Harley-Davidson Fat Boy vs Harley-Davidson 1340 Softail Custom (1997)

Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson Fat Boystacks up against the Harley-Davidson 1340 Softail Custom. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.

Spec comparison

SpecHarley-Davidson Fat BoyHarley-Davidson 1340 Softail Custom
Model year19971995
Price
Engine1338 cc1338 cc
Horsepower55 hp48 hp
Torque97 Nm86 Nm
Weight284 kg280 kg
Seat height26 mm27 mm
Fuel typepetrolpetrol
Transmission5-speed5-speed
Front brakesSingle disc
Rear brakesSingle disc

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy vs Harley-Davidson 1340 Softail Custom — which should you buy?

Picking between the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy and the Harley-Davidson 1340 Softail Custom usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy brings 55 hp in a 284 kg package, while the Harley-Davidson 1340 Softail Custom counters with 48 hp at 280 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: