Harley-Davidson Nightster 975 (2022) Review | The Sportster gets sporty!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ค. 2024
- When #HarleyDavidson dropped the air-cooled #Sportster 1200 and 883 models from its range last year it left a yawning chasm in the company’s traditional line-up. Now that’s being plugged with a machine that combines conventional Sportster styling cues with the company’s latest engine and chassis technology in the form of the #Nightster.
We packed regular BikeSocial road test contributor, Adam 'Chad' Child off to not-so-sunny Spain to give the new 975cc machine a whirl.
For the full review and loads more details head this way: www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial...
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Plenty of nicer looking Bonnies out there for that price.
Nah. The comparable Bonny price wise is the speed master and it's only 77hp against this at 90. Even the T120 is only 79 HP.
The market is awash with bikes at that price... And don't just look at bhp, it's not what these bikes are about. If you wanted to chase power, get a naked, it's how they make you feel, and you can only tell that by riding one.....
@@TheAsheybabe89 Triumph measures the BHP at rear wheel. Harley measures at crank. Big difference. If the sportster is measured at rear wheel it will be at least 20% lower. Never judge a bike off paper. I raced on track a VROD WHICH IS 110HP, with my Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster and smashed him with more than 6 lengths on a quarter mile track. Never judge a bike before riding one.
The nightster is way cooler than a Bonnnie .
In a world where the honda rebel 1100 exists, HD is 5k too much.
Wayy too much 😭🤣
@@jayteesgear it's only 3k more than the rebel where I live. 19.5k for rebel, 22.5k for nightster.
But the Honda isn’t a Harley, so even if it’s a better bike and also cheaper, everyone will be thinking … it’s great but it’s not a Harley
That Honda rebel looks like shit though I mean it’s one of the ugliest cruiser’s I’ve seen
@@lukemyers1432 take a close look at the 975s left side. Right side looks great. Left side is truly ugly.
Amazing review brother! I like that you had experience in riding evo sportster, which makes this much more credible and I wasn't excited at first but you have sparked that interest again. Cheers!
Just rode one today, it is wayyy fast. The harley rep was riding a low rider s and i out ran him and was only at 5th gear 120mph. Its a 6th speed. This engine is a sportbike engine. I was shocked.
My 40 year old gs1100gk would outrun both, just saying things a relative. The nightster looks cheap plastic is all well and good but the plastic on the nightster looks like it come out of 2001 Pontiac. All the softail models are clean and look proper
Behold... the new... Harley Davidson REBEL!!! NO, I MEANT OCTANE!!! NO, I MEANT... Ah, forget it.
(I'll take the Honda)
🤣 LMAO!......true that.
It looks alot better than a Honda and will be more reliable.
@@twobeagles1365 Wait... In what universe is a HD more reliable than a Honda???. BTW I own a Harley.
I never considered myself a “cruiser” guy, let alone a Harley guy, just never got on with the image their bikes project, but these new bikes Harley is releasing (Pan Am, Sportster, and Livewire) is really catching my eye. I feel like the styling of these bikes haven’t strayed too far from their basic form and classic lines of what is known to be a “Harley”, but have been able to bring the design to a modern application. Sure there will always be design bits here and there I might disagree with, but on the whole, ya…I’m liking Harley’s current direction.
Spot on there, never in my wildest dream considered a Harley , then the Pan America magically appears, and knock it out the park.
They are playing catch up to what Indians been doing
@@Rockybalboa541 What is interesting is that I do not think Indian has an adventure bike so that is where Harley got a head and brought in a different demographic. Also, Indian does not have an electric bike.
@@Rockybalboa541 The interesting thing about Harley and Indian is though both historically cruiser centric brands, both have introduced new models to their lineup or reinvigorated older models without also directly competing with one another, almost like they had a gentleman’s agreement to attack the market as quickly as possible by taking on different fronts to reintroduce the American motorcycle to the world as fresh and exciting. Harley has their Pan Am and Livewire, and Indian with their FTR and their own electric bike though not directly comparable to Harley’s model. All these newer models really shook up the old perception of what it meant to buy an Indian or Harley. Pretty exciting times!
@@Hutchie2112 there are definitely bits of that bike that could be warmed over but it seems unanimous by all reviewers alike that Harley’s first stab at the ADV market far surpassed everyone’s expectations. To think, without all the years of experience BMW has had, or Triumph and KTM for that matter, they were able to produce something that not only comes damn near close to those bikes in refinement, but also introduced that trick suspension ride height feature, massive props to Harley hands down. As far as the looks, people might be split on it, but no one can deny it’s a Harley coming down the road on those nobbies with that front end easily taking design cues from the Road Glide.
I like that, way more than the S. I just wish they'd spent a bit more thought making it look... 'metallic', it looks very 'plastic', even the engine. I'm not meaning shiny metal, still blacked out, but it just looks a bit like a model kit.... Either that should have looked like that and been about 10k or, for near 13k it should have looked much better... An Indian scout looks like a far better made motorcycle... Like to try one though..
Honda Rebel 1100 is my choice!
Beautiful bike. No rev'ing in neutral? = no loud exhaust noises to exhilarate the rider - that's a Deal Breaker.
hold in the clutch to rev lol, its probably a safety for those reving in neutral then accidentally hitting the shifter 😹 ive seen enough vids of people launching their bikes into cars or walls doing that 😹
They wanna control people screw them!!
Great video! How do you think this compares to their own Sportser S? I have heard some people refer to this bike as a beginner bike. When I look at the specs of this bike, HP and weight I am not sure it is. It could be but I am not sure. I like the looks of the bike but would have to check out the riding position. What do you think of the riding position was it comfortable? I wish the bike had a shorter wheelbase and rake but that is how HD does their cruisersl.
Catching up with the world , this could be their most important new model. Making it corner a start!
It looks like a cool bike. Much better than the Sportster “S” with that big from tire and high mounted exhaust. Hope this platform launches some other bikes. Perhaps a cafe racer or naked street bike like the cancelled Bareknuckle.
I like it, always wanted a Skirtster , but held back cause the ground clearance. But what's up with that brakeline. thanks
Are those just plastic covers on the right side of the motor? I noticed they aren't on the left side. still a belt drive?
To be fair when the old sportster came out it was sporty.
Don’t think Indian will be sweating. Ftr is cheaper and much better looking.
Dual discs up front would give it a more sportier look.
Too expensive when compared with other bikes in this segment. Too expensive for young or first time riders, to small for riders looking for a decent sport/muscle bike. Should have come out at $9999. I hear the Bronx is probably dead which is a shame but at the same time I can only imagine how much they would have priced that bike, probably more than a Ducati or triumph speed triple. I really do believe HD will be gone in a few years.
The lower radiator gaurds will get ground off on corner dips. 2 inch overs for the front and 13 inch shocks for the rear to really make it a sportster
I love Harleys and they are great bikes. But harley charges too much for what you get for any of there models. That being said, I'm super excited about the rebolution max engines. So happy they are doing new things.
Agree with that, I had a sportster but couldn't live with it past a year. Sounded great once you put the Vance & Hines short shots on it but a bike that weighed over 250kg's and only had a single disc up front meant that even just cruising around town speeds if you had to brake any harder than normal it felt like the bike was never going to stop, abs kicked in on so many occasions, absolutely ridiculous the equipment they were fitting to their bikes but still charging ridiculous prices. The seat was also the must uncomfortable I've felt on a standard bike, barely an hour into the ride and your arse was gone lmao! I look at these new engines, new models, improvements with more power, torque etc and yet still a single disc up front. Two steps forward one step back. I'll stick to my Monster for now!
Looks like a Kawasaki Vulcan . I’ve had 3 sportys and this is a no from me.
Ditto. I've had two Sportys and my last was an old style 95 that I converted to 1200 and completely rebuilt. Nothing like an older Evo Sportster. This one sounds like a sewing machine.
It sounds like my dad's honda naked bike
People complaining of overpriced HD and then turn around and buy an apple phone😂
Exactly !!!
Well my phone cost about $800 or less and a Harley costs about $18,000 new
@@stevenbuschejr6273 it's just people being hypocritical, complaining about something being overpriced and than turning around just to buy something else overpriced.
@@BamfIamone well I wait until the price goes down to a reasonable price when I buy
Good one for Harley but it will only be for those who specifically want a Harley. So many others in the segment much cheaper with better performance, but looking for a Harley? Get this.
Is it better than an Indian scout rogue though?
Cant find one to buy here in Florida! Everyone wants them!!
Imagine it after killing Buell in 2010 12 years later HD begins to make bikes using some of the same things Buell was doing 20yrs ago . Maybe they found one in a warehouse and finally decided they should take a look at how they worked .
HD waited 20yrs to hire German CEO Jochen Zeitz and he probably looked at Buell and got baffled why it was killed.
Big engine, loads of power and lots of fun. But a 12 litre petrol tank!! I think you might be a regular visitor to the fuel station.
Nice bike, but it is 2k more than it should.
Hmm, not sure. Clearly a dynamically superior bike to the old air-cooled Sportster, but £13K for a Harley that looks like a Honda Rebel and loses the chugga-chugga charm that attracted buyers of old?
What I don't get is why the price isn't talked about by many reviewers? Is it just assumed that it will be a bike that is just 'rented' on a cheap PCP deal? It seems to me like this bike is way overpriced compared to the competition.
when you can get MT09 for less and never stop grinning
wow there sure is alot of plastic up front ! WHY does both sides of the engine look like they are from 2 different bikes?
Will there be stage 2, 3, 4 for these revolution motors? Can you put a 1250 top end on it?
That’s $18k OTD here. Not for me. But a great product from Milwaukee!
Its a 9 grand bike.
Fools and their money...
Who cares about $$ If you fall over dead tomorrow, you wont take a Penney with you.
Yes it’s about that with tax title license and fees I can get an older Harley sportster 1200 for $5,000 to $10,000 privately or at some dealerships that actually have them
They want $400 extra for a painted tank, I mean air box🤦🏻♂️. That’s $13,900 here in America! Freight $575 + surcharges $500 = $15,000 before it reaches the dealership floor. Then they will add 1-2k at a minimum, making the new Harley rebel 975 a $16-17k bike. The bike they copied is less than $10k, probably 11-12k realistically making the Harley $5k more. I don’t see $5k more bike here. The Indian FTR S is $15k making something like 120hp, 80+ torque, 1200cc engine, lean angle forever, touchscreen, Bluetooth, all the tech, and is a real, true, actual, sporty machine. The Harley just doesn’t make any sense whatsoever at this price point. You are literally buying hype if you purchase this motorcycle.
Have you ever purchased a Harley? if you think they are going to be MSRP you are wrong, Try adding 3k-4k. Its a Joke
@@Jmacfann Who are you talking to? Have I ever purchased a Harley? Do I think they are MSRP? Are you talking to me? If so, you need to read the comment before you hit reply.
@@robbyclark6915 I was being sarcastic. there isnt a saying something in a sarcastic tone in agreement font
@@Jmacfann Ah, gotcha. That makes a lot more sense. I thought, “who’s this guy talking to?” “Surely not me?” I just spent multiple sentences describing how no one pays MSRP for a Harley Davidson! Yeah, it’s a confusing subject besides being a ripoff. I’m actually on my second Harley so I guess the jokes on me?
@@robbyclark6915 I like anything with 2 wheels and own 5 bikes and would buy a Harley again (not this bike) just not new from the dealer. One thing with Harley is they will finance anyone which is great for me because that means I can pick up a used bike that they knew someone couldn't afford and took back much less than a new one. (said somewhat sarcastically) I mean this is the same price as a softail standard which is a lot better looking and the M8 engine is so nice.
I like it
It’s a great bike
If I was looking into getting a bike like this, I would rather buy the Honda CMX 1100, save the £4k and also have the better bike in the end.
Yeah, this is way too overpriced for what it is. Especially when the Sportser S is not that much more expensive
Honda cmx1100 ? Probably the ugliest bike ever imo and it will never be a Harley
@@rossbrazier661 '23 'bagger' looks good...and far cheaper. £3Grand cheaper
I remember you said the bike shed 37kg. But what is the wet weight of the bike today?
218kg
@@JB-zp5fb Thanks; not as bad as I thought.
@@threethrushes Yep, for a Harley that's revolutionary..
Only 299kg
Can I move the tank and install a child seat there?
if you think this will sell loads. your right. then just like the sportster S loads will be available on the second hand market. of course everything has to move forward but these arent harleys people expect. they are too plastic, too quiet and now too expensive. the old sportsters you can buy for around 9k in excellent condition with many addons previous owners put on them. sure they dont have all the tech like tc etc but they are are still popular and why? because people cannot afford to over pay. this should be 10k at the most. add 1k more you can get a suzuki gsxs 1000 with more bells and whistle and more reliable
I don’t understand why they wouldn’t offer this with same 1250 as the S. A familiar looking Harley, with that 1250 power….. I feel like it would sell better then the sportster S and the 975. I’m not an engineer so excuse me if I’m off base here, but Harley riders are asking for a simple formula here, update our performance and maintain the look we like. Oh, and stop ripping us off on the price. I’ll be checking out these new sportys in a few years when there’s a used market for them.
Cannot rev on neutral? Is it me is that just totally bizarre?
It's just you, and a few others. That's a protective feature for automobiles too. Been around a long time. Research what happens when you rev an engine that is not under a load.
@@ZildjianMan30 Nope. Never had a car with this “feature” and I’ve owned many many cars.
@@dickjohnson5025 Alrighty. Still a very common feature. Look into it if you care.
harley is a subcontractor for honda now?
How tall are you in feet and inches? Because your height looks good on that bike. But anybody taller i feel the bike would look small.
PS: I always hated Sportsters because they look to small. This bike actually looks big and nothing like the old sportster. So thats a good thing. 👍
The V-Rod is way better.
It's not Davison, say 🙄 it with me now......Davidson !
Little did he know there's already an S version out with a 1250t motor
Is it just me? The riding position looks like torture 🤔
I think its right way to go, but i miss the potato sound
Hmm er nah, not in the UK. Spoken as an ex HD rider. Should’ve done the Bronx.
It wouldn't have held up against the other negatives and would have been over priced. What's the point of the Bronx?
@@DeCavalcante well Imho it would have sold better in Europe where we buy them. That's why I sold the Widey and went back to a streetfighter style. Also in the UK we pay in sterling that paid in USA dollars, ie makes them expensive. Sad really as i had a good 21 years on HD but hey ... no potato since the Evo anyway.
@@BarnettSpeedSuzukiThou that's my point though. I've owned 3 naked. Two were triumphs. I'd never think about buying a mediocre naked that's over priced coming from Harley. Not hating on Harley either. I have a fat bob
There's a lot of Honda Rebel on that thing .... The left side of the motor is hideous - could you find any more plastic covers? The engine looks like a toy motor, this thing makes the Street series look good, no small feat.
There's a lot of the Evo Sportster in terms of appearance. Indeed, the Rebel is a cartoon of the real look. There's a long lasting tradition of Japanese trying to emulate the American style when talking about cruisers. Always a cartoon, always a fail. So, this new "Sportster" has borrowed from the true Sportster, not from the ugly and trying to catch up with style of the spurious Rebel.
@@omarsalgado9715 Nonsense. The frame up at the steering head on this thing is almost identical to my Rebel. The bars, gauge and controls the same. To say the Shadow VLX looked just like a Harley couldn't be more true but the Rebel looks like nothing else, love it or hate it. Harley's pathetic, failed Street series stole much from my 1983 Honda Ascot, so stealing is hardly a one way street. And a "fake" gas tank with the real one under the seat? Just like the 1987 535 Virago, lol? At least Harley didn't need to call Porsche to build this clam.
You can get a Scout for that money...
I was more looking forward to see the bronx
It was “sporty” in 1957 when released.
Lol
Good effort but the left side of that bike looks like an alien f'n tractor.The exhaust looks like a stove pipe. Fuel capacity is too small. Make a touring bike with the 1250.
Why would I spend $15,000 on any bike when I went on Amazon and spent $2,000 on a brand new Hawk 250 DLX delivered straight to my door. It has the reliability of Honda and it can go anywhere that a Harley can't go. Harley Davidson is just a waist of money.
V rod is the new sportster with a big ugly radiator in front of the bike
I think Honda Rebel has it beat.
World's ugliest stock exhaust. Looks exactly like a leaf blower.
Agreed
No one keeps stock exhaust on Harleys.
@@viperq Ya, well good luck shopping your options on quality aftermarket exhausts for this bike.
Look again at the Honda Rebel !
I am paying attention. that's cool. I want to know your height for reference.
That left side...yak! All those hoses and cables, ugly. Nah, not for me.
No HD looks, no HD character, brembo brakes, in future ohlins shocks front and rear and full tft display and full electronics, what is the future of HD?
Harley has used Brembo brakes for sometime now, Just never used the name. Now they will use the name for those who dont do the research behind it.
Honda
A Bike that's American made and can take on a lot of mods with stores just about everywhere. Say what you want about Harley - just not its not trying to sell bikes.
Yup. They are a merchandising company who also sells motorcycles
@@dickjohnson5025 absolutely! So much so, I live 5 minutes from a Harley Davidson store and started off wanting a Triumph but am now considering a Harley. Enlarging a brands footprint matters and to be able to get service just about anywhere is less stressful in a time of need.
@@StealthJackson12B I had two Harleys over the years then bought a 2016 Triumph Rocket 3 roadster, which is 10x the motorcycle of any type Harley ever built. I’d never go back to Harley. My buddies 117 CVO Cannot even come close in power and handling.
It'll never catch on . Look what happened to the Street Rod.
I gotta give credit to them. That’s a major diet they put it on. Serious gains in weight loss. The whole protecting the engine by not allowing it to rev. Is TERRIFYING and a MAJOR RED FLAG
Just not in neutral right? If you are in gear you could probably pull in the clutch and Rev it I assume.
Not a red flag. Numerous 4 wheeled automobiles have this rev-limit feature to protect the engine. It's actually a good thing. Engines today are so much better than yester-year's technology. Rev an engine when it is not under tension and you can easily damage it. When under tension (in gear and moving), then the engine will be fine.
Harley is American Ducati. It's always going to be more expensive then everyone else besides MV
$13,000 for a lawnmower. Welcome to HD. I’ll buy a 2022 Honda Shadow and have about $5000 left for merchandise.
And you still over paid for the bike by 3 K so you should say $8000
Nice for a boat anchor. Complete rubbish. Where is the 1250 Cafe Racer they teased. My 2007 Nightster has 90RWHP and 80 lb. Ft. Of torque and it’s paid for!
Harley Davidson has lost the plot, absolutely hideous thing.
That exhaust is minging
@@steven-vn9ui Who in their right mind keeps a standard exhaust on their bike though?
Yes but otd price of $18,000ish is ridiculous I can get an older Harley sportster 1200 for cheaper
But.... is it Made in China ?
What do they always say, " which doesn't sound alot to you sport bike guys". Who cares what they think 🤔
The type of people who will like this bike wont buy a harley. The type of people who do buy Harleys will hate this bike. Its gross. Plastic Fisher Price looking engine. Hideous radiator. Harley riders like modern classics. This is a Honda Harley space bike.
The Sportster gets expensive!
Not a sportster..... nightster.... but really if you look at what real sportster is in heritage.... well, it's not this. Evo was the last sportster engine.... this, well this is just throw away junk like honda and yamaha.... well all bike today...
I really don’t like the design of this bike around the radiator area, and the exhaust is just horrible. It’s not worth the money for me personally. Where is the Bronx?. Now that bike looked good with this engine configuration, and it could have changed the whole concept of the Sportster.
@HahrtDood Indian released the FTR and people are still buying the Scout over it, Harley will see that and will want to release the Cruiser first. Most people on the internet say they want a Sportbike or an upright bike but the sales numbers usually show people prefer Cruisers 👀
@HahrtDood i just looked at my local dealer, there is a brand new 2019 Ftr with 1 mile on it, Price reduced by 3k, No one is buying it 😭 Im not in the market for a naked bike and my Friend is looking at the RE Interceptor 650. People all over TH-cam have amazing things to say about the FTR but non of them own one, So crazy 😵💫
@@DefZen343 Dan Dan the Fireman?
Harley Davidson a company that hasn't moved on.Same old same old.
For the price and the ugly left side - Honda Rebel 1100 is a better option, price, handling, a bit more suspension, under seat stowage & cruise control etc..I think less ugly and more bike..🏴☠
Look out Honda because you’re about to sell so many Rebels you won’t be able to build them fast enough after all the sportster fans abandoned ship
Harley keeps trying to break into a younger market and I feel they just keep failing.
Hopefully it's better than my 2021 sportster s 1250.. has less than 2000 miles and has had the motor replaced, heads replaced on the second motor and has completely died 2 times leaving me stranded on the highway. Harley refuses to do absolutely anything and makes me pay for each tow bill, who the fuck doesn't cover the tow bills when the bike/car is under warranty? I've never experienced such horrible customer service as I have in the last 6 months of owning this pile of shit
faaaaa+k sorry to hear that dude
😲 i see people having very few engine related problems with their PanAms even with over 15k miles, I hope Harleys quality control isnt falling off 😲 Besides Royal enfield, does anyone else cover towing? 😲
@@robertomarrerog703 eh, shit happens man.. just wish they'd handle the situation better and not treat the customers who buy their products like garbage. Regardless, ride safe brother 👊🏻
@@DefZen343 yeah man, you are absolutely correct.. the panam engine is a bit different and thankfully those arent having issues like the sportster s is. I posted my bike in a million pieces when it was having the engine replaced at 600 miles on the harley forum and had multiple others post pics of theirs in the same condition getting engines 😬
@@doctorgap 😵😵😵 Sorry to hear that 🤕
Ride by wire.I will never but a bike with out a manual throttle
Looks rushed and messy with all the untidy wires, tubes etc.
What's with the all new harley exhausts? Ugly
A good review but what a ugly looking bike
Copy Honda
No thanks.
Low rider s much better
A single disc brake....just looks cheap!
God Almighty,what a hideous piece of crap! Why does anyone buy these ridiculous dinosaurs?
dinosaur? compared to what? the thing is a 975cc cranking out 90 horsepower, Has Variable Valve timing and Automatic Valve lash adjusters, Even BMWs dont have auto lash adjusters while they do have Variable Valve timing. the 1250cc version of the same Motor cranks out 150 Horsepower.
dinosaur? You are following an old narrative my friend. You should check out today's Harleys.
@@DefZen343 majority of the people in these comments know nothing about the new Harleys let alone actually ride one for a real comparison.
It's ugly as sin. For some reason they wanted a bike that looked like a Honda rebel and a sportster has a bastard. It's just ugly as sin.
It's ugly and sounds like a lawnmower. This is the wrong direction for Harley.