2024 BMW R 18 vs 2024 HARLEY DAVIDSON Sportster
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Scores, summary & seat (optional) Estimates and auto text from specs — open if you want them.
Technical score (estimate)
Weighted mix of power, torque, power-to-weight, top speed and lighter weight within this comparison only. Not a real-world verdict — riding style and roads matter.
Usage fit (estimate)
Rough scores for city riding, touring, sporty riding and new riders — mix of specs and bike category. Same caveats as the technical score: traffic, skill and tyres matter.
City / commute
Touring / long rides
Sporty riding
New rider friendly
Seat height (cm)
Figures are as in the database; boots, suspension sag and road surface change how tall the bike feels.
- 2024 BMW R 18 69 cm Lowest seat here
- 2024 HARLEY DAVIDSON Sportster 76.5 cm Tallest seat here
Spread in this comparison: about 7.5 cm.
Rough guide: comfortable flat-foot reach often needs inseam roughly in the same ballpark as seat height (varies a lot by ergonomics).
Auto summary from specs
Generated from the numbers in the comparison — not a review.
- Power spans 91 hp (2024 BMW R 18) up to 121 hp (2024 HARLEY DAVIDSON Sportster).
- Torque spans 125 Nm (2024 HARLEY DAVIDSON Sportster) up to 158 Nm (2024 BMW R 18).
- Weight spans 221 kg (2024 HARLEY DAVIDSON Sportster) to 345 kg (2024 BMW R 18).
- Engine sizes are very close.
All values look the same; turn off the filter.
| Specification | BMW R 18 | HARLEY DAVIDSON Sportster |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | BMW | HARLEY DAVIDSON |
| Model | BMW R 18 | HARLEY DAVIDSON Sportster |
| Engine size | Above 1000cc | Above 1000cc |
| Power | 91hp | 121hp |
| Torque | 158nm. | 125nm. |
| Cylinders / valves | Twin cylinder, 8 valves | Twin cylinder, 8 valves |
| Weight | 345kg | 221kg |
| Front brake | Twin disc brake, diameter 300 mm, four-piston fixed calipers | radially mounted, monoblock, 4-piston caliper, single rotor, floating, tower- mounted |
| Rear brake | Single disc brake, diameter 300 mm, four-piston fixed caliper | floating, single piston caliper, solid uniform expansion rotor |
| Seat height (cm) | 69cm | 76.5cm |
| Front tyre | 120/70 R 19 | Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series, radial 160/70R17 73V |
| Rear tyre | 180/65 B16 | Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series, radial 180/70R16 77V |
| Cooling | Air cooled | Liquid cooling |
| Front suspension | Telescopic fork | 43 mm inverted fork with compression, rebound and spring preload adjustability. Aluminum fork triple clamps. |
| Rear suspension | Steel swingarm with central shock strut | Linkage-mounted, piggyback monoshock with compression, rebound and hydraulic spring preload adjustability |
| Motorcycle type | Chopper – Cruiser | Chopper – Cruiser |
| Top speed | 180km/h | 210km/h |
| Fuel capacity / consumption | 16 L – 5.6 L/100km | 11.8 L – 5.6 L/100km |
| Service network | ||
| Service quality | ||
| Parts availability | ||
| Price | $14995 | $15500 |
| Brand price lists | View BMW price list | View HARLEY DAVIDSON price list |
| Extra features | Engine Size : 1800CC ABS : BMW Motorrad Integral ABS (partially integral) Features
|
-Color TFT, HANDS-FREE MOBILE PHONE - VIA BLUETOOTH, VOICE RECOGNITION LANGUAGES: PHONE FUNCTIONS ONLY -TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (TCS), DRAG-TORQUE SLIP CONTROL SYSTEM (DSCS) -TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS), WHEEL LIFT MITIGATION -CORNERING ENHANCED ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (C-ABS),CORNERING ENHANCED TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM (C-TCS) -CORNERING DRAG-TORQUE SLIP CONTROL SYSTEM (C-DSCS), ENHANCED LIFT MITIGATION -Forward riding position, Forward foot controls, Infotainment |
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2024 BMW R 18 vs 2024 HARLEY DAVIDSON Sportster: listed specifications
The 2024 BMW R 18 and 2024 HARLEY DAVIDSON Sportster are closely matched in displacement, while the R 18 has more torque, and the Sportster has more peak power, and the higher listed top speed and a lower listed weight.
Engine displacement
R 18 and Sportster have very similar engine displacement (1100 cc vs 1100 cc).
Peak power
Sportster has a clear listed power advantage (121 hp vs 91 hp).
Torque
R 18 has a clear listed torque advantage (158 Nm vs 125 Nm).
Listed top speed
Sportster has a clear listed top-speed advantage (210 km/h vs 180 km/h).
Cooling
R 18 is listed as air-cooled, and Sportster is listed as liquid-cooled.
Weight and seat height
Sportster is notably lighter on the listed weight (221 kg vs 345 kg). There is a noticeable listed seat-height difference: Sportster is listed higher (76.5 cm) than R 18 (69 cm).
Conclusion
The measurable differences are therefore concentrated in peak power, torque, listed top speed, weight and seat height, while displacement remains relatively close.
Frequently asked questions
What is the top speed of BMW R 18 vs HARLEY DAVIDSON Sportster?
HARLEY DAVIDSON Sportster is listed at 210 km/h (130 mph) vs 180 km/h (112 mph) for BMW R 18.
Which has more horsepower, BMW R 18 or HARLEY DAVIDSON Sportster?
HARLEY DAVIDSON Sportster has 121 hp compared with 91 hp on the BMW R 18.
Which is lighter, BMW R 18 or HARLEY DAVIDSON Sportster?
HARLEY DAVIDSON Sportster is lighter at 221 kg vs 345 kg for BMW R 18.
Which is better, BMW R 18 or HARLEY DAVIDSON Sportster?
It depends on your riding style. Compare top speed, weight, fuel use and price in the table on this page, then vote for the bike you prefer.
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