2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster

BY SOPHIA VASSILIADIS PHOTOS BY BEN QUINN

Motorcyclists are a restless lot, perpetually in pursuit of the next adventure and the perfect machine for the journey. The more we ride, the more we know and the more we want. Cruisers, sport bikes, touring bikes, enduros and now electrics all offer such different experiences that it’s difficult to settle on just one bike or manufacturer, even if that kind of devotion is precisely what any brand would love.

Recently Harley has been expanding their fleet to include more atypical offerings and updated favourites. The 2022 Nightster falls into the latter category. Concealed within the 2022 Nightster is the Sportster Iron 883, one of Harley’s first departures from its brand-defining heavy-duty fleet. First introduced in 1957, the Sportster offered riders a naked, nimble cruiser that was an accessibly priced entry into the Harley experience. As soon as the newly inducted cruiser rider was comfortably hooked, they could segue into the far more powerful, and increasingly engineered fleet of cruisers and touring bikes.

The 2022 Nightster combines new technology with pedigree, a rebuild of one of Harley’s original gateway cruisers. Carefully curated to include what Harley-Davidson thought made its predecessor popular paired with contemporary options, the new Harley-Davidson Nightster is meant to honour the past and attract the future.

However, aside from its stripped-down aesthetic and accessible price point, the Nightster has very little in common with its Iron inspiration. At 975 cc, the Nightster’s displacement sits between the smaller 883 and the larger Sportster S 1200, and the now liquid-cooled motor that sits inside a redesigned chassis.

There’s something a bit Fury Road (in a good way) about the Nightster. Could be the double-size matte black exhaust pipe that emerges from the trinity of silver that is the contemporary “variable-valve-timing” V-twin, or the bold and glossy black trellis frame and matching cast aluminum wheels. It may also help that the more assertive canted stance created by the differential diameters of the Nightster’s 19-inch front rim leaning into the 16-inch rear rim. The Vivid Black paint surely seals the apocalyptic deal, but the Gunship Grey, and Redline Red make for equally fierce finishes.

On the day I picked up the Nightster it was a steaming 35 degrees Celsius, with life-threatening humidity levels. This is probably why on the highway home I was less inclined to mind that this stripped-down style and laid-back stance transformed me into a human sail. Normally, hanging on to the handlebars for fear of being blown off is only disconcerting. That day, in the seething heat it was a welcome worry. It was also best to stay in motion because extended inertia revealed the very real risk of a seared calf.

Back before I got my moto licence, I had pictured myself on a chrome cruiser. Despite having spent more time riding pillion on any other style of bike, I was sure the cruiser life was me. In real life, I gravitated to bikes with a more upright stance very similar to (it turns out) my bicycle. I’ve ridden version of sport tourers and enduros ever since.

Everything on a cruiser feels different; a lower centre of gravity, the ability to plant both feet, and footpegs out in front instead of tucked behind or just beneath. A lot of these are welcome changes to a higher, more forward stance, but the first time I jumped on a cruiser, I had to stop again almost immediately to allow body and soul to adjust to the fresh perspective. And in motion I quickly noticed that my relationship to the suspension and steering were noticeably altered, especially in the corners. Again, not bad, just new.

There’s also the possibility that my personal ergonomics make cruiser comfort a little more challenging. This was even more prominent on the Nightster. My feet felt awkward on the midpegs, while my arms felt short-served. To the casual observer, I doubt it showed, but from where I was sitting the bars felt like ape-hangers (they’re really not). Customers can choose alternative bars and modify the pegs, so certainly best to test out the stance before buying. That said, kudos to the bar-end mirrors for providing excellent visibility.

Several years ago, I enjoyed spending some serious saddle time on a Sportster Iron 883. With a friend, I travelled up and down California’s celebrated Highway 1 south of San Francisco feeling properly cool astride the ride. A little less sexy was how often the distinctive walnut-shaped tank needed to be refilled. With the Nightster, on the other hand, Harley-Davidson makes a big deal of the 11.7 litre fuel tank which has been relocated, as part of the ingenuity of this new model.

“The 3.1-gallon lightweight plastic fuel cell is located below the seat – what appears to be a traditional fuel tank forward of the seat is a steel cover for the airbox. The fuel fill is reached by lifting the hinged locking seat.”

I might have saved myself from some awkwardness if I’d noticed this clever detail before finding myself baffled at how to gas up. Good thing I had a friend along to unlock (no pun intended) the mystery.

However, the new tank design doesn’t just impact style. “Locating the fuel cell below the seat optimizes the capacity of the engine intake airbox and moves the weight of fuel lower in the chassis compared to a traditional fuel tank location,” which as Harley goes on to explain, “results in a lower center of gravity for improved handling and easier lift off the side stand.” True. Noticeable.

What should also be mentioned is that Harley wants to make sure that you don’t miss a fuel stop, which might be why the fuel light came on at a quarter tank. This did lead to some confusion and a touch of anxiety the first time around, but I suppose that it’s better than being stranded.

Another expectation immediately overturned was the sound. I expected to be in a solid position to upset the neighbours. Instead, my ears were met with a far more dulcet rumble – not what I have come to recognize as the Harley’s signature growl –still a strong statement but hardly a dish-rattling disruption.

It was also pleasantly surprising to find all the modern readings on a simple analog speedometer with a clearly visible inset LCD display. And although the modes, odometer, gas gauge, clock and rpm are not all available simultaneously, it’s easy to toggle through the options without having to leave the road.

Thanks to a spectacular summer of riding weather, I did not get caught in the rain so I cannot comment on how well the traction controls would help navigate these tires through the slick conditions of wet roads. However, I did enjoy toggling between the Road and Sport modes, experimenting with the sweet spot for power delivery – admittedly, one of my favourite activities. Discovering where the motorcycle’s strength really digs in is as much fun as testing the responsiveness of the brakes is critical.

I’ll admit that I don’t quite understand how it all works, but I do notice how it feels, which is why I very much enjoy scrolling through the gears to test where the revs work their magic. This engine’s power delivery is distinctive. With a maximum output of 90 hp, the “heart” of the 2022 Nightster, Harley’s new Revolution

Max 975T liquid-cooled V-twin shines brightest in the midrange. In both the Urban and Sport modes the strength of this motor became available between 5,000 and 9,000 rpm, a response range that was consistent across every gear above first. As can be expected with this much power to share, first gear was remarkably jumpy.

With more wind protection this motorcycle would be a perfect travel partner, and with more attention to the placement or effectiveness of the heat shield, the Nightster could be a sassy, though slightly over-powered, city cycle. Perhaps the Nightster’s true calling is somewhere in-between: a suburban commuter or rural ride-about, where it could get the right amount of exercise without needing to spend too much time idling.

The Nightster offers a smoother ride than its muse, thanks to upgraded twin shocks. This improved suspension along with the reallocated weight of the lower-slung gas tank grounds this lighter ride in the corners much in the way that it enhances the solid, firm, predictable acceleration.

It also treats the rider to a wider, plusher seat, has keyless ignition and at a curb weight of about 480 lb is lighter than the Sportster Iron by about 130 lb which, along with the updated weight distribution, makes it easier to park. In some ways, elements of the experience that stood out as unique to the Sportster were engineered out of this modern retelling. Some might even accuse Harley of having messed with the Sportster’s character, but it is after all, another bike. Though inspired by a legacy, the Harley-Davidson Nightster is its own beast. At a starting MSRP of $16,499, some might find this cruiser out of range, but if riding a Harley is a goal, this could be a good place to start. IM