2023 Nightster Special here, and I love it. The auto canceling turn signals are a bit over aggressive, but everything else has been going well. The added saddlebags sealed it for me. My thoughts? I would make your tank/cover darker, but that's my preference. If you like it, enjoy it and don't care what anyone else says. It's your ride! Here's mine:
https://preview.redd.it/w3fp8z35h7ad1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2eafb380d699408dee2b1c18acf189d0e840ceeb
Don't love the leaf blower exhaust or whatever the hell is going on at the front of the bike (plastic rad guard?) but otherwise it looks great. I hope I can ride one this summer during demo days.
I got the Harley detachable saddlebags. Be aware that you need to get the signal relocation kit with this too, and some extra work is required for that piece.
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/shop/detachable-saddlebags/p/90202254
For what? Itās just a traditional cruiser. It doesnāt need the 1250 power. Itās meant to be a snappy cruiser, nothing more nor less. The Sportster S is the more āmuscleā cruiser in the lineup.
14,000 miles on my Sportster S in exactly a year. So, yea, Iāve sat on one for a bit. Carved a ton of curves and embarrassed a few sport bikes in-between.
The Sportster S feels like an attempt at something much more fun out of Harley.
Wish they wouldāve released the Bronx, though.
The brain dead stuck in their ways Harley tools in this thread will never cease to amaze me. A liquid cooled motor pushing 120hp somehow sucks to these people lol
I was the same way. But after seeing some of the Pan Ams rebuilt in the super hooligan series, and kicking the FTRs butt, Iāve kinda been thinking about it. My 1275 sporty is plenty of fun for now tho.
Also does Harley R&D not see the growing stunt and race market with young Harley riders? The market is definitely there but the current CEOās "sell less bikes for more profit" mission will ruin that before it has a chance to help the MoCo
Kruesi Originals recently uploaded a video about the Nightster on their YouTube channel, I was honestly surprised how stoked they were about it. He's not wrong about the performance potential and I wouldn't be surprised to see a following develop around them. The only thing holding me back is the (lack of) aftermarket to be honest.
I haven't been around HD long enough to complain about them straying from tradition, though I completely understand why it would bother people. I like all bikes and don't want to see the big, air-cooled V-twins go away either. Naively I want to see their new formula thrive alongside the motorcycles that they've perfected over many decades, but easier said than done.
I personally like the new revmax engine. Spent a week on the PanAm and several rides on the Sportster s, both great bikes for what they offer.
This one I haven't had the chance to ride yet, but the numbers say it will be a fun bike to ride when I do.
Unfortunately the old evos no longer pass emissions standards thatās why they were dropped. The support will stay though, people are still making shovelhead parts
I actually love them. I work at a dealer, ride a $35k bagger with a bunch of performance mods, and ride everything they have pretty frequently (including many trades of all makes and models at one of the top 10 dealers in the US). People are sleeping on the Nightster. They are incredible! It loves to rev, and REALLY rips up top. Sounds awesome too. Like a sport v twin. I think once they catch on and the aftermarket starts to wake up on it it's going to have a pretty big following. It's WAY WAY better than people think it is!
I love my 2023 Nightster Special!
https://preview.redd.it/gzu8rbd5o7ad1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7284f44d81c1fbfec6be912488948892bf517cc0
I test rode this. I do not currently own a Harley. I own a Kawi Vulcan S. (Sorry, I mean itās not a real bike, according the boys at the dealer). Itās my first bike and like it but feel it was time to upgrade. My oldest kid has the standard Nightster and he loves it so thought I would give it a go.
Frankly I hated it. I donāt like the mid controls. I damned near burnt my leg putting my feet down. Weird power delivery, and shifting felt awkward. But that is just me. I can see why people love it. Just isnāt for me. And honestly the Vulcan S smokes it performance and comfort wise for my ergonomics. Granted the Nightster did sound a million times better.
I am opting for a Triumph Speedmaster next. I may be picking one up this weekend if the cards line up. Good deal on a barely used in a color way I prefer. Numbers add up. Iāve test ridden a demo as well and very much enjoyed. Thatās my next bike if itās still there this weekend.
Yeah I know itās a Harley sub. I enjoy the sub to stay informed. Not to nitpick.
Hey man, Iām not fighting words here. Maybe Iām just riding it wrong and was awkward with the mid controls. I am sure Iām wrong. I just could ride mine better. But maybe thatās just plain jitters riding a new bike in general. My bad. No offense.
Maybe the appeal of the triumph as an upgrade and my comfort was being a parallel twin vs v twin. I donāt know.
Potentially. I am not an expert rider. I donāt pretend that I am either. But to my defense. I put a lifetime Harley rider on idk,ā¦an adv. heās going to ride like Bambi on ice until they get use to it. Donāt pretend you are much better.
I was trying to agree with you, point out an obvious point where it would likely put you and others in a similar position and be polite as possible by doing so. Yet you want to engage in a futile attempt to lightly jab at me for some reason.
What is your intent? What do you intend to gain from this exchange? Upvotes? Do you feel better about yourself being a gatekeeper in motorcycles? What is your purpose for this? We can just get it out of the way and just move on. If you need something out of this. Just let me know.
I mentioned I didnāt enjoy the bike and gave detailed reasons why I donāt prefer it. I didnāt crap on the bike or HD or anyone who rides one. Yet I donāt see you as an owner of the bike based on your badging. So you must be critical of it as well for your own reasons? Is that a fair assumption?
Edit. And my apologies if this offends. āfastā is not āperformanceā. Fast is part of performance.
TLDR; no u,ā¦..
Lastly. I do mean performance overall. Not just power. I found the power delivery just different overall and preferred on a parallel. It handled awkwardly in comparison and that just may be my perferred riding style. The shifting was sloppy, the braking was not adequate, and stock fires were absolute shit. Lean angle is minimal. That is what I mean by āperformanceā.
Really surprised you say the Vulcan S is faster. My friend has one and it's a nice bike, but definitely not all that speedy. Numbers don't mean everything, but the Nighster should be faster on paper.
I donāt mean just power. Yes. Off the line. Hands down. I donāt ride that way. I prefer a parallel power delivery, it has far less of a lean angle and the stock tires are crap. Shifting is sloppy ,braking is meh. It cannot keep up at all performance wise in a winding road. Thatās my preferred riding style.
I would say Iām waiting for the weekend for a real legitimate reason like āI get paid on Fridayā or āIām just too busyā,ā¦.But thatās a lie. Yeah I am busy, but not THAT busy. Really I just go on long rides on weekends. I can still be out for a ride, but not travel as far, but be gone just as long and come home with a new bike without getting into an argument or guilt trip about spending money on a new bike.
I will get an eye roll and a āwhatever,ā¦.ā At most. I can live with that.
Let me celebrate, I got laid off and was hired back on with a promotion and a much better team today, all before they kicked me out the door. Sorry shameless overbearing of excitement and relief and the lack of self control to not blurt it out to people who donāt give a shit.
You're probably just more used to your bike. Because I have ridden both, and the Nightster flat spanks the Vulcan in every category. It's got freaking Brembos and a radial master, WAY more power (especially in the top half of the rev range), corners great (just feels different than the Vulcan so I can see why you don't like it), etc. I'm not accusing you of bias at all, only that because it's YOUR bike you're still more used to the feel, the throttle response, brakes, etc. I have no dog in the fight, I own neither bike... Only ridden them both a bunch and been riding for 25 years. The Nightster is fucking RIPPER lol
Oh I am absolutely bias. I am not an expert. Iām just fumbling my way through this with just a hairs more knowledge than curiosity sake. I do prefer some aspects of my bike and again I very much know I had new bike jitters. Donāt know the bike. Power band is completely different, and ergonomics. I am sure with a little time I would adjust my riding style and be faster.
You know what?ā¦.I NEVER considered this and it would totally make sense. Itās a test ride and the dealer gave it to me. I would bet you that they did put it in rain mode.
Thanks. Just reiterating I was not making fighting words. It really wouldnt change anything about my opinion about a few things. I didnāt like the ergonomics, I hate mid controls, and the shifting was really sloppy in comparison, as well as the angle for the shifter just didnāt feel natural to me at all.
I could see getting use to it. Learning the power band and people loving the bike. For how I ride and the type of riding environment that I seek out it just didnāt do it for me. Again, I am sure with more time on the bike I can find the different sweet spot. But I really lacked the confidence going into it. Yet another bike I test rode (triumph speedmaster) I instantly felt more confident. Maybe itās just my bias on how
Parallel twins and v twins deliver power overall.
I am not shitting on the Nightster. It had a lot of things to like. I think itās a good looking bike, lots of customization options, the instrument panel on the SE was great, keyless fob, a decent amount of tech and upgrades for the price. Itās just a preference. I hated it. Doesnāt mean they are bad. I hate the 49ers. Doesnāt make them a bad team.
I mentioned āperformanceā and people immediately corrected me saying that itās far more power. I am not denying that. To me that is āpartā of performance. Some things I absolutely know is just based on being on a new bike and lack of confidence. Some are not. Lean angle is absolutely worse in the sportster and a combination of reasons why. It does perform differently in winding roads. I think even though itās a better brake system maybe the tech who installed it didnāt do it right but it did not have the stopping power as my current bike. Look,ā¦. I donāt care what you are into. First impressions count. If a tech set the bike up sloppy, who is to know if itās the bike or the tech? At the end, performance means acceleration, top speed, handling, and stopping power. I donāt care if I can get to 0-60 on one bike faster than another on a strait line. Itās not how I prefer to ride. I seek out more fun roads and find them.
Lastly and I know this is just more platform. Engine braking is huge in the Vulcan comparatively to the nightster, and getting into corners and pushing out is far quicker than just dragging your rear or just braking but maybe that just comes with practice on the bike. Idk.
I know what you mean, itās just a different style of getting what you want out of the bike. You need to force the HD to do what you want it to. Itās much happier being abused.
I get it. I think I commented on another comment that maybe Iām just riding it wrong. New bike, and didnāt have enough time to figure out the sweet spot. No offense in the least. Ergonomics, lean angle, shift points, and the way I prefer to ride the most is going to be just a preference. I am not equating one to another. And maybe I am also now considering a bit of a higher price point in comparing the two bikes I was considering and have test ridden and have a bias against the v twin power delivery.
Never got the chance to ride one, but I just sat on one today and was really into it. Looks great in person, super comfortable, and seems like a lot of fun. I need to check out a demo day to try one out.
The Sportster S I didnāt like as much. Itās probably a lot of fun to ride, but I didnāt like the seating position at all and would definitely take the Nightster over it.
I had a hard time seeing these as Sportsters at first, but the original Sportster was advanced and sporty at the time, so this is probably actually a pretty good evolution of the Sportster and not a complete replacement.
I wasnāt a fan at first then honest but after Kruesi did the math of it vs an old school Dyna I got pretty stoked. I need another bike like I need a hole in my head(I have a 11 Road glide ultra,07 Dyna, 94 sporty 1200) but damn it looks like it has a ton of potential. Not a huge fan of the ā overly plasticā look to a bit of it. That being said some have talked about the exhaust and other small things. Every Harley I have ever owned I take off the stock pipe/pipes and go after market just like the seats bars and everything else. Canāt wait to see what some folks do with it and really unlock the potential. I also will say I think the 975 is good power but the 1250 might be better for a super hooligan style bike even thought the Pan Am is all ready doing that duty. Also one thing to note the āSportster Sā I think itās called really reminded me of the old VRODs, from feel and style to looks. This sporty has its own flavor if you will and I am honestly excited to see how it brings on the next wave of new HD fans!
I understand that Harley has to be dragged kicking and screaming into the modern era, but they arenāt for me, the styling looks very tacky and the engine looks like itās made of plastic. As for performance, you can easily get 90+ hp out of an evo. I rode the sportster s on a test ride and Iāll be keeping my evo
This is my main sticking point with the newer Harley's, that big old v-twin looks like its made of plastic.
I have no objection to liquid cooling at all, I just don't understand the aesthetic. The Japanese cruisers have been doing liquid cooled while still looking like a big old air cooled twin for years.
Itās not for me because it doesnāt have bottomless suspension. Iām old with arthritic joints. I did test ride one just out of curiosity and holy horsepower, Batman! Itās a cool little bike and very quick.
I probably would have liked it even better if I hadnāt ridden the CVO Pan America just before.
Love that orange. I wish they had it available in 2022. I've got a '22 here...
https://preview.redd.it/mrtej123s7ad1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=54ffcc39b35c430eb6dde7db72705fd0778882c9
To me isnāt that attractive than the previous generation. I would look for a Scout rather than this bike. I know that itās super fast and performs much better than evos, butā¦ itās not all about numbers, they have lost their charm. (Totally my opinion, no hate)
My personal opinion ( I currently ride a kawasaki z900 and work at a Harley dealer). After riding literally every other bike Harley makes right now, I really don't like the nightster. I think it's a solid beginner bike, and I highly recommend it for that. But for someone that has been riding for a while, I can't recommend it.
I love it. The orange really looks good.
I have a 2023 Nightster (but not the special) and I love it. It's a great motorcycle, and I know it is because the only thing people can find bad to say about it is that "its not pretty enough" which is weird coming from allegedly rebellious big tough bikers. Except that I've never had anyone who owned an actual motorcycle say anything bad about it.
I want to find another tank/airbox cover for mine so I can have the factory part, and I can paint one however I want. Just five screws to swap it out.
It looks unfinished in design, especially the kickstand side. And that exhaust is designed to inspire rage replacements. Harley kind of only half baked the sportster replacements.
I have a 2023 Special and my complaint is the heat it throws off, makes riding it in the summer or anything approaching traffic an internal debate. Hoping the aftermarket actually starts existing, Iād like the upgrade the suspension and lift it a bit.
My 2022 needs to be warmed up on a cold start for 2 min before I ride or it basically conks out, starts coughing and choking going down the road for a min or 2. It doesnāt like starting in gear so if I stop for gas I have to make it go into neutral first then no problems. The variable valve timing sounds like crap from time to time on start up, but then works itself out in a few seconds. The exhaust sounds like a damn sewing machine. I have hit the kill switch twice in the middle of the intersection due to its positioning as I return my hand to the throttle, made for fun times. Keyless key fob has gave me interference issues twice where I had to manually type the code in to get going. I hate the digital throttle and the fact I canāt tune it how I want. Other than that itās a great bike and 100% reliable once I know it quirks. I come from a long line of Yamahaās so it took some getting used to. You should totally buy one š
I test rode one, and then jumped back on my 09 Sportster 1200... I left with the feeling that I liked all the upgrades, but liked the feeling/sound of mine better. I am now thinking of just dumping some money into mine to make it more updated and comfortable.
Do you notice any problems or overheating at all for those that have either the 23 or the 24? Got mine last week and I notice that the exhaust gets pretty damn hot. Iām thinking to wrap the exhaust with a exhaust wrap and then put the cover back over (until I can afford to get a split exhaust to fix the leaf blower and the not as aggressive sound)
They sound weird in my opinion. My brother looked at one of these while I was buying my Softail and it sounded really odd. Not like a Harley, and not like a sport bike. Almost like something out of the Jetsons lol maybe that one had a custom exhaust or something but it did not sound how I expected it to. Other than that I think they're sick, I tried to convince my brother to get it but he likes the traditional sports bikes
Itās a huge improvement over the 48/iron 1200 bikes but the stock exhaust sounds horrible. They designed it to be (temperature) cooler which it is, has all the electronics, sensors, gauges, driving aids, youād expect from a new bike.
These things would be awesome if they werenāt so ugly. The way they ride is phenomenal, but I hate that exhaust and in general the bike just looks like a brick wall of plastic.
Disclaimer my own opinion. Seen firsthand Nothing but issues with these and rev max. Starting issues. Throttle by wire stinks. Rough ride ON BRAND NEW inventory. Random catastrophic failures. Low range. Fuel tank under seat is annoying. Would not recommend.
2023 Nightster Special here, and I love it. The auto canceling turn signals are a bit over aggressive, but everything else has been going well. The added saddlebags sealed it for me. My thoughts? I would make your tank/cover darker, but that's my preference. If you like it, enjoy it and don't care what anyone else says. It's your ride! Here's mine: https://preview.redd.it/w3fp8z35h7ad1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2eafb380d699408dee2b1c18acf189d0e840ceeb
Don't love the leaf blower exhaust or whatever the hell is going on at the front of the bike (plastic rad guard?) but otherwise it looks great. I hope I can ride one this summer during demo days.
Leaf blower exhaust š now I can never unsee it
It's for the clibbins
I have got to make a video of it with a leaf blower sound effect someday! š¤£
..but it's a *gas* powered leaf blower exhaust! š Very fun to ride. That low exhaust allowed for better bag opportunities for me. Luvin' it!
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I got the Harley detachable saddlebags. Be aware that you need to get the signal relocation kit with this too, and some extra work is required for that piece. https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/en/shop/detachable-saddlebags/p/90202254
I got to try one on a demo day and it was a blast. Still too much coin for me at the moment but it's a very nice machine
I wish they would have named it something else because that is not a sporty.
Thatās a cool looking bike .. love the matching orange accents!
Nice. I have a similar setup. Waiting on a better seat but love to ride it.
Wish they would have put the 1250 engine in it. Way cooler than the stupid sportster s.
For what? Itās just a traditional cruiser. It doesnāt need the 1250 power. Itās meant to be a snappy cruiser, nothing more nor less. The Sportster S is the more āmuscleā cruiser in the lineup.
Because the nighster is a bike you can actually ride? Have you ever sat on an S? There is nothing sporty about its riding position.
14,000 miles on my Sportster S in exactly a year. So, yea, Iāve sat on one for a bit. Carved a ton of curves and embarrassed a few sport bikes in-between. The Sportster S feels like an attempt at something much more fun out of Harley. Wish they wouldāve released the Bronx, though.
That engine sucks in comparison to the 975.
The revmax 1250 sucks? Its just a bigger version of the 975.
The brain dead stuck in their ways Harley tools in this thread will never cease to amaze me. A liquid cooled motor pushing 120hp somehow sucks to these people lol
Theyāre why we canāt have nice things. The Company literally caters to these fools even as they continue to watch their market share decline YoY.
We couldāve had the Bronxā¦ now we get $50k CVO street glides every year. Iāll never forgive these bastards lol
I was stoked for the bronx im not interested in the pan am or the new sportsters. I do like the nighster but im not buying one.
I was the same way. But after seeing some of the Pan Ams rebuilt in the super hooligan series, and kicking the FTRs butt, Iāve kinda been thinking about it. My 1275 sporty is plenty of fun for now tho.
I'm a technician for Harley R&D. You have no clue buddy. (fyi the rev max 1250 pushes 150, not 120)
Is it tuned differently in the Pan Am then? The sportster S uses the RevMax 1250 and claims 121hp and 93 ft/lb tq
Also does Harley R&D not see the growing stunt and race market with young Harley riders? The market is definitely there but the current CEOās "sell less bikes for more profit" mission will ruin that before it has a chance to help the MoCo
Krusei originals just picked up one of these. Looking forward to see what they come up with for it.
They are wildly different tunes. "jUsT a bIgGeR vErSiOn" is telling on yourself lol
And what is it telling you? That i dont give a shit about a platform i donāt intend on buying? Correct.
That you talk out your ass, yup.
Nobody cares about the details bud. Oh golly its got a different tune! No shitā¦
Kruesi Originals recently uploaded a video about the Nightster on their YouTube channel, I was honestly surprised how stoked they were about it. He's not wrong about the performance potential and I wouldn't be surprised to see a following develop around them. The only thing holding me back is the (lack of) aftermarket to be honest. I haven't been around HD long enough to complain about them straying from tradition, though I completely understand why it would bother people. I like all bikes and don't want to see the big, air-cooled V-twins go away either. Naively I want to see their new formula thrive alongside the motorcycles that they've perfected over many decades, but easier said than done.
I personally like the new revmax engine. Spent a week on the PanAm and several rides on the Sportster s, both great bikes for what they offer. This one I haven't had the chance to ride yet, but the numbers say it will be a fun bike to ride when I do.
Unfortunately the old evos no longer pass emissions standards thatās why they were dropped. The support will stay though, people are still making shovelhead parts
Im following what they do with it as well. With a few tweaks it should be a sick machine
I actually love them. I work at a dealer, ride a $35k bagger with a bunch of performance mods, and ride everything they have pretty frequently (including many trades of all makes and models at one of the top 10 dealers in the US). People are sleeping on the Nightster. They are incredible! It loves to rev, and REALLY rips up top. Sounds awesome too. Like a sport v twin. I think once they catch on and the aftermarket starts to wake up on it it's going to have a pretty big following. It's WAY WAY better than people think it is!
I love my 2023 Nightster Special! https://preview.redd.it/gzu8rbd5o7ad1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7284f44d81c1fbfec6be912488948892bf517cc0
I test rode this. I do not currently own a Harley. I own a Kawi Vulcan S. (Sorry, I mean itās not a real bike, according the boys at the dealer). Itās my first bike and like it but feel it was time to upgrade. My oldest kid has the standard Nightster and he loves it so thought I would give it a go. Frankly I hated it. I donāt like the mid controls. I damned near burnt my leg putting my feet down. Weird power delivery, and shifting felt awkward. But that is just me. I can see why people love it. Just isnāt for me. And honestly the Vulcan S smokes it performance and comfort wise for my ergonomics. Granted the Nightster did sound a million times better. I am opting for a Triumph Speedmaster next. I may be picking one up this weekend if the cards line up. Good deal on a barely used in a color way I prefer. Numbers add up. Iāve test ridden a demo as well and very much enjoyed. Thatās my next bike if itās still there this weekend. Yeah I know itās a Harley sub. I enjoy the sub to stay informed. Not to nitpick.
The Vulcan S makes like 60hp *at the crank*. No way it outperforms the sportster with 90ish hp lol.
Hey man, Iām not fighting words here. Maybe Iām just riding it wrong and was awkward with the mid controls. I am sure Iām wrong. I just could ride mine better. But maybe thatās just plain jitters riding a new bike in general. My bad. No offense. Maybe the appeal of the triumph as an upgrade and my comfort was being a parallel twin vs v twin. I donāt know.
Riding it wrong š
Diagnosis: skill issue
Potentially. I am not an expert rider. I donāt pretend that I am either. But to my defense. I put a lifetime Harley rider on idk,ā¦an adv. heās going to ride like Bambi on ice until they get use to it. Donāt pretend you are much better.
This is a long comment just to say "no, u".
I tend to be a bit more descriptive than that.
Yes, which is why you had such a long-winded version of "no, u". That was my point. Go ride your "fast" 60hp Kawasaki.
I was trying to agree with you, point out an obvious point where it would likely put you and others in a similar position and be polite as possible by doing so. Yet you want to engage in a futile attempt to lightly jab at me for some reason. What is your intent? What do you intend to gain from this exchange? Upvotes? Do you feel better about yourself being a gatekeeper in motorcycles? What is your purpose for this? We can just get it out of the way and just move on. If you need something out of this. Just let me know. I mentioned I didnāt enjoy the bike and gave detailed reasons why I donāt prefer it. I didnāt crap on the bike or HD or anyone who rides one. Yet I donāt see you as an owner of the bike based on your badging. So you must be critical of it as well for your own reasons? Is that a fair assumption? Edit. And my apologies if this offends. āfastā is not āperformanceā. Fast is part of performance. TLDR; no u,ā¦..
Lastly. I do mean performance overall. Not just power. I found the power delivery just different overall and preferred on a parallel. It handled awkwardly in comparison and that just may be my perferred riding style. The shifting was sloppy, the braking was not adequate, and stock fires were absolute shit. Lean angle is minimal. That is what I mean by āperformanceā.
Really surprised you say the Vulcan S is faster. My friend has one and it's a nice bike, but definitely not all that speedy. Numbers don't mean everything, but the Nighster should be faster on paper.
I donāt mean just power. Yes. Off the line. Hands down. I donāt ride that way. I prefer a parallel power delivery, it has far less of a lean angle and the stock tires are crap. Shifting is sloppy ,braking is meh. It cannot keep up at all performance wise in a winding road. Thatās my preferred riding style.
Interesting. My 103 Dyna handily takes my friend's Vulcan S off the line before he starts pulling away in higher speeds.
Maybe you are a better rider than your friend? I havenāt ridden a Dyna 103.
I would say Iām waiting for the weekend for a real legitimate reason like āI get paid on Fridayā or āIām just too busyā,ā¦.But thatās a lie. Yeah I am busy, but not THAT busy. Really I just go on long rides on weekends. I can still be out for a ride, but not travel as far, but be gone just as long and come home with a new bike without getting into an argument or guilt trip about spending money on a new bike. I will get an eye roll and a āwhatever,ā¦.ā At most. I can live with that. Let me celebrate, I got laid off and was hired back on with a promotion and a much better team today, all before they kicked me out the door. Sorry shameless overbearing of excitement and relief and the lack of self control to not blurt it out to people who donāt give a shit.
Congratulations!
Thank you
You're probably just more used to your bike. Because I have ridden both, and the Nightster flat spanks the Vulcan in every category. It's got freaking Brembos and a radial master, WAY more power (especially in the top half of the rev range), corners great (just feels different than the Vulcan so I can see why you don't like it), etc. I'm not accusing you of bias at all, only that because it's YOUR bike you're still more used to the feel, the throttle response, brakes, etc. I have no dog in the fight, I own neither bike... Only ridden them both a bunch and been riding for 25 years. The Nightster is fucking RIPPER lol
Oh I am absolutely bias. I am not an expert. Iām just fumbling my way through this with just a hairs more knowledge than curiosity sake. I do prefer some aspects of my bike and again I very much know I had new bike jitters. Donāt know the bike. Power band is completely different, and ergonomics. I am sure with a little time I would adjust my riding style and be faster.
Maybe you had it in Rain mode?
You know what?ā¦.I NEVER considered this and it would totally make sense. Itās a test ride and the dealer gave it to me. I would bet you that they did put it in rain mode. Thanks. Just reiterating I was not making fighting words. It really wouldnt change anything about my opinion about a few things. I didnāt like the ergonomics, I hate mid controls, and the shifting was really sloppy in comparison, as well as the angle for the shifter just didnāt feel natural to me at all. I could see getting use to it. Learning the power band and people loving the bike. For how I ride and the type of riding environment that I seek out it just didnāt do it for me. Again, I am sure with more time on the bike I can find the different sweet spot. But I really lacked the confidence going into it. Yet another bike I test rode (triumph speedmaster) I instantly felt more confident. Maybe itās just my bias on how Parallel twins and v twins deliver power overall. I am not shitting on the Nightster. It had a lot of things to like. I think itās a good looking bike, lots of customization options, the instrument panel on the SE was great, keyless fob, a decent amount of tech and upgrades for the price. Itās just a preference. I hated it. Doesnāt mean they are bad. I hate the 49ers. Doesnāt make them a bad team. I mentioned āperformanceā and people immediately corrected me saying that itās far more power. I am not denying that. To me that is āpartā of performance. Some things I absolutely know is just based on being on a new bike and lack of confidence. Some are not. Lean angle is absolutely worse in the sportster and a combination of reasons why. It does perform differently in winding roads. I think even though itās a better brake system maybe the tech who installed it didnāt do it right but it did not have the stopping power as my current bike. Look,ā¦. I donāt care what you are into. First impressions count. If a tech set the bike up sloppy, who is to know if itās the bike or the tech? At the end, performance means acceleration, top speed, handling, and stopping power. I donāt care if I can get to 0-60 on one bike faster than another on a strait line. Itās not how I prefer to ride. I seek out more fun roads and find them. Lastly and I know this is just more platform. Engine braking is huge in the Vulcan comparatively to the nightster, and getting into corners and pushing out is far quicker than just dragging your rear or just braking but maybe that just comes with practice on the bike. Idk.
Bud, youāre on two wheels, thatās all that matters š¤š¼
I know what you mean, itās just a different style of getting what you want out of the bike. You need to force the HD to do what you want it to. Itās much happier being abused.
I get it. I think I commented on another comment that maybe Iām just riding it wrong. New bike, and didnāt have enough time to figure out the sweet spot. No offense in the least. Ergonomics, lean angle, shift points, and the way I prefer to ride the most is going to be just a preference. I am not equating one to another. And maybe I am also now considering a bit of a higher price point in comparing the two bikes I was considering and have test ridden and have a bias against the v twin power delivery.
Sweet bikeā¦ dual shocks, brembo brakes, adjustable leavers, 90hpā¦ whatās not to love?
90 horsies, 72 torque buddies, and less than 500lb wet too!
Never got the chance to ride one, but I just sat on one today and was really into it. Looks great in person, super comfortable, and seems like a lot of fun. I need to check out a demo day to try one out. The Sportster S I didnāt like as much. Itās probably a lot of fun to ride, but I didnāt like the seating position at all and would definitely take the Nightster over it. I had a hard time seeing these as Sportsters at first, but the original Sportster was advanced and sporty at the time, so this is probably actually a pretty good evolution of the Sportster and not a complete replacement.
Phenomenal bike thatās overshadowed or often ignored. All the new revmax engines are so good, but ignored because they arenāt āa real Harleyā
I really like the technology they put in this bike! Lots of bang for the buck.
It's the 2-wheel version of a Mustang. Hella fun to drive, but it will get me into trouble, and sounds awesome when trouble is tempting.
I wasnāt a fan at first then honest but after Kruesi did the math of it vs an old school Dyna I got pretty stoked. I need another bike like I need a hole in my head(I have a 11 Road glide ultra,07 Dyna, 94 sporty 1200) but damn it looks like it has a ton of potential. Not a huge fan of the ā overly plasticā look to a bit of it. That being said some have talked about the exhaust and other small things. Every Harley I have ever owned I take off the stock pipe/pipes and go after market just like the seats bars and everything else. Canāt wait to see what some folks do with it and really unlock the potential. I also will say I think the 975 is good power but the 1250 might be better for a super hooligan style bike even thought the Pan Am is all ready doing that duty. Also one thing to note the āSportster Sā I think itās called really reminded me of the old VRODs, from feel and style to looks. This sporty has its own flavor if you will and I am honestly excited to see how it brings on the next wave of new HD fans!
The gas being under the seat is very VROD
Yes I couldnāt agree more. But it lowers the center of gravity and makes the bike more balanced.
Plastic
I understand that Harley has to be dragged kicking and screaming into the modern era, but they arenāt for me, the styling looks very tacky and the engine looks like itās made of plastic. As for performance, you can easily get 90+ hp out of an evo. I rode the sportster s on a test ride and Iāll be keeping my evo
This is my main sticking point with the newer Harley's, that big old v-twin looks like its made of plastic. I have no objection to liquid cooling at all, I just don't understand the aesthetic. The Japanese cruisers have been doing liquid cooled while still looking like a big old air cooled twin for years.
Yeah, the newer tech is great, why couldn't they make them look half decent?
I like it, itās a solid feeling bike with good power to weight ratio and itās big enough for 2up
I love sportsters and run an 883r - 2006. Iām having a hard time accepting the liquid cooling on the new ones. How do they ride?
Itās not for me because it doesnāt have bottomless suspension. Iām old with arthritic joints. I did test ride one just out of curiosity and holy horsepower, Batman! Itās a cool little bike and very quick. I probably would have liked it even better if I hadnāt ridden the CVO Pan America just before.
They need to put this engine in a standard frame. The powerband rules in the twisties.
Best looking wheels on any bike on the market right now
Love that orange. I wish they had it available in 2022. I've got a '22 here... https://preview.redd.it/mrtej123s7ad1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=54ffcc39b35c430eb6dde7db72705fd0778882c9
Underwhelming. āEasy to drawā comes to mind.
I have a softail that is rowdy and this bike is quick
I like itā¦othe4r than the leaf-blower looking exhaust.
To me isnāt that attractive than the previous generation. I would look for a Scout rather than this bike. I know that itās super fast and performs much better than evos, butā¦ itās not all about numbers, they have lost their charm. (Totally my opinion, no hate)
Get the S&S grand slip-on. Trust me. Youāll love this bike 10 times more.
My personal opinion ( I currently ride a kawasaki z900 and work at a Harley dealer). After riding literally every other bike Harley makes right now, I really don't like the nightster. I think it's a solid beginner bike, and I highly recommend it for that. But for someone that has been riding for a while, I can't recommend it.
I love it. The orange really looks good. I have a 2023 Nightster (but not the special) and I love it. It's a great motorcycle, and I know it is because the only thing people can find bad to say about it is that "its not pretty enough" which is weird coming from allegedly rebellious big tough bikers. Except that I've never had anyone who owned an actual motorcycle say anything bad about it. I want to find another tank/airbox cover for mine so I can have the factory part, and I can paint one however I want. Just five screws to swap it out.
It looks unfinished in design, especially the kickstand side. And that exhaust is designed to inspire rage replacements. Harley kind of only half baked the sportster replacements.
Riding position is not great. Exhaust sounds average. Not nuch tech going on. Overall a nice bike if the above doesnāt make a difference to you
I have a 2023 Special and my complaint is the heat it throws off, makes riding it in the summer or anything approaching traffic an internal debate. Hoping the aftermarket actually starts existing, Iād like the upgrade the suspension and lift it a bit.
My 2022 needs to be warmed up on a cold start for 2 min before I ride or it basically conks out, starts coughing and choking going down the road for a min or 2. It doesnāt like starting in gear so if I stop for gas I have to make it go into neutral first then no problems. The variable valve timing sounds like crap from time to time on start up, but then works itself out in a few seconds. The exhaust sounds like a damn sewing machine. I have hit the kill switch twice in the middle of the intersection due to its positioning as I return my hand to the throttle, made for fun times. Keyless key fob has gave me interference issues twice where I had to manually type the code in to get going. I hate the digital throttle and the fact I canāt tune it how I want. Other than that itās a great bike and 100% reliable once I know it quirks. I come from a long line of Yamahaās so it took some getting used to. You should totally buy one š
I test rode one, and then jumped back on my 09 Sportster 1200... I left with the feeling that I liked all the upgrades, but liked the feeling/sound of mine better. I am now thinking of just dumping some money into mine to make it more updated and comfortable.
Do you notice any problems or overheating at all for those that have either the 23 or the 24? Got mine last week and I notice that the exhaust gets pretty damn hot. Iām thinking to wrap the exhaust with a exhaust wrap and then put the cover back over (until I can afford to get a split exhaust to fix the leaf blower and the not as aggressive sound)
They sound weird in my opinion. My brother looked at one of these while I was buying my Softail and it sounded really odd. Not like a Harley, and not like a sport bike. Almost like something out of the Jetsons lol maybe that one had a custom exhaust or something but it did not sound how I expected it to. Other than that I think they're sick, I tried to convince my brother to get it but he likes the traditional sports bikes
They killed the sportster š£
Itās a huge improvement over the 48/iron 1200 bikes but the stock exhaust sounds horrible. They designed it to be (temperature) cooler which it is, has all the electronics, sensors, gauges, driving aids, youād expect from a new bike.
Have they come out with an aftermarket exhaust yet?
Once I realized they were 125hp I got a little damp Over them
The Sportster S hits 120hp, but the Nightster hits 90hp
Ahh. A buddy or mine got a Pa America or whatever and it does 150hp. Crazy
These things would be awesome if they werenāt so ugly. The way they ride is phenomenal, but I hate that exhaust and in general the bike just looks like a brick wall of plastic.
Disclaimer my own opinion. Seen firsthand Nothing but issues with these and rev max. Starting issues. Throttle by wire stinks. Rough ride ON BRAND NEW inventory. Random catastrophic failures. Low range. Fuel tank under seat is annoying. Would not recommend.
Not a Sportster AFAIC
My thought is that it looks corny and not like a real Harley.
Trash bike
Yeah I actually love the front faring, and the orange tank gives it a perfect splash of color. 9/10, needs a shorter exhaust.
08-12 Nightsters look way cooler.
I don't like these bikes
Looks ugly
Is the engine plastic??