The Nightster Is The Lightest Harley!

The Harley-Davidson Nightster has been launched abroad, and is the lightest Harley-Davidson bike currently in production. Its pricing starts at $13,499 (approximately Rs 10.3 lakh, excluding taxes), making it around Rs 5,22,000 less than the Harley-Davidson Sportster S. The motorcycle will be available in global dealerships from this month. 

Harley-Davidson Revolution Max 975T Engine

The 2022 Nightster features the new Revolution Max 975T powertrain. Moving on from its older air-cooled engines like the ones on the Forty Eight and Iron 883, Harley has equipped the Nightster with a 975cc liquid-cooled 60-degree V-Twin engine mated to a 6-speed transmission. It pumps out 90PS at 7500rpm and 95Nm at 5750rpm, and Harley claims it has a flat torque curve throughout the powerband. This is the same engine that was also seen in the streetfighter Bronx, which was scrapped later. 

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The new engine also features variable valve timing, hydraulic valve lash adjustment and counterbalancers. The hydraulic valve lash adjustment will ensure easy maintenance  while the balancers will help in reducing harsh vibrations. Harley-Davidson claims a fuel economy of about 19.6km/litre.

 Harley has left no stone unturned when it comes to the Nightster’s underpinnings. Its chassis uses the engine as a stressed member coupled to an aluminium subframe. The chassis is linked to a premium 41mm Showa Dual Bending Valves at the front while the rear gets emulsion shocks which are adjustable for preload. For braking, a 320mm disc at the front is paired with a 260mm disc at the rear. It gets Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series Bias Blackwall tyres wrapped on a 19-incher up front and a 16-incher at the rear. At 705mm, its seat height is easily accessible for riders of all sizes. The puny 110mm of ground clearance though, can be an issue for our miserable roads. That said, a 221kg kerb weight makes it the lightest Harley ever.

 The Nightster gets a single pod analog speedometer with a multi-function LCD display mounted on the handlebar riser. The lighting system is all-LED too. While it looks the part of a typical cruiser, there’s a hint of sportiness in the Nightster thanks to the low handlebars, mid-set footpegs, and a slightly forward bias riding stance. Interestingly, Harley has opted to position the 11.7-litre fuel tank under the seat, so you’ll have to open up the hinged seat just like a typical scooter to fuel up. The traditional ‘fuel tank’ is actually a cover for the airbox. This layout lowers the bike’s centre of gravity, thus resulting in improved handling (at least theoretically).

The Harley-Davidson Nightster is likely to arrive in India by around November-December 2022, and could command a price tag of around Rs 14 lakh (ex-showroom).The Nightster would primarily go up against the Triumph Bonneville Speedmaster.