By Freelance Journalist Alastair Walker
The Nightster 1200 is a basic, stripped-to-the-bone Harley-Davidson motorbike that’s easy to ride and looks cooler than a Rock-Ola jukebox.
If you like the idea of owning a motorcycle that’s just pure fun, ride to a café occasionally, meet some mates, or just escape for an hour or two when the sun is cracking the flags, then the Nightster will do it all baby.
One other very important thing should be stressed for any divorced, middle-aged, men here; this motorbike will drive women wild, fact.
I do not lie. A random poll of three women showed that the Harley Nightster has the right mix of Elvis `68 TV comeback styling, deep throbbing vibration, and shiny chrome knick-knacks that women find magically attractive.
OK, one of those women was my girlfriend anyway…but she thought the Nightster was `really cool looking and sounded like a proper motorbike.’
Yes, all very well, you’re thinking, but is the Nightster any good to ride? In a slow, laid back, Arthur Fonzarelli kinda way, yes.
It goes well enough, with a lowdown, traffic-light dragstrip punch from its 1200cc motor that soon has all five gears used up and the bike growling along at a steady 75-ish mph. No real vibes at that speed, just a bit of windblast catching you between the wide handlebars.
The Nightster 1200 features fuel injection, which worked superbly, faultlessly starting up the motor every time, and stretching out the fuel tank’s limited, three gallon, range to around 100 miles from full to near empty. That works out at around 55mpg – handy when fuel prices are rocketing.
But nobody will buy a Nightster for its long distance frugality – this is a weekend leisure toy, it’s no commuter and never will be. Ride slow and it’s a fun machine, but crank up the revs and the Nightster betrays its 1960s Sportster roots. It’s too vibey, feels a touch crude in its overall handling, whilst the single front disc struggles to stop the substantial weight of the bike.
It might look a bit like a lairy flat track oval racer from the 70s, but at heart, this is a sunny days cruiser, with a good looking black suit of clothes on its lean shoulders.
So the Harley Nightster 1200 is no all-rounder, like a Bandit 1250, Kawasaki Z1000, nor does it have the sheer mind-warping performance of something like the KTM Super Duke 990, but it has a genuine, old school charm about it. You end up liking it, despite its rough-round-the-edges, slightly dated feel.
This bike does what it says on the tin, without any airs and graces and Harley’s strong resale values mean that you can lash out nearly seven grand on this bike and it will still fetch the best part of £5000 three years down the line – unlike many of its rivals.
And think of the money you’ll save on buying crateloads of Lynx for the next three years too…
FACTBOX:
RRP: £6700
Engine: 1200cc V-Twin, four stroke, air cooled.
Gears: 5 speed
Estimated top speed: 110mph
Fueling: Digital fuel injection.
Chassis: Steel tubular cradle frame, non-adjustable forks, twin rear shocks.
Braking: Single front disc, single rear disc, 2 piston callipers.
Dry weight: 545lbs
Seat height: 668mm
Optional extras: Two-tone paint, engine immobiliser
For more info about this or any other Harley davidson models check out their site here at www.harley-davidson.com.
Images by Alastair Walker
