Harley-Davidson Fat Boy S vs BMW R 18 Base (2025)

Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Sstacks up against the BMW R 18 Base. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.

Spec comparison

SpecHarley-Davidson Fat Boy SBMW R 18 Base
Model year20162025
Price$19,699—
Engine1801 cc1802 cc
Horsepower93 hp—
Torque146 Nm—
Weight320 kg345 kg
Seat height26 mm—
Fuel capacity5.0 L—
Fuel typepetrolpetrol
Transmission6-speed—
Front brakesDouble disc. ABS. 4-piston. —
Rear brakesSingle disc. ABS. 4-piston.—
Tires140/75-R17 / 200/55-R17 120/70 R19 / 180/55 B18

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy S vs BMW R 18 Base — which should you buy?

Picking between the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy S and the BMW R 18 Base usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy S brings 93 hp in a 320 kg package, while the BMW R 18 Base counters with its own power figure at 345 kg.

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: