YouTuber Tests Harley-Davidson Nightster; Still a Boon For New Riders

By Erik Sherman - June 16, 2022

Youtuber BLOCKHEAD headed to Santa Barbara to ride the wildest new addition to the MoCo’s lineup, the 2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster.

BLOCKHEAD recently headed to Santa Barbara to try out the new 2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster. He was joined by several other Moto vloggers, all ready to test out the reimagining of the XL1200N Nightster. However, the new liquid-cooled bike is nothing like the old Nightster.

Completely Different Bike

The new Nightster is a completely different bike. It features the new Revolution Max 975T, a liquid-cooled V-Twin that will rev up to over 9,000 RPM. While that may anger purists, it brings the new Sportster variant up to speed against other bikes that leave Evolution motor-Sportsters in the dust.

BLOCKHEAD’s Take

First, BLOCKHEAD liked the overall feel of the motorcycle. Furthermore, he cited the gas tank placement and how it lowers the bike’s center of gravity as one of the reasons the bike feels so nice. Next, he said the Showa suspension and rear shocks feel good if a little stiff. Also, BLOCKHEAD says the 481 lbs weight of the bike compliment the balance of the bike, and it’s around 80 lbs lighter than an Iron 883.

Moreover, BLOCKHEAD liked the power of the new Nightster. Specifically, the 975T produces 90 horsepower and 70 lb-ft of torque. However, he says that the bike is still a good fit for the new rider demographic Harley-Davidson wants to access, given the adjustable rider modes.

Ergonomic Issues

Unfortunately, the 2022 Harley-Davidson had an ergonomic issue. BLOCKHEAD said that after 50 miles he felt cramped and stiff. Further, his riding mates gave similar compliments, like hurt-backs and feelings of being cramped.

Although the bike is a bit cramped for longer rides, BLOCKHEAD says he would buy it. He said the tame exhaust could be solved with aftermarket options, and the aftermarket will likely offer many forward control options. The bike is a quick, agile blank canvas for riders to use for expression.