2024 Harley Davidson Nightster 975 - FULL REVIEW!

[@CGB65]

I took one of these for a test drive at a demo event. It was the special edition which had the back seat and cruise control. This bike is extremely fast. It was really neat that it had multiple modes to drive in including rain, road and sport mode. 90 hp and kess than 500 pounds. Very responsive, and fast.

[@tinman3586]

I test rode one also, it's not a bad bike but I don't know if they've worked out all the bugs on the RevMax engine yet, and it lacks the Harley-Davidson "style and feel" that so many people clamor for.

[@Charles-un6ek]

@@tinman3586what’s a good first bike I was looking at this one

[@super16g123]

Finally the price is right! Factoring inflation, the nightster is now on par price wise as the old iron 883. Funny thing I noticed about all the "traditional" Harley guys downing the new sportsters. You almost never hear them mention performance. Like it isn't even a factor for them. Says alot about why the Harley sport bikes weren't at all intended for them.

[@SheepDog-es1hq]

I purchased this bike (special in denim black) back in April. First bike ever. I’m in my 50s. This bike is truly amazing. The ease of riding this is way beyond expectations. I did take the Riding Academy offered at HD and found it extremely valuable. That being said. This bike is nimble, quick, good looking and full of technology. I have ridden about 1k miles so far and gets more fun with each ride. I did add a batwing fairing, engine crash bar, sissy bar with luggage rack and 2 up seat. Keeps me from sliding back on the seat under modest acceleration. I ride with other bikers that have much larger bikes and more years experience but I don’t care, I have fun. My bike keeps up with them. I do wish there were some options for music, but nothing a quality Bluetooth speaker couldn’t resolve.

[@neringamikol7781]

I’m completely new to riding a motorcycle, and 2024 Nightster S was my choice. Now looking forward to finally ride it. Thank you for reviewing this bike, it was an informative video!

[@peter88554]

It looks like a fine motorcycle. The new pricing is an excellent change. The big problem I see is its competition, the Indian Scout. The pricing and technology is the same. But the Indian is a very good looking bike. And it’s got numerous variations. If I was in the market for a “modern” cruiser I’d go Indian over the Nightster.

[@scanalyst492]

This review was very helpful. I ride a 2022 Triumph Street Twin but I saw one of these parked near my hotel. I talked to the owner and was very impressed with the bike. He let me sit on it and it’s very comfortable. I’m short legged so this bike is great. Then he fired it up and I was more impressed. I’m going to keep my Triumph and add this bike to my collection. Great combination for an old man like me.

[@RickyG512]

Test ridden this bike, fun factor of this bike is definitely up there, definitely fun to rev the shit out of every gear

[@Squatch_Rider66]

Good review of the bike. I’m a Roadking rider and would think about one of these guys for around town riding. Only thing that looks goofy to me is the exhaust. Just has a weird look and line to me

[@artvertex4152]

I was about to buy a Rebel 1100 but with the new price I changed my mind. Here in Thailand a Nightster now cost just a bit more than a Rebel 1100. The Nightster looks a bit better, feels lighter and use belt drive. The Indain Scout is very expensive here so it is out of the picture. Good job for Harley right there.

[@MrParkerfly1]

I can’t get past the Matel looking engine. It looks like the engine in a child’s toy. The exhaust is no prize either. This bike just doesn’t look like something from the Harley family.

[@1SaG]

I've had a hard time putting my finger on it, but "Mattel" does describe the look of the engine (or its decorative shell, because that's what I suspect it is) quite nicely. Almost looks to me like the thing was wrapped in plastic or something. Weird.

[@Mrproper86]

Have 22 nighster I have been trying to sell for 6months now, dealer won’t even buy it back. We bought it for my wife and its an awesome bike and rides very well and it is faster then my stage 2 low rider st. The 24 models are 1500$ cheaper now and I cannot get rid off this bike. Only has 660 and all recalls done.

[@JA-zh5xi]

I said the same thing - no one wants these things and resale is terrible.

[@reallocaluser4081]

How much and where?

[@Underdog-2025]

What were the recalls on the 2022

[@rios00]

Looking to get my first bike. This video helped

[@thomasfrederick3464]

It’s cool they added the little radiator shroud on the left side of the engine that’s similar to the sportster s

[@alcarney1122]

I just purchased a 2024 sportster RH 975 .It's Rock Red it has a duel exhaust.

[@umpatas5468]

I do think they're great. They're fun and ride better than the old Evo sportster. The suspension is superior and the power to weight ratio makes them a blast. But I just wanted more power and more suspension so that's why I went with the pan am.

[@bradwilliams4921]

Nice review of what I think is a really cool bike for beginners or people of a smaller stature.

[@WaxP357]

Bought a 24 Sportster S that was a demo with 30 miles on it. I love these set of wheels. If you’re going to buy one, get it used or try and find a demo, you will make out like bandit.

[@kennethmata4365]

This bike looked beautiful.

[@carsonwolff4689]

I have a 23 nightster and I love it. Definitely can tell other people in the Harley community don’t respond well to it. I can see the limitations as well. Wish the bike sounded like a Harley and not a like a glorified scooter. Other than that, it’s fast and fun to ride. I see myself holding on to it for the future. Harley needs to make these motors sound better!

[@Marknatahimiklang]

Maybe custom pipes can make it sound better.

[@OceanSideKev]

I add S&S pipes on my 24', sounds alot better. Easy to install.

[@Skaroosh]

Its good that they brought the price down for this year, that will help immensely with making it more conpetitive. Did they make any changes besides color from last year?

[@jessegehring4624]

There is one change I noticed that is not mentioned on the 2024 vs the 2023. The radiator shroud on the left side of the bike. That was only on the sportster s or pan america. I have the 23 special and this is not there.

[@WinterSkyyy]

I read a Cycle magazine from 1960 where they test the original Sportster. They say, several times, that its the "fastest production motorcycle ever tested." I'm glad the new Sporty is harkening back to the original

[@OceanSideKev]

This bike is a powerhouse and feels more like my old Dyna than a sportster. fast, nimble, responsive, tons of torque...

[@msd85TvT]

Nightster seems to need some modification for the next refresh.. wires need to be better organized, exhaust seems to need a redesign radiator needs to be blend into the bikes visual design better. It’s a Fine bike for what it is…and the price reduction helps. I just seems to me the Harley techs needed some more time to refine it before launch.

[@jontrent8924]

I just got one and have to say it's a rocket compared to my last two bikes.

[@donaldbarker8162]

The Nightster costs way too much for Harley's entry level bike. I would have a hard time paying $9k for this bike.

[@reallocaluser4081]

Awesome review! Thanks!

[@dandude2010]

Nice I didn't know Harley made a leaf blower lol

[@opinionmaximus]

I said the SAME EXACT THING to a Harley dealership the other day. 😂

[@bj2294]

One problem I have is that you want that gray color you only get it on the tank. Why aren’t the fenders painted?

[@thinkingimpaired5663]

Harley needs to engineer a different exhaust. Also, consider at least bumping displacement if possible for the USA rider.

[@eumeliogutierrez2441]

You saying this I can clearly tell you never ridden one, this is faster than most Harleys sold today.

[@thinkingimpaired5663]

@eumeliogutierrez2441 when did you realize the bike is faster than older Harleys? Again new exhaust and bump in displacement will certainly bump sales. Otherwise bike riders will just buy other manufacturers bikes.

[@eumeliogutierrez2441]

@@thinkingimpaired5663 I have a 2022 street bob a 2021 48 and a 2022 nightster , I can tell you easily in sports mode the nightster is twice as fast as the street bob and light years ahead of the 48. If you ride one, ride it in sports mode and I’ll guarantee you you will like it. Does the exhaust sound bad? Yes , change it like I did. Does it sound weird as fuck on startup like something rattles in the engine? Yes but it’s normal the ccvt makes that noise even on cars until it gets oil pressure. Now remember Harley is trying to reach a new audience, Old school Harley fans are that.. Old . They need to guarantee they can compete with the big 4 in the future.

[@thinkingimpaired5663]

@eumeliogutierrez2441 if you haven't yet, YT search Thunderbike Nightster. Unfortunately they are in Germany but does do mail order. Don't worry it's not like I dislike the nightster, I just would like to see some changes. Harley needs to keep sales up to survive. I don't want to see the brand disappear.

[@phildiegidio4658]

Due to my age, (73) I have considered trading my 550 lb Sportster for this. But I just can’t get past the ugly looking exhaust, and the probably crappy sounding exhaust. Sell it to me for $9k and I might consider it. It will cost $3k or more to fix it. Love my Sportster 1200.

[@throttleblip9854]

Keep your sporty bc you’re right. In my personal opinion, this is a $9,000 bike. Or I guess I should say it should be. I don’t dislike it at all, it’s just expensive for what it is.

[@Anon40G]

I have a 21 iron 883. Would this be the next step up? I only use my bike for riding back and forth to work and occasionally on the weekends to play around.

[@gregrose6915]

Two things that bother me with this bike and that engine. The right engine covers look like hockey shin protectors. And if you're gonna paint it grey or whatever color, paint the fenders to match.

[@tinman3586]

They made this bike to compete with the Indian Scouts and to replace the last of the old Evo Sportsters. I was in the market for a small-ish cruiser a couple years ago. I narrowed it down to this bike, the Honda Rebel 1100, and then the Indian Scout Rogue. The preformance of all 3 of those bikes is pretty similar. I ended up with the Scout Rogue because I felt like it was more reliable than the Nightster, the forward controls and mini-apes made it more comfortable than the Honda and the Nightster, and lastly the Midnight Black Smoke color on the Rogue made it look way, WAY better than the other two and that won me over.

[@jayteesgear]

Rogues are SICK! (They just need a full fuel guage)

[@stevencorry5790]

That's definitely one of the best Honda Rebels I have ever seen

[@throttleblip9854]

If only it was the same price! Haha

[@jamessouthworth1699]

Throw all this "tech" in the garbage and bring back the real Sportster that had an engine that lasted over 100,000 miles, didn't have to go to a dealer to be worked on, and looked/sounded way better than this abomination.

[@mrq1182]

The engine should have given HD a clue as the the appropriate price. $9750 for 975. Seems fair. Especially for the ugliest engine and exhaust and sound they’ve ever had.

[@414moto]

I wonder if it’s too late to bring out a VVT EVO Sportster. Or a small displacement M8 Sportster…

[@tinman3586]

They can't sell the Evos in Europe and I think in a lot of US states anymore because of the emissions. That's one reason why they dumped them, the other is the Indian Scout.

[@artempetiukh7504]

The only thing: this bike is not for the beginners,this bike for for people who really love this kind of style of motorcycles! Like small sporty cruises or Cafe racers

[@TerraMagnus]

“Full review”, never leaves the showroom floor 😂

[@genericallyaccepted]

Are you serious!?

[@1loveaudi]

Excellent video

[@hollandreece123]

Aren’t they having electrical issues

[@steveconnellan1531]

Hey Blair, what happened with starting with the tank badge/decal? Thats your thing man, I kinda missed it. 😎

[@throttleblip9854]

Okay you talked me into it! Haha

[@Underdog-2025]

What is the difference between the 2022 and the 2024 of this model because I have an opportunity to purchase the 2022 brand new including all brand, new vehicle warranties, etc. I will be at first owner, from the dealer with Sissy, bar and backseat and upgraded s and s exhaust for 10,800 with tax title and dealer fees it would be 15,000 out the door. Please let me know as soon as possible if this is a good deal or should I just go for the 2024 and upgrade all the parts also, I don’t think the 2022 purchasing is a nightster special Even though the dealership said that it is thank you for any and all input also included with my purchase was a jacket $175 and the gray Darth Vader helmet with the blue lens. I forget what model that is I’m guessing around $300 value.

[@ryanchristensen1799]

No led lighting, and the exhaust isn't as streamlined as 2024. That's all I can think of atm.

[@TerraMagnus]

Why do they hide the engine under plastics?

[@RevJay_Rides]

This is one of the few Harleys which might not have a 2-up seat made for it. A passenger pillion? Yes. A solid seat for 2 people, I doubt that. Why? Because you have to lift the seat to get to the fuel cap in order to fill it up. So, I think it would be hard to make a 2-up seat which will open and close right.

[@mot317]

This range of bikes from Harley dont sell at all in England (UK). I havnt seen 1 out on the road ever!! I think the reasons are 1. Way too overpriced for what they are. 2. Cheap looking with poor detailing. 3. Triumph Bonneville range cheaper, better built, better looking and more desirable. I think Harley will discontinue this range very soon unless they reduce the price to circa £9000 to 10000. Harley Davidson are fast reducing themselves i nto a niche boutique brand. High price low volume. Finally, im not saying all this because I hate Harley's, i own 2 and love them with a passion. My only hope is that Harley change direction and do it quickly. Very good review by the way🙂

[@Woodsy255]

Terrible decision discontinuing the previous sportster lineup, really wanted a new 48 but I missed out as they discontinued them here in Aus at the time.

[@Marknatahimiklang]

Same here.

[@1SaG]

Couldn't agree more about how they shouldn't have called the Sportster S a Sportster. I just can't get over some of the visual details on these things. Left side of the engine looks like the factory forgot to finish it. The whole exhaust looks comically oversized and out of place. The radiator is insanely thick and large and looks like they didn't even try to integrate it into the bike. Plus there's hoses, cable-ties, what-have-yous zig-zagging all over the place. My 1996 Kawa VN 800 A was liquid cooled and you would never have known by simply looking at it - that's how well they hid the rad and hoses back then. Plus the "gas-tank" is a fake and basically just a cover for the engine's airbox. I remember when H-D enthusiasts would've listed some or all of these points when they were making fun of Japanese cruisers. Granted: The exhaust side of the bike doesn't look as boring or ugly as on a Honda Rebel, but overall this thing really could've used another revision or two by a stylist/designer. I'm not at all into that Rebel/Eliminator "everything drenched in black paint to hide how ugly the engine looks"-style and I still believe that on a cruiser-bike, the engine is also the visual star of the show and should stand out (in a good way). And I'm not getting that with the new Sportsters. If it didn't say H-D on the tank...err... airbox-cover, I would probably not even ID it as a Harley at first glance - looks just like "some bike".

[@toddposton869]

It doesn't look like an Evo Sporty, it looks like a little V-Rod.

[@monsride]

Usb port?

[@gigi9467]

Am a middle aged dude with kids and fam and rode harley until about 3 years took a lil break, anyways in the last year i looked into a “sensible priced” bike so 10k or less… looked at harley they had nothing! This bike is 2k to expensive with like 20hp to many, not that i dont want power its just that i would of been willong to buy at 10k with less hp. With that being said bought a honda kept it a year and now a triumph all under 10k am axtually glad harley doesnt have nothing or else. I wouldn’t have been able to experience these two wonderful bikes., also this bike feels like a Honda

[@1100andFortyEight]

That billiard grey tank/air-box doesn’t compliment the black fenders and covers at all. They need to be either all grey or all black.

[@d.f.9064]

That bobbed front fender is going to destroy that radiator. Royal Enfield has proven that good fenders are possible.

[@alcarney1122]

My battery is under the seat not the furl tank.

[@javonbrandon]

Does this come in red

[@alcarney1122]

Yes I have a Rock Red Nightster RH 975

[@BoltPlagueTV]

HATERS GON HATE

[@znothingfacez5681]

Muffler looks like a leaf blower. The tank and motor look like cheap plastic. What the hell is Harley thinking?

[@jayteesgear]

From this video I remember cool Boots and Harley 48😂 Ok ok, I’ll be nice- This bike looks cool! Its similar to a Kawa naked bike. Its far overpriced and now their base color is grey? 😑. I personally like Grey but Harleys are vivid black since like FOREVER! So yeah… that 48😛

[@throttleblip9854]

Just remember to use my link, Pal! Hahaha

[@throttleblip9854]

Also yes, very overpriced in my opinion. I’d say this bike should be $9,000 and the S model Nightster should be $10,500. HD needs a sub 10k bike that isn’t a turd. When I started in sales you could get an 883 for 8k.

[@jayteesgear]

@@throttleblip9854 Blair, we all know its not you or other content creators, its Harley. They have some great ideas and some BAD ideas. Its a Corporation, so I get it. Happy New Year brother💯

[@toddposton869]

I think I'll keep my Mirage Orange 2007 XL1200N Nightster.

[@marisoltalmadge1947]

Same here! I own a 2008🤘🏼

[@thsreklesboi]

They should have called it the nightmare 😂

[@kornstargaming7245]

Technically, X350 is the cheapest Harley to buy, but this is the cheapest v twin setup

[@throttleblip9854]

We don’t have the 350 here. At least not yet.

[@kornstargaming7245]

Roger that@@throttleblip9854

[@johnelaschat2462]

I still think harley should have kept the original bike and just stuffed a smaller m8 in it instead of this.

[@JA-zh5xi]

I don’t see the Nightster making in past 2025. No one is buying them and the resale is horrible. People who want Harley’s don’t want this Honda.

[@tinman3586]

...and people who want Hondas can get a Rebel 1100 for like 2000K cheaper.

[@JA-zh5xi]

@@tinman3586 exactly!

[@jayteesgear]

Agree

[@madrat5176]

That’s why the price dropped by like $2,000 this year. Harley NEVER does that, so sales must be HORRIBLE

[@jayteesgear]

@@madrat5176did the price drop or is it just the price of this base model? I guess I should check the website

[@michaelkorbobo8460]

Good for you not for me. The engine looks like plastic,the color is cheap looking, and the 2 in one exhaust looks like it's from another country. That's just a quick surface glance. Dig deeper and Fuhged aboutit!!

[@rickbradshaw2148]

Former Nightster owner. It’s an awful bike. Cooks your balls and constantly throws codes.

[@GeorgeVrachliotis]

I bet these RevMax Sportsters will be axed in a couple of years. Expensive, limited customizing options and totally unreliable

[@JA-zh5xi]

Said the same thing. By 2026 they will go the way of the street 500/750.

[@leonelbaldovinos8642]

Extremely missed at the price cut I have a 2023 love the bike but HD killed the value for me

[@matty_p_fxdx]

I hate the aesthetic look of new Harleys they look like there made out of plastic, I'm all for progression but it's not for me I much prefer the older traditional style looks where they actually look like a true bike and not a matchbox toy this is coming from a 35-year-old just for reference. No new bike from Harley has made me consider selling my 2000 fxdx

[@brucevernon5827]

It's a rip off Indian scout

[@throttleblip9854]

I feel like the Sportster S is closer to the Indian Scout. Either way what do you think HD ripped off from the Indian?

[@OMGGITSDAVID]

Just give me the iron 1200 with more hp and 6 gears.

[@jasonkimble8926]

Over priced plastic

[@kennyowens2189]

I love my Sportster but these new bikes are ugly POS

[@Please-be-quiet]

To summarise .It's heavy. It's loud.impractical. So if your craving attention for all the wrong reasons. Get one and ride it into a tree.

[@miguelramirez644]

😎👍🏽

[@anthonyfanella6523]

Why is the left side of the bike so hideous?

[@ronaldwhite7676]

What, no ride? Not a full review in my books.

[@tony72I]

Yamaha Bolt and not Harley davidson

[@throttleblip9854]

I did a review on my buddies Bolt a good while back, thing was sick for the money. He set it up just like a Dyna.

[@stevecox-u8y]

They were £13,300 in UK now down to £10,000 now ,not pretty ,made in Thailand ,short fuel range ,just another Asian Harley wanna be ? not a Sportster ?

[@nmorales2019]

You lost me at key fob. Terrible idea for any vehicle.

[@sipnscoot3049]

That is not a Harley!! Way too much European influence.

[@johnnynitro7523]

As a hardcore rider and motorcycle enthusiat for over half a half a century......thet is one ugly motorcycle...from a company who produces some of the most iconic and beautitufl motorcycles in the world..including the Livewire... I dont care how good it runs..