Road Test : 2008 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200N Nightster Euro

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Road Test : 2008 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200N Nightster Euro - Nightster in New York

Written: 23/08/2007 : 10:35. Read 59498 times (37/day).

Earlier this year I rode the Nightster in Florida. That was the US version with side mounted number plate holder and a bobbed rear fender hugging the rear tyre. Since then Harley-Davidson has kept its promise and made a European version.

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The problem with the US version of the Nightster was that Eurocrats would not change current regulations that forbid a side-mounted number plate and integrated brake lights. Since I rode the US version in Florida this spring Harley-Davidson has been hard at work modifying the Nightster for the European markets.

The changes for the Euro-Nightster are a new more conventional number plate holder design, all new separate brake light console in the blinkers and more suspension travel at the back.

The rendezvous with the Nightster still gave me the impression of riding pretty much the same bike. However, with the extra suspension travel at the back the Nightster can be ridden harder with some more ground clearance.

The looks has not changed much from the side apart from the fact that the rear wheel still looks good despite the changes made.

The seat is hard and the seat height low and again I get the feeling that I am too big for this bike (6”) and again it doesn’t stop me from liking the Nightster. Some of the novelty has disappeared though particularly with the number plate holder. Stick one of those newspaper sized German number plates on the Nightster and the looks will be completely ruined at least from the back.

Riding the Nightster again in NYC and this time on motorways too I am not too keen on riding it as much as last time. For nipping in and out of traffic in the city the Nightster works much better than the big twins, but the big ex NYPD guide on an Electra Glide told us not to filter so I didn’t.

After all, NYPD carries guns and I wasn’t about to try to question their authority on a small Nightster. The steering is quick though and catering for the right audience this is the perfect Harley.

The suspension has got a fairly hard set up, but I still managed to bottom out a couple of times over pot-holes (naturally you could argue). This time I knew to keep my ankles away from the long foot-peg scratchers.

Accelerating from the lights feels good on the 1203cc air-cooled Nightster and it will follow a Twin Cam 96 easily, but its not as hard charging as the new 110 Screamin’ eagle found in all the CVO models. Nightster sounds really good and the Evolution engine has still got a lot on offer.

Conclusion
Yes, the Euro Nightster is a bit of a compromise but Harley-Davidson had no choice due to the Eurocrats in Brussels. But the compromise has been made as little as possible and the biggest difference is the cosmetic change of location for the number plate holder. The added suspension travel is just good for the ride quality and doesn’t alter the look too much. The Nightster is still a blacked out bobbed Sportster and we like it. On the motorway you’d rather be on something more comfortable, but the Nightster is still the Nightster I am pleased to say.

+
Nightster’s blacked out and bobbed looks with different ergonomics makes for a different Sportster experience.
The 1200 Evolution engine has in 2008 been tweaked for perfection.
Even better suspension than the US version for Sporty riding

-
A shame there had to be a compromise on that number plate holder
Very uncomfortable on the motorway

Words: Tor Sagen/Photography: Paul Barshon

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