Harley-Davidson Fat Bob vs BMW Motorrad R 12
Prices ex-showroom Delhi, checked 2026-09. On-road and running costs estimated for Delhi.
Harley-Davidson Fat Bob and BMW Motorrad R 12 are both cruisers and turn up together on most shortlists. They are priced within ₹96,514 of each other, so this comes down to what each does with the money.
The R 12 takes 5 of the 6 categories we score. Our overall ratings are 6.5/10 for the Fat Bob and 7/10 for the R 12.
Category by category
Price
R 12
The R 12 starts ₹96,514 lower (₹21,99,966 against ₹22,96,480), about ₹3,060 a month less on a standard loan.
Running cost
R 12
R 12 claims 19.6 kmpl against 18 kmpl. That is roughly ₹6,924 a year in fuel at 30 km a day.
Performance
R 12
R 12 has the better power-to-weight ratio: 413 against 302 bhp per tonne. It will feel quicker with a pillion and on overtakes.
Safety kit
Tie
Braking and safety equipment are matched.
City manners
R 12
R 12 is 79 kg lighter and taller in the seat (754 mm), which you feel in traffic and when parking.
Warranty
R 12
R 12 comes with 3 years of standard warranty against 2 on the Fat Bob.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the Fat Bob if
- your priority is relaxed highway cruising
- your priority is long rides
Buy the R 12 if
- you want the lower purchase price and EMI
- mileage matters more to you than outright performance
- you ride two-up or on highways and want the stronger engine
- you are a new rider or shorter and want the lighter bike
What each really costs
Base variants, Delhi, 30 km a day. Servicing and insurance are class-typical estimates.
| Cost | Fat Bob | R 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom | ₹22,96,480 | ₹21,99,966 |
| On-road, Delhi | ₹25,79,581 | ₹24,50,207 |
| Fuel, 5 years | ₹2,60,980 | ₹2,26,360 |
| Servicing, 5 years | ₹35,000 | ₹35,000 |
| Insurance renewals | ₹1,23,820 | ₹1,17,608 |
| Five-year total | ₹29,99,381 | ₹28,29,175 |
Full specification comparison
Better figure in each row is shown in green.
| Spec | Harley-DavidsonFat Bob | BMW MotorradR 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Starting ex-showroom | ₹22,96,480 | ₹21,99,966 |
| Rough EMI / month | ₹72,830 | ₹69,770 |
| Engine | ||
| Engine | 1868 cc | 1170 cc |
| Engine type | 2 Cylinder, Air Cooled, 4 Valves | 2 Cylinder, Air/Oil Cooled, 4 Valves |
| Power | 92.5 bhp | 93.7 bhp |
| Torque | 155 Nm | 109.8 Nm |
| Claimed mileage | 18 kmpl | 19.6 kmpl |
| Cooling | Air-cooled | Oil-cooled |
| Transmission | 6 Speed | 6 Speed |
| Electric | ||
| Top speed | 177 km/h | 215 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Kerb weight | 306 kg | 227 kg |
| Fuel tank | 13.2 L | 14 L |
| Seat height | 710 mm | 754 mm |
| Ground clearance | 120 mm | — |
| Wheelbase | 1615 mm | 1520 mm |
| Length | 2340 mm | 2200 mm |
| Width | 960 mm | 830 mm |
| Height | 1110 mm | 1110 mm |
| Brakes & suspension | ||
| Front brake | Disc, 300 mm, 4 piston caliper | Disc, 310 mm, 4 piston caliper |
| Rear brake | Disc, 292 mm, 2 piston caliper | Disc, 265 mm, 2 piston caliper |
| ABS / CBS | Dual Channel ABS | Dual Channel ABS |
| Front suspension | Single cartridge 43 mm inverted with aluminum fork triple clamps | Upside-down telescopic fork, diameter 45 mm |
| Rear suspension | Hidden, free piston, coil-over monoshock; 56mm stroke | Cast aluminum single-sided swing arm with Paralever brace |
| Tyres | ||
| Front tyre | 150/80-16 | 100/90-R19 |
| Rear tyre | 180/70-B16 | 150/80-R16 |
Fat Bob vs R 12: questions people ask
- Which is cheaper, the Fat Bob or the R 12?
- The R 12 is cheaper by ₹96,514 at the base variant (₹21,99,966 against ₹22,96,480 ex-showroom Delhi).
- Which gives better mileage, the Fat Bob or the R 12?
- The R 12 claims 19.6 kmpl against 18 kmpl. Real-world figures for both will be lower.
- What is the on-road price difference between the Fat Bob and R 12 in Delhi?
- About ₹1,29,374: roughly ₹25,79,581 for the Fat Bob and ₹24,50,207 for the R 12, base variants, including road tax, registration and insurance.
- Which costs less to own over five years?
- Our estimate for five years at 30 km a day in Delhi is ₹29,99,381 for the Fat Bob and ₹28,29,175 for the R 12, including purchase, fuel, servicing and insurance renewals. The R 12 comes out ₹1,70,206 ahead.
