HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200 Nightster (2007 - 2012) Review
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 50 bhp |
| Seat height: | Low (28.3 in / 720 mm) |
| Weight: | High (553 lbs / 251 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesThe Nightster is the result of a simple plan by Harley-Davidson and it’s brilliantly executed. What plan? To take the second cheapest model (Sportster 1200) in Harley-Davidson’s vast range and tweak its styling to end up with a new bike of stunning looks but still with an affordable price.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineThe Nightster’s shorter forks than the donor Sportster put more weight over the front end to give the new Harley a stable ride. Lower bars with the seat repositioned closer to the tank make the Nightster an altogether comfier motorcycle to ride around; it also means the bike can be flung around a lot easier than a 251kg bike should. Ground clearance isn’t great but it’s still a lot of fun out in the country as well as posing down the high street.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe Nightster’s 1200cc five-speed engine has old-fashioned charm of clunks, whirring noises and an unmistakable Harley-Davidson exhaust note. These quirks are easy to live with because the Nightster’s injected fuelling is so sweet meaning you could tap in top gear and simply use the engine’s ample stock of torque to lug you around all day.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueThe use of modern touches like fuel injection, belt drive and modern production techniques means that with the Nightster H-D has left its ‘old-shanker’ image well and truly behind. Paint and plating is tip-top and build quality spot-on. All that’s left is to uprate the brake system to something that doesn’t demand the rear brake to be stamped on when the weak front is used.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentThe Nightster is possibly the best value Harley-Davidson ever, at least in its 2008 sales brochure. If you want to buy into the Harley image this is the most affordable and credible machine to do it with.
Equipment
With the Harley Nightster there aren’t any bells and whistles to talk of; it’s the whole motorcycle that impresses. The use of black coating on the forks, drive belt guard and a black wheel finish (with stainless wire spokes) gives the Nightster a menacing look.
This is sweetened slightly by a range of glorious fuel tank colour schemes and shorty front and rear mudguards. A neat touch is the combined brake and turn signals built into the indicators.
Specs |
|
| Engine size | 1200cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | Air-cooled 4v pushrod four-stroke 45° V-twin. 5 gears. Fuel injected. Belt final drive |
| Frame type | Tubular steel |
| Fuel capacity | 12.5 litres |
| Seat height | 720mm |
| Bike weight | 251kg |
| Front suspension | None |
| Rear suspension | Preload |
| Front brake | 1 x 292mm front disc, 2-piston caliper |
| Rear brake | 292mm disc, 1-piston caliper |
| Front tyre size | 100/90 x 19 |
| Rear tyre size | 150/80 x 16 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 40 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £121 |
| Annual service cost | - |
| New price | - |
| Used price | £5,600 - £7,700 |
| Insurance group |
15 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 50 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 79.1 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 110 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | 13.8 secs |
| Tank range | 90 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2007: Harley-Davidson XL1200N Nightster launched.
2012: Harley-Davidson XL1200N Nightster discontinued.
Other versions
None.
Owners' reviews for the HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200 (2007 - 2012)
4 owners have reviewed their HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200 (2007 - 2012) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPORTSTER 1200 (2007 - 2012)
Summary of owners' reviews |
|
| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
Version: XL1200C
Year: 2008
Bought the bike a couple of months ago. It's 16 years old. Controls feel tight, engine, taut, very little corrosion, sounds fabulous, decent acceleration and for me, a different and jolly fine riding position - Beach bars and forward foot controls.If the goal of motorbikes are to make riders happy. This one is a winner. I'm loving it. It's gloriously emotive. Previous bikes include a Honda CBR600F and BMW F800GS
Very good road manners, fun on the twisties but poor brakes!
The engine is fabulous. Not the fastest, but impresses. When you come from Japanese sports bikes, you'll find it's faster and more responsive than you expect and all you need for UK roads.
Very good for age. Well taken care of. Chrome is great. Engine paint a little flaked, but can be resolved with a little DIY. Fenders need a respray. Some nuts & bolts on fender corroded and frozen.
Cheap to run so far. Some great independent specialists. Local Harley Dealer very helpful. HOG, Forums and Enthusiast networks very helpful to newcomers.
It's a stripped back naked bike. Simple. Very few airs and graces. You get what you see. That said, mine is quite customised, with progressive shocks and a great aftermarket seat
Buying experience: I bought from a local Harley specialist. Great experience. Decent price.
Version: Forty Eight
Year: 2012
This bike both goes in straight lines and round corners at a very un-Harley like pace, mine is fitted with side shot pipes which sound amazing, however, regarding the tank range, the fuel light comes on at as little as forty miles, leaving you worrying about remaining range.
Very good for what is a more modestly priced bike in the Harley range
Noise, vibration, unrefined, these are all positive remarks, you know exactly what's going on down below
At only 3500 miles in a bit early to say
Styling is the attractive part of this model, but it needs a stage one tuning upgrade
Buying experience: Harley service is excellent
after owning a b1h zx6 i was looking for a better bike for doubling and after doing some trackdays at knockhill when your there for 2hours and because people crash like flys you end up doing about 5 laps theres no need ktm super duke was my first pic but after looking at the harley nightster brand new its cheaper,full insurance is cheaper than my zx6 3rd party fire and theft fair enough it dont go around corners or handle bumps as good but its a harley so u just go a bit slower i like it give one a go if you sick of track day crashes and straights roads
Strange how a brand brings you back. After a disastrously expensive spell owning a Harley superglide t-sport, which seemed to break down at every opportunity, it was with uncertainty that I handed over the cash to take ownership of a Nightster. My last bike was a Triumph t-bird Sport - a great bike - but I wanted something a little more relaxed and am pleased to say that I've found it with the nightster. And before you ask, I'm 35 - not 75! (no offence to mature bikers out there). Before I went ahead, I had to try and fit on it! I'm 6'3" tall and 15 1/2 stone, so the standard pegs and uncomfortable single seat were replaced with forward pegs and a pillion friendly seat. This was done by hard bartering with the dealer and under the RRP. I am genuinley surprised people write sportsters off - the engine is really smooth and torque laden - cruising at 30 mph in 5th is no effort. Although the power is on paper moderate (55 bhp), because the bike is so torquey the power is delivered just in the right area - particularly straight line acceleration which is brisk. It is also one hell of a cool motorcycle to look at and I think offers great value. Plus it doesn't need as much cleaning as other harleys! However, it is off course a Harley so get used to weedy brakes and unsuitable suspension for a pillion heavier than 7 stone! New harleys are also reliable - famous last words now maybe!? So overall - other bikers may not take you seriously (particularly the sports bike brigade), but so what? If you love old fashioned back to the basics motorcycles that are cool and work, then get one of these! Over and out, Jim
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