Riding ImpressionsToph Bocchiaro, 5 feet, 9 inches, 151 lbsAt first glance, the Nightster screams custom all over it. From the engine finish, flat paint, and use of lightening holes to the side-mount license plate, chopped rear fender, and fork gaiters...too much to list...all I could say was "wow." This bike, with styling and attitude that should appeal to a younger crowd, is just one example of H-D's forward thinking and why the company stays on top. It seems to have its eyes on the streets in designing such a custom-looking motorcycle.
OK, I'm no giant, barely average, but this bike is small due to where its low seat is positioned and its short shocks. Coming in as the second-lowest H-D behind the Softail Deluxe, the 1200N should appeal to shorter riders. Those shocks make the bike look cool, but I'd pitch them and the seat immediately for more room and comfort. The grasshopper mid-mount pegs get a bit cramped with the current setup but can easily be remedied with forwards or highway pegs up front. I love Sportsters in the twisties, and the slammed-to-the-ground package made parts hit too easily for my liking. By the end of my testing sessions, the bottom of the front exhaust pipe was devoid of chrome, with the footpeg feelers also showing some wear.
Acceleration was great from the 1200 Evo with the impressive new fuel-injection system fitted to all XLs this year. I never experienced a hiccup, pinging, or any other kind of fuel delivery-related issue. The new turned-out slash-cut exhaust pipes in their EPA clothing sound OK and certainly won't upset your neighbors. On the other hand, the pipes do little to drain out the relatively noisy motor, particularly coming from the rocker boxes. Speaking of which, that valvetrain noise is not necessarily a negative, as it adds to the raw feel of the Nightster.
All in all, the 1200N delivers decent performance in a manageable, nonthreatening package that fills the "cool" niche in the Sportster line. As with most H-Ds, the minor complaints (i.e., shocks and seat) are easily remedied with inexpensive components to satisfy your dimensions, needs, and style.
Taryn Funcheon, 5 feet, 5 inches, 105 lbsSeeing it in its aggressive metal flesh was like fulfilling the excitement of a long-awaited Christmas present, except this one came in the spring...and I couldn't keep it. Call me one happy clam who was afforded the opportunity to test-ride the Nightster for a week. I was just hoping my long-term '06 XL 1200L Sporty test bike wasn't going to feel a little jealous or neglected, in spite of the fact that it was a great compare-and-contrast measure.
This bad-boy/girl-attitude street fighter delivered all the goodies in an urban-style, old-school package of power and performance. I got that burst of adrenaline from its power-packed V-Twin Evo engine, offering an exhilarating ride through SoCal's canyons, twisties, and heavy traffic. Of course, sitting on some congested roads wasn't so bad, since I caught lots of folks checking out the wicked combination of styling, stance, and aggressive looks on this beast.
Hey, I stared, too, digging the black throughout: the cool, rawboned tank graphics; chopped front and rear fenders; retro front fork gaiters; and low seat height. But once I got moving again, I couldn't help but feel bumps in the road due to the Nightster's shocks. Other than that needed improvement, with the addition of some forward controls and a little extra time with this bike, it may have been a lot more difficult to give back.