2023 Harley-Davidson Nightster Review From A Sportster Owner 

I was looking at getting a nightster last year but after getting a price quote which started at $13,500 and ended at $18,000 plus I decided I would wait and see what other options are available. Then the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 came and that is nice bike with more reasonable price.

bought one brand new new rider myself and first 50 miles i gotta say if i had any fears their gone the nightster introduced me to motorcycles in general and now ill probably be a rider for the rest of my life

I've had 103, 114 baggers, 107, 114 AND 117 soft tails, BMWs and a Vulcan. THE NIGHTSTER S is the fastest, most nimble one yet for the mountain twisties. I am putting on S&S Slip ons. Should be here before next weeks 6 day trip in the Blue Ridge Twisties.

I bought the he Nightster special and don’t plan on changing anything. Such a fun bike as is. Added a couple saddle bags but that’s it. It’s my go to bike and and I have two sportsters and a fat boy.

I just bought the 2023 nightster s, and right away, put q s&s muffler on it. It was well worth the money. This is my first motorcycle and I'm learning how to ride. I'm 52 years old.

I purchased a 2022 Nightster last October. Traded my 2021 883 and I love the Nightster. Go get one

This bike looks exactly like the one I bought in September. (I'll see your VROD as a redheaded stepchild, and raise you the 750 Street Rod I traded in) I've added a pillion seat and pegs. I was able to get mine on sale, so instead of 15k it was 12k otd which was a little easier to handle. I've been very happy with it so far. It's smooth, it's reasonably fast, and corners like it's on rails. When I first got the bike home, I didn't realize it was in "rain mode", and was disappointed with the power. Once I saw how to adjust the riding modes I was pleasantly surprised with the power it had in "road mode", and it's excellent for commuting over the bad roads between my house and work. Sport mode is great fun, the whole tone of the engine changes. No complaints about this bike.

I never thought an evo sportster was heavy. The only time I felt the weight was when I rode on deep gravel. I never thought the weight felt too high.

Heidi and I were just talking about this bike last night and commenting on what a good looking bike it is. I've never ridden one, but I've heard that it's a blast....like you said. I really hope that these new Sportsters are successful. Great video!!!

Yo I’m glad to be getting back to riding soon! I laid my 48 down last year due to a stupid driver on a cell phone. I gotta make a video about it but man it’s just too cold here! Ride safe and as always, great content!

After having sporsters for 10 years as much as I miss that evolution engine and the sound harley . bought the nightster and love it got to move with the times

I am loving this bike, bro. I am in LOVE.

You know i ride a evo sporty , and love it , would i get rid of mine to get on h$ll no , would i get one to ride its poss. Not big on exhaust , but everything else i can deal with

Im a EVO 1200 sportser kinda dude.

I sat on a Nightster at a HD dealer while my 2022 48 was getting it's thousand mile servce. Can't believe i'm thinking about trading it in on a nightster.

I've seen the S model, and it's a nice looking ride. The wheel and tire combo looks great, it gives the bike a different look. This particular bike reminds me of my VRod.

We need more innovation. I was disappointed we didnt get more new models for the 2023 run but the fact that these liquid cooled bikes are coming stock with numbers we have to dump thousands of extra dollars into staging out an evo to get close to, is a big move in the right direction.

I like this bike. I like innovation and modern performance. I HATE the price tag!!! I waited two years for it and when it came out I said “Hell No!” This bike should be $11-$12k and the special $13.5k. Especially with these surcharges and freight and dealer fees! I bought a Low Rider S instead and I’m most likely done buying new Harleys until they make some major changes.

The main thing that got me into Harley's was they were bikes you could wrench on yourself in your own garage. These new Sportsters sound like something you can't work on yourself and if I have to always let the dealer work on it that doesn't sound like something I would want to own. I've also seen a few videos of these Revmax Sportsters with aftermarket pipes and they sound really bad. The stock pipe is probably your best option on that engine.

I brought a @)@# Nightster Special have fitted a S&S Grand National Slip on Muffler with the dB reducer removed much better Sound . still nothing like a big V twin . it is a very quick bike . has more high tech features on it compared to the Nightster . I also ride a 2019 Softail Slim since new 73000kms on it now . Love my new Nightster Special . far better bike than my old 883 Iron

I like the bike, just traded my 2022 Nightster in for a 2023 Nightster Special... I like the upgrades especially the 2" higher and 1" back handlebar riser, 4" infotainment display and cruise control... wish it sounded more like a Harley but it will in due time...

Great review of the bike. You did you had a vrod. I owned 2 vrods and loved them. How does the nightster compare? Vance and Hines had not made atuner available yet or exhaust and that concerns me.

Thanks Ryda , I’m a traditional Sporty boy (old geeser ) now I have to go and test that Nighster , it looks more like a Sporty than the S , it might be a monster with the 1250 engine 🤔

Hey I went and checked one out yesterday. I'm 6'1 and it fit good . But man it felt so cheap. Not solid. Did you get the same feeling compared to your Quin?

Only thing that makes me upset about the Nightster, there’s little aftermarket support for anything other than exhaust

i went for the nightster special love everything about it except that damn leaf blower lol

The problem for me is they have taken away how much customising you can do with that false tank i like to do longer rides but don't want a bike that ways 300kg but as is you cant put a bigger tank on this bike spoils it for me also hoping they do a 1200 version.

I like the vrod. Lol

*The Nightster is on it's THIRD model year and there's barely any custom parts for it.* I think the Nightster was made to serve two purposes: 1) lure new riders into stores so they can be up-sold the larger bikes; and, 2) provide Europe and Asia with a "real" American cruiser that works just like what they would normally buy.

i want the new nightster s

ill never sell my 06 sporty last year of the carb

I LOVE the looks of the Sportser S, performance is awesome, handling and braking all awesome but the exhaust note is the worst of anything i have ever heard. Its like nails on a chalkboard to me for some reason lol I have heard all sorts of aftermarket exhausts and that just makes the horrid noise louder, not better in any way. The looks of the nightster just looks very cheap to me. I'm not a anti plastic guy at all, i have a 2009 XR1200 which got a lot of hate from the Harley guys when it came out for the plastic look, but it still felt like quality. These new sportys look so cheap and it was like Harley rushed a product out there unfinished. Then the price for these new worse soundin sportster is much higher then previously. HD better find a way to make these new rev max engines sound good is all I can say or they are gonna have another "street" repeat.

Did Harley give the Nightster more than 2" of travel in the rear suspension? Or, will to kill your kidneys like its earlier cousin does?

Gas tank could be an open storage box

They got a lot of things right. But the things they got wrong are really wrong. 1) price, it’s ridiculous. This is a borderline sport bike. Why would I buy this when the Japanese make sport and naked bikes that are better, more reliable, and cheaper. Before, the iron and the evo engine were things that separated Harley’s product from everything else. Now that’s not the case. 2) quality, that fact that the bike looks THAT different from side to side. One side finished and other side just straight up bare and literally unfinished. How did this get approved off the factory line. That was a horrible idea and smth that’s going to bite Harley in the ass. Harley’s are known for being decadent and their looks in general. They really have no idea what they’re doing but ig its new to them. Hopefully they’ll fix the look and make the bike look the same on both sides. They’re being way too ambitious. Nightster should’ve dropped first. And they should‘be put more money into developing the bike FULLY. Not half assing it. I get cost cuttings need to happen but my god. If they keep this up I’ll never get a new Harley even though I really want one. Iron’s and the used market is still they way to go. SMH Shame on Harley for digging themselves in a deeper hole.

If they could of turned the fake tank into a storage box that would of been really nice

Beware of crooked dealership. Never buy a H.D. get a used one on Facebook & still get screwed!

Is this a rebel 500 or 1100

Looks like the best foreign bike around. Not a Harley! But as long as the Sportster Carrie’s on, I’m OK with it.

I have the 2022 nightster and I absolutely hate it. I use to ride all the time and now my bike sits in the garage collecting dust cause it brings no excitement to me. Looking to go this week and trade it in… think I’ll stick to sports bike.

Every time I think I'm starting to warm up to the looks of these new Sportsters, I see a pic of their left side and think "naw... still looks like an unfinished mess".

1000cc with 90 HP? What’s the redline?

Same motor as the pan america....sportster is de tuned to 100....hook a PC to it and put it in pan america mode....150 hp

I don't want all the modes. Give me ABS and I'm good.

3.1 gal tank? That's not enough.

Overpriced, this bike should of been under $10k

Its no longer Evolution Its Revolution. Kinda opposite of what Willy G. said once.

You'd expect Harley to have an owner's manual

Nightster975 2023 vs Royal Enfield interceptor super method 650 😮😮😮

that is not any type of sporster

Lmao this is a slow as hell bike but it’s a perfect beginner or commuter

Bought this bad boi as a starter to work on my credit/first bike.

Gotta say I like the look of the nightster

Good review, I'm in the market for a new bike, and this one caught my eye as well as the VROD. Test riding the Nightster soon.

Got my endorsement and learned how to ride on a fat boy low. That bike was too heavy for me as a beginner, and I was always nervous pulling into the gas station, parking lots, and doing U turns. Bought a '22 Nightster with 3k miles on it and am in love. Been my DD for 2 months and it has performed so well. Couldn't have asked for a better motorcycle, though my rider family said it was "cute" lol. Their 900 lb machines are nice but they are a DRAG to ride in heavy traffic. The Nightster won't let you down! So light and nimble. BTW I always keep it in sports mode cause why not? Mine came with an aftermarket S&S exhaust. Sounds great. I mounted and ran power to a wireless phone charger mount as well so I have nav and music. Also removed the factory faring and installed a national cycle Mohawk wind guard. It's petite but very strong. If you dip into it you feel no wind whatsoever. I agree with the seat design to an extent, however mine also came with a passenger pad. I could use a small back indention to keep you from sliding back a bit (due to the power). Don't forget though, 1st gear on this bike is like 0.5 gear. You can easily start a ride or dash if needed in 2nd, in fact I prefer that when in heavy traffic, you can achieve higher speeds quicker this way in my experience. Overall, I'm getting 150 mile range on about $11 (premium). While everyone else on the ride is opening up their key port, grabbing their key and turning the bike off, all I have to do is flip my power button, kick stand and walk away I encourage everyone to go ahead and manually change your non-key fob start code so no one can steal your bike. If I'm in a large city or sketchy area I lock my forks. Otherwise it's park and get off. 10/10 recommend. If you're riding with a buddy with a more powerful engine remember you need to pick up the RPMs to keep up, but you'll definitely overtake them in 4th.

Bought a 24 nightster special - let me tell you, this is by far the funnest Harley you will ever ride. I absolutely love my baby Shadow

I was comparing the Nightster to the Scout Rogue last year and test rode both. I ended up with the Rogue. The Nightster wasn't a bad motorcycle. It was fun to ride and handled well, actually a little better than the Rogue. I also liked the little features it came with too. But, the Rogue had a more comfortable seating position and it's styling is much better. But ultimately it was the "Harley tax" combined with the fact the Nightster I test rode started leaking transmission fluid after pulling into the parking lot that sealed the deal for me.

This is my first bike and I like it 🤷🏻‍♂️

Great review! I just bought a 2022 Nightster from my local HD dealership with just 610 miles on it for $7999. I could not pass up that deal!

That looks like a 2022. I didn’t think 2023 came in red. Well, red isn’t on the website as an option. Correction red isn’t an option on the 23 Nightster Special.

I have a 2022 model and I actually like the look of the left side... gives off that skeletal look to me

Rather have an indian scout. The scout at least looks way better than this bike hands diwn and oretty much has tge same engine

Hello from sunny Singapore! Thanks for sharing and honestly i enjoyed your Nighster review so much as compared to others. I'm planning to get my first Harley and this should be the bike for me after your review. I'm 47 yrs old and have been riding my Yamaha SR 400 for a while. Thanks again.

My evo sportster was a good entry bike or race bike I have a buell s1 with a sportster 1200 engine and I have a evo fat boy

Just buy all three colors of the air box and just switch them out when you get bored with one color.

they could have covered up the eyesore from the front of the tank to the neck

Welcome to modern motorcycle design and performance

Here is Australia the model is selling fast and no stock with few dealers. I have a street rod 750 and it is such a great bike(revolution Max is good)

The left side still not finished

HD calling this a "NIghtster" is a dealbreaker for me.

Yea we get it. It's fun, nimble and fast. But try riding it for a few hundred miles, only stopping when you need fuel and then tell us what you think. All these new sportsters/nightsters are just good for around town, barhopping, and little rides through the mountains or up the coast. Useless for all day rides