In this video, I compare a 2022 Sportster S, with a Harley Fat Bob. They are two of the sportiest motorcycles Harley Davidson makes. www.ridelikeapro.com www.motorcycledropguards.com www.tabperformance.com
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.
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?
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
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 !
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.
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 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 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 : )
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 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.
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.😀
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 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
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!!!
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.......
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.
As the quality and features are neck to neck, I go with the look of sportster S which is a killer !!! What a gorgeous bike. I can compare it's look somehow with Ducati Diavel 1260 Lamborghini ( which is a super hot looking bike for sports type fans). cheers !
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!!!
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...
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Great video I’m looking at my first Harley I ride a 22 triumph rocket 3R which is a great bike but looking at the breakout or a fat boy. I’ve road the new breakout but not the fat boy. Would love to hear your thoughts on these two bikes. Maybe even a video. 😎🌴
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’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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 🤣🤣🤣
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.
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
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.
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.
Is sportster or Fat Bob best for first bike and see these can be cc reducer as England have to do few bike tests but can't start yet as waiting for leg Amputation above the knee
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!
Sounds like both turn quickly with the relatively upright forks. It would be interesting to see which you, and maybe a less experienced rider, likes better on your course.
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 !!
@@K9RickRet i know that, I haven’t seen crack I moved to a new province and had to get a safety inspection for the bike and they told me that. I thst it was odd considering there is only short to 4000 miles on them and only the front is cracked from what they say
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.
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!
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
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.
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!
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
