2023 Harley-Davidson Nightster Particular Evaluate [12 Fast Facts]

It’s fascinating to observe the reinvented Harley-Davidson Sportster lineup unfold. The Motor Firm began off with the S, a fat-tire power-cruiser with the Revolution Max 1250T motor, a torquier off-shoot of the DOHC V-twin that debuted on the Pan America journey bike. Subsequent up was the Nightster, which introduced us the smaller and less complicated Revolution Max 975T powerplant in a sportier guise. Now, we get our fingers on the 2023 Harley-Davidson Nightster Particular, which provides a few creature comforts to the combo. We battled by way of the streets of Los Angeles and the encircling canyons to see what makes this Nightster “Particular”.

1. The Revolution Max 975T motor is unchanged from the usual Nightster. In comparison with its huge brother—the 1250T—the 975T has a noticeably softer energy supply off-idle. This makes it a extra engaging possibility for newer motorcyclists, as a creating throttle hand is much less more likely to end in unintended penalties. The 975T is clean off the underside, making it an excellent city powerplant for the 2023 Harley-Davidson Nightster Particular.

2. Only some issues give this Nightster the “Particular” designation, however they matter. If you wish to carry a passenger, that is your Nightster—your higher half will get an impartial seat and footpegs. For the rider, there are kinder and gentler ergonomics. The grips are an inch nearer to the rider and two inches larger on the Particular than on the usual Nightster, courtesy of a brand new handlebar and handlebar riser. The mid-position foot controls return, giving the Particular a significantly extra compact rider triangle than the usual Nightster. The Nightster’s ergonomics give the rider extra of a sense of dominance over the proceedings—an excellent factor when taking over a passenger.

3. There are three energy modes, although most riders will rapidly graduate to essentially the most aggressive possibility. Sport, Highway, and Rain modes are greater than merely throttle response choices. Traction management, engine braking, and ABS modifications are a part of the package deal. Definitely, the throttle response is sharpest in Sport mode, although it’s not so aggressive that it’s an issue. It permits skilled throttle jockeys to wind the motor up rapidly to its 9500 rpm redline, which is nice enjoyable. For those who’re involved about an excessive amount of acceleration, the Highway mode tames issues down. Ought to it begin to rain, you’re clever to benefit from the Rain mode till issues dry out.

4. Sport mode makes for pleasant romps by way of LA site visitors. The engine’s response in Highway mode takes away the snap you generally want when a spot opens up in site visitors, or it’s essential to keep away from getting tagged by an inattentive driver. Highway mode is ok when cruising alongside in solitude, although the using place of the 2023 Harley-Davidson Nightster Particular doesn’t encourage lengthy freeway runs—it’s an city and sporting experience.

5. The peppy and revvy Revolution Max 975T is your pal about city. Maintain the revs down, and the motor is docile. Acceleration will not be a roll-on away, nevertheless. To maneuver rapidly, you should twist the throttle with authority. Once you try this, the 975 responds with spectacular acceleration within the Sport mode—be extra affected person when you’re operating Highway mode. When switching between Sport and Highway modes, the modifications within the ABS, traction management, and engine braking aren’t a giant a part of the equation in on a regular basis using—it’s all concerning the throttle response. Nonetheless, when you’re much less skilled or are ham-fisted along with your proper hand, follow the Highway mode.

6. The extra upright and compact ergonomics of the Particular are good for busy city environments. You don’t need to be relaxed in battle. You need an attentive using place, and the Particular has it. It offers you an excellent view of your environment, and a way of management over the bike that’s reassuring. The Nightster Particular does have a protracted 61.3 inches wheelbase and 30 levels of rake, although simply 28 levels of fork angle. I wouldn’t name it agile, however with the 100mm 19-inch entrance tire and 16-inch 150mm rear tire, you possibly can put the bike the place you need it to be in site visitors. Credit score can also be as a result of sub-500-pound curb weight and the decrease middle of gravity afforded by the under-seat 3.1-gallon gas tank.

7. When taking over the city and rural canyons of Los Angeles, the 2023 Harley-Davidson Nightster Particular acquits itself impressively. Though nonetheless a cruiser at coronary heart, the Nightster Particular has the dealing with chops, energy supply, and sufficient cornering clearance to provide loads of enjoyable within the twisties. With the spacious wheelbase and beneficiant rake, the Particular is steady in corners. The Dunlop Harley-Davidson Sequence D401 tires supply extra edge grip than the cornering clearance permits, so you possibly can experience it as exhausting as physics permit. Certain, the 19-/16-inch tire mixture doesn’t scream sport using, although the narrower tires and their extra gradual cornering profile are an enormous enchancment over the Sportster S. Whereas not nimble, the Nightster Particular will not be ponderous. The dealing with is predictable and gradual, and no surprises imply you possibly can experience sooner with confidence.

8. The suspension is agency on account of restricted journey, so the Nightster Particular prefers smoother roads. The Showa Twin Bending Valve 41mm fork and its 4.5 inches of journey is first rate, even when there are not any changes. With simply three inches of journey, the emulsion shocks have their work lower out for them. They’re nice on freshly repaved roads, comparable to components of Mulholland Drive separating city from suburban Los Angeles. Nevertheless, on facet streets the place the upkeep crews haven’t visited, the Nightster Particular will get bounced round, whether or not you’re within the twisties or simply using down Hollywood Boulevard. Whereas, the experience is superior to the discontinued air-cooled Sportsters, there’s nonetheless loads of room for enchancment.

9. When it comes time to decelerate, the Nightster Particular responds. The Revolution Max 975T will not be over-imbued with the sturdy engine compression braking of the air-cooled Sportsters, so the job the Brembo brakes do is spectacular. Regardless of the beefy four-piston Brembo entrance caliper not being radially mounted, it does work on a 320mm disc, and a steel-braided line provides to the texture. The rear brake can also be no slouch, contributing helpfully to the slowing course of. ABS is available in case your proper foot will get too pushy.

10. You probably have particular wants for the motor, there are two customized rider modes obtainable. Maybe you just like the snappy throttle response, however you continue to need extra aggressive ABS, throttle management, and engine braking. By way of a couple of pushes of the buttons whereas monitoring the spherical TFT sprint, you possibly can have it. With 4 parameters to regulate, you would possibly discover that the three modes from the manufacturing unit aren’t fairly to your particular style—it’s at all times value experimenting, as you won’t know what works finest for you till you attempt the assorted settings.

11. Previous-school Sportster followers shall be startled on the switchgear array and the capabilities they management. Sure, the Nightster Particular has cruise management, and the colourful sprint will hyperlink to your smartphone through Bluetooth to present you entry to exterior wi-fi entreaties—if that’s what you need when you’re using.

12. The 2023 Harley-Davidson Nightster Particular is a worthy new member of the Sportster household. The bike seems good, and the efficiency improve over the air-cooled Sportsters is plain. These making the leap from the air-cooled Sportsters to the Revolution Max 975T must adapt to extra energy, although much less roll-on muscle—that shouldn’t be tough. These new to the platform will merely benefit from the experience. The Particular’s friendlier ergonomics will fulfill those that desire consolation over profiling, and the power to haul a passenger will attraction to many. We’re happy with what Harley-Davidson is doing with the reimagined Sportster lineup, although there’s nonetheless work to be performed—time to wash up the looks of the left facet of the bike, as an example. Regardless, from a using standpoint, the Nightster Particular delivers the expertise we would like from a bike within the Sportster clan.

Pictures by Kelly CallanRIDING STYLE2023 Harley-Davidson Nightster Particular SpecsENGINE

• Sort: Revolution Max 975T 60-degree V-twin
• Displacement: 975cc
• Bore x stroke: 97 x 66mm
• Most energy: 90 horsepower @ 7500 rpm
• Most torque: 70 ft-lbs @ 5000 rpm
• Compression ratio: 12:1
• Valvetrain: DOHC w/ hydraulic self-adjusting lifters, variable consumption cam timing; 4vpc
• Cooling: Liquid
• Lubrication: Semi-dry sump
• Exhaust: 2-1-2 w/ in-header catalyst
• Transmission: 6-speed
• Clutch: Moist multiplate w/ assist-and-slipper capabilities
• Last drive: Chain

CHASSIS

• Chassis: Harassed engine w/ trellis body
• Entrance suspension; journey: Non-adjustable Showa Twin Bending Valve 41mm fork; 4.5 inches
• Rear suspension; journey: Spring-preload adjustable emulsion shocks; 3 inches
• Wheels: Solid aluminum
• Entrance wheel: 19 x 2.5
• Rear wheel: 16 x 4.25
• Tires: Dunlop Harley-Davidson Sequence D401
• Entrance tire: 100/90 x 19
• Rear tire: 150/80 x 16
• Entrance brakes: 320mm floating disc w/ 4-piston Brembo caliper
• Rear brake: 260mm floating disc w/ single-piston Brembo caliper
• ABS: Customary

DIMENSIONS and CAPACITIES

• Wheelbase: 61.3 inches
• Rake: 30 levels
• Fork angle: 28 levels
• Path: 5.4 inches
• Seat peak: 27.8 inches
• Gasoline capability: 3.1 gallons
• Estimated gas consumption: 52 mpg
• Curb weight: 483 kilos

COLORS

• Vivid Black
• Black Denim (+$450)
• Vivid Billiard Blue (+$450)
• Industrial Yellow (+$450)

2023 Harley-Davidson Nightster Particular Worth: $14,999 MSRP

2023 Harley-Davidson Nightster Particular Evaluate Picture Gallery