Harley-Davidson made a big splash in 2021 with the Sportser S, a motorcycle fit for a comic book superhero. The American motorcycle manufacturer is now expanding its sport lineup with the 2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster, a more accessible entry point into the world of sporty, water-cooled Harley-Davidsons. At a starting price of $13,499, the Nightster should appeal to new and experienced riders. It’s supposed to scratch familiar itches and bring something new to the table at the same time. So, what is this motorcycle; a successor to the beginner-friendly Sportster, a challenger to the edgy Indian Scout Rogue Sixty, or a premium alternative to the budget-minded Honda Rebel 1100? I snagged one of the motor company’s test bikes for a week to find out.

2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster

7.00 / 10
Key Features
  • Rain, Road, And Sport Ride Modes
  • Revs Like No Other Harley-Davidson
  • Beginner-Friendly Weight And Seat Height
Specifications
  • Model: Nightster
  • Engine/Motor: Water-Cooled 975cc V-Twin
  • Horsepower: 90 hp @ 7,500 RPM
  • Torque: 70 lb-ft @ 5,000 RPM
  • Drivetrain: Belt Final Drive
  • Transmission: 6-Speed
Pros
  • Accessible For New Riders, Fun For Experienced Riders
  • Low Center Of Gravity Makes It Feel Extra Nimble
  • Entertaining Engine
  • Bullet Fairing And Bar-End Mirrors Feel Custom
  • Natural Riding Position
  • Built For Customization
Cons
  • Fit And Finish Lag Behind Other Harley-Davidson Models
  • Substantial Exhaust Heat

Nightster Specs

Powering the Nightster is an all-new Revolution Max 975T engine – a water-cooled, dual overhead cam, 60-degree V-twin based on the Revolution Max 1250 in the Pan America and Revolution Max 1250T in the Sportster S. The motor is a stressed member; instead of building the bike around a traditional double-cradle frame, Harley-Davidson mounts the Nightster’s components directly to the engine itself.

The Nightster’s 90 horsepower and 70 pound-feet of torque turn the rear wheel by way of a six-speed transmission and belt final drive. A single four-piston caliper and 320-millimeter disc handle braking at the front and a single-piston caliper squeezes a 260-millimeter disc in the rear. The traditional front fork and dual rear shocks maintain a classic aesthetic while also keeping costs down. The whole package weighs 481 pounds with 3.1 gallons of gas in the tank.

Related: 5 Reasons Why We Love The Harley-Davidson Sportster S (5 Reasons Why We'd Rather Ride The Nightster)

A Cruiser In Shape Only

2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster rear
Scott Murdock

If you look at the full lineup on Harley-Davidson’s website, you’ll notice that the Nightster appears alongside the Sportster S in the sport category. It’s actually not intended to be an entry point into the world of big-inch cruisers; instead, the Street Bob 114 will likely be the gateway bike for riders looking for an air-cooled Harley-Davidson. If you’re confused by this, you’re not alone – the unladen seat height of 27.8 inches, bobbed rear fender, dual rear shocks, and 19-inch front wheel definitely suggest that the Nightster is an around-town cruiser.

Once on the road, though, the rev-happy engine and three riding modes tell another story; Harley-Davidson built this bike to rip. There are sneaky touches to make this a more nimble and responsive bike than the styling suggests. One is the stressed-member engine which cuts weight and improves handling by eliminating the need for a steel frame. Another is the under-seat gas tank, which lowers the bike’s center of gravity significantly. The metal tank in front of the seat is actually used to house the airbox and electronics. Of course, let’s not forget that the engine wants to rev rather than chug along. So, yes, the Nightster looks like a visual evolution of the Sportster. All the design cues hint at it being a little cruiser. The spec sheet tells another story, though.

Related: Harley-Davidson Sportster And 8 Other Extremely Underrated Cruiser Bikes

Lightyears Ahead Of Sportsters Past

Unsurprisingly, the Nightster’s Revolution Max 975T engine is the star of the show. It was initially debuted in the Pan America, then got re-tuned for low-end torque for duty in the Sportster S. This time, Harley-Davidson reduced the motor’s bore by 6.3 millimeters and its stroke by eight millimeters. The smaller combustion chamber produces less power but the lightened pistons can move faster, resulting in a lively engine that rewards riders for venturing into the high end of the tachometer. At the top of the cylinder heads, variable valve timing responds to engine speed to provide smooth power delivery throughout the rev range. Variable valve timing is tricky to get right, but Harley-Davidson has it figured out.

The Nightster’s list of tech also includes three rider modes: rain, road, and sport. Each provides varying degrees of throttle response, traction control, ABS sensitivity, and engine braking. Riders can cycle through these modes on the fly with a button on the right-hand grip. The digital gauge inside the center of the analog speedometer displays which mode is currently selected, as well as a gas gauge, gear position indicator, and either the odometer, trip odometer, engine speed, or estimated range.

Getting To Know The 2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster

2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster handlebar
Scott Murdock

If you’re inclined to compare the Nightster’s riding experience to that of a Sportster Iron 883 or Forty-Eight, don’t. From the second I tapped the starter on this bike, it felt worlds apart from any Sportster. The Revolution Max 975T spun to life with a whir of mechanical sounds that stand out from air-cooled motors. Clutch travel is long, which can be easier for new riders to manage. The mid-position foot pegs and low handlebar create a rider triangle that felt more comfortable than I expected. The upright posture should be easy for riders to adjust to and inspire confidence when the pace picks up.

Clicking into first gear, I noticed how slick the six-speed transmission felt compared to traditional Harley-Davidson gearboxes. Travel is short, with very little pressure required. There is no quick-shifter, but careful clutchless upshifts are no problem. I marveled at how high the smaller Revolution Max engine would rev – even beyond the 7,500 RPM horsepower peak. Say what you want about air-cooled charm, but merging onto the interstate in second gear at 9,000 RPM is pretty fun, too.

As with the Pan America and Sportster S, ride modes make a huge difference in how the Nightster goes about its business. Each setting modifies throttle response, traction control, ABS, and engine braking to transform the motorcycle. Rain mode is extremely soft; new riders should have no problem managing power with compromised grip. Experienced riders will probably never need it, and can instead make road mode the default setting. Road mode provides plenty of power for acceleration and highway passing situations but remains forgiving in traffic. Sport mode significantly sharpens throttle response and engine braking to the point of being twitchy in everyday riding, but it’s perfect for spirited back-road blasts. When the bike shuts off, it remembers the current setting and automatically selects it upon startup. These ride modes are useful for anyone, but particularly new riders. If you were to make the Nightster your first motorcycle, you could graduate from rain to road to sport as your skills and confidence grew.

The gear position indicator is a small detail that makes a big impact because it stays visible the whole time the bike is on. I’ve ridden several bikes that only show the gear when it’s engaged. The Nightster’s approach is much more helpful because riders are probably most likely to use a gear position indicator when they’re stopped at a traffic light and want to make sure they clicked all the way down to first.

The Nightster is a leap in the right direction for the future of Harley-Davidson, but the new model does suffer from a few growing pains. These are minor – first, the heat from the rear cylinder’s header pipe just about cooked my right ankle on the highway. I suspect that the proximity of the catalytic converter, which needs to be extremely hot to function properly, might be the culprit. The other drawback is the bike’s overall fit and finish. The bullet fairing rattled around with about an eighth-inch of play, and trim pieces are plastic rather than steel in a lot of places. This caused some uncharacteristic squeaks and rattles compared to the other Harley-Davidsons I’ve ridden, which felt like they could outlast time itself.

We can attribute some of this to new model quirks, and the rest is a matter of price. The Nightster needs to be light and affordable, and those two things don’t usually go together in the motorized world. As a result, we get plastic components. Most potential buyers would rather be able to afford a bike with some plastic body panels than have it priced out of reach by higher-end components that don’t affect performance.

Related: 5 Cruiser Bikes That Are Perfect For Beginners (5 That Should Only Be Ridden By Experienced Riders)

Putting the Nightster In The Spotlight

2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster headlight
Scott Murdock

Harley-Davidsons – and Sportsters in particular – have always provided endless room for customization with aftermarket modifications. That’s a big part of the brand’s success. Harley-Davidson calls the Nightster an “instrument of expression” and owners will certainly customize their Nightsters with OEM and aftermarket support. The brand has also managed to create a bike that’s both familiar and new and stands out from the best beginner bikes from Indian and Honda. The Nightster’s $13,499 starting price is $2,250 more than the Indian Scout Rogue Sixty – which shares its 975-cubic-centimeter displacement – and $750 more than the 1,130-cubic-centimeter Scout Rogue. It costs $4,100 more than the base Honda Rebel 1100.

So, the Nightster is a relatively pricey motorcycle. Is it worth the upcharge? Style is subjective, but we can probably agree that the Rebel 1100 doesn't come anywhere close to matching the Nightster’s visceral appeal. Indian’s various Scouts offer more bang for the buck on paper and may have an edge in refinement, but you should ride both because the on-road experiences are quite different. Ultimately, the Nightster is a strong step for Harley-Davidson. It deserves a place on your shortlist and I’m encouraged by the brand’s commitment to pushing boundaries and shattering expectations.