Summary

• The Harley-Davidson Nightster is the smallest Sportster within the firm’s lineup.
• Despite an absence of conventional Harley engine character, the Nightster presents agile dealing with.
• Basic security options and distinctive styling make the Nightster a good selection for brand new riders.

Say what you’ll about them being heavy or sluggish, Harley-Davidson makes charming bikes. These bikes are identified for his or her loud V-twins, hefty weight, consolation, model, and oodles of low-end grunt. But all of it typically comes with a stonking sticker worth not many people can afford. Fortunately, H-D has lately began pondering rather a lot about luring in a price-centric demographic with bikes that you simply don’t should promote your home for. The greatest instance of this proper now could be the Nightster.

The Nightster is a part of the Sportster household, which has been in business since 1957. But this one (together with the Sportster S) is in contrast to another Sportster that got here earlier than it. Gone are the crude character and old-school underpinnings. This one is fashionable, with a liquid-cooled engine, agile dealing with, and rider aids. Also, it is one of the best middleweight cruisers you can buy today.

In order to provide the latest and correct info attainable, the info used to compile this text was sourced from Harley-Davidson and different authoritative sources, together with Motorcycle News and Motorcycle Online.

Enough Power And Agility To Keep You Entertained

Power Output: 91 HP @ 7,500 RPM

The Harley-Davidson Nightster is powered by the Revolution Max 975T V-twin engine, which produces a flat torque curve with first rate acceleration and mid-range punch. But don’t think of this as just a downsized Revolution Max 1250T engine; this one will get VVT on the consumption. The engine is rev-happy and many of the energy is situated excessive up the rev vary.

This in flip means it lacks the low-end explosive character typically related to H-D engines. It’s clean and whirry and virtually feels too sterile. It’s in contrast to older Sportster engines, which felt thumpy. No, it’s not a foul engine, however you may find it difficult to form an emotional bond with it. Plus, this one doesn’t produce the signature potato-potato exhaust be aware!

Engine Highlights

• It’s a liquid-cooled, 60-degree V-twin
• Intake velocity stacks and airbox quantity are tuned to maximise efficiency throughout the rev vary
• Unlike the 1250, which options VVT on each cams, this engine solely makes use of VVT on the consumption aspect
• The twin overhead camshafts and VVT phasing are designed to spice up efficiency
• Hydraulic valve lash adjustment eliminates the necessity for valve clearances and ensures quiet operation
• Internal balancers cut back vibrations and enhance engine reliability
• Balancers are additionally tuned to retain sufficient vibrations to make the bike really feel extra characterful

Engine And Performance Specifications

(Specs sourced from Harley-Davidson and Motorcycle News)

Charming Handling With Urban Comfort And Likable Aids

The Revolution Max V-twin is housed in a nimble, light-weight chassis with a lightweight aluminum tail part and welded rectangular metal tube swingarm. Everything floats on beefy Showa Dual Bending Valve standard forks and twin rear shocks with preload adjustment. To enhance agility, the gas tank is situated underneath the seat, and what seems to be the gas tank is the airbox cowl.

Yep, it ain’t a lot, however the outcomes are nonetheless outstanding. The bike guarantees to be gentle, agile, and handle much better than its curb weight would suggest. You may even be a bit tough with it within the corners, the place the one factor you’d should watch out about is the bottom clearance. Even the old-school conventionally mounted Brembo brakes can sluggish you down effectively.

The ergonomics and dimensions additionally make the Nightster a terrific city cruiser. The seat is low, and the profile is slender, permitting even shorter riders to flat-foot at stoplights. Once you get going, the driving triangle is impartial and comfy. The solely grievance right here can be the rear shocks. Their journey is low (as it’s on a cruiser), so you do not have sufficient to absorb large bumps.

Finally, there’s the electronics. This bike will get all the essential security rider aids you’d anticipate from a recent cruiser, together with dual-channel ABS, traction management, and drag torque slip management (DSCS). Unfortunately, not one of the rider aids are angle-responsive. You even have three modes — Rain, Road, and Sport.

Chassis And Dimensions Specifications

(Specs sourced from Harley-Davidson and Motorcycle News)

Pretty Enough To Hold Your Attention (At Most Times)

Think of a Sportster and a picture will type in your thoughts: minimalistic, walnut tank, and a lean fly line. The Nightster is identical, albeit in a contemporary interpretation. The design blends basic styling with fashionable cues, and it seems to be attractive. The lengthy and low stance, cool wheels, and bobber-ish parts make the bike stand out from the crowd.

But there’s a darkish aspect to the Nightster’s design. At first look, it comes off as a well-finished, well-built product, however a detailed visible inspection might disappoint you. The bike is roofed in plastic panels and it is not your typical American steel vibe.

Design Highlights

• Exposed rear shocks, airbox cowl, and walnut gas tank are a throwback to older Sportster fashions
• Solo seat, chopped fenders, and velocity display hark again to current Sportster fashions
• Under-seat gas tank is neatly hid with aspect covers
• Revolution Max engine is the centerpiece of the design
• Snaking headers are completed in a Metallic Charcoal powder coat
• Panels underneath the radiator conceal the battery whereas making the radiator much less apparent
• Gorgeous wheels are completed in Satin Black

Wait, There’s A Cheaper Harley-Davidson

Have we been mendacity to you about probably the most reasonably priced Harley-Davidson? Nope. The Nightster stays the most affordable Harley you should purchase within the US, however on the opposite aspect of the world, there’s a less expensive H-D. We’re speaking concerning the X 440, an entry-level roadster that lately went on sale in India. This bike is the fruit of Harley-Davidson and Hero MotoCorp’s partnership.

Sure, it is probably not a real Harley, due to its lack of V-twin engine and cruiser proportions. But it has managed to shake the segment in India nonetheless. It’s received a Harley-ish design, impressed by the XR1200 and different Sportsters, alongside class-leading torque figures.

It retails for INR 2,39,500 ($2,879), which is ridiculously low cost for a Harley. But this isn’t on sale within the US. The firm has additionally not hinted about it arriving at US shores any time quickly. So, whereas it might be the most affordable Harley-Davidson, you possibly can’t get one.

In Case You Want Something More Special

Starting MSRP: $11,999

The Harley-Davidson Nightster isn’t a foul bike; it’s peppy and enjoyable. But it might not be the replacement for the Sportster 883, as Harley-Davidson claims. But if you’re prepared to spend $13,499, you’ll get your arms on TopSpeed’s Best American motorcycle of 2024, the Nightster Special.

The Nightster Special fixes among the drawbacks of the usual Nightster with a couple of nifty upgrades. The styling is up to date with a brand new headlamp cowl, decals, and badging; the latter is a throwback to the ‘70s Sportsters. The bike additionally comes with a pillion seat, handlebar risers, cruise management, TFT show with Bluetooth connectivity, and TPMS as commonplace.

Nightster vs The Rivals

As for rivals, the Nightster has two American rivals, the 2024 Indian Scout Sixty and the 2025 Scout Bobber. The Scouts look significantly better, due to their basic styling, and are well-finished merchandise. In the efficiency division, the Scout Bobber outperforms the Nightster, and each go away the Scout Sixty far behind.

The 2024 Scout Sixty retails for $11,749, and the 2025 Scout Bobber begins at $12,999. The Bobber might provide extra bang in your buck, however its poor rear suspension and underpowered brakes are worth considering before deciding. The Nightster’s suspension, regardless of being short-travel, works higher, at the very least comparatively, because the linked evaluation suggests.

All in all, we might have some complaints concerning the Nightster. But for being the most affordable Harley-Davidson cruiser, it’s fairly good with redeeming qualities, like distinctive styling, a robust engine, and agile dealing with. It can be correctly partaking for brand new riders, which is exactly its intent.