What You Should Know About the 2022 Harley Nightster

Harley-Davidson is redefining the classic Sportster motorcycle model with its newest ride, the Harley Nightster, which the company debuted in an announcement on April 12.

The Nightster embodies the Sportster foundation laid 65 years ago, providing Harley riders with a quicker, lighter, and nimbler alternative to the heavy cruisers that the company first offered. Complete with a Revolution Max engine, the new 2022 bike is revitalizing an old American motorcycle icon—displaying its versatility and opening a new chapter in the Sportster legacy.

If you are looking for a new bike, read here to learn about the 2022 Harley Nightster and decide if you should buy it or another Harley model!

What is the Difference Between a Sportster and a Nightster?

Let’s talk about the form. Aspects such as the airbox cover, wheels, and shocks comprise the basic form of most motorcycles and come in various shapes and sizes that can be customized to create the best motorcycle for you.

Airbox Cover

Although its function is different, the form of the Nightster’s airbox cover is one of the main resemblances to its Sportster roots. 

In this model, the 3.1-gallon fuel box is located under the bike’s seat with a metal peanut-shaped cover. What looks like a traditional fuel tank in front of the seat is actually The Nightster’s steel airbox cover.

Although this requires riders to lift the hinged seat to fill the fuel cell, there are two distinct benefits of moving the fuel cell beneath the rider’s seat. First, this optimizes the engine intake airbox’s capacity. Second, moving the fuel weight lower in the chassis results in a lower center of gravity—ultimately improving the rider’s handling.

Wheels

The Nightster has an aluminum cast 19-inch front wheel and a 16-inch rear wheel. Together, the dimensions of this bike’s wheels represent the history of the model and give it the nimble performance that Sportster riders love. 

Exposed Dual Rear Shocks

The Nightster has twin dual shocks. Exposed dual shocks are provided at the rear of the motorcycle and serve as a critical style line—mirroring the classic styling of the iconic Sportster. 

With coil springs and a threaded collar, the Nightster’s twin emulsion shocks differ from the Sportster’s more traditional monoshock technology, providing increased travel suspensions that are preload adjustable.

How Many cc is a Harley Nightster?

Harley-Davidson functions so that the engine and frame tend to be the main deciding factors when buying a new motorcycle. The engine size and frame both make a difference in the bike’s weight, so it is important to understand which size is the best for you.

Engine

The Nightster boasts a Revolution Max 975T powertrain. This liquid-cooled V-Twin is tuned to maximize performance across all speeds and deliver strong acceleration through the mid-range. 

The updated engine offers 90 horsepower at 7,500 RPM and 70 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 RPM. The 975cc Revolution Max 975T is also equipped with variable valve timing and hydraulic valve lash adjustment, creating a quieter ride and “just enough vibration to make the motorcycle feel alive.”

Overall, we think riders will appreciate this rev-happy engine.

Frame

The new Revolution Max 975T is not mounted in the traditional hoop-style frame. Instead, this Harley motorcycle uses the powertrain as the central structural component of the chassis, which significantly reduces the weight and results in an incredibly stiff chassis.

Each component of the Nightster’s frame has been designed to be strong yet compact and lightweight. The steel trellis frame also contains an aluminum forged mid-structure that accommodates the twin emulsion shocks mentioned above.

Is the Harley Nighster Good for Beginners?

Safety and comfort are key for long rides. Lucky for riders of all skill levels, the Harley Nightster comes equipped with advanced safety technology and an approachable silhouette that’s easy to handle and a thrill to ride. 

Rider Safety

The Nightster’s collection of safety technologies is designed to increase its rider’s confidence during unexpected situations and unfavorable road conditions. The safety enhancements adjust to the motorcycle’s performance and provide higher-grade traction during acceleration, deceleration, and braking to prevent accidents.

Not only are the rider safety systems electronic, but they also employ modern chassis control, electronic brake control, and powertrain technology to keep riders safe.

• The Antilock Braking System (ABS) helps riders maintain control when braking in urgent situations by preventing the wheels from locking up. The system operates independently on the front and rear brakes, giving the rider increased control.
• The Traction Control System (TCS) prevents the rear wheel from excessive spinning during acceleration and deceleration. This greatly enhances the rider’s confidence when in unpredictable circumstances. The feature can also be conveniently deactivated with the motorcycle stopped and the engine running.
• The Drag-Torque Slip Control System (DSCS) adjusts engine torque delivery and reduces excessive rear-wheel slip under powertrain-induced deceleration when riders need to downshift abruptly or quickly reduce the throttle in slippery road conditions.

Rider Comfort

After you buy a motorcycle, you may find that your body is sometimes put in awkward positions, forcing unnecessary stress on your hands, arms, back, and legs. Harley-Davidson wanted to eliminate this problem and increase comfort with the new 2022 Harley Nightster.

This bike has mid-foot controls and a low-rise handlebar, allowing the rider a comfortable posture at the center of the bike. The Nightster’s seat is 27.8 inches high, which, combined with the narrow profile, allows most riders to confidently place their feet on the ground when they need to stop.

Both the engine and fuel cell are centralized low in the chassis, which helps the overall performance and rider confidence when mounting the bike, cruising at low speeds, and carving through corners.

In addition to the easy-to-handle frame, the designers at Harley-Davidson used lightweight materials for the Nightster to reduce the overall weight and increase maneuverability, making this a super approachable bike for new riders.

Experience the Harley Nighster at Harley-Davidson of The Woodlands

Starting at just $13,499, the 2022 Harley Nightster is a stellar addition to the Harley-Davidson family with an affordable price tag that makes it highly accessible. 

Our team of Harley aficionados is ready to answer all your questions and help you find the bike of your dreams in our beautiful showroom, which is stocked with new and pre-owned bikes just waiting to be taken out for a test ride. 

But don’t just take our word for it—stop by Harley-Davidson of The Woodlands today and find out if the new 2022 Harley Nightster is right for you!