I have a 23 Nightster Special, and I love it so far, mine is very modified, s&s muffler is truly awesome, I've added viking bags Saddlebags and Trunk, added the reach handlebars and seat, changed the shifter peg for 1 that extends out further, highway bars, plus a ton of orange cues, the difference is amazing and I get compliments everywhere I go on it
@TheMotoJawn there's a button to switch modes, I am still in the break-in period, haven't used sports mode yet, but, at idle I've switched through all the modes without a problem
@@TheMotoJawn I live far northeast Philly, am 59 and kind of a new rider, usually only get out when I have other riders with me and wouldn't try to ride into the city.
Good video. I have a '22, put 2100 miles on it so far, and love it! Most people that don't like it haven't ridden it. I have ridden the 48, Sportster S and an xr1200 Sportster before I settled on this. This bike makes almost 50 lb/ft @ 3k, which is more than most bikes make in their whole range. You don't need to rev it high to have fun. I ride like a hooligan, so a regular Harley won't do for me, as they scrape too soon. Plus, I found a lot of the traditional Harley heritage vibe I get when at the dealer to be a bit too exclusive. I put an S&S exhaust on it, and it snarls. I don't like the loudness of most H-D, anyway. If the Motor Company shaved $3K off the price, more people would give it a chance. It definitely is not for the Harley apologist, as it actually leans into the tech side of refinement. Ride safe.
I waited for this bike for 2 years and when it came out I was like “That’s too freaking much!” I went ahead with the Low Rider S instead because I figured that if I’m spending $15k+ anyway, I’ll just get the Big Twin Harley I always wanted. I do still want to check this bike out. It’s just too expensive for the smallest bike in the lineup. Imo.
I love the typical Harley, but I liked so much this Nightster 975, and I thought a lot of people especially young riders would have been attracted by this bike, but since it came into the market the first thing that I said was "No, really, they did it again, it's waay too expensive and it's not worth that price", after 2 years is even more expensive, and it's a total disappointment for a bike that would be really interesting, and actually a perfect second bike to be accompanied to the typical Harley, but objectively it's too expensive.
I bought a Nightster S last month and I've been riding it non stop since. I'm having a blast on mine but it's my first bike. One of the things that I like about the bike is that it's not your typical Harley. Maybe I don't want to fit in with a typical Harley crowd wearing overpriced t-shirts and calling everybody brother.😅
I have a 23 an Love it, I have back problems so I needed something light weight and this fits the bill perfectly. When you put it in “Sport” mode it comes alive. It’s like a totally different bike. This is also my very first Harley, and so far I’m impressed by it. The overall seating position fits my back an me perfectly. The only thing I don’t like is the sound, it’s way to quiet to be a Harley. S&S makes a slip on muffler but it’s currently on back order.
I'm in a similar situation, my knees are screwed so I needed something lighter. I love it, it's so well balanced. My only niggles would be the hard suspension and the exhaust note.
Absolutely love my Nightster Special I've owned it for close to a year (be a year around April). Only complaints I have are I wish It had more fuel range and there were more parts out there for it particularly stuff like saddlebags and stuff like that since I daily ride/commute on it.
I bought the 2023 RH975 Nightster on June 28, 2024. It is my first Harley after having sport bikes most my life. I have to say I Love this bike. I'm sure it's not for everyone but it is a Great Ride and really well balanced. To the nay sayers I will simply say......have you ridin one??? I'm waiting!!
I love the look, the new engine, more power, all good things imo. The price is just too high for the smallest bike in the lineup. $15k MSRP + fees+ stealership fees=??? $17k $18k. It’s too much unless it just rips!! Honestly, I would just get the rebel 11oo if I was getting a modern sportster bike. Just as much power and costs far less.
@codymetz8689 they had to drop the price and stop adding so many fees just to sell these bikes. They started like all Harleys, way overpriced. Then, when no one was buying the bike, they spent years developing and millions of R&D on, they started dropping the price just to move some of these bikes. I doubt it's going to work, though? Idk, something about it that just turns me off. Even with the drastic price reduction, I still don't want one.
I took a Nightster for a test drive today. I could say a lot that I love or like. Not a deal breaker but it sits a little lower than I would like. Bottom line is that I couldn't keep my right leg from touching the tail pipe which I believe would have left a first degree burn if I drove it for an hour. Even close to the pipe it is quite hot.
I owned a 2022 Nightster. I come from a sport bike background of motorcycles. I really liked the styling and performance of the Nightster but I had numerous problems since day one-check engine warning lights, no start issues, defective handlebar welds and a fuel pump which imploded at 15,000 miles. Harley Davidson fixed all of these problems but I no longer felt any confidence in the bike. My local Dealership and Harley Davidson agreed to buy the bike back and sell me my bike of choice at cost. I purchased a 2023 Street Bob because it is a simple bike without any excessive electronic features to breakdown. I watch a lot of TH-cam videos and many people are selling their bike that has this engine because of similar problems. My local Dealership says they are not selling the Nightster as people want the traditional Harley Davidson bike. If Harley Davidson can correct the problems with the Nightster I believe it will be a good selling bike for the younger generation looking for the sport bike performance.
They should've made the Bronx instead of trying to compete with Indian Scout. As long as Rebel 1100 exists, HD won't sell many of these. Not at anywhere near MSRP anyway. And no, I haven't seen any out and about. My local dealer had 2 of these.. at the beginning of May. Both still there. EVO Sportster has "heritage", loads of aftermarket trinkets and somewhat sane price point. This one has neither. And MSRP rivals liter hyper-nakeds.. Which are way more "hooligan" :)
I agree 100 with everything you said. For the $$$ you can have some legitimate hooligan fun and for thousands less the rebel 11oo scratches this itch. And give us the Bronx already!
This is my first bike. I put 2500k miles on it this season. I thoroughly enjoy this bike i get a lot of compliments. I enjoy it in sport mode. It great overall bike. The problem with this bike is the price. As much as anyone can say this is a beginner bike the only problem is the price. The price make it unappealing. I took out the low rider st for a test run. I notice one thing that was a major difference between both bike beside all the spec and it a different platform. It the giggle factor. I was laughing and enjoying myself more on the low rider st then i did on my nightster. Now, i plan on trading my nightster in for a low rider st.
I just bought the Nightster S in Denim Black. BIKE VERY FAST! Modern tech, lightweight, maneuverable, great brakes and suspension. CRUISE CONTROL…Bluetooth, USB -C. Charging jack. Pocket fob to start bike. ….no key. Back up digital code if your fob dies…..Exhaust Sound….meh.. maybe a loud pipe can change that. Need to map the throttle to your taste to improve take off in sport mode. Great bike
Great review nicely done. Completely agree with you that it’s not for everyone…..but in my honest opinion, it is the direction that Harley needs to go to attract the newer riders. Also, The RevMax engine is very mechanical sounding and not for everyone. There is a lot going on under there hence all the clicking and clacking noise that you can hear (especially on startup). I believe from the bottom of my heart, every dealership that wants to sell these bikes, needs to pull the stock pipe off of them AS SOON as they uncrate them, and put an aftermarket system on. The RevMax engine sounds AMAZING with a TBR or S&S kit on it….kind of a cross between a Ducati and a KTM…then they will sell.
I’ve been riding my Girlfriends 24 special, inside an EVO bagger typically. As far as the special it’s very fun to ride. power comes on smooth, and 91 horse in a 480lb sportster is all you need. Super quiet , display screen easy to read. Have ridden her on the back. The special is a lot better than the typical nightster, the wheels , tank badge , look great. Ungodly quiet, super light lever feel, runs strong as hell, the suspension works great , forks a little lightly spring for a heavier guy, rear shocks perfect out of the box. It pulls for days , GreatBike to ride.
I have a 2022 Nightster and love it! It maybe a bit of a slow seller. Mine was listed for 12K and I got it for $5799 when I traded my 2015 Street 500 to the HD dealer. Obviously, they were motivated to move it.
It feels like something that Kawasaki might make, maybe a Vulcan S 975 prototype. The liquid cooling is a nice change (similar to the Indian Challenger) but I think it revs too high and the engine looks terrible & plasticky. They should release a Sport line-up which includes this & the Sportster S and then re-release the old Sportsters as part of the Street line-up alongside the Street Rod and their new 400cc model.
@@TheMotoJawn If I had to name it, I'd say that it's missing the uniqueness of being a Sportster. When I bought mine I knew exactly what I wanted and exactly what I was getting. And I wasn't disappointed. The Nightster...meh. What are you supposed to expect from it?
@@TheMotoJawn I think it's because it's not special in any particular way. It's not as fast as a 975cc sport bike, doesn't sound as good as one and isn't particularly more comfortable than a 975cc naked. It's the whole sport tourer thing again. 50% sporty, 50% tourer, 100% incomplete.
I have this bike and love it...looks like you were stuck in road mode the whole time (the icon looked orange)...Sport mode is red with an S in the middle...too bad you couldn't get it into sport mode...makes a HUGE difference.
@@TheMotoJawn yeah exactly! You were doing everything right! Looks like the bike you were on had a glitch. I will say, on the other end of the spectrum, when I get stuck in the rain, going to rain mode makes me feel better because it cuts a lot of power and the throttle isn't as touchy.
Really cool little Harley. It's the only one that I thinking to buy. Also I thinking where I can get the clunky HD noise on it without engine damage, but I think I find the solution.
Let’s not forget all the no start issues on the bike. I joined a nightster form to see what people where saying, and many users complained about the bike dying after a few 100 miles.
Haven’t ridden one, but I have sat on a few. It feels EXACTLY like my Vulcan 900 Custom when in the saddle. Which for me is a good thing. I loved that bike. Other than on the freeway at 70-75+. I might be in the market for one of these as a daily commuter.
Still no aftermarket for this bike at all. That says it all. The Special has awesome slew of nice standard options from cruise control, usb port, abs, traction control, torque slip control, infotainment, ride modes and custom modes on a $13.5k bike new in 2024 and is only 481 lbs wet and the power is not bad especially for the weight. Im just so conflicted on this bike though. I like so much about it like I listed but I really dislike alot about the styling and no aftermarket support and ive just personally grown out of Sportsters and seek confort more now. This bike should be very appealing to younger and newer riders but I think the pricepoint is still a problem even though you do get quite alot with this bike so I kinda understand why it can't be $10k but I think $12.5k for Special from the start would've launched this bike much better.
You couldn't switch modes because there is a setting in the software allowing to set which modes are available to be cycled through. Rain, road, sport and two custom modes. From the dealer, sport mode wasn't turned on on mine and no custom set. But you can disable any of them, presumably you have to leave one. To me appeared you were in road mode the other modes were likely disabled.
Some things to note about this test ride and maybe its because it was a dealer bike and you didn't want to beat on it too much but 1) you have to ride it in sport mode 2) it makes peak horsepower of 91hp at 7500 RPM and I I kept seeing you shift way too early 3) like a lot of harleys you gotta put an aftermarket exhaust on them. The lowrider s sounds like a sewing machine stock but once its opened up it sounds crazy. These nightsters won't ever give you that evo sound or feel but they do have a pretty cool sound with a full system on them. This bike has the same problem the vrod has. They are well refined machines. Harleys have always been known for the 4000cc 22hp lawn mower engines and this aint that. Its not going to satisfy a buyer looking for a more classic harley. But if you want to see what the next generation of harleys are going to look like, the nightster is your look to the future.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe majority of motorcycle owners end up modifying their bikes, so I don't see what the big fuss is about. You can change out the exhaust on the 975 for a more aggressive sound. Personally, I don't like all of the loud growling noise. I do need to hear beyond riding a motorcycle.
It looks too much like a metric bike and if you try to kit it out like any other Harley it would just look even more ridiculous. Plus the leaf blower exhaust and the afterthought coolant reservoir makes it look kind of hilarious to me. I can't speak to the performance and I'm sure it's a ripper but they just bombed with the aesthetics in my opinion.
Yeah I think it was road mode. For some reason I couldn't get it into sport mode. I though it let off the throttle, hit the mode button to change it. But it wasn't changing
I have an Iron 883 2017 evolution and I tried to like the new versions but I couldn’t bond with it, less petrol, under seat is a fail, the plastic and the battery behind the radiator is a fail, lack of character and the messy design on the non look side. I have a bit of an issue with how the original evolution design was dropped like the Dyna line and replaced with something not as good and twice the price. If I wanted a Honda rebel 1100 I would have bought it. Just my thoughts though.
I trade my street bob for the nightster S about 4 month ago 🤦🏼♀️. I like the look I and how it feels when riding it but I agreed with you the sounds not liking hopefully when I change my exhaust I’ll have a different opinion . I kind of miss my street bob sound 😩
hard to see, but it does look like you were in road mode the entire time. I feel like switching into sport mode makes people change their tune a bit. But, we do all hate the exhuast note, that's not just a "you" thing for sure.
Yeah it was road mode. For some reason couldn't find sport mode. I let of the throttle then hit the mode button but nothing happened. Thought that was the way it was changed
@@TheMotoJawn the difference is more than you'd think and actually makes most of us need to buy a new sear for fear of sliding off the back. A good excuse for another ride 😄 But, your 1200 will definitely hold a more long term place in history than this bike.
It's a cool looking bike but I think what turns people off to it is all that plastic and that 975cc. I personally haven't seen one out anywhere either.
@@TheMotoJawn. It has power everywhere. Torquey down low and still screams up top. I had a sportster 1200…. No comparison whatsoever in power department in any range. I can accelerate in any gear above 15mph
I'm not going to criticize the new bike or its design and features, because Washington DC dictates how to build motor vehicles. That said... If you owned a metric cruiser you'd be right at home on the 975. The sound, the feel, the gadgets, are right out of the metric cruiser playbook. Everyone makes a great deal out of how much a motorcycle weighs. After getting sucked into the vacuum of a passing tractor-trailer on a Honda CB450 on the Ohio Turnpike at 70 and being helpless to do anything but go with the flow I learned that lightweight bikes belong on the racetrack, not the Interstate. Could I see myself putting 50,000 miles in three years on the 975 like I did on the 2005 1200 Roadster? There were a lot of Interstate miles in that total. Could the bike hold up? I got 15K miles from the OEM rear tire and 25K from the front tire. My riding style was simple: gas (2 gallons) and Gatorade every 2 hours (120 miles plus or minus). Does the 975 have 600 mile days in its DNA? Riding in the city. Those bar-end mirrors are no good for close quarter riding. They have to go up or down but definitely inside of the bar ends. Turn the license plate sideways too. Anything you can do to reduce the bike's width will help, especially in states where lane splitting is legal. Harley had to do something because of ever-tightening worldwide emissions requirements. The air cooled motors won't work so the new motors are the result. Can you get used to it? Sure. It's just not what we've had since 1957, but it's still two wheels and an engine. And that's all we've ever needed
Not many people buying them and the ones that do are constantly in the shop being repaired. Electrical gremlins. What a joke , not just Harley but nothing new is good anymore
Majority of the people whom I've heard complain about this bike admitted to being use to riding their bike for a while and then test driving this one. That's like someone eating steak majority of the time and having fish for the very first time. Of course it's not going to taste the same. This is not necessarily an indictment on the 975 motorcycle.
I have the 2022 nightster (rh975) great bike .. first Harley , but coming from a stunt street bike it’s great . The 3 modes are noticeably different. But over all very fun bike . I will be doing a stunt build on my nightster check my page out and follow the nightster stunt build 🏍️‼️
It's overpriced. You can get the Sportster S for $1400 more than the "special" or $2900 more than the base 975. You get SO MUCH MORE for the money getting the S. The only people the 975 is going to appeal to are those who are scraping together every penny they can for a down payment on ANYTHING with a HD badge that they can say is brand new from the dealer. Anyone with just a little more money or credit is going to get the 1250.
Passenger use. I also was very turned off by the bobber tire up front on the s and the forward controls. I don't mind forward controls, but I wanted mid. What sealed the deal was needing a back seat for the backpack, absolute necessity. This is a 3rd bike, really only filling the small bike gap. I might wonder if I would have been better suited with something else in the lineup but I stopped worrying about that soon as the 1k service came up and all I had to do was the usual filter and oil change, no funky 3 hole service or the like. Hydraulic valve lash also is a plus. Change the oil and ride it, very metric. Tell you what though.. the stock exhaust note is just pitiful. They could have gotten a little more noise out of it and been compliant. The S&S makes it sound much much better.
That's what happens when millennials influence the design. They've forgotten what the Sportster's appeal was. No one wants the new bike, it's butt-ass ugly and doesn't look or feel like a "Harley".
I just got my Nightster S, coming from an iron 1200. The nightater is far superior in every single way with sound opinions being subjective. Power, suspension that doesn't bottom out over a sewer grate, navi, cruise control, LED lighting all around, rides far smoother and faster around any corner, better milage, no more worrys when fueling ( scratches or gas all over paint or boiling hot air cooled engine....on and on i could go.
I've seen one Nightster out in the wild. I don't think it was the special. But I think the right side of bike looks really good. But the left side looks like garbage. I think Indian and Victory did a much better job on Scout and Octane as far as symmetry goes. But I do think liquid cooled OHC is the future. They're not "traditional" but that's fine by me.
I bought the 2022 brand new off the truck. Haven’t even put 2,000 miles on it and it’s again in the shop for the 5th time. Not a reliable bike cuts off in traffic and won’t start multiple times. They had to update the software at one point . This bike is trash and Harley won’t take it back or give me a good deal on another bike. I’m taking a lost but definitely going back to a sports bike.
I think we don't see to many of the new sportsters because of the price of them, you can get a new softail standard/streetbob or buy sportster 883/1200 and do a stage 4 kit.
That engine sound with the stock exhaust is lame. I'm rarely one for aftermarket exhaust, but sounds like this one needs it. And yeah, I've only ever seen *ONE* Nightster on the road since it was launched. Someone turning into the North Wales Wawa. Also only once saw a Sportster S on the road, in New Hope, though I also actually know a guy that bought a Sportster S as his first bike getting back into riding after years. My biggest gripes with the Nightster are still the price and the hideous mess on the left side. Seems like it'd be great to ride, though.
The biggest complaint I hear is the non Harley feel. The design is more for handling and balance. If you want to see them in the wild try bike night lol
@@TheMotoJawn…I think that’s why you didn’t get the full power of this new motor. All the videos I’ve watched say that Road Mode is much less responsive than Sport Mode…it “might” have been locked out by the dealer or maybe in neutral/clutch in to change the mode?
I want one but the price doesn't make sense when you cam pretty much get a Softail for same price. I do want the 2024 Special in that flat grey. Slap on a black TBR exhaust (shaves 15 lbs off too), road warrior fairing 11-13 inch shield, blacked out lenses and reflectors and idk about the handlebars, still conflicted on what bars to put on it. I want a little higher but feel the mini apes don't look quite right on it so maybe just larger Risers with the stock bars or 10 inch T-bars.
Wow I have had 2 883 Iron's and loved them but they do not compare to my 2023 Nightser Special . I removed the cat and fitted a S&S Muffler has run 11.98 on the1/4 mile . Not a slow bike ,have done plenty of big miles on it far easier than an old Sportster . Also ride a 2019 Softail Slim with some work done to it . I prefer riding the Nightster Special . Very few been sold in Australia . Harley Davidson do not push them here .
I have a 23 Nightster Special, and I love it so far, mine is very modified, s&s muffler is truly awesome, I've added viking bags Saddlebags and Trunk, added the reach handlebars and seat, changed the shifter peg for 1 that extends out further, highway bars, plus a ton of orange cues, the difference is amazing and I get compliments everywhere I go on it
What's yhr process to get in sport mode. I didn't seem to be able to get it there
@TheMotoJawn there's a button to switch modes, I am still in the break-in period, haven't used sports mode yet, but, at idle I've switched through all the modes without a problem
@@TheMotoJawn I live far northeast Philly, am 59 and kind of a new rider, usually only get out when I have other riders with me and wouldn't try to ride into the city.
Where can we see your bike. I’m curious to see how it turned out.
@@Gotfaz I don't have a channel or anything like that - so idk?
Good video. I have a '22, put 2100 miles on it so far, and love it! Most people that don't like it haven't ridden it. I have ridden the 48, Sportster S and an xr1200 Sportster before I settled on this. This bike makes almost 50 lb/ft @ 3k, which is more than most bikes make in their whole range. You don't need to rev it high to have fun. I ride like a hooligan, so a regular Harley won't do for me, as they scrape too soon. Plus, I found a lot of the traditional Harley heritage vibe I get when at the dealer to be a bit too exclusive. I put an S&S exhaust on it, and it snarls. I don't like the loudness of most H-D, anyway. If the Motor Company shaved $3K off the price, more people would give it a chance. It definitely is not for the Harley apologist, as it actually leans into the tech side of refinement. Ride safe.
I ended up liking the sportster s a little better. I couldn't get this one in sport mode lol
I waited for this bike for 2 years and when it came out I was like “That’s too freaking much!” I went ahead with the Low Rider S instead because I figured that if I’m spending $15k+ anyway, I’ll just get the Big Twin Harley I always wanted. I do still want to check this bike out. It’s just too expensive for the smallest bike in the lineup. Imo.
So you rode an XR1200 which has more tq at lower rpm more HP at lower rpm and 40deg lean angle vs nightster 32 degree lean
And YOU SAY WHAT??????
I love the typical Harley, but I liked so much this Nightster 975, and I thought a lot of people especially young riders would have been attracted by this bike, but since it came into the market the first thing that I said was "No, really, they did it again, it's waay too expensive and it's not worth that price", after 2 years is even more expensive, and it's a total disappointment for a bike that would be really interesting, and actually a perfect second bike to be accompanied to the typical Harley, but objectively it's too expensive.
I bought a Nightster S last month and I've been riding it non stop since. I'm having a blast on mine but it's my first bike. One of the things that I like about the bike is that it's not your typical Harley. Maybe I don't want to fit in with a typical Harley crowd wearing overpriced t-shirts and calling everybody brother.😅
I have a 23 an Love it, I have back problems so I needed something light weight and this fits the bill perfectly. When you put it in “Sport” mode it comes alive. It’s like a totally different bike. This is also my very first Harley, and so far I’m impressed by it. The overall seating position fits my back an me perfectly. The only thing I don’t like is the sound, it’s way to quiet to be a Harley. S&S makes a slip on muffler but it’s currently on back order.
I'm in a similar situation, my knees are screwed so I needed something lighter. I love it, it's so well balanced. My only niggles would be the hard suspension and the exhaust note.
Absolutely love my Nightster Special I've owned it for close to a year (be a year around April). Only complaints I have are I wish It had more fuel range and there were more parts out there for it particularly stuff like saddlebags and stuff like that since I daily ride/commute on it.
I bought the 2023 RH975 Nightster on June 28, 2024. It is my first Harley after having sport bikes most my life. I have to say I Love this bike. I'm sure it's not for everyone but it is a Great Ride and really well balanced. To the nay sayers I will simply say......have you ridin one??? I'm waiting!!
I love the look, the new engine, more power, all good things imo. The price is just too high for the smallest bike in the lineup. $15k MSRP + fees+ stealership fees=??? $17k $18k. It’s too much unless it just rips!! Honestly, I would just get the rebel 11oo if I was getting a modern sportster bike. Just as much power and costs far less.
Yeah I think the look is good. Keeps some classic sporty styling. But you're r8ght price is definitely out of line
Looked at one of these today. The dealership wants almost $20K. RIP HD
@@williamdavis4809 I just looked at one today in PA, dealer wanted 12,200
I’m seeing MSRP for the 2024s at 12k
@codymetz8689 they had to drop the price and stop adding so many fees just to sell these bikes. They started like all Harleys, way overpriced. Then, when no one was buying the bike, they spent years developing and millions of R&D on, they started dropping the price just to move some of these bikes. I doubt it's going to work, though? Idk, something about it that just turns me off. Even with the drastic price reduction, I still don't want one.
I took a Nightster for a test drive today. I could say a lot that I love or like. Not a deal breaker but it sits a little lower than I would like. Bottom line is that I couldn't keep my right leg from touching the tail pipe which I believe would have left a first degree burn if I drove it for an hour. Even close to the pipe it is quite hot.
I owned a 2022 Nightster. I come from a sport bike background of motorcycles. I really liked the styling and performance of the Nightster but I had numerous problems since day one-check engine warning lights, no start issues, defective handlebar welds and a fuel pump which imploded at 15,000 miles. Harley Davidson fixed all of these problems but I no longer felt any confidence in the bike. My local Dealership and Harley Davidson agreed to buy the bike back and sell me my bike of choice at cost. I purchased a 2023 Street Bob because it is a simple bike without any excessive electronic features to breakdown. I watch a lot of TH-cam videos and many people are selling their bike that has this engine because of similar problems. My local Dealership says they are not selling the Nightster as people want the traditional Harley Davidson bike. If Harley Davidson can correct the problems with the Nightster I believe it will be a good selling bike for the younger generation looking for the sport bike performance.
They should've made the Bronx instead of trying to compete with Indian Scout. As long as Rebel 1100 exists, HD won't sell many of these. Not at anywhere near MSRP anyway. And no, I haven't seen any out and about. My local dealer had 2 of these.. at the beginning of May. Both still there. EVO Sportster has "heritage", loads of aftermarket trinkets and somewhat sane price point. This one has neither. And MSRP rivals liter hyper-nakeds.. Which are way more "hooligan" :)
I like the idea of the Bronx but the 975 just didn't do it for me
I agree 100 with everything you said.
For the $$$ you can have some legitimate hooligan fun and for thousands less the rebel 11oo scratches this itch. And give us the Bronx already!
That 1200 Iron couldn’t hold the Nightster’s jock strap.
This is my first bike. I put 2500k miles on it this season. I thoroughly enjoy this bike i get a lot of compliments. I enjoy it in sport mode. It great overall bike. The problem with this bike is the price. As much as anyone can say this is a beginner bike the only problem is the price. The price make it unappealing. I took out the low rider st for a test run. I notice one thing that was a major difference between both bike beside all the spec and it a different platform. It the giggle factor. I was laughing and enjoying myself more on the low rider st then i did on my nightster. Now, i plan on trading my nightster in for a low rider st.
Something more fun about the big twins I think
@TheMotoJawn yeah, I just don't know what. It just that low-end torque, I guess.
I just bought the Nightster S in Denim Black. BIKE VERY FAST! Modern tech, lightweight, maneuverable, great brakes and suspension. CRUISE CONTROL…Bluetooth, USB -C. Charging jack. Pocket fob to start bike. ….no key. Back up digital code if your fob dies…..Exhaust Sound….meh.. maybe a loud pipe can change that. Need to map the throttle to your taste to improve take off in sport mode. Great bike
Great review nicely done. Completely agree with you that it’s not for everyone…..but in my honest opinion, it is the direction that Harley needs to go to attract the newer riders. Also, The RevMax engine is very mechanical sounding and not for everyone. There is a lot going on under there hence all the clicking and clacking noise that you can hear (especially on startup). I believe from the bottom of my heart, every dealership that wants to sell these bikes, needs to pull the stock pipe off of them AS SOON as they uncrate them, and put an aftermarket system on. The RevMax engine sounds AMAZING with a TBR or S&S kit on it….kind of a cross between a Ducati and a KTM…then they will sell.
Bought the 2023 last month. Absolutely love it. So much fun.
I’ve been riding my Girlfriends 24 special, inside an EVO bagger typically. As far as the special it’s very fun to ride. power comes on smooth, and 91 horse in a 480lb sportster is all you need. Super quiet , display screen easy to read. Have ridden her on the back. The special is a lot better than the typical nightster, the wheels , tank badge , look great. Ungodly quiet, super light lever feel, runs strong as hell, the suspension works great , forks a little lightly spring for a heavier guy, rear shocks perfect out of the box. It pulls for days , GreatBike to ride.
I have a 2022 Nightster and love it! It maybe a bit of a slow seller. Mine was listed for 12K and I got it for $5799 when I traded my 2015 Street 500 to the HD dealer. Obviously, they were motivated to move it.
Haven’t seen a one. I really like it especially in that blue but the price is seriously hurting sales. That’s the only thing that keeps me away
It's a fun ride. Looks like price might be coming down this MY a little bit
It feels like something that Kawasaki might make, maybe a Vulcan S 975 prototype.
The liquid cooling is a nice change (similar to the Indian Challenger) but I think it revs too high and the engine looks terrible & plasticky.
They should release a Sport line-up which includes this & the Sportster S and then re-release the old Sportsters as part of the Street line-up alongside the Street Rod and their new 400cc model.
Thank you, at least I'm not the only one who thinks that it looks more like a Vulcan than a Sportster.
Something was just missing for me
@@TheMotoJawn If I had to name it, I'd say that it's missing the uniqueness of being a Sportster. When I bought mine I knew exactly what I wanted and exactly what I was getting. And I wasn't disappointed. The Nightster...meh. What are you supposed to expect from it?
@@TheMotoJawn I think it's because it's not special in any particular way. It's not as fast as a 975cc sport bike, doesn't sound as good as one and isn't particularly more comfortable than a 975cc naked.
It's the whole sport tourer thing again. 50% sporty, 50% tourer, 100% incomplete.
You make a good point. I have not seen one drive by yet. Saw the Sportser S twice. Immediately went to the dealer to take a further look.
Just bought a 24 nightster 975 RM LOVE IT!!
I have this bike and love it...looks like you were stuck in road mode the whole time (the icon looked orange)...Sport mode is red with an S in the middle...too bad you couldn't get it into sport mode...makes a HUGE difference.
Yeah it was road mode. I let off the throttle and hit the mode button but it wouldn't change. That's how it's changed right?
@@TheMotoJawn yeah exactly! You were doing everything right! Looks like the bike you were on had a glitch. I will say, on the other end of the spectrum, when I get stuck in the rain, going to rain mode makes me feel better because it cuts a lot of power and the throttle isn't as touchy.
@@Dmots4lyfe interesting I wonder if maybe the dealership had it locked in one mode or something for test rides 🤔
Really cool little Harley. It's the only one that I thinking to buy. Also I thinking where I can get the clunky HD noise on it without engine damage, but I think I find the solution.
I guess I'm part of that "niche market," I LOVE mine, 2024.
Let’s not forget all the no start issues on the bike.
I joined a nightster form to see what people where saying, and many users complained about the bike dying after a few 100 miles.
Most 2023 specials are flawless.
No issues with mine. Flawless.
I would change the stickers on the tank, it reminds me of the amf days.
Haven’t ridden one, but I have sat on a few. It feels EXACTLY like my Vulcan 900 Custom when in the saddle. Which for me is a good thing. I loved that bike. Other than on the freeway at 70-75+. I might be in the market for one of these as a daily commuter.
Still no aftermarket for this bike at all. That says it all. The Special has awesome slew of nice standard options from cruise control, usb port, abs, traction control, torque slip control, infotainment, ride modes and custom modes on a $13.5k bike new in 2024 and is only 481 lbs wet and the power is not bad especially for the weight. Im just so conflicted on this bike though. I like so much about it like I listed but I really dislike alot about the styling and no aftermarket support and ive just personally grown out of Sportsters and seek confort more now. This bike should be very appealing to younger and newer riders but I think the pricepoint is still a problem even though you do get quite alot with this bike so I kinda understand why it can't be $10k but I think $12.5k for Special from the start would've launched this bike much better.
You couldn't switch modes because there is a setting in the software allowing to set which modes are available to be cycled through. Rain, road, sport and two custom modes. From the dealer, sport mode wasn't turned on on mine and no custom set. But you can disable any of them, presumably you have to leave one. To me appeared you were in road mode the other modes were likely disabled.
Yeah I heard about that afterwards. Seems to have been the case
Some things to note about this test ride and maybe its because it was a dealer bike and you didn't want to beat on it too much but 1) you have to ride it in sport mode 2) it makes peak horsepower of 91hp at 7500 RPM and I I kept seeing you shift way too early 3) like a lot of harleys you gotta put an aftermarket exhaust on them. The lowrider s sounds like a sewing machine stock but once its opened up it sounds crazy. These nightsters won't ever give you that evo sound or feel but they do have a pretty cool sound with a full system on them.
This bike has the same problem the vrod has. They are well refined machines. Harleys have always been known for the 4000cc 22hp lawn mower engines and this aint that. Its not going to satisfy a buyer looking for a more classic harley. But if you want to see what the next generation of harleys are going to look like, the nightster is your look to the future.
I'm going to try to get a ride on a Nightster coming from an 1100 Spirit i have been riding since 2011.
I just bought one. Only had it a few days and breaking it in. But so far it’s a smooth ride. But I am finding from a vrod to this
Bummed I didn't get the Nightster S even just for the new infotainment.
I love my Nightster either way.
What kind of fairing is that on the 1200 iron? Looks sweet!
Memphis shades cafe fairing
@@TheMotoJawn With detachable mount?
@@DrewB439 yeah detachable hardware
All the technology turned me off. Went with a 22 XL instead and don't regret it at all.
Kind of cool but I also don't need it
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe majority of motorcycle owners end up modifying their bikes, so I don't see what the big fuss is about. You can change out the exhaust on the 975 for a more aggressive sound. Personally, I don't like all of the loud growling noise. I do need to hear beyond riding a motorcycle.
It looks too much like a metric bike and if you try to kit it out like any other Harley it would just look even more ridiculous. Plus the leaf blower exhaust and the afterthought coolant reservoir makes it look kind of hilarious to me. I can't speak to the performance and I'm sure it's a ripper but they just bombed with the aesthetics in my opinion.
Yeah I think it was road mode. For some reason I couldn't get it into sport mode. I though it let off the throttle, hit the mode button to change it. But it wasn't changing
I have an Iron 883 2017 evolution and I tried to like the new versions but I couldn’t bond with it, less petrol, under seat is a fail, the plastic and the battery behind the radiator is a fail, lack of character and the messy design on the non look side. I have a bit of an issue with how the original evolution design was dropped like the Dyna line and replaced with something not as good and twice the price. If I wanted a Honda rebel 1100 I would have bought it. Just my thoughts though.
I trade my street bob for the nightster S about 4 month ago 🤦🏼♀️. I like the look I and how it feels when riding it but I agreed with you the sounds not liking hopefully when I change my exhaust I’ll have a different opinion . I kind of miss my street bob sound 😩
hard to see, but it does look like you were in road mode the entire time. I feel like switching into sport mode makes people change their tune a bit. But, we do all hate the exhuast note, that's not just a "you" thing for sure.
Yeah it was road mode. For some reason couldn't find sport mode. I let of the throttle then hit the mode button but nothing happened. Thought that was the way it was changed
@@TheMotoJawn the difference is more than you'd think and actually makes most of us need to buy a new sear for fear of sliding off the back.
A good excuse for another ride 😄
But, your 1200 will definitely hold a more long term place in history than this bike.
I have 23 nightster love it ! I also have 2005 sportster roadster 1200 both great bikes
It's now almost December '23 and ive seen ONE on the road since launch, the rest have all been in dealers.
I have never seen one in person, on the road, or bike days.
Haven't seen many around
Great review!!
It's a cool looking bike but I think what turns people off to it is all that plastic and that 975cc. I personally haven't seen one out anywhere either.
Yeah I think it looks decent. Engine takes some getting use to since power hits a little higher in the rpms
@@TheMotoJawn. It has power everywhere. Torquey down low and still screams up top. I had a sportster 1200…. No comparison whatsoever in power department in any range. I can accelerate in any gear above 15mph
Would you say youd be less tired riding the nightster over the spotster long distance?
I think so maybe. Just due to the fact it's more comfortable and smoother
I'm not going to criticize the new bike or its design and features, because Washington DC dictates how to build motor vehicles. That said...
If you owned a metric cruiser you'd be right at home on the 975. The sound, the feel, the gadgets, are right out of the metric cruiser playbook.
Everyone makes a great deal out of how much a motorcycle weighs. After getting sucked into the vacuum of a passing tractor-trailer on a Honda CB450 on the Ohio Turnpike at 70 and being helpless to do anything but go with the flow I learned that lightweight bikes belong on the racetrack, not the Interstate.
Could I see myself putting 50,000 miles in three years on the 975 like I did on the 2005 1200 Roadster? There were a lot of Interstate miles in that total. Could the bike hold up? I got 15K miles from the OEM rear tire and 25K from the front tire. My riding style was simple: gas (2 gallons) and Gatorade every 2 hours (120 miles plus or minus).
Does the 975 have 600 mile days in its DNA?
Riding in the city. Those bar-end mirrors are no good for close quarter riding. They have to go up or down but definitely inside of the bar ends. Turn the license plate sideways too. Anything you can do to reduce the bike's width will help, especially in states where lane splitting is legal.
Harley had to do something because of ever-tightening worldwide emissions requirements. The air cooled motors won't work so the new motors are the result.
Can you get used to it? Sure. It's just not what we've had since 1957, but it's still two wheels and an engine.
And that's all we've ever needed
Yeah the weight of this would be tough traveling on the highway
@@TheMotoJawnI just looked online, and the CL450 is listed as weighing 415 pounds! Great off-road or the track, not so good on the interstate.
My problem with the bike is 1. 975cc instead of 1250, 2. 3 gal tank, and 3 single disk front brakes.
My Nightster special has out run a Ninja 400 and a Low rider ST. This bike is no slouch. I love mine but only have added an S&S exhaust so far
You are bragging about outrunning a ninja 400? You are a dork.
I bought one here in miami i can see a couple once in a while
I have a 23 nightster special and it's awesome I also have a 16 sportster 1200 no comparison
I think Harley should add the words back into the silhouette. Orange looks great to a colorblind guy like me. Blanks almost seem apologetic.
I’m considering putting 2 brothers exhaust on mine at the Harley dealership they quoted 2k installed, is this a good price or exhaust?
I got mine for 1.3k and installed it myself
I have one. 2023 Nightster Special
How do you get it into sport mode was I doing something wrong?
Not many people buying them and the ones that do are constantly in the shop being repaired. Electrical gremlins. What a joke , not just Harley but nothing new is good anymore
Majority of the people whom I've heard complain about this bike admitted to being use to riding their bike for a while and then test driving this one. That's like someone eating steak majority of the time and having fish for the very first time. Of course it's not going to taste the same.
This is not necessarily an indictment on the 975 motorcycle.
I have the 2022 nightster (rh975) great bike .. first Harley , but coming from a stunt street bike it’s great . The 3 modes are noticeably different. But over all very fun bike . I will be doing a stunt build on my nightster check my page out and follow the nightster stunt build 🏍️‼️
Too bad we don't know what mode he was riding in...rain mode and if he popped it into sport mode he would have been totally awed by the bike.
It's overpriced. You can get the Sportster S for $1400 more than the "special" or $2900 more than the base 975. You get SO MUCH MORE for the money getting the S. The only people the 975 is going to appeal to are those who are scraping together every penny they can for a down payment on ANYTHING with a HD badge that they can say is brand new from the dealer. Anyone with just a little more money or credit is going to get the 1250.
I had more fun on the 1250 for sure
Passenger use. I also was very turned off by the bobber tire up front on the s and the forward controls. I don't mind forward controls, but I wanted mid. What sealed the deal was needing a back seat for the backpack, absolute necessity. This is a 3rd bike, really only filling the small bike gap. I might wonder if I would have been better suited with something else in the lineup but I stopped worrying about that soon as the 1k service came up and all I had to do was the usual filter and oil change, no funky 3 hole service or the like. Hydraulic valve lash also is a plus. Change the oil and ride it, very metric.
Tell you what though.. the stock exhaust note is just pitiful. They could have gotten a little more noise out of it and been compliant. The S&S makes it sound much much better.
As Harley's entry level bike the price is way too high.
They not all that, especially for the money, alot of plastic, also
Light bike but with that comes alot plastic I guess
Harley took the world’s most iconic motorcycle-and ruined it.
It’s hideous.
Too expensive
That's what happens when millennials influence the design. They've forgotten what the Sportster's appeal was. No one wants the new bike, it's butt-ass ugly and doesn't look or feel like a "Harley".
Looking to give up the air cooled bike world for this bad boy.
No on the road in Bangkok as well, or just only me? 🥹
How's it treating you?
Rev Max always captures my attention, and sometimes I try to greet them on the road.)@@TheMotoJawn
I just got my Nightster S, coming from an iron 1200. The nightater is far superior in every single way with sound opinions being subjective. Power, suspension that doesn't bottom out over a sewer grate, navi, cruise control, LED lighting all around, rides far smoother and faster around any corner, better milage, no more worrys when fueling ( scratches or gas all over paint or boiling hot air cooled engine....on and on i could go.
I bought the special 4 months ago. I love it. I changed the exhaust a week later. S&S exhaust made the motorcycle sound way better.
What was I doing wrong that I couldn't get it in sport mode?
Yamaha copied the Sportster when they made the BOLT, but it seems this is Harley's copy of the BOLT.
Seems possibly that way
Just got my nightster and I love it. Rides good horsepower is good I love it
Id like to give one another shot
Idgaf what people say. Nothing will ever compare to that classic look at feel of an evo sportster.
Got that right
I've seen one Nightster out in the wild. I don't think it was the special. But I think the right side of bike looks really good. But the left side looks like garbage. I think Indian and Victory did a much better job on Scout and Octane as far as symmetry goes. But I do think liquid cooled OHC is the future. They're not "traditional" but that's fine by me.
I bought the 2022 brand new off the truck. Haven’t even put 2,000 miles on it and it’s again in the shop for the 5th time. Not a reliable bike cuts off in traffic and won’t start multiple times. They had to update the software at one point . This bike is trash and Harley won’t take it back or give me a good deal on another bike. I’m taking a lost but definitely going back to a sports bike.
Dang that sucks sorry to hear that!
I think we don't see to many of the new sportsters because of the price of them, you can get a new softail standard/streetbob or buy sportster 883/1200 and do a stage 4 kit.
Definitely agree with that
When the dealers are adding a$500 surcharge there are not going to sell many.
That engine sound with the stock exhaust is lame. I'm rarely one for aftermarket exhaust, but sounds like this one needs it. And yeah, I've only ever seen *ONE* Nightster on the road since it was launched. Someone turning into the North Wales Wawa. Also only once saw a Sportster S on the road, in New Hope, though I also actually know a guy that bought a Sportster S as his first bike getting back into riding after years. My biggest gripes with the Nightster are still the price and the hideous mess on the left side. Seems like it'd be great to ride, though.
those motors sound awful
Fuel ⛽️ tank too small
It needs exhaust, and a tune.
Riding a singer! 😮
The biggest complaint I hear is the non Harley feel. The design is more for handling and balance. If you want to see them in the wild try bike night lol
The feel is part of it but the 975 just didn't have the kick I was expecting compared to other 90hp bikes I've ridden
@@TheMotoJawn really haven’t heard that before. That’s too bad I thought maybe Harley had found some factory power lol
@@Mr.McStache I also couldn't find sport mode though 😂😂
@@TheMotoJawn…I think that’s why you didn’t get the full power of this new motor. All the videos I’ve watched say that Road Mode is much less responsive than Sport Mode…it “might” have been locked out by the dealer or maybe in neutral/clutch in to change the mode?
Was looking at this one also. Not sure. Still thinking.
I'd say give it a test ride and see how it goes
Put that thing in sports mode brother.
For some reason modes weren't working.
I want one but the price doesn't make sense when you cam pretty much get a Softail for same price. I do want the 2024 Special in that flat grey. Slap on a black TBR exhaust (shaves 15 lbs off too), road warrior fairing 11-13 inch shield, blacked out lenses and reflectors and idk about the handlebars, still conflicted on what bars to put on it. I want a little higher but feel the mini apes don't look quite right on it so maybe just larger Risers with the stock bars or 10 inch T-bars.
Wow I have had 2 883 Iron's and loved them but they do not compare to my 2023 Nightser Special . I removed the cat and fitted a S&S Muffler has run 11.98 on the1/4 mile . Not a slow bike ,have done plenty of big miles on it far easier than an old Sportster . Also ride a 2019 Softail Slim with some work done to it . I prefer riding the Nightster Special . Very few been sold in Australia . Harley Davidson do not push them here .
Did you run the quarter mile when it was stock?
Bought my (Base) 24 Nightster last week. I didnt like the cowl and the 70s Logo, thats why i opted for the base.
I dig it!..thanks for the review
Thanks for stopping by! 🤟
I have a nightster 975 in the UK and it is a very good bike no complaints at all I used to ride a street Bob and a sportglide so it is very different
Got this baby new yesterday with 16 miles on in. Now its got over 300 i love it tbh
I like steel panels and fenders on my sportster but i cant explain why....
They're not a Sportster in any way shape or form.Expensive piece of crap.
Ouch