A 975cc liquid-cooled engine, a smaller version found in the Pan America 1250, powers the Harley Davidson Nightster.
Harley-Davidson introduced the Nightster in India four months after its international debut, with prices starting at Rs 14.99 lakh for the black paint scheme and rising to Rs 15.13 lakh for the remaining options (both prices ex-showroom).
- 975cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine produces 90hp, 95Nm.
- Kerb weight: 218kg, significantly lighter than previous air-cooled Sportster bikes
- Features all-LED lighting and electronic rider aids
Harley Davidson Nightster: Engine and Specs
The Nightster features a liquid-cooled, 60-degree V-twin motor, a smaller version of the Harley-Davidson, Sportster S and Pan America 1250 powertrain. It has a displacement of 975cc. Harley standards consider the output level relatively healthy, with a power rating of 90hp and 95Nm. We got a chance to ride this machine, and we can attest to the fact that the refinement level of its engine is one of its best features.
This DOHC engine includes a variable valve timing system like its larger brother, although it affects only the intake valves, unlike the exhaust valves of the larger engines.
The Nightster’s tubular steel chassis, similar to the Sportster S, uses the engine as a tensioner member. The Nightster weighs 218kg, significantly less than the previous generation air-cooled Sportster family motorcycles due to Harley’s innovative design.
Harley Davidson Nightster: Hardware and Features
The Nightster rides low like a Harley and has a comfortable 705mm seat height. The trade-off is the ground clearance, where the Nightster outperforms the Sportster’s 93mm by only 110mm. Despite having a 19-inch front wheelie.
41mm Showa telescopic forks and twin shock absorbers are used for the suspension, unlike the 43mm USD fork on the Sportster. Brakes are also more straightforward, with a 320mm front disc and axially positioned four-piston calipers as opposed to the Sportster’s radially mounted calipers. The Sportster-like feature is the smaller 11.7-liter fuel tank.
The liquid-cooled engine is controlled by several electronic rider aids, including three riding modes that change settings for power delivery, engine braking, ABS, and traction control. This underscores that this is a modern Harley.
Price, Colors, and Rivals
The new Nightster has three color options for customers: Vivid Black, Gunship Gray, and Redline Red. The Gunship Gray and Redline Red are slightly more expensive at Rs 15.13 lakhs compared to the Vivid Black, which costs Rs 14.99 lakhs.
Although the other 1000cc to 1500cc bikes such as Triumph Bonneville Bobber, Ducati Panigale V4, Ninja 1000SX, and Harley Davidson Forty-Eight are in a similar range to Harley-Davidson Nightster, they are not direct competitors.
