Showdown: 2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster vs Indian Scout Rogue 

I love the Indian scout rogue. It's just a beautiful cruiser.

If I want a cruiser, looks is going to be very important and the Indian just wins.

I picked up my Scout Rogue 3 weeks ago. that bike is phenomenal. once I adjusted my suspension to the right setting, it was a bit stiffer but I wasn't bottoming out on every bloody bump. Riding the scout, fast or slow, is fun. it scrapes around every turn (which for me being a 22-year-old male, is so satisfying lol). looks wise, I agree, the Scout is by far a much better bike; it's more comfortable, the seating position is better and the 10-inch mini apes are so comfy. The only thing I don't like about it is the MASSIVE pipes it has (but every scout owner switches the exhaust first lol). Great review guys!

The scout looks much better. That Harley motor looks like the robot from lost in space

I test rode a 23 nightster special at a dealer and was really impressed. I liked the look and technology and how fun and responsive the throttle was (later found out it was set to “sport” mode)… anyway they said this bike would cost me in the late teens out the door. The standard version would be a little bit less. Went to an Indian dealer the next day and test rode a used 21 scout bobber with low miles as well as some upgrades (seat exhaust and suspension I believe). Boom that’s 3 of the main things that need upgrading already taken care of. I thought this one was just as fun as the nightster for 7 grand less. A no brainer. So to anyone who’s looking at both of these make sure you do your due diligence and shop around. You can’t go wrong with either one.

Tremedously Honest ,very straightfoward , and immensely helpful Evaluation. Unfortunately rarely seen in Reviews. Thank you!

Indians overall design and fit and finish seem to be superior to HD.

I want a cruiser with performance and handling so I guess that means buy a Nighter . You can go slow on anything so you get two worlds with the Nightster.

Out of those two, the Nightster. IMO I'd go with the Honda Rebel 1100 and save some cash.

My Indian Scout Rogue is unreal and amazing to ride. The suspension on it is a bit stiff but does not make performance awkward at all!! Can't help feeling there is some Harley catering here.

I trst rode both. I ended up with the Indian Scout, because I just felt better on it. Also my short fingers were not long enough to reach the clutch comfortably on the Harley

I owned the 22 HD Nightster for 40 days. I love the bike but unfortunately the bike died with only 95 miles on the odometer. Harley is having some major quality issues with the new nightster for many owners are reporting the same issue I had which is the control module failing. I really wished the nightster didn’t have this quality issue because it is an amazing bike.

Definitely and 100% without any doubts... Indian scout Rouge.

I ride a Sportster for several years. I immediately switched the bars for track bars with 4” pull back risers. I loved that setup. Changed out the stock seat, as well for a two up. The suspension was brutal on my low back, though. Never again, Indian or no.

So, if you upgrade the suspension then the Indian woes seems to go away?

I have the Indian Scout Bobber. (Not the Rogue) I'm 100% in love with it. Everything mentioned in this video is just the type of things you deal with, with this type of bike. But, the one small thing I absolutely hate about the Scout, the gear indicator. Everytime you pull in the clutch, the gear indicator goes blank, you release the clutch lever, and it does a countdown to the gear you're already in. Say you're pulling up to a stoplight with traffic, and it turns green, you downshift, and release the clutch into second gear, it'll start in 6th, to 5th, to 4th, to 3rd, then to second. First time I noticed it, I thought I was in 6th gear, then noticed it counting down. Dumb idea.

I will pass on both but I do like the Indian FTR-1200 ..

Finally someone has mentioned about the lack of finish on the left side of the Rev Max it looks like the right side was designed by Porche and the left was designed by some school kids......😂

Great video. A little repetitive to the point that I started getting confused about your conclusions.

As much as I’m sure it makes great power. I with the revmax didn’t have The 30° offset crank. It makes it fire Like a 90° V twin. Which is cool if you like Ducati’s and cross plane P-twins. But the standard firing 60° twin in the Indian and the classic V-rod just sound so much better. It reminds me of a muscle car

No contest, the Scout anyday of the week.

You should compare these bikes with the rebel 11oo next, especially the Harley

What I really appreciate is Harleys initiative to use recycled plastic Tupperware on their new motors. Dyno chart shows HD needs to focus on the tune but it's good enough right out of the box. Dial it in a bit and they'll make solid power. Rear suspension on the Indian and better brake pads negate all complaints.

Getting my storm blue scout rogue this month!

It’s fun having Harley-Davidson versus Indian again and that this conversation can take place. Personally, I’ll take the Indian though.

Interesting video but I have a few questions about what mode were you riding in and what mode was the Dyno test performed on the Nightster?

Great job on the comparison

I don’t want either of these bikes, but I think HD deserves a lot of credit for using up-to-date technology and ignoring the shrieks of the traditionalist haters.

So Harley said they wanted to put the Sport back into Sportster but now it’s to sporty ?

I'll never understand why v twin cruisers only get one front brake rotor.

Great and Honest review!👍🏽

I have a Indian scout 60 and a FTR1200. On the Scout when I first purchased I thought the same negatives on the suspension. However, when you set the preload to your weight it makes a night and day difference. As a cruiser with feet forward your butt and spine take the majority of the hits regardless of shock compared to a sport bike that's spreads it over your legs and arms. I have had HDs Streets and the fact that HD doesn't support them is a turn off and feel that's what will happen to Nightster and Sportster. The Bronx would have been the correct next step outside the box like the Pan America. P S. If you haven't tried a FTR you must. It's like the Kaw Z900RS but more fun.

First thing I changed on my Harley is the seat. The sundowner made by harley works way better and softer. Also got the reach handlebars but haven’t installed it yet.

was nightster dropped? one mirror is missing.. i love the idea behind the nightster first harley since the vrod i would want!

I've had nothing but Harley's for the past 15 years but I don't see anything on the showroom floor that would bring me back for another one. Given the current choices I would either go with Indian or something Japanese before I bought a brand new Harley.

I really like the power the nightster brings to the table, but it’s so expensive!! I’d rather have an MT07 but I’m such a Harley fanboy I’m almost willing to drop the money on the nightster. For a retro throwback a kawi z900rs fills that void but man, that nighter power plant really rocked my world.

Rode the nightster today. It was a lot of fun! I agree the chassis and ergos betray the awesomeness of the engine. I'm more interested than ever in the bronx. But i would not be disappointed to have a nightster. I know I could buy a lot more performance for the money but those bikes are stupid fast. And I agree the scout is a much better cruiser, but it is not capable of ever being as exciting. The nightster made me feel like a hooligan. There is something fun about riding something fast that wasn't really built well for it. The nightster is so eager even though it probably isn't faster than an mt07. I genuinely felt like I might fall off it if I wasnt careful and that felt exciting. Handling was nimble. Turn in felt agile although transitions begged for a more sporty profile tire. Body position on most nakeds at street pace is just for show, but when ground clearance is limited it becomes more essential. I do wish it felt a little less dead below 4k rpm (more like the cp2). But that just made it really hard to just cruise. This bike would get me in trouble. I just kept twisting the throttle! I couldn't help myself!! And yet I never reached triple digits. Living in illinois where the speed limits are 55 and the twisty roads are few and far between, I could see myself giggling my way around on the nightster.

14:51 how did the text end up being the bar and mirror? Both are great looking bikes!

The Indian rogue looks nice

It's been 7 years since Polaris revived the Scout and H&D still can't come up with a semi decent competitor. That says a lot about H&D's engineering and design departments.

How did you lose the right mirror on the Nightster?

I haven't ridden a Nightster yet, but I did sit on one and looked at one. I do ride a 2020 Scout bobber and a 2015 Yamaha Fz07. The initial feeling of the Nightster is very similar to my Fz. Just a lower profile, more buttons and du-dads, slightly better seat, and about 3x the price. I'd like to actually ride a Nightster and compare it to my Scout. Not gunna lie tho. I do like how light weight the Nightster felt. It would probably be alot of fun!

Great video Love my Nightster

Naaaaaaaaaaaa Indian all day long. I don't know what seat you sat on, but my Indian scout 60 has a seat that I ride for over 90 to 100 miles without stopping or needing to take a break from my seat. I am 74yrs old and have been riding almost all of my life and this seat and suspension are spot on, I also do a lot of freeway driving and never had a problem with my bike. you probably have a skinny butt and need some cushion? be safe and ride forever!

At those prices, buy a crate motor and man up and build your own uniquely identifiable bike that suits you.

The Nighster is a Harley of aesthetics only. The Scout Rogue is spectacular, much more American, both in style and sound.

Not American but it would have been nice to see the Rebel 1100 comparison!

As long as I can remember Harley is one of my favorite motorcycle..my first Harley was 883..so so sad..it's been the heart and soul on most old Harley riders...I love to take it easy after a long day from work...well good luck to all be safe and have fun. Sometimes changes not always a good thing specifically if you have something special going...why throw away your legacy...💐💔❓

You should compare the nightster to the rebel 1100. Please!!!!

I thought about the nightster but went with the z900rs cafe. Better in every single way

I got to do some decent riding time on the 2020 Indian Scout Twenty...which has that elevated floating seat. The result was a much better riding position than the lower seats on the other Scouts...including the Rogue. Now granted that seat was hard and slippery, but it's the higher position I'm talking about. Do something similar, along with decent rear shocks, and the Scout Rogue would be a much better machine.

I was interested in the Indian....knew nothing about the Nightster. I prefer standard bikes like the Triumph Bonneville T120. I really like the mid controls of the Nightster. I now own a 1979 Yamaha XS1100 that's pretty tricked out and looks similar to these. Maybe I'll just stick with my old school Yamaha for 3k and I get comments all the time HAHA.

Great, truthful, review. What a contrast on these 2 bikes. I am an old guy. Raced motocross professionally and owned many bikes. Until recently you never saw many comparisons with Harley’s to competition. Harley’s were always too heavy, underpowered, and no tech but expensive. Past few years that has changed as competition is more fierce which helps the consumer. I always lumped cruisers in with naked bikes. Harley’s are different from regular nakeds as feet forward. Feet forward came about because of the very tall, under square motor. Mid foot pegs would really compromise lean angle so forwards came about. Truthfully that makes the parachute type riding position with feet forward and bars pulled back, lounge chair. Long story short, your decision was based on the tractor style engine vs higher revving sport engine? Cruisers are slower, just cruising? I would not buy the Indian for the shocks and the halogen headlight. I do not routinely mod bikes. Harley is ready to go. You can go slow(cruise) or go fast.

Cool man i live in clay county & that's where my bike is from!

Some one even Harley might come up with a way to get some bottom end out of the Nightster…..maybe make a Stage 1 tune or something.Having some top end is fine but on a Harley you need that kick in the butt at the bottom end too!

Please do HD LRS VS Indian CBDH!

I'd compare it to the regular scout with a 3.5 in rear shock. Rogue sacrificed comfort for nothing.

Nice scoots, I'll keep my Victory. Great review as always. Appreciate the content.

I just picked up a Rogue Sixty 2 days ago and agree with most everything in this video. The only real drawback really is the suspension is stiff as heck compared to a more traditional cruiser (coming from a Honda Shadow). That was a very comfy bike, but woefully underpowered. Indian knocked it out of the park with how flat the torque curve is and how well balanced the bike feels. To me it's almost as easy to handle as the Yamaha 250 I rode in my MSF class.

On Harleys website the Nightster is listed under sport not cruiser.

That HD Nightster is ugly. Did they even try to make it look good?

For the same performance your better off going with a Yamaha MT09 for alot cheaper vs the HD Sportster. Indian Scout FTW Easily.

I'm sorry but they both just look cheap. Their not at $14k. For my money I would get a softail standard. That M8 engine looks the part and is a damn stump puller

Finally someone in the media brings up the hideous left side of the Nighter. OMG Harley get your shit together.

Good vid

New sub! Liked 🙏😮✌️

*The Indian Scout is the true successor to Harley's XL Sportster.* The new Nightster is the H-D Street 500/750 all grown up.

Why didn't you guys race them from a roll?

Indian Scout Rogue looks really cool, while Harley Nightster looks a little too unfinished. Indian Scout Rogue will be my choice among these. Nightster will also compete with the Honda Rebel 1100, (maybe that's the point?) Indian Scout Rogue is sort of the American cruiser among these two.

I don't know the point of nightster . If I want a naked bike I'll get a naked bike and it'd be most likely cheaper as well

Missing market price by 3k by both the companies. Rebel 1100 with a better seat and shocks will be much more worth it!!

Surely only in America could these be seen as "small" cruisers...

They both look like the designers watched sons of anarchy before they designed them. Lol

I luv my HD nightster. Light, Comfortable and Extremely maneuverable. Sport mode is insanely fast.

nightster all day, I love them both , but the nightster is more comfortable to me, I hate forward controls always have. you can get a mid kit for the scout , but the factory controls in the harley are perfect

Also that dip in power saved my ass the other night, right as I took off someone cut me off and I was able to slow it down, if I had catedlbolted from the line I might’ve crashed into that car. Harley is great around town

I kinda like the unfinished side of the sportster. I dont like fake looking right side, looks a little fisher price

One of the major issues I noticed though, if you are looking for a good "cruiser" bike and you are comparing the nightster and scout, I would honestly scratch my head then point at the Harley Softail Standard. Especially considering the fact its basically the same price as these 2. It is a heavier bike but doesn't really feel lacking in power or torque. Otherwise I definitely agree that the Indian would probably be the better "cruiser" but I would probably pick the Nightster Special mainly for its added features (cruise control, more driver aids, and the electronic display.)

Got rid of my harley ,and love my vulcan 900.

Isn't the Rogue 60 a better comparison, eng. size-wise??? 975 to 999cc or something?

I think you have to correct that you were riding the Indian Scout Rogue 60 with 999cc and not the 70 with the 1133cc. You can tell by the valve cover.

I'm really liking these new releases from HD. I want a nightster or sportster s.

U guys should pre write out a list before videos, There’s so much more information you could’ve provided !!

I'm glad HD has built a decent engine but the prices on both just don't compete when you move out of the cruiser segment. A CB1000R, KTM890, MT-10 or any similar bike will crush these in performance and handling and will cost less. I completely understand style and feel of a bike but I'm not going to suffer 2" of suspension travel and bad ergonomics.

i still say a new indian spirit with the ftr motor leather saddle bags softail frame windshield and cruise control now we r talking cruising

Why the video is blacking out so often?

For the money I'd rather get a triumph Speed Twin.

Nightster would have been perfect, if not a fake-ish bike : fake fuel tank (it's air admission), fake air admission (to keep the look), fake potato-potato sound (it's a trick from engineers so injection sounds like old motors),.... I own a Scout Bobber and i'm definitively happy with it !

Nightster is on the vrod frame whereas the Indian is on a molded aluminum frame

The idea of the new nightster/ sportster was Harley wanted to make it more sporty.. well they did so how can you say Harley missed the mark??

Scout Rouge 🎉❤

the only thing i would ask from indian, is leave more room on the frame above the heads to modify displacement.

I don't think Id buy ether one yet there in little i lite about the scout,and the nightster seem like they didn't quite hit the mark.

Bottom line there is way too much competition in that price range 🤔 I have loved motorcycle's all my life and I wouldn't even be interested in either of these bikes when I had 13k to spend. Sad really 😕 they both would be fun to own

Agree with seat height. Why scooter seat height with scooter type suspension travel

HD obviously!!!

I think we have lost our way . So sad, but oh well .

I stopped by the local HD dealer to check out the Nightster and wasn’t overly impressed. The right side has a very cluttered look, the faux air cleaner hits my leg and to top it all off, on top of the MSRP there’s freight, prep and dealer gouge fee making the machine approx. $16K. I’m not a fan of the Indian either because of the rear suspension which is a joke and as you said it drags the pegs on mild curves. I’ll pass on both.

I’d own a scout with RSD hooligan kit, that’s a cool machine. These two, not so much.

As an Indonesian bataknese, I'm proud of you lae Siahaan. Good Job brother.