Harley-Davidson RH 975 Nightster 2022 — Specifications

So, another little Harley? The name Nightster resonates like an old blues in the minds of purists, a model that had known how to seduce in 2007 with its stripped-down style and its rugged air-cooled V-twin. But today, Milwaukee is releasing a completely different animal from its bag. This new Nightster, at €15,190 in black, has little in common with the Sportster of yesteryear, except for a silhouette that looks great from afar. It features the all-new Revolution Max 975T engine, a 60° V-twin cooled by liquid that serves as a structural element for the frame. A modern architecture that contrasts with the past.

With 89 horsepower at 7500 rpm and 95 Nm of torque at 5750 rpm, the figures are modest, almost too much so. We are far from the 115 horsepower promised on the aborted Bronx project. Harley has clearly chosen to calm the game to target a more traditional audience and, above all, open the doors to the A2 license. The engine, with its square dimensions (97 x 66 mm), promises more lively revs than the old long-stroke twin, but you can feel that the emphasis is on flexibility and accessibility rather than brute force. Compared to a competitor like an Indian Scout, which is more lively, the Nightster plays the card of civility. The announced weight of 221 kg fully fueled is not a penalty, but it reminds you that this is a custom, not a sportbike.

Where the machine becomes interesting is in its overall technical approach. The chassis uses the engine as a structural element, a gamble that pays off in rigidity. The Showa 41 mm fork and the single shock absorber offer correct travel (114 mm at the front, 76 mm at the rear), while the Brembo brakes with 320 mm front disc inspire confidence. ABS, traction control, and the three riding modes (Road, Sport, Rain) complete equipment that is no longer archaic. A seat height of 705 mm and specific tires (100/90-19 at the front, 150/80-16 at the rear) promise easy urban maneuverability, reinforced by the belt final drive.

But who rides this Nightster? It clearly targets the neo-customizer, the one who wants the clean vintage style without the mechanical drawbacks of yesteryear. It is a modern gateway to the Harley universe, more accessible in feel than the overvolted Sportster S. The 11.7-liter tank and relaxed riding position make it a cool touring bike for Sunday rides, not a commuter beast. The real regret, and it is significant, lies in its price. At over €15,000, it is positioned in a range where competition is fierce, and where the Harley-Davidson myth alone is no longer enough to justify the bill. It is a beautiful machine, technically accomplished, but which must convince by the emotion it exudes, because on paper, the price-performance ratio makes your teeth grind.