The upgrades are worth it to the right person. I like the basic set up on the speedo, don't need the extra tech on the S. I also only ride one up, so having the passenger seat wouldn't matter to me. Cool looking bike though, and hopefully I can try one out sometime this year.
I guess you could make the same argument as to why for so many years there were several versions of the Sportster in different configurations and displacements, all in the same model year. Of the 2 I do prefer the look of the special and I would like to try one out. I have a Road King which is my favorite motorcycle of all time. I had a 2003 Sportster Sport 1200 which was really fun to ride. I gave that one to my younger son last year. (I still get to ride it). I do like this new motor. Time will tell if it is as reliable as the EVO Sportster engine. From what I see it certainly has good performance and it looks like Harley did it's homework on this one.
That's a good point I was thinking that too with the older sportsters. They seemed to have enough differences though like displacement, tire sizes, tanks, bars etc
They just made it easier on buyers by adding popular options. I only want the Special because the options mean a lot to me. If budgets were tighter I’d get the regular one. People need price point options
Maybe for people who aren't into aftermarket stuff that still want something slightly above the standard model? Good stuff, this will keep me up tonight lol.
Maybe HD is testing to see which model people prefer. I doubt those subtle differences cost HD much at all. If they sell with them on there, they'll probably sell them that way. If people won't pay the upcharge, then maybe they'll discontinue the Special. I don't think either bike looks particularly great, but of the two I much prefer the Special. I even kinda like that rather pastel yellow on that paricular model. I wish they would decrease the power output so they could shrink the radiators to something that fits in the downtubes ala Triumph Modern Classics. Those massive radiators and afterthought of an exhaust kinda make it hard to look at. Now if V&H comes out with a slender two into two exhaust, at least that could be fixed rather easily.
In Australia Harley has already dropped the Nightster for the Nightster Special which I have brought . I looked at a Nightster last year but didn't have the features I was looking for plus was handle bar riser I did not like . The Nightster Special had nearly everything I was looking for . The Special is the bike Harley should of built in the first place . The Nightser did not sell well here .Sportster S sold a little better but not big numbers . I ordered the Nightster Special 2 days after it was released . Delivered 10 days ago . Is ready for the first service . I love the bike . It replaced my 883 Iron . I also ride a 2019 Softail Slim. Both bikes appear on my channel
The point is that, with the demise of the Evo Sportster, Harley has no “entry level” motorcycle. The base Nightster fill that notch…sorta. The biggest problem is the price. At 13,500.00, the base Nightster is pretty darn expensive. Sure, it’s a more modern design and offers way more power off the bat…but, it’s also kinda pedestrian in areas (the ‘unfinished’ left side of the motor, the fugly leaf-blower exhaust, etc.) The Nightster’s limitations might be acceptable on a $10k motorcycle, but at almost 15 grand (yes! HD adds $1,200 worth of shipping and additional “fees” to that MSRP,) you’re looking at a very expensive “entry-level” cruiser. And this assumes you can actually find a base Nightster in black. With the Nightster S, the price problem is only amplified. Are new wheels, electronic stability controls, and a fancy digital display worth the extra $? Maybe, but now you’re up over $16k (and probably nearer to $17, since most Nightster S bikes will have the more expensive color option.) Unfortunately, at that price point, there are TONS of well made, well equipped, very capable motorcycles out there. Yes, none “is a Harley,” but at the lower/entry end of the market, how many potential buyers really care? And if the do, they probably will want a “real” Harley - air cooled, 45 V-twin, high bars, etc. I don’t envy the poor salesmen who will have to try and sell $15,000 left over Nightsters next year.
I've been riding Harleys for nearly 20 years and I really want to like the new bikes but there is no way I'll buy a revMax Sportster when there are so many better bikes for less money being offered by the competition. There's a limit to how much I'll pay for the bar and shield badge and Harley has crossed that line in 2023.
What you would have to do is get the Parts and Accessories catalog and price out the differences separately, then figure out how many hours the dealership would charge you to install everything.
I'm so conflicted on the Nightster man. As I get older I really desire a lighter bike more and more and don't want crazy power but a good balance and the Nightster checks those 2 boxes for me exactly but man there is just so many things I can't get over like the exhaust, engine appearance, plastic radiator covers and total lack of aftermarket even after 3 years! That concerns me. If I could get a Road Warrior fairing, black Cobra 909 exhaust and a stitched La Pera seat for it than I'd buy it and make it my own but can't find anything good yet aftermarket for it so until then I'm on sidelines with my Iron 883 which I adore still so im not really that worried about it but would love to get one at some point as a 2nd bike.
I think H-D is just selling remaining shelf parts or fulfilling part supplier contracts and creating the standard nightstar then that will kill it off .
If you're going to do major customizing (seats, wheels, forks, fairings, paint, etc.) then it would be better to buy simple stock at the lower price. We do the same for the Milwaukee-Eight Softails: most of those insane super custom Harleys started out as Softail Standards or Street Bobs. It's the only reason anyone buys them.
It would be better just to have the base with all those upgrades available, however, I'm sure it's too hard to just swap out to the upgraded tech and that's why they have both?
Cost. The price point on paper doesn't look too different but at the dealership they are. And moving forward the regular nightster will be the low cost entry bike. I myself just recently bought the special and think the upgrades are worth it...
I agree- they dont need two styles haha. Its too light a bike for myself. I also think the Valve tops look cheesy. Its a good looking bike in some ways but just looks wimpy and cheap.
So many things that aren't adding up with the Sportster/Nightster line up and Harley's pricing. Why are the color variants $450 when all they're doing is changing the color of the tank? You can't tell me that the colored paint used on just the tank is an extra $450 - that's rediculous. Next, why they didn't call the Nightster the Sportster is still a mystery to me. And then the pricing $14,999 for the basic black Nightster S or pay $14,399 for the basic black Softail Standard, this makes no sense to me.
I was all about Harley modernizing but they're going about it in the wrong way. 1. Engine sounds terrible. 2. Prices are insane and out of line 3. Build quality not up to par of previous Sportsters 4. You can tell every place they're going el-cheapo (paint, switches, plastic parts, etc.) So they want to charge a premium but offer the same basic plastic bike as all their competitors? They should've made a barebones Sportster with a neutral riding position, a 500ci RevMax, some cool-looking paint and graphics, and no toys except for safety aids for 10-11k as a beginner bike and they would've sold a million of them, then they could've taken the Nightster design, popped the 1250 in it, put in beefier brakes, some more suspension travel, a slightly more aggressive riding position and more lean angle, given it all the toys, called it the new XR1250, charged 14-15k, and again, they'd have sold a million of them. Instead we have a Sportster S that nobody asked for with it's weird ergonomics and looks, a Nightster which would be a great bike except it doesn't have the performance or toys the Sporty S does except it's priced like it does, and the Nightster Special which again, nobody asked for. And all three sound awful. I don't like the direction the CEO is pointing Harley in. At all.
I might be wrong, but looks to me that Nightster S is an ultimate upsell tool. It upsells both ways, from "regular" Nightster (I don't see how they expect to sell any at $14K out the door) and to a Street bob, which is much better deal for basically same money.
I might be wrong, but maybe they wanted to raise the price of the nightster, that is already overpriced, so one of the option was to add some accessories and raise the price even higher than it should be, and later they remove the standard nightster from the line up. So in the future the sport line up will only include S models, sportster s and nightster s, just overpriced bikes 😔.
I don’t hate this bike, but I hate this bike! The price for both is stupid expensive. I can’t imagine why you would buy this bike when the rebel 11oo exists, or anything Japanese? A fool and his money I guess. $1500 extra for what? A passenger seat, electronics, and a TFT display. That’s not enough. Still making the same power and same suspension and same bike! It’s the same damn bike for $1500 extra! WTF? Harley has completely missed it with the sportster lineup. They should have taken a lesson from Triumph and their bonneville line. They still look cool, old school/new school, but iconic at the same time. They look awesome and are priced right. They don’t make as much power but who cares. They make enough power and look badass! Did I mention the price? Besides, I trust Harleys brand new engine like I trust a politician. You can keep them. I have enough problems already, thanks but no thanks.
![Oscar Maydon x Fuerza Regida - Tu Boda [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_ymicn0_GYc/mqdefault.jpg)
The upgrades are worth it to the right person. I like the basic set up on the speedo, don't need the extra tech on the S. I also only ride one up, so having the passenger seat wouldn't matter to me. Cool looking bike though, and hopefully I can try one out sometime this year.
That makes sense too
Seriously man, great comparison video. I’m going to have to research this a bit more for my own walking around knowledge. Well done sir.
Thanks boss! 👍
Just bought the Nightster S a few weeks ago - my first Harley - I'm loving it!
I want to ride one
You owe yourself a try on - lol
Had mine for about a week love this thing
Did you get a deal? How tall are you? How does it fit you?
I guess you could make the same argument as to why for so many years there were several versions of the Sportster in different configurations and displacements, all in the same model year. Of the 2 I do prefer the look of the special and I would like to try one out. I have a Road King which is my favorite motorcycle of all time. I had a 2003 Sportster Sport 1200 which was really fun to ride. I gave that one to my younger son last year. (I still get to ride it). I do like this new motor. Time will tell if it is as reliable as the EVO Sportster engine. From what I see it certainly has good performance and it looks like Harley did it's homework on this one.
That's a good point I was thinking that too with the older sportsters. They seemed to have enough differences though like displacement, tire sizes, tanks, bars etc
They just made it easier on buyers by adding popular options. I only want the Special because the options mean a lot to me. If budgets were tighter I’d get the regular one. People need price point options
Maybe for people who aren't into aftermarket stuff that still want something slightly above the standard model? Good stuff, this will keep me up tonight lol.
Could be that! Let me know if you figure it out 😂
@@TheMotoJawn ask me in the AM LOL
Maybe HD is testing to see which model people prefer. I doubt those subtle differences cost HD much at all. If they sell with them on there, they'll probably sell them that way. If people won't pay the upcharge, then maybe they'll discontinue the Special.
I don't think either bike looks particularly great, but of the two I much prefer the Special. I even kinda like that rather pastel yellow on that paricular model. I wish they would decrease the power output so they could shrink the radiators to something that fits in the downtubes ala Triumph Modern Classics. Those massive radiators and afterthought of an exhaust kinda make it hard to look at. Now if V&H comes out with a slender two into two exhaust, at least that could be fixed rather easily.
Yeah for some reason I don't see the regular model sticking around
In Australia Harley has already dropped the Nightster for the Nightster Special which I have brought . I looked at a Nightster last year but didn't have the features I was looking for plus was handle bar riser I did not like . The Nightster Special had nearly everything I was looking for . The Special is the bike Harley should of built in the first place . The Nightser did not sell well here .Sportster S sold a little better but not big numbers . I ordered the Nightster Special 2 days after it was released . Delivered 10 days ago . Is ready for the first service . I love the bike . It replaced my 883 Iron . I also ride a 2019 Softail Slim. Both bikes appear on my channel
Good info
The point is that, with the demise of the Evo Sportster, Harley has no “entry level” motorcycle. The base Nightster fill that notch…sorta. The biggest problem is the price. At 13,500.00, the base Nightster is pretty darn expensive. Sure, it’s a more modern design and offers way more power off the bat…but, it’s also kinda pedestrian in areas (the ‘unfinished’ left side of the motor, the fugly leaf-blower exhaust, etc.) The Nightster’s limitations might be acceptable on a $10k motorcycle, but at almost 15 grand (yes! HD adds $1,200 worth of shipping and additional “fees” to that MSRP,) you’re looking at a very expensive “entry-level” cruiser. And this assumes you can actually find a base Nightster in black.
With the Nightster S, the price problem is only amplified. Are new wheels, electronic stability controls, and a fancy digital display worth the extra $? Maybe, but now you’re up over $16k (and probably nearer to $17, since most Nightster S bikes will have the more expensive color option.) Unfortunately, at that price point, there are TONS of well made, well equipped, very capable motorcycles out there. Yes, none “is a Harley,” but at the lower/entry end of the market, how many potential buyers really care? And if the do, they probably will want a “real” Harley - air cooled, 45 V-twin, high bars, etc. I don’t envy the poor salesmen who will have to try and sell $15,000 left over Nightsters next year.
Yeah those left over at a high price will be tough to sell
I've been riding Harleys for nearly 20 years and I really want to like the new bikes but there is no way I'll buy a revMax Sportster when there are so many better bikes for less money being offered by the competition. There's a limit to how much I'll pay for the bar and shield badge and Harley has crossed that line in 2023.
It's a fun engine but I probably wouldn't buy one either
What you would have to do is get the Parts and Accessories catalog and price out the differences separately, then figure out how many hours the dealership would charge you to install everything.
I think the special would be worth it, compared to adding everything after the fact
@@TheMotoJawn I'm inclined to agree. When I bought my Roadster they advertised a special deal on certain accessories. It was worth it.
I'm so conflicted on the Nightster man. As I get older I really desire a lighter bike more and more and don't want crazy power but a good balance and the Nightster checks those 2 boxes for me exactly but man there is just so many things I can't get over like the exhaust, engine appearance, plastic radiator covers and total lack of aftermarket even after 3 years! That concerns me. If I could get a Road Warrior fairing, black Cobra 909 exhaust and a stitched La Pera seat for it than I'd buy it and make it my own but can't find anything good yet aftermarket for it so until then I'm on sidelines with my Iron 883 which I adore still so im not really that worried about it but would love to get one at some point as a 2nd bike.
Close call on the price differential. You can mod the regular Nightster. What do we know?
I think H-D is just selling remaining shelf parts or fulfilling part supplier contracts and creating the standard nightstar then that will kill it off .
That could be too
If you're going to do major customizing (seats, wheels, forks, fairings, paint, etc.) then it would be better to buy simple stock at the lower price. We do the same for the Milwaukee-Eight Softails: most of those insane super custom Harleys started out as Softail Standards or Street Bobs. It's the only reason anyone buys them.
Good point
Handlebar, mirror looks diff?
It would be better just to have the base with all those upgrades available, however, I'm sure it's too hard to just swap out to the upgraded tech and that's why they have both?
That's a good point actually
Cost. The price point on paper doesn't look too different but at the dealership they are. And moving forward the regular nightster will be the low cost entry bike. I myself just recently bought the special and think the upgrades are worth it...
Yeah I would sat go right to the special
I agree- they dont need two styles haha. Its too light a bike for myself. I also think the Valve tops look cheesy. Its a good looking bike in some ways but just looks wimpy and cheap.
I think eventually there will just be the special
@@TheMotoJawn agreed
Sportster S would be my choice, although I prefer the black wheels.
That's a fun one. Should have put the 1250 in the nightster special instead of 975
So many things that aren't adding up with the Sportster/Nightster line up and Harley's pricing. Why are the color variants $450 when all they're doing is changing the color of the tank? You can't tell me that the colored paint used on just the tank is an extra $450 - that's rediculous. Next, why they didn't call the Nightster the Sportster is still a mystery to me. And then the pricing $14,999 for the basic black Nightster S or pay $14,399 for the basic black Softail Standard, this makes no sense to me.
I agree 💯💯
I was all about Harley modernizing but they're going about it in the wrong way.
1. Engine sounds terrible.
2. Prices are insane and out of line
3. Build quality not up to par of previous Sportsters
4. You can tell every place they're going el-cheapo (paint, switches, plastic parts, etc.)
So they want to charge a premium but offer the same basic plastic bike as all their competitors?
They should've made a barebones Sportster with a neutral riding position, a 500ci RevMax, some cool-looking paint and graphics, and no toys except for safety aids for 10-11k as a beginner bike and they would've sold a million of them, then they could've taken the Nightster design, popped the 1250 in it, put in beefier brakes, some more suspension travel, a slightly more aggressive riding position and more lean angle, given it all the toys, called it the new XR1250, charged 14-15k, and again, they'd have sold a million of them.
Instead we have a Sportster S that nobody asked for with it's weird ergonomics and looks, a Nightster which would be a great bike except it doesn't have the performance or toys the Sporty S does except it's priced like it does, and the Nightster Special which again, nobody asked for. And all three sound awful.
I don't like the direction the CEO is pointing Harley in. At all.
A lot of plastic that looks bad
I might be wrong, but looks to me that Nightster S is an ultimate upsell tool. It upsells both ways, from "regular" Nightster (I don't see how they expect to sell any at $14K out the door) and to a Street bob, which is much better deal for basically same money.
Yeah I agree with that
I might be wrong, but maybe they wanted to raise the price of the nightster, that is already overpriced, so one of the option was to add some accessories and raise the price even higher than it should be, and later they remove the standard nightster from the line up. So in the future the sport line up will only include S models, sportster s and nightster s, just overpriced bikes 😔.
That's kind if what I was thinking
MARKETING..Give people a choice and they'll make the better one 😊
They should've just replaced the original with the "special" and kept the price the same.
I don’t hate this bike, but I hate this bike! The price for both is stupid expensive. I can’t imagine why you would buy this bike when the rebel 11oo exists, or anything Japanese? A fool and his money I guess. $1500 extra for what? A passenger seat, electronics, and a TFT display. That’s not enough. Still making the same power and same suspension and same bike! It’s the same damn bike for $1500 extra! WTF? Harley has completely missed it with the sportster lineup. They should have taken a lesson from Triumph and their bonneville line. They still look cool, old school/new school, but iconic at the same time. They look awesome and are priced right. They don’t make as much power but who cares. They make enough power and look badass! Did I mention the price? Besides, I trust Harleys brand new engine like I trust a politician. You can keep them. I have enough problems already, thanks but no thanks.
Yeah triumphs have definitely kept the classic look while still adding some modern touches
To jumpstart sales
Wow, first to watch this.😮