Two Types of Harley-Davidson Riders
Pull into any bar on a summer Sunday afternoon, ride on any rally or go on any poker run, and you soon realize there’s only two types of Harley-Davidson motorcycle riders.
There’s the Harley-Davidson motorcyclist who will spend more on his bike than he did on his truck or car or any home improvements over the past 10 years. He prefers the fully-loaded bagger. His Harley-Davidson has to come with floor boards, a windshield and lots of blindingly reflective chrome.
This article isn’t about that type of guy. Instead, it’s about the other Harley-Davidson motorcycle rider. You know, the guy who wants a simple look and doesn’t need too much extras on his Harley-Davidson without spending too much. He doesn’t “winterize” his bike because it’s never parked that long. He doesn’t know the meaning of the words, “my mechanic.”
This article is about that type of Harley-Davidson rider, the guy or gal who enjoys the 1200 Harley-Davidson Nightster.
2012 Nightster
The Nightster remains as lean, mean and unobtrusive has it was when Harley-Davidson penned this version of the Sportster in 2007. There’s no flash, no bling. Nor is there anything else that’s says “look at me” other than the Harley-Davidson emblem on the side of the gas tank, and the pot-a-pot-pot sound of an Evolution engine warming up.
Nightster: Mean and Lean
The only chrome you’ll find on this motorcycle bad boy from Harley-Davidson is on the exhaust pipes, the shock absorbers, the spokes and the top of the valve covers.
The dragster-style handlebars, clutch and brake levers, mirrors and kick stand all come in black. This Harley-Davidson motorcycle doesn’t beg to be ridden easy, but driven hard and fast.
The front fender is chopped. There’s just enough there to keep you from getting sprayed too much. It’s the same with the Nightster’s back fender. It’s chopped so much, you’ll have to mount your license plate on the side.
Nightster Power
The 72-inch, air-cooled 1200 CC motor puts out 79 pounds-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. I found the Nighster engine had enough horsepower that it could easily move this 565-pound motorcycle and a 200-pound rider up a hill, around slower traffic or just down the highway. The power comes on smoothly through the Nightster’s tried and proven, five-speed transmission thanks in part to a generous torque curve and modern fuel injection.
Nightster: Built Solid
Import motorcycle riders will say the Harley-Davidson Nightster may be heavy, but its built solid, through and through. And the added weight keeps you from getting blown sideways when you pass big rigs on the interstate. Besides, there’s enough low-end torque in the Harley-Davidson motor to make any start from a standstill nothing more than a matter of child’s play.
If you way to far south of 5-foot-10 like I am, the Harley-Davidson Nightster doesn’t disappoint. Its 26.9-inch seat height means I can easily touch both feet at intersections.
Nightster Pricing
The Harley-Davidson Nightline lists at a starting price of $9,999 in vivid black. Add $300 for flat black or what Harley-Davidson calls black denim. Add another $300 for a two-tone option on the fuel tank which lets you add a light blue or silver to the 3.3-gallon classic. Still at just above $10,000, the Nighster gives you a Harley-Davidson motorcycle you can afford and a style you can be proud of.