Harley-Davidson Fat Boy vs Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Special (1997)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson Fat Boystacks up against the Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Special. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Harley-Davidson Fat Boy | Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Special |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 1997 | 1996 |
| Price | — | — |
| Engine | 1338 cc | 1338 cc |
| Horsepower | 55 hp | 57 hp |
| Torque | 97 Nm | 97 Nm |
| Weight | 284 kg | 287 kg |
| Seat height | 26 mm | 27 mm |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 5-speed | 5-speed |
| Front brakes | — | Single disc |
| Rear brakes | — | Single disc |
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy vs Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Special — which should you buy?
Picking between the Harley-Davidson Fat Boy and the Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Special 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 Heritage Softail Special counters with 57 hp at 287 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: