Harley-Davidson Fat Bob vs Harley-Davidson Sportster S
Prices ex-showroom Delhi, checked 2026-09. On-road and running costs estimated for Delhi.
Harley-Davidson Fat Bob and Harley-Davidson Sportster S are both cruisers and turn up together on most shortlists. The Fat Bob costs ₹4,91,480 more than the Sportster S, so the question is whether what it adds is worth roughly 27% extra.
The Sportster S takes 5 of the 6 categories we score. Our overall ratings are 6.5/10 for the Fat Bob and 7.5/10 for the Sportster S.
Category by category
Price
Sportster S
The Sportster S starts ₹4,91,480 lower (₹18,05,000 against ₹22,96,480), about ₹15,590 a month less on a standard loan.
Running cost
Sportster S
Sportster S claims 20 kmpl against 18 kmpl. That is roughly ₹15,224 a year in fuel at 30 km a day.
Performance
Sportster S
Sportster S has the better power-to-weight ratio: 529 against 302 bhp per tonne. It will feel quicker with a pillion and on overtakes.
Safety kit
Tie
Braking and safety equipment are matched.
Features
Sportster S
Sportster S gets slipper clutch, colour tft console, bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation.
City manners
Sportster S
Sportster S is 78 kg lighter and taller in the seat (765 mm), which you feel in traffic and when parking.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the Fat Bob if
- your priority is relaxed highway cruising
- your priority is long rides
Buy the Sportster S 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 | Sportster S |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom | ₹22,96,480 | ₹18,05,000 |
| On-road, Delhi | ₹25,79,581 | ₹20,33,337 |
| Fuel, 5 years | ₹2,60,980 | ₹1,84,860 |
| Servicing, 5 years | ₹35,000 | ₹35,000 |
| Insurance renewals | ₹1,23,820 | ₹97,600 |
| Five-year total | ₹29,99,381 | ₹23,50,797 |
Full specification comparison
Better figure in each row is shown in green.
| Spec | Harley-DavidsonFat Bob | Harley-DavidsonSportster S |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Starting ex-showroom | ₹22,96,480 | ₹18,05,000 |
| Rough EMI / month | ₹72,830 | ₹57,240 |
| Engine | ||
| Engine | 1868 cc | 1252 cc |
| Engine type | 2 Cylinder, Air Cooled, 4 Valves | 2 Cylinder, Liquid Cooled, 4 Valves |
| Power | 92.5 bhp | 120.7 bhp |
| Torque | 155 Nm | 125 Nm |
| Claimed mileage | 18 kmpl | 20 kmpl |
| Cooling | Air-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Transmission | 6 Speed | 6 Speed |
| Electric | ||
| Top speed | 177 km/h | 194 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Kerb weight | 306 kg | 228 kg |
| Fuel tank | 13.2 L | 11.8 L |
| Seat height | 710 mm | 765 mm |
| Ground clearance | 120 mm | 90 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1615 mm | 1520 mm |
| Length | 2340 mm | 2270 mm |
| Width | 960 mm | 843 mm |
| Height | 1110 mm | 1089 mm |
| Brakes & suspension | ||
| Front brake | Disc, 300 mm, 4 piston caliper | Disc, 320 mm, 4 piston caliper |
| Rear brake | Disc, 292 mm, 2 piston caliper | Disc, 260 mm, 1 piston caliper |
| ABS / CBS | Dual Channel ABS | Dual Channel ABS |
| Front suspension | Single cartridge 43 mm inverted with aluminum fork triple clamps | 43 mm inverted fork with compression |
| Rear suspension | Hidden, free piston, coil-over monoshock; 56mm stroke | Linkage-mounted, piggyback monoshock with compression, rebound and hydraulic spring preload adjustability |
| Tyres | ||
| Front tyre | 150/80-16 | 160/70-R17 |
| Rear tyre | 180/70-B16 | 180/70-R16 |
Fat Bob vs Sportster S: questions people ask
- Which is cheaper, the Fat Bob or the Sportster S?
- The Sportster S is cheaper by ₹4,91,480 at the base variant (₹18,05,000 against ₹22,96,480 ex-showroom Delhi).
- Which gives better mileage, the Fat Bob or the Sportster S?
- The Sportster S claims 20 kmpl against 18 kmpl. Real-world figures for both will be lower.
- What is the on-road price difference between the Fat Bob and Sportster S in Delhi?
- About ₹5,46,244: roughly ₹25,79,581 for the Fat Bob and ₹20,33,337 for the Sportster S, 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 ₹23,50,797 for the Sportster S, including purchase, fuel, servicing and insurance renewals. The Sportster S comes out ₹6,48,584 ahead.
