Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy S vs BMW R 18 (2026)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy Sstacks up against the BMW R 18. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy S | BMW R 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2017 | 2026 |
| Price | $20,199 | $18,000 |
| Engine | 1801 cc | 1802 cc |
| Horsepower | 92 hp | 91 hp |
| Torque | 146 Nm | 158 Nm |
| Weight | 320 kg | 345 kg |
| Seat height | 26 mm | 690 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 L | 16.0 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 6-speed | 6-speed manual |
| Front brakes | Double disc. 4-piston. ABS. | Dual 300mm discs |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. 2-piston. ABS. | Single 300mm disc |
| Tires | 140/75-R17 / 200/55-R17 | 120/70-19 front, 180/65-16 rear |
Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy S vs BMW R 18 — which should you buy?
Picking between the Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy S and the BMW R 18 usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson Softail Fat Boy S brings 92 hp in a 320 kg package, while the BMW R 18 counters with 91 hp at 345 kg. On price, the BMW R 18 has the lower MSRP.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: