2023 Nighster Special Overview - PROs and CONs

The new 2023 Harley Nightster Special 975 is out but is it as good or special as what Harley-Davidson makes it seem as? Is it that much better than the Nightster Standard or evolution sportsters?? In this overview of the new revolution max 975 Nightster S Sportster, I go over all the details of the Nightster Special RH975s on top of what was already covered in my indepth Nighster Standard Review from last year. It is fair to say, everything was as expected but for some reason, I am left feeling a bit deflated and find out why by watching the episode!
#harleydavidson #nightster975s #nightsterspecial
Instagram: KS_MOTO_CAFE / ks_moto_cafe

[@stevem4783]

I hate the Special. The only positive change is the TFT - but they jacked the price up enough where you're effectively paying for it. The AMF-style logo is ugly as hell, the rear seat is ugly as hell, and the color options are weak. I don't understand Harley's thinking here, it's not rocket science, if they gave the bike the 1250 and left the price the same they have a Rebel killer, instead they have a Rebel equal for more money. I highly doubt it costs them any more to manufacture the 1250 compared to the 975, the engines are 98% the same parts...the dimensions are the same, too. They could do it. Not to mention if they gave us a Nightster 1250, they could very easily slap on drag bars, mid-rear set controls, dual rotors, jack up the suspension a bit, and make a new Roadster/XR that would sell a ton. I also think they could make a 500ci (or less) version with zero tech and toys other than safety aids, give it 50-60hp, charge a hair over 10k for it, and boom, there's your new 883/starter bike. Why haven't they? How hard is this? Past that, I've gotten to the point where I just can't get over how bad the RevMax sounds with it's 30 degree offset crank. It's another thing where I just don't understand Harley's thinking - sound matters and people who buy cruisers do not want them to sound like a Ducati. I was hoping aftermarket pipes would be able to tweak something positive in this area, but there's nothing they can do, it's the design of the engine.

[@KSMotoCafe]

everything you have said - I agree with you! Great comment!

[@peterrooney9461]

So buy a Japanese bike then.

[@KSMotoCafe]

Thanks for watching! What are your thoughts of this bike?

[@jayteesgear]

No😂 (id ride that badass Iron youre sitting in front of though)

[@kA-gk8ub]

Loveit

[@hulkhatepunybanner]

*I tested the bike and liked the ride.* Needs a riser and a better seat. Exhaust pipe burns leg. A fuel gauge. The styling is HIDEOUS. The left side is the good side?

[@Englrood]

Haven’t heard anyone talk bad about it after ownership. I know this video is older and more people have gotten on the bike since. Was looking into another cruiser but this thing makes it hard, the price tag is a bit iffy though. Riding in Newfoundland I really thing the softail standard may be a better bike to buy especially if two up (off and on) is the goal. Torn is an understatement

[@SLIGHT_]

Completely agree. Keep up the great work man.

[@KSMotoCafe]

thanks bro - cheers!

[@jimscarnivorekitchen4731]

I love mine

[@KSMotoCafe]

glad to hear!

[@_S.E.J_]

Your garage looks mint now bro 👏🏻

[@peterrooney9461]

It definitely has more power than the old iron 883. And it is not that bad looking

[@cisa1622]

I was at dealer yesterday and it’s like selling fast here in Australia-very positive

[@KSMotoCafe]

interesting! how much is it over there? and did Hd cancel the evo sportsters in 2021 for Aus?

[@cisa1622]

@@KSMotoCafe it’s very high price 26K. All Evo motors discontinued in 2021.

[@MrAl67]

Rebel 1100 is a better deal. Sure it’s ugly but the Nightster isn’t all that pretty either. Better brakes, adjustable preload suspension, and way less $$$

[@jayteesgear]

Agreed- and the Kawa Z900 RS Cafe is on 🔥🔥🔥. Just rode one today.

[@AyaWetts]

definitely keeping my Rebel 1100 compared to this... no question. Even buying again I'd go for the Rebel. If the Harley had cruise control and cost $5k less, I'd consider it.

[@KSMotoCafe]

yeah very much agreed. I said it for the Nightster review that Hd seems to be going backwards and copying the rebel

[@Underdog-2024]

Is it true? The special is faster than the sportster S

[@metcruza5536]

They could've finished the left hand side so it looks complete.

[@KSMotoCafe]

every new bike from HD is half baked at this point

[@marvinbixler408]

Mine has been towed in 3 times at 1,000 miles

[@KSMotoCafe]

oh no - what went wrong

[@aucklandsadventures]

Sportsters don’t come with passenger pegs and seat because you should not be carrying a passenger on it. Unless you both weigh 90 pounds each.

[@KSMotoCafe]

🤣🤣

[@bramcurtis6900]

Harley's have always been waaaaay too expensive for the technology and build quality you are buying. I like them. I will never own one.

[@fedricoekkelenkamp5384]

The Harley Nightster standard(vivid black) will cost you 19995,00 euro's in The Netherlands. The Harley Nightster Special (vivid Black) will cost you 21795,00 euro's.

[@KSMotoCafe]

ouch! how much is a rebel 1100?

[@fedricoekkelenkamp5384]

@@KSMotoCafe Honda rebel 1100 will cost in the netherlands with tax 12449,00 euro's.

[@noidreculse8906]

Nice overview, but the MoCo is losing me. There always seems to be a compromise in some aspects of the styling. And expensive too. I love my Pan American (when it’s playing nice) but it has been a pain in my ass. The Honda African Twin or the new 750 Trans Alp have my eye

[@KSMotoCafe]

Sucks to hear about your PanAm issues - care to share some info on that? Is it related to not enough RevMax techs?

[@noidreculse8906]

@@KSMotoCafe I think there was insufficient training of techs, but the bike has had 4 software updates, 2 required towing to the dealership. I am on the Pan America forum weekly, someone mentioned that the bolts attaching the side stand work their way lose. I checked mine, and one was backed halfway out, with no thread locker on it. The side stand bolts to the engine block because the bike doesn’t have a full frame. Someone showed their bike with the bolts back out enough to have enough leverage to crack the block! It seems like the bike was brought to market too soon, and the people assembling the bikes hate the “new direction” the company is taking and do a careless job. 2 people on the forum have gotten completely new bike replacements because of Lemon Laws and the continuing problems that they had. Also the design of the bottom radiator hose and the exhaust header are too close together. When the coolant heats up under pressure, the hose can expand and touch the hot pipe. Melt down and a tow job if it happens on the road. The heat shield bracket broke and the fix is to replace the entire head pipe, back ordered until May. I could go on. I got totally screwed on my 2020 Livewire purchase and trade in. One year later, the price is 10k less for a Livewire 1. The CEO just wants to create shareholder value, and now he says that eventually Harley will be all electric. What a joke.

[@KSMotoCafe]

@@noidreculse8906 wowza! sorry this is happening to you Rick - your experience is confirming what I have been thinking about HD as well. The current CEO is driving the company towards a deadend where HD will be left with looking like a metric bike company wannabe rather than industry leader

[@robbyclark6915]

I said the same thing about the engine. If you want me to pay an extra $1500 bucks for your “special” I better get something that’s actually special. There’s absolutely nothing special about this bike except the price. HD is so far off with this bike, and they apparently don’t have a clue. The “special” is what the original version should be for the price, and the special should have the 1250 for that $15k. Until they figure this out, this bike is doomed. These are USA prices

[@hulkhatepunybanner]

*I was quoted $18,885 for the basic Nightster.* They're still calling me, two weeks later.