, what he said is dead on besides he didn’t say how bad the rear shock is on the sportster s
The first thing I changed at my Fat Bob where the tires. The one from factory are rubbish and wobbling.
With other tires the Fat Bob is a curve hunter at all speeds.
Had the same choice and never regret to own a Fat Bob now.
In my sight, the Fat Bob is the Bike for the men and the Sportster S the toy for the boy.
@@cks6139 What size/type of tires did you put on the Fat Bob?
@@Knight_of_the_Old_Code Metzeler Cruisetec rear tire 180/70B16M/CTL 77H
Metzeler Cruisetec front tire 150/80-16M/CTL 71H
I don't tour too much these days so I bought the Sportster S. FYI I was riding sportier bikes only before. This is the first HD that caught my attention but I have fallen in love with this instantly.
I feel the same way about the sportster s i bought one and won’t go back use to sport bikes
Picked up a Fat Bob last year and I’ll never look back. What a dream
If Harley reconsiders their pricing I'll consider buying one.
Nightster just came out $13.5k
Sunnibird Harley has made it all these years without your business chances are they’ll continue
Harley Davidson has been losing market share for years.
Their customers are aging out.
And a lot of young people aren’t interested in larping as bikers while they stand outside a coffee shop
@@alteredstateskustom lets be 100% honest todays men under 30 bahaha they dont deserve to ride harleys they are soft and entitled. so run along and enjoy your soy latte soi boi let the real men talk ok princess
@@alteredstateskustom ah, so they're more interested in playing Rossi or pretending to be Dakar racers while they take selfies to post on social media?
As usual, a great review!! I'd have to go with the Fat Bob. Its just more "Harley" to me, HD is trying new things (which is good) but HD folks are "Pure'ist's" for sure, but I hope these do well with younger riders, I'm 56 (but I identify as 26, lol) , so I would love both lol!! God bless ya'll Jerry, and I pray Donna is doing well after hip surgery : )
I went with my V ROD because it is the baddest Harley on the planet hands down, suck it fat slob !!
more Harley means less dependability.
@@Joel-ho8xxgo back to fixing your hayabusa
Euro 5 restrictions are strangling HD in Europe 😢
Nice comparison video. Jerry, I love your passion for teaching others. I’m a lightweight man @140 lbs. this never stopped me from trying out the big boys. I’m a multiple cylinder man from the Hondas I raced. But at 67 I tried the big twin again. Not much change in handling, brakes got better. Just being truthful, I’m on my 14th motorcycle and I eagerly await delivery on my new 2022 Honda Goldwing tour DCT. And as always keep the shiny side up. Much respect Jim Thomas
V ROD beats anything Harley ever built , really like mine!! the big twins have been trying to catch up with the Sportster since 57 , since the big twins were never able to equal a Sporties performance they have been bad mouthing the bike since then because all they ever see is the tail light on the sportster anyway
I'm 68, and a veteran of sports bikes, CB 750, KZ 900, but have always loved the Harley aura. Neither of these bikes deliver that, all things considered, I would favor the Sporster. If I decide to go traditional HD, I think a used Softail Slim, or Street Bob is for me. I don't really need to go fast any more.
I ride the hell out of my Fat Bob on canyons and commutes alike and that low end torque is a beautiful thing for both. Still ‘sporty’ enough for all my needs but I can also load it up with gear and a a passenger and disappear for the weekend. That Sportster S would still be one hell of a fun freeway flyer tho.
Cornering ABS is a nice feature, it's comforting to know that if the need ever arose, you can brake hard in a curve without going down. My current bike has no rider assists at all, but when I get another one in the future, I want all the safety features that money can buy.
Me as well, got an old 95 sportster with no rider assist. Just like you, next bike will hopefully have most new features
Then you have to buy Aprilia.
I test rode a Fat Bob a few times and was stoked. Really liked the bike. If I had the funds, I would buy one to add to the stable. All you need is a Stage 2 torque cam upgrade and good to go. Haven't ridden the new Sportster S but did the Pan American and the engine is a beast too but just doesn't have that Harley V-Twin feel. I am planning to add a Pan American once I get the SGS paid off. Two different bikes for different riding styles.
As a former owner of a 2018 FatBob114 and test rode the Sporster S. On the bottom end of power it is a wash. I have joked and even called the Sportster S a liquid cooled Fatbob. Other than technology, the overwhelming difference to me would be the top end. Other than that it is just a matter of preference and available aftermarket modifications. The Sportster S is just a faster bike STOCK!! Stock is the key word. The Fatbob 114 would be just as fast if it was not speed limited by the ECU. But in the H-D tradition, they always put heavy ass biasply tires with traditional H-D tire sizes rated for 130mph. Tire rating is one of the reasons they speed limit vehicles now. You can always tell how fast a car is by the speed rating of the stock tires. If they would put 17" tires so you could put some race tires on the Fatbob, the weight savings alone would make the 2 bikes a match. Think I am joking? Look at the speed ratings on the Panamerica tires.......
Thank you sir! Your point of view on each Harley stands out for all riders!
Sportster S is so modern with engine part of stressed member of frame. That keeps weight down and helps handling. Less weight helps braking, acceleration, and handling. Sportster S standard with RDRS(stability control). Liquid cooled motor allows more horsepower and less heat with the Sportster S. Love the connected TFT dash like other European premium bikes. The Sportster S does not need expensive stage 2-4 as adequate power from the factory as it should be.
great review, when I was looking for new Harley I looked at the Forty Eight and the Fat Bob,
I chose the Fat Bob because of the low end torque and the front end. It rides great on the Angeles Crest Hwy. my favorite mountain roads in Los Angeles CA.
im warming up to the style of these new Harleys, although im still an indian girl... just purchased your drop guards by the way and they look great once i finally got them on :) I love your videos btw...
Jerry, at the 12:30-13:00 minute mark, kudos to that fellow biker who demonstrated proper biker etticate (manners). High class all the way!🏍️👍😁 Doug
Love this review. I wanted a sportster s until I rode one. But my mother recently got a 2022 fat bob and as soon as I tried it out, I said “this is exactly what I wished the sportster S was!”.
Your MOM has a fatbob? Lol. Damn.
what did the riding have that made you not want one
@@guamazolopez6456 in my personal opinion the seating position is just terrible. I’m only 5’7” and the bike feels so tiny to me. No denying it’s fast but I just didn’t find it enjoyable at all. Especially with the forward control option, you feel like you’re literally sitting on top of the front wheel.
It still amazes me that I could get both these bikes for less than my street glide special 🤪
A friend that I have, she’s tempted by the fat bob and she’s been race biking all her life…😎
Thanks for the beautiful comparison
I would take someone’s life for a new bike like this
street glide is probably the best riding and nicest bike money can buy
That Sportster S has a lovely green tank but I too prefer the Fat Bob with its more comfortable riding position, more comfortable suspension and longer range fuel tank.
Great review! I agree the fat Bob follows the V Twin H-D tradition.
Great combo to report on. Thanks.
$ makes the Sportster S and easy choice, but how I love the Fat Bob.
Thanks a lot. Exactly the two bikes I wanted to see compared!
I can see exactly why you are comparing these. They both appeal to me, an experienced rider who has never considered a Harley before. On reflection, I'd much rather have the 114. More torque low down and more comfortable. Air/oil cooled, too.
The Harley demo truck came around a couple months ago. I rode both of those bikes. I hated the Sportster S and loved the Fatbob.
The riding position on the Sportster S is terrible (footpegs are very high), the handgrips are pencil-thin, the exhaust doesn't sound good, the overall feel is just off.
The Fatbob feels like a performance version of a classic Harley Softail. No complaints about the Fatbob.
With stock exhaust they both sound like sewing machines, but they are both nice bikes.
Just placed a deposit on a fat bob after my sportster died
@@ow5229 what year was your Sportster? I hope it had a long and enjoyable life!
@@jonnymac8925 it was a 2014. I got it with 40k miles on it. Kept up with maintenance and everything. But the bottom end of the motor failed. At this point I am unsure if the previous owner took good care of it. But it was a beauty. My first bike. Hard to let go.
I have never owned a harley but went to a hd demo at my local hd dealer to try out the sportster s. Out of all the hd I tested the fat bob was my favorite. I didnt like the sportster s ergonomics, its a weird lean that you have to do, it had the forward controls and they said that with the mids are better, Im 6ft tall. Also the seat was uncomfortable even on the 20min ride we did. The sportster s did feel faster up top but the fat bob had very nice tq which made me like it more. I was very disappointed with the sportster s but the worse one was the 883 by far. I think I was just blown away by the fat bob that everything else didnt impress me as much. Looking foward to try the new nightster. Great review Jerry!
i was thinking of getting a 883 and people say it’s a good bike, why was it a bad bike to you?
I really like both bikes, I might prefer the sitting position of the Fat Bob slightly better. Not just because I want to look like the Terminator!! I'm 6'1" and 260 lbs. I love the more relaxed position and forward pegs. Great review Motorman!!!
Cut back on the sugar and flour and lose 50 lbs. You can thank me later.
@@peterpuller8569 shut up
For me if it was going to be my only bike, it would be the Fat Bob. If it would be a second bike, and I already have a big twin HD at home, Sportster S for sure.
I don't really understand why H-D riders want less bike for more money. The Sportster is $3000 less but when money isn't an issue get what you want. Enjoy your videos.
Great review Jerry. I too prefer the Fatbob and also like the look and style of it better as well 👍
Great in depth review. The only negative I have is the new style Harley is going for I hate the new looks of the bikes I dream of a look of maybe the 90s to early 2000s when the bike alone looked like they had a mean attitude. This “back to the future” “jetsons” looking bikes and vehicles is depressing.
Well there’s millions that look like that why need them to make them new. Just buy a used ine
i think it's more of a combo of 80's muscle bike and anime. Which is cool with the demographic it appeals to- us kids in our 30's and 40's lol
Jerry. I love your channel. You should take your show in the road and do test rides throughout the country. Florida is a boring place to ride. I grew up there. Straight lines forever. I sell HD's. Love it !
Prefer the Fat Bob; the torque is delicious and the exhaust sound made with my Vance and Hines is delicious. Very easy to throw around while being big enough to handle the open road. Love the Fat Bob! HP is no replacement for usable torque!
That's a strange outlook seeing as how Sportster S is 200 pounds lighter and still makes great torque numbers at 94ftlb compared to to Fatbob 118ftlb. The Sportster S would dust the Fatbob, and don't get me wrong I absolutely love the Fatbob!
@@jonnymac8925 torque comes on later, probably 6000 rpms with the Sportser S, it also has less torque than a Fat Bob overall. Fat Bob lays that torque out earlier at around 3000 rpms. Torque on the Pan America is fairly the same as the Sportster S as well. Torque is king for me, not HP.
@@StrengthLabAZ the Fatbob also redlines before the Sportster S, the Sportster S also revs MUCH faster. The Fatbob makes that torque at 3000rpm and dies off after that so unless it's from a stop light to stop light it's not exactly quick and it red lines at around 6000RPM. The Sportster S makes 94ftlb at 6000RPM and revs to near 10 000RPM, but the bike revs at 3500-4000RPM while cruising so it's almost always in the zone of torque. Again, the bike is 200 pounds lighter, makes 30 more hp and is only 20ftlb short of torque. The Sportster S demolishes the Fatbob off the line, on a roll, and at top speed. Everyone always says "the torque" but torque is useless without horsepower and horsepower is useless without torque. I had a Fatbob in 2018, it was a 107ci and it was an awesome bike. I have ridden many other Softails like a 2013 103ci Slim. A 2018 Street Bob 107, an FXDR 114, Lowrider S 114, and I recently test rode a new Sportster S. I can assure you none of those softails come anywhere close to the Sportster S. Don't knock it until you try it. I just want to be clear that I absolutely love the Fatbob, it's an awesome bike in many ways but the Sportster S is another type of beast! The Sportster S and Pan America are close in torque, but the thing is it pulls and feels like it makes more torque than the Fatbob because the 94ftlbs doesn't have to haul around an extra 200 pounds, and it feels like it makes that torque through the entire RPM range where the Fatbob dies off. They are two totally different machines, but very similar at the same time. The fact the Fatbob makes more torque down low is only one very small part of the equation. I'm a little confused how a bike that makes peak torque before 3000rpm has "usable torque" unless like I said, it's from stop light to stop light because max torque at 3000rpm isn't very useable at speed.
@@jonnymac8925 I've ridden the Pan America and the Sporster S. This isn't a debate. I simply expressed which one I liked better. Be well.
@@StrengthLabAZ at the end of the day that's all that matters, and don't get me wrong I definitely respect your opinion. Ride safe!
I like the fat bob look. Sportster s faster but…. A stage 2 kit on fat bob would be awesome and all you need and keep the Harley sound
From someone who owns one, the sportster 1250S is closer to a KTM super duke than an average Harley, this bike is an absolute monster. It is absolutely NOT a Harley Davidson low and slow cruiser. It will absolutely eat my Honda VFR 800 in every respect. Think UFC cage fighter and you will get the jist.
I tried the sportster s about a week ako in NV I got on it from my Pan America, and that thing is Faaaast... took off a light looked down at a speedometer and I saw 97 ..... damn... loved it!!!
I was driving to buy a sportster s from one dealer. stopped by Gail's who is retiring here in KC Got a 2020 Fatbob in that grey color for the same price as the sportster.
Great job - If wasn't 6'4 230 lbs and I lived and commuted to a big city I'd probably go sportster- Otherwise I'll stick with my completely rebuilt custom 2020 RG with fat tires and 131. I love you mentioned the quietly checking out how it handles so much better to find out that way vs trying to avoid some drunk in a car- Those Sportsters are looking amazing I am too much a shaved yeti or I'd have one
I love my sportster S, the torque and speed is something special for sure, and yea the sound isn’t great…. I do agree the fat bob is way more confortable for sure…. Both great machines, hope everyone ride safe …..
How's the sportster for daily drive? I'm new to bike scene and the sportster caught my eye even if i need to add some upgrades to it. I have a truck 3500 and scatpack challenger they aren't that good on gas mileage
@@randomguy2369 Everyone has a different opinion on what's daily drivable. If you need storage space it's a no-go. If you live where it gets really cold and windy I'd also say no, there's nothing to protect you from the elements. If your commute isn't overly long, the weather is decent, and you don't need any more storage than what you can fit in a backpack, then sure, you can make it work. The Sporty's riding position is pretty aggressive and I imagine most people don't want to spend more than an hour or two on it at a time. You can probably expect 40-50mpg out of it stock.
The Fat Bob has aged very gracefully. It's an elegant bike, like the bad brother to the Fat Boy. I find it also one of the more comfortable bikes in the line. For value, the LRS is a better deal, but I think if I got a sporty HD it would be the Fat Bob.
Great video! I loved it! I'll choose the Fat Bob for sure, I love the Milwakee Eight
As a proud owner of the FXFBS, I wouldn't even put them next to each other.
Let alone comparing.
Thanks for providing the comparison that a lot of us were wondering about 😊
The Sound put you in touch with the engine from this view it get your inputs across..!
Sounds great 👍
Miss Florida 💚❤️
I've owned a 114 FatBob for the last three years. I'm seriously considering trading in for the Sportster S though - it's a great balance of performance and style and I think they did an amazing job with it.
The old V-twin sounds so much better.
I like them both and rode the Fat Bob and seriously considered buying it. I went with the ‘22 Low Rider S. I didn’t compare the Sportster S to either. It may be a good comparison, but I’m doing a little more mileage each day on my Low Rider S and felt it would be more comfortable for an hour at a time.
I've been considering the same two options...HD putting a 117 on the 22 Low Rider S makes it an even more difficult choice! Kinda waiting for a 117 Fat Bob
@@hamiltonspeed Yes. I got the ‘22 Low Rider S for a little less money than what I would have paid for the Fat Bob. The 117 for less money and with a slightly better/more comfortable ride and a bigger tank. I really think this decision was an easy one. I just liked the look of the Fat Bob and did consider it alongside of the Low Rider S for a few minutes. LOL
2021 Fat Bob owner.
Sporster S having both Signals on one left side button, that's a major selling point
As the owner of a Pan America and a M8 Fat Bob, the sportster will wipe the floor with the Fat Bob but the Fat Bob will look and sound better doing it. If the difference is only $3k I’d get the Fat Bob. The sportster should be a $12-13k bike.
I still don't understand why they dropped the 1200 Sportster. I'm old school and like the Evo option for the Sportster. Enjoyed your video, and the Fat Bob sounds much better than the Sportster S. The Sportster S doesn't sound like a Harley Davidson.
Damn Jerry, no gloves? How could you chance that? The wind burn on them knuckles must be almost unbearable. Better have camera girl throw some aloe on as soon as you get home. 🤣🤣🤣
I test rode the Sportster S last year at Sturgis and it was fun, very fast motorcycle! I haven’t rode a Fatbob yet but plan on riding it this year at Sturgis
I want a Full Size Fatbob with a Revolution Max engine on it, I do not care about if its "more harley" "more traditional" nor if it sounds like . I want Harley style with modern performance, the sportster s is great but too small and the new nightster has a modern styling which I am not convinced.
Harley - For those that understand -there is no other - for those that dont - well theres always hope :)
I went back and looked for this video, I thought I remembered you reviewing and test riding this bike. I'm considering this bike. Great review. I was concerned with the handling because of the fat front tire. Joe
Lake County has some solid roads. But it is Florida. Lol BTW I have 2018 Fatbob 114. I really love it. I have 3" risers on the bars. At 6' 1" stock is too low. My biggest gripe about the Fatbob is it is cruise control ready but you need to buy the left side switch cluster that has the cruise buttons on it separately and then bring to Harley to have it unlocked at the ecu. The sportster S looks okay. Not a fan of the 2 ft high pipes though.
I’ve got my eye on a Fat Bob. Thanks for the comparison.
I’ve ridden both and glad i own the fat bob mainly because it actually feels like a Harley to ride and all you have to do to bring the power up to the sportster S is throw a cam in it and man it would probably eat it
Jerry, thanks for your review.
As beautiful as the Sportster is, something has been bugging me about the sound of this engine ... It took a while, but I think I finally recognize the sound. At low revs it sounds like a sewing machine, and at higher revs I hear an old fashion gas lawn mower. Now please don't hate me, because I happen to love this bike. It just that it ain't the HD Sportster rumble we are all used to. 👁👂👁
I haven’t ridden the Sporster S (Metric HD ) due to my third back fusion but to be honest it sounds like a sewing machine on the video i am sure it’s geared towards a younger market , I would definitely prefer the Fat Bob
Did you really need to buy metric tools to work on it, or are you just saying it is a better motorcycle because it is made like the Japanese and European bikes.
I am 56 yrs. Old with 9 1/2" titanium rods in my spine from getting hit from behind while sitting on my newly rebuilt Shovelhead at a red light during Bike Week 1997. I rode my Shovelhead for 24 years before I sold it. I loved the looks of the Sportster S from its concept drawings of almost 4 years ago. Back then I promised myself if that bike (it was called a 1250 Custom then) was ever made I would be first in line to buy one. That part came true as Gainesville HD told me I was the first person in the state of Florida to order one when I put my deposit down minutes after the Reveal started playing online. It reminds me of the Cafe racers I watched in Daytona for more than 50 years growing up there. With forward controls it rides like an immensely powerful muscle cruiser. Not everyone will be young that ride this bike.
This sewing machine performs better than any other Harley ever made, I'm glad Harley is starting to get with the times and update their bikes.
@@jayveen2471 , motorcycling isn’t ALL about performance. Look at how well the Royal Enfield brand is selling these days. Some of us are surrounded by 45 mph country roads the “...ridge”, “...hollow”, “...stream”, and “...river” in the name. These roads can be enjoyed on 250cc bikes much more than on 1200cc bikes.
The Sportster S brother! Actually i already bought me one! be safe God bless! safe riding ! 🏍️
excellent review but i will stick with my 2020 lrs with torque cam. i had instrument panel mounted on the handlebars to make it easier to focus on the roads. i am in the market for a second fun bike because the lrs is more of a work horse with back rest bar and bags mounted on the body of it. i can haul a lot of stuff on that bike. thinking of getting a 1200 sportster with souped up engine with a good quarter mile time. thanks for your reviews been watching your shows for quite a while now keep up the good work.😀
Love the review. Having had one of the new softails, I found that "Traditional " Harley fans denigrated the new softails as they were not proper Harley's. I see the same happening with the Sportster S. I am not sure the FatBob is something I'd compare with the Sportster S with. The S is lighter faster ( a lot) and far more nimble. Looks wise, I think they both look great.
Here is what I know about Sportsters at least the iron head shovels and the Evo is that internal transmission is an issue. The Fat Bob looks like a better choice to me. I've always had FLH type bikes and nothing newer than an 02 FLSTC so I may not be the guy to know but you May outgrow a Sportster faster than the Fat Bob.
I would definitely go with the fat bob I feel it’s a better bang for your buck
The Fat Bob is a gorgeous bike. HR hit that one of the ballpark.
Love your reviews. Way more indepth, most feel like theyre just reading from the spec sheet and sort of have zero charisma.
Good video.
I like the new Sportster. It has a low, dense muscular look about it. Very compact. HD is on a demographic mission to attract women (shorter inseam) and aging sport bike riders (me). Must be working if I’m here. Well done HD!
Having owned the Sportster S for some time now, I can tell you, that cornering is fine with it. The only time you will feel it's a bit more difficult is when you need to transition from a left corner to a right immediately and vice versa
thank u , u really get what your customers want, and what types of people u have....
goood review
They are both great bikes, but you really said you get more for your money (technology, safety features, performance) with the sportster s, but you’d still choose the fat bob lol imo that doesn’t make sense, but that’s why it my opinion and it’s all subjective. Great video!
Its like choosing a woman. We all say we want one that can cook and raise children, yadda yadda, but we usually pick the one that looks and feels the best to us at the time (especially when younger). Its more than numbers. Its the experience. Hahah and it usually ends up costing more too!
@12:20
I think it is a universal desire to speed up when you see another motorcycle ahead of you :)
Jerry, once again you are right on!
I don't know. Peg scrapes custom applied by Motorman? I might pay extra for that!
Cost is a consideration as regards these motorcycles. I live in Canada. The Fat Bob's price starts at $23,799 whereas the Sportster S starts at 18,499. Both are sharp looking motorcycles though I prefer the Fat Bob. Would I choose the Sportster S over a Softail? Not sure. But at my age I prefer comfort over the cool factor. I'd need to look at the bikes up close and personal.
I am now in my 60s and retired with the yearning once again for a Harley Davidson.
As always, a fine review, Jerry Palladino.
I bought a 2018FB. $35G CDN out the door. Stage one, Bassani 2-1, K@N filter, TTS tuned, Saddlemen seat, Dougs fairing, Bung King crash bars, tall sissy bar, and a few other custom bits. I like it, but after riding super moto and crotch rockets it feels sluggish and needs better levers, tires and new suspension badly. If you don't PUSH the corners hard though, it is a fun scooter. Can't beat the torque and sound!
Just saw this. I love my 2022 Fat Bob 114. Too bad they quit making it.
I’m a sportster girl through and through! Love them..
then you'll love the NEW Sportster Nightster!!
I’m jonesing to ride the sporster (never thought I’d ever say that). Owned a 2019 sgs , 2020 fat boy and currently a 09 vrod. The m8 engine is…ok. The vrod is truly an amazing bike. Thinking the new sporty is the vrod killer.
It looks great in the green!
Horsepower shmorsepower. The Sporty is screwed by its trivial rear suspension travel. The leg roaster pipe and hideous radiator don't help matters any.
The Fatbob is a peach. For a heavy bike it will hold a line in a fast sweeper sans drama. Far better suspended too. I agree. Save your pennies and go Fatbob...before it gets a new Sporty makeover.
Redesign the radiator and put that engine in the Bob and you would have a great bike.
@@dancarlin5434 That's the problem with high power, liquid cooled engines. They need humungous radiators. I have a Triumph twin and the radiator is about the size of a postage stamp, but the bike only makes 90 hp, which is plenty if you do more than yank the throttle on straight roads.
Not nessicarily one huge lump, most adventure bikes also take a lot of cooling but via segmented radiator systems that fit much better and cool great.
1000 miles so far on the Sportster S, pipes are fine. Actually get more heat off aft cylinder on opposite side than the pipes. As for suspension, it takes about 15 minutes to make the adjustments and then it rides fine, too.
@@brianbraden2697 I'm glad it works for the riding you like to do, but I'm not aware of a way to adjust 1.5" of rear suspension travel comfortable over anything but freshly paved roads. I guess being skinny & young would help, but I'm a lot of neither. Looks like the pegs are set far back enough to lift your butt outta the seat if you see a disturbance in the road ahead of time. I even do that on the Road King that has an extra couple inches of travel.
In fairness, the S is designed as more of a short hop bike. People rode hard tails around before shocks were invented, so maybe I'm just a wimp, but I prefer that the discs in my spinal cord don't become pancakes.
I think the new HD Nightster might be more up your alley from the positives you mentioned from both of these bikes, it's basically the Fat Bob but has the Revmax engine and a more traditional cruiser front tire.
Great review, really like the fat bob
To me, both these bikes would be for winding hilly roads.......I have WG, V-Rod, Zuki for same purpose....ultra for highway
I believe it would be close ratio tranny for Sportster S (it takes more rpm for each mph......but you have more rpm to use)
Bad thing about the high power high rpm bikes(Sportster S, V-Rod, crotch rockets, Indian Scout and FTR) is if you want to use that power other than 2nd gear then you have to go to a track...where there's going to be a bunch of other people wanting to feel the HP
3500 it hasn't started taking off yet
The new one 975/Scout 60 would be better for using the available power......still won't be using it all
I would take fat Bob, street Bob, any of them before Sportster S........ I've got 113hp Zuki and 120hp V-Rod
I wish I could live in Florida . Beautiful place
Nice road to ride, especially in Florida!
The rear end of the Sportster was great until they realized they had to put a license plate on it then did that to it.
The fat bob is the one for me
Been liking the fat Bob long long time. May have one some day as it retains the Harley sound and plenty powerful.
I guess it's all in what tricks your trigger. I'm not a Harley guy, but if I were to ever buy one, I'd would go with the Revo engine. They've done a good job with preserving more than adequate low-end torque, while giving you a great top end. The power delivery and gear changes are buttery smooth as well. I'm no spring chicken, but I'm not gonna say vibrations and shifting like agricultural equipment is how a V-twin cruiser should be. They started that way and have been paralyzed by "that's not a Harley" ever since. That's the dilemma Harley faces with old crowd versus new. Emissions and the need to start bringing in a younger crowd pretty much forced their hand out of the stone age.
Love Tampa/ Tarpon Springs. Hope you stopped in at Hela’s for some awesome Greek food.
I’m seriously considering the sportster s as my next bike. It seems motor is very similar to the VRod which was my last bike.
Great review.
Sam in San Antonio Tx
Fat Bob just because I have always liked the 🏍Bike🏍 and have had the pleasure of riding both the dyna and the newest soft tale. Unfortunately both are about $4 to $5k more than they should be 🤑 but that is beating a dead 🐴 I payed up and bought several new Harley Davidson bikes over the years and I plan to keep the ones I have, so to me the price no longer matters... and I understand you pay more for a Lincoln than you do a nissan. But Harley Davidson needs to understand these new styles they are getting into have a different, shall we say soulful nature to them 🤔 and a lot more competition than their big twins do. I believe they will compete in the market if they can keep the costs down...
SUGGESTION - DO A WALKAROUND IN THE SUN !!
I wanted to see both sides of the paintwork in its full glory but the shade made seeing the left side difficult !!
Great Review!👍
Thanks! 👍
2:20 Close but not quite! The flashing is because the refresh rate of the display isn't matched with the capture rate of your camera. If you change your shutter speed to a different number, you can typically make this go away as they will display at the same speed. I'd guess the refresh rate of the sportster display is 1/30 or something like that. It's true that you won't see the flashing in real life though!
Jerry identifies as 6'2" 😆😆😆
Loved the review.. took your course. Keep up the good work.
As someone who is getting into Harleys and wants them to be more sporty but still a harley I gotta go with the fat bob. The sportster s is really cool but it's such a weird naked cruiser thing. Would rather a scout 101
I wouldn’t buy neither of them until the new Sportster Nightster comes out.
Well it was released today. So now you can buy one.
@@motorman857 🤣
Awesome review. Thank you Motor Man👍
For commuting, stop-n-go traffic in FL heat...Liquid cooled or air cooled? That would be my criteria. Sportster S then would be my choice.