Road Dirt Review: Harley Davidson Nightster Special

#newmotorcycle #newmotorbike #harleydavidson
We ride and review the 2023 ‪@harleydavidson‬ Nightster Special, after spending a month with one.
Is this the new, reimagined Sportster?
Rob and the Road Dirt crew give their impressions and opinions on this unique motorcycle from The Motor Company!
For our story with photos, click here:
roaddirt.tv/lo...
Rob's gear:
REV'IT! Restless jacket
REV'IT! Davis TF jeans
REV'IT! Safeway 2 belt
Bell Eliminator helmet
SA1NT leather gloves
Knockaround Flying Tigers eyewear
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[@hiflyer1168]

Ever since I bought mine, I haven't ridden my Road Glide much at all.

[@artvertex4152]

I just got a '22 model with a discount as my first brand new HD. It cost a bit more than a Honda Rebel 1100. Love it. Surprisingly quick for a Harley.

[@roaddirttv]

That was what we noted as well. A sport cruiser so to speak. It’s quite the motorcycle, for sure.

[@lizardsonofanakie]

The Nightster Special which came out in 2023 is a better bike than the Nightster

[@lizardsonofanakie]

The Nightster Special is a awesome bike. I brought one . I am 66 and do own a 2019 Softail Slim with stage 2 . The Nightster Special is my preferred ride . It out performing the Slim in every way except 2 things . That is Fuel range and exhaust sound. I can't wait to see what Harley Davidson does next with this engine😊

[@roaddirttv]

Good word, man!

[@troyclaus9258]

I love mine too. I just got heated grips

[@ekimandersom4478]

It probably rides great, it just doesn’t look great

[@guidedHandsforge]

I have a Nightster and an 883. Both are awesome. The Nightster is a dream to ride. Light, handles so easily, and it'll GO. The 883 gives you all the feed back of a traditional Harley. Tried and true. Depends on my mood which one I take out. BTW I'm 58 and just started riding again after decades of not. Don't know if I should mention the Honda Monkey!! Just pure fun and smiles. Isn't that what riding is supposed to be?

[@roaddirttv]

Good word! Welcome back to riding!

[@troyclaus9258]

I love my Nightster Special

[@chuckvt5196]

Great review! I just picked up a 2022 Nightster with only 610 miles on it from my HD dealer. It was listed as 12K, but they heavily discounted it, and when I traded my 2015 Street 500 towards it, I got it for $5700. I felt it was way too good a deal to pass up!

[@roaddirttv]

@@chuckvt5196 wow, you did get a deal on it! Congrats!

[@genegoodwin8925]

The old Sportster has been around since 1957, it was time to say good-bye. Harley Davidson has to move ahead to stay in the game and I think the Nightster, in time , will prove to be the successful way to go. I personally like the Nightster with the travel's package, (I don't recall the proper name for the package) which gives you a windshield, better rider seat, passenger seat and pegs, saddlebags, and a passenger backrest. I would also add a luggage rack and a round leather top bag for the rack. The only thing I will miss from my current ride is cruise control, but that's alright, I'm old and don't travel as far as I use to.

[@roaddirttv]

Good word, Gene.

[@darklotus6595]

The Nightster special has cruise control from what I'm told/researched. I'm hopefully picking one up soon as my first bike so we'll see how she handles for a beginner like me.

[@genegoodwin8925]

@@darklotus6595 After I checked out the Nightster975 I stopped in a Kawasaki shop and xhecked out the Vulcan S. I believe I would buy thr Vulcan S before I would the Nightster. The Vulcan is much more cofortable and half the price.

[@roaddirttv]

@@darklotus6595 Good for you! Welcome to the Moto family!

[@troyclaus9258]

​@roaddirttv my Nightster Special has cruise control...?

[@lizardsonofanakie]

Stanger you say that mine draws attention everywhere l go and so many people love it .

[@keithkeitht5873]

I'll keep my V-Rod and my Triumph T120 Bonneville!!

[@bfarm44]

I like it in the brilliant billiard blue.

[@Underdog-2024]

I just purchased a brand new 2022 Nightster with all the warranties etc. With backseat and sissy bar and S&S exhaust a free gargoyle helmet $400 and a free jacket $200 I paid 10,800 but after dealer fees and whatever else I don’t even know it came $15,000 out the door. Did I get a good deal or should I have bought a new Nightster special in which I would have to add the S&S exhaust and backseat with back rest I’m anxious to read all the comments because I don’t even know how much it would cost for the new special. Thanks for all of your input.

[@roaddirttv]

$15K out the door for all that seems a bit much- not for the bike, accessories, and performance upgrades, but for the dealer add-on fees. Yet everything is so expensive these days, maybe I’m not too surprised, really. There are no real differences between the 2023 model and your 2022 model, to my knowledge. I don’t think the ‘24 bikes are even in showrooms yet, but I don’t expect them to be any different, except in paint scheme and maybe some additional farkles that can be added. All in all, if you’re happy with the bike, and it suits you and your riding style, I’d say keep on rocking with it! You did good.

[@Underdog-2024]

@@roaddirttv I’m gonna go to the dealership and find out exactly made it go from 10,800 to 15,000 out the door and I will reply back to you

[@Punkerage]

something bothers me about this bike, is necessary to wait for the screen animation to end to start the bike? or i cant just turn the button and hit the eletric start?

[@roaddirttv]

The bike can be cranked while the screen is booting up.

[@Punkerage]

@@roaddirttv thanks for answering, man. i saw this bike yesterday in the Brazilian launch event, and this got me thinking. i would be kind of annoying.

[@andrewbrown8230]

I have the 23 nightster special. Very comfortable and fast. After a 2hr or 3. Your butt will hurt. Lol

[@roaddirttv]

It definitely put the “Sport” back in the Sportster line.

[@khrisstake2210]

Don't you have to refuel by then lol. Works out perfectly

[@roaddirttv]

@@khrisstake2210 at about 150 (+-) range, for sure!

[@checkmatwaterford]

What happened with HD?😢

[@nikitis13]

I'm sure it goes like stink but man, that thing is a plumbing mess, what an eyesore... For that money, you'd be mad not to buy a clean, classic, M8 Softail Standard

[@davereid-gz4pl]

I agree looks like all the other brands in this style.

[@ekimandersom4478]

@@davereid-gz4plNo the other brands look allot better .

[@khrisstake2210]

Has anyone found the USB port?

[@Old-n-slo-locked-n-leaned]

It’s on the left side, high, between the fork neck and air box cover

[@CoryBollig]

i wanted to see you take it off road. bad search results

[@roaddirttv]

It is most certainly not an off-road bike. Sorry to disappoint you.

[@davereid-gz4pl]

An insult to Harley riders, you would be better of with a honda Rebel.

[@SocalMotoRx]

You’re right. This bike actually has a modern engine. It’s insulting to Harley riders that have been paying premium for engines that are 70 years old.

[@ekimandersom4478]

Triumph makes allot nicer bikes, so does Indian. And yes even the Rebel and the Vulcan look better.