Harley-davidson’s iconic showdown: road king vs. fatboy – unveiling the superior motorcycle
What To Know
- The Fatboy is a more stripped-down and minimalist bike, with a shorter, higher profile and a smaller windshield.
- The Harley Davidson Road King and Fatboy both have dual disc brakes in the front and a single disc brake in the rear.
- The Road King has a slightly larger displacement and a higher compression ratio than the Fatboy, which gives it a slight edge in terms of power and torque.
The Harley Davidson Road King and Fatboy are two of the most iconic motorcycles in American history. Both bikes have a long and storied past, and they continue to be popular choices for riders today. But what are the key differences between these two bikes? And which one is right for you?
History
The Harley Davidson Road King was first introduced in 1994, as a more touring-oriented version of the Harley Davidson Dyna Glide. The Road King quickly became a popular choice for riders who wanted a comfortable and stylish bike that was also capable of handling long distances.
The Harley Davidson Fatboy was first introduced in 1990, as a more stripped-down and minimalist version of the Harley Davidson Softail. The Fatboy quickly became a popular choice for riders who wanted a bike that was both stylish and powerful.
Design
The Harley Davidson Road King and Fatboy have very different designs. The Road King is a more traditional touring bike, with a long, low profile and a large windshield. The Fatboy is a more stripped-down and minimalist bike, with a shorter, higher profile and a smaller windshield.
Engine
The Harley Davidson Road King and Fatboy are both powered by the Harley Davidson Milwaukee-Eight engine. However, the Road King has a slightly larger displacement (1745cc vs. 1746cc) and a higher compression ratio (10.5:1 vs. 10.2:1). This gives the Road King a slight edge in terms of power and torque.
Suspension
The Harley Davidson Road King and Fatboy have different suspension systems. The Road King has a traditional fork and shock setup, while the Fatboy has a more modern upside-down fork and monoshock setup. The Fatboy’s suspension is more adjustable, which allows riders to fine-tune the bike’s handling to their own preferences.
Brakes
The Harley Davidson Road King and Fatboy both have dual disc brakes in the front and a single disc brake in the rear. However, the Road King has slightly larger brakes, which gives it a slight edge in terms of stopping power.
Features
The Harley Davidson Road King and Fatboy come with a variety of features, including:
- Road King:
- Large windshield
- Hard saddlebags
- Cruise control
- ABS brakes
- Traction control
- Fatboy:
- Smaller windshield
- No saddlebags
- No cruise control
- No ABS brakes
- No traction control
Price
The Harley Davidson Road King and Fatboy have different prices. The Road King starts at $21,999, while the Fatboy starts at $19,999.
Which One is Right for You?
The Harley Davidson Road King and Fatboy are both great motorcycles. However, they have different strengths and weaknesses. If you’re looking for a comfortable and stylish touring bike, the Road King is a great choice. If you’re looking for a more stripped-down and minimalist bike, the Fatboy is a great choice.
Ultimately, the best way to decide which bike is right for you is to test ride both of them. That way, you can get a feel for each bike’s unique personality and decide which one is the best fit for your riding style.
Basics You Wanted To Know
What is the difference between the Harley Davidson Road King and Fatboy?
The Road King is a more traditional touring bike, with a long, low profile and a large windshield. The Fatboy is a more stripped-down and minimalist bike, with a shorter, higher profile and a smaller windshield.
Which bike is more powerful?
The Road King has a slightly larger displacement and a higher compression ratio than the Fatboy, which gives it a slight edge in terms of power and torque.
Which bike is more comfortable?
The Road King has a more traditional touring suspension setup, which makes it more comfortable for long rides. The Fatboy has a more modern suspension setup, which makes it more adjustable and sporty.
Which bike is better for commuting?
The Fatboy is a better choice for commuting, as it is more nimble and easier to maneuver in traffic. The Road King is a better choice for long-distance touring.
Which bike is better for customization?
Both the Road King and Fatboy are popular choices for customization. However, the Fatboy has a more stripped-down and minimalist design, which makes it easier to customize.