You’re Going To Hate It, And That’s Okay

harley-Davidson has released a new Sportster, and you’re going to hate it!

And that’s okay. I know you want nothing younger than an

Evo, still dump on Twin Cams, think

M8s are for yuppies and refuse to even acknowledge the Livewire as part of the family. You’re a

“purist,” an old school chopper jockey, and you’re almost supposed to hate this leap from the past,

Nightster 975T.

You barely want a front brake, let alone standard

ABS and traction control. Please understand, the

MoCo did not make this bike for you and isn’t making any apologies. Some 65 years ago, the original

Sportster was born from the short-lived K models. One of the primary goals in 1957 was to tempt riders, who weren’t already on Harleys, to give the iconic

American brand a shot. Smaller import bikes were making a dent in the total market share, dominating the speedways and dragstrips, and

Harley wanted their piece of the pie. Back then, they were not trying to get people to trade their big twins for Sportsters. They wanted BSATriumph and Norton riders (and racers) to turn their heads and say, “Hey, maybe I DO want a Harley!” With this newest offering, the same is true today.

At 20 feet or 20 MPH, you might actually mistake this little ripper for one of its ubiquitous predecessors. Contrary to 2021’s Sportster S, this one “looks like a Sportster” and is worthy of the title. The stance, geometry, and silhouette are almost identical to what we’ve known and loved for decades. Unlike the S, which is a fine motorcycle, but one I never thought should have been called a Sportster, it has dual coilovers in the rear, a round headlight, and the wheel-sizes (19 & 16) and gas tank shape of a Sporty (though the actual fuel cell is under the seat, and has a metal shell hiding the robust airbox on top, very similar to the ahead-of-itstime, V-Rod). Upon closer inspection, however, you’ll find that looks

can be deceiving! The first thing you’ll notice is a 975cc version of the Revolution Max motor, which is surely on deck to replace all Milwaukee 8s; if you choose to believe my humble prediction. Last year, this liquid-cooled, variable valve timing, 60 degree v-twin made its debut in HD’s first

adventure bike, the Pan America 1250. In a move that is undoubtedly cost effective, the smaller version used in the Nightster is actually the same motor but with variations to the bore and stroke. Aside

from not being prone to overheating, like generations of air-cooled Harley power plants, this thing wants to spin fast!

Redline is at 9,500 RPMs, and peak power is achieved at 7,500 RPMs, under stock tuning. In addition, the entire thing weighs around 80 pounds less than the “regular” Sporty, has a much lower center of mass, offers increased suspension travel (4.5” front, 3” rear), and gets its stopping power from Brembo brakes, all around. This combination creates a very nimble and responsive bike, one I’ve described as the love-child of an XL1200 and a CBR600. I can’t overstate how fun it was to rip the canyons of Los Padres National Forest in SoCal and not shift until 8k! The throttle just seemed to go and go, with little need to leave third gear on those rollercoaster roads!

Like many modern bikes, the 975T comes with a big ole bucket of brains. As mentioned, ABS and traction control are standard, but so are the three different riding modes. I, of course, wanted to spend all day in Sport mode, which gives the most power, most engine braking, and least ABS and traction control input, the latter of which can be turned off easily (but not perpetually, as I’d have preferred). Throttle response seemed on par with most fuelinjected, throttleby-wire bikes of late and wasn’t as touchy as traditional cable-actuated mechanisms of yesterday, which I believe is by design. Even in stock configuration, this “full power” mode is quick AND fast.

One click down is (middle-of-the) “Road” mode. This setting takes the edge off a little and really shines in the city and during stop-n–go traffic. There is still plenty of pep, but less room for rider error. I didn’t spend much time in this mode, as I was more interested in feeling the difference between the two extreme ends of the pre-programmed spectrum.

At the bottom of the dial is “Rain” mode. This could easily be called “Idiot” mode, simply because it is hard to make a you want to change the rake, just swap that piece of the frame out. This is nothing new for motorcycles in general, but a huge change for Harley, the most often customized bike in the world. Instead of taking the motor (and transmission) out of the frame to modify it, now you just remove a few pieces of the frame from the motor and then build off of it, which will surely lead to some pretty wild customs.

Aesthetically, it is very sleek, modern, and minimalistic, with an overall retro vibe. This satisfying combo comes from meshing traditional round headlight and signal housings with modern LED lights, round bar end mirrors, and a round speedometer with an integrated LCD info screen. In a nod to the classics, color options only change the tank (or airbox, in actuality), with all three color options being delivered with black tins, everywhere else. All-in-all, I’d say Harley really hit their mark in preserving the aesthetics of the lineage, while incorporating the technology of today. It took them a long time to embrace change, and for good reason; their core customers just weren’t interested in anything but traditional, loud, heavy hogs. After years of suppressing development and hiding advancements, they seem very excited to be building a bike like this, even if the true catalyst is EPA regulations and even stricter worldwide standards. The good news for the purists? There are plenty of old Harleys out there to last our lifetime and possibly beyond. Volkswagen stopped making the classic Beetle a long time ago, but I still see those air-cooled boxers almost every time I ride. My advice is to embrace the change, as the RevMax motor could be the last generation of internal combustion engines we’ll see before everything eventually gets pushed to full electric!

mistake. Acceleration is dialed way back, and the braking is still very effective but muted. While this would be the obvious choice for slick surfaces and those damned days of deluge, I think it offers a lot more than just that. To me, the biggest benefit of rain mode is for beginners. First time riders can get a feel for riding and gain comfort on the road, and in traffic, without the fear of whiskey-throttle or jerky starts and stops. Then, when they are ready to upgrade to a more aggressive bike, they can flick their thumb and have an entirely new experience. Instead of starting on a small “beginner’s bike,” outgrowing it in the first season and feeling the need to upgrade, they get to keep the bike they

learned on and not need to buy/sell just to have a more capable machine. I hope HD pushes this idea because it seems like a really good selling point for first-time buyers.

Another excellent selling point, and one that is in line with the storied history of Sportsters, is just how customizable these bikes were designed to be. Though it’s difficult to tell from looks, it employs a modular (or trellis) frame, with the motor acting as a stress member. The lack of a loop frame gives space for the radiator (and battery) up front, without looking overly bulky, out of place, or completely un-Harleyish. This multi-piece frame also means no more chopping the neck when

Slip-on Exhaust from 2022+ HD Nightster

Welcome to the next generation of the Sportster. The performance gurus at S&S Cycle are on the job and have recently launched a slip-on muffler that allows the most technically advanced Sportster ever created to sound more like, well, a Sportster. Designed to mesh with the factory header and shields, the S&S exhaust features their trademark removable dB Reducer that allows for easy sound and performance tuning. Wake up your Nightster with the Grand National Slip-on and look for more performance parts for HD’s latest from S&S Cycle. Like everything else S&S does, their exhausts are all made in the USA! https://www.sscycle.com/products/grandnational-nightster-black-45-slip-on-muffler-for-2022-nightster DRAG SPECIALTIES COMPENSATING SPROCKET KIT

Help reduce the torsional vibration from your motor and drivetrain shock with the Drag Specialties Compensating Sprocket Kit. This kit comes complete with a high-quality 34-tooth sprocket, sprocket retainer,sliding cam, sprocket bolt and spring pack. This kit works with 17-21 M-Eight models (excluding FXBR/S, FXFB/S and FXDR/S models) and replaces OEM #40100076. Suggested retail price is $299.95. https://www.dragspecialties.com/search;q=11200435;r=eJyrVkrLzClJLSpWsoqOrQUAJusFKA% 3D%3D

DRAG SPECIALTIES FRONT BRAKE CALIPER KIT

Replace your OEM caliper with a Drag Specialties Front Brake Caliper Kit. This OEM-style caliper comes in a chrome finish with all necessary mounting hardware and brake pads. This left-side caliper fits 00-07 Dyna, and Softail models along with 00-03 XL single-disc models. This kit has a suggested retail price of $256.95. https://www.dragspecialties.com/search;q=1 7010695;r=eJyrVkrLzClJLSpWsoqOrQUAJusFKA%3D%3D For more information go to dragspecialties.com or contact your Drag Specialties dealer.

DRAG SPECIALTIES CRANK POSITION SENSOR

Drag Specialties crank position sensor is the lifeline to the engine that detects the speed and position of the crankshaft and transfers that information to the ECM for proper fuel delivery and spark timing. This high-quality replacement sensor is for 17-20 FLHT, FLHR, FLHX, FLTRX, FLTRU, and FLTRK models along with 18-21 Softails (repl. OEM #32700048). It has a suggested retail price of $53.95. https://www.dragspecialties.com/search;q =10220261;r=eJyrVkrLzClJLSpWsoqOrQ UAJusFKA%3D%3D

z1r friske vest

Z1R introduces the brand-new women’s Friske vest. Style meets comfort in the Friske vest. The corduroy chassis is lined with a ultra-soft and comfortable sherpa fleece liner. The vest also features adjustable zippered gussets for a custom fit, two hand warmer pockets, and interior conceal and carry pockets. Pick up this vest just in time for Spring and hit the road! Suggested retail $89.95. Available in sizes XS-3W. Head on over to your local Z1R dealer or www.Z1R.com to check these out!

Keep your bike looking and feeling cool with the Drag Specialties Seats Caballero Seat This seat has a dual-material finish with solar-reflective leather in the seating area and automotive-grade vinyl on the sides. Solar-reflective is a patented process to reduce the surface temperature by as much as 25°F for a cooler seat, higher durability and longer life over conventional leather or vinyl. The molded polyurethane foam gives you maximum comfort and styling while the ” ABS thermoformed seat base provides a perfect fit. Available in a Diamond stitch style for 97-07 FLHR and 06-07 FLHX models. Made in the USA with suggested retail price of $489.95 and includes all mounting hardware. https://seats.dragspecialties.com/products/?productId=433613& partNumber=08011133

CARDO AND KTM JOIN FORCES TO UNVEIL SPECIAL EDITION KTM PACKTALK EDGE

Offering 13-hours of battery life, the KTM PACKTALK EDGE comes standard with a USB-C plug and fast charging technology. A quick 20-minute charge gives users two hours of ride time, with a full charge achieved in less than two hours. The KTM PACKTALK EDGE is fully compatible with any KTM TFT* to receive FM radio (with six presets) or other App options. Over-the-air software updates via the Cardo Connect App, mean that no cables or Wi-Fi adapters are required to ensure the KTM PACKTALK EDGE device is loaded with the latest firmware. The new KTM PACKTALK EDGE has an MSRP of $389.95/€389,95 and will be available from KTM and Cardo System retailers in June, or ordered directly from www.cardosystems.com.