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| Review |
Harley’s Thunder Roadster Alastair Walker from www.insidebikes.com spent a week riding the 2008 Harley Davidson Nightster 1200.
What is it?
The Nightster 1200 is a basic, stripped-to-the-bone Harley-Davidson motorbike for men who like speed machines made from bridge support girders, low slung, chrome-plated and booming in time to Springsteen’s Thunder Road on the Rock-Ola jukebox.
Who likes this bike?
Someone who has probably finished with sportsbikes, done some touring and thought it was kinda hard work, rather than real holiday time relaxation. Someone who just wants a bike to ride to a café occasionally, meet some mates, or just escape for an hour or two when the sun is cracking the flags.
What can the Nightster do?
One very important thing should be stressed for any divorced men here; this bike 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 styling, deep throbbing vibration, shiny chrome knick-knacks and that crucial Harley name. All of which seems to float the female boat. Big time baby.
Great. It’s a looker, but is the Nightster any good to ride?
In a slow, laid back, Arthur Fonzarelli kinda way, yes.
It goes OK, with a lowdown 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 set 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 range (supposedly three gallons, but it looks a bit less ) to around 100 miles.
Travelling about 100 miles on approximately £7.70 worth of unleaded isn’t bad as regards economy, 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.
Why can’t I ride it the Long Way Down to Brightona then?
Well, the suspension is a bit harsh, slightly unforgiving, the bike is slow-steering and the tyres don’t grip too well either. To be fair, the test bike had just 600 miles on the clock, but the brakes felt a bit wooden, the handling was old hat and the Nightster simply runs out of steam at 75mph.
Ride slow and it’s fun, relaxing and ultimately satisfying, but crank up the revs and the Nightster betrays its 1960s Sportster roots. It doesn’t really cut it as a modern all-rounder motorcycle like say a 1250 Bandit.
Could a novice rider handle the Nightster?
Yep, no worries. Admittedly the Nightster is very heavy – a claimed 545lbs dry – but that weight is no problem once moving, and the Nightster carries its bulk very low. You gain confidence very rapidly on the bike, it feels simple to master.
The rider’s seat height is set at limbo dancer level, which allows short-in-the- leg riders the confidence to manhandle the bike at low speeds, do U-turns etc. The only question mark for a novice is the cost involved; the Nightster costs seven grand to buy, and for a first timer would be expensive to insure.
On the upside Harley’s tend to hold their resale value better than most brands, so you would feel like you were making an investment by buying the Nightster.
How about more experienced custom bike riders?
Now there’s a point worth debating. I think that experienced riders will find something like the new XR1200 flat-tracker a better option. The XR has beefier brakes, more modern suspension and it still has the kind of retro looks that will please the casual weekend type of rider.
The Nightster is undeniably a pleasant-to-ride, easygoing, 1200cc retro roadster, but once you’re got beyond entry level kind of riding, I think you might find the Nightster a touch too old school in some respects.
It’s like the Zeppelin revival really; great for just one magical gig, but you wouldn’t want to see them every weekend for the rest of your life.
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| northpoint in Chester, Cheshire on 07/02/2008 |
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