Video details and engine noise on Harley-Davidson’s newest addition to the Sportster lineup, the 2022 NIghstster.
The
2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster is here. We’ve seen it. And we have heard the
975cc Revolution Max engine fire to life. The new Nightster is the
Revolution Max platform’s return to a more traditional form, and simultaneously a continued departure from everything that has ever meant Sportster.
If you squint your eyes, the peanut shape of the not-gas tank, 16- and 19-inch wheels, and dual outboard shocks look unmistakably
Sportster. But the more you get into the mechanics of the new bike, the fewer similarities you’ll see. Certain performance requirements dictated the design of the ‘22 Nightster. A downdraft intake system exists underneath a steel cover where the gas tank used to be and a 3.1-gallon gas tank hides underneath the seat, in front of the rear wheel. These performance-enhancing design changes are not without their aesthetic costs. Wires are visible beneath the steel intake cover and the gas tank is a bulbous mass at the bottom of the bike.
The 2022 Nightster will be available in three colors with Vivid Black starting at $13,499. Redline Red and Gunship Gray (seen here) each coming with an MSRP of $13,899. Paint on the fenders and headlight cowl are black regardless of the intake cover’s paint color, and the side graphic is the same on each.
Previous Sportster models were iconic for several reasons, but one major factor was ease of customization. After decades of production, the Evo-powered Sportster’s aftermarket was one of the most expansive in the world. Now with the new platform, owners will have limited options until part manufacturers have time to develop new products. Harley-Davidson’s launch video showed several world-renowned builders customizing the new platform, so we know it’s possible. But do you need to be a top-level builder to do it?
Engine sound and feel are a large part of Sportster’s presence, and the new Nightster is no different. The engine was not 100 percent balanced in order to maintain some vibration, trying to make the new ride similar to that of an older 883. We saw BMW try something similar with the development of the
R 18 platform and we were not huge fans of the results. H-D has historically been the standard when it comes to engine character and feel, so we expect to see great results.
Mid-mounted foot controls and straight handlebars create an upright riding position for the 2022 Nightster. Exposed risers mean that swapping out handlebars will be easy. The seat is hinged for easy access to the gas cap, so unlike handlebars which share fitment across other H-D models, we imagine aftermarket seat options will be made to fit only this model. A low seat height of 27.8 inches pairs with the bike’s low center of gravity and claimed 481-pound wet weight to make the Nightster very approachable for smaller riders and very easy to pick up off of the sidestand.
We were able to get our hands on one of the new Nightster models to take a closer look and hear that new 975cc engine. We haven’t ridden the new bike yet, so this is just a first look, not a first ride. But stay tuned toward the end of the month when we’ll be heading to Ventura, California, to put some miles on the new bike and report back with a full review.
Until then, check
harley-davidson.com for more details and availability.
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