I just read an article on this motorcycle: It looks much like the traditional Sportster, but with the new finless water cooled engine that produces lots of power and torque. Check it out!

 

I have read that the 90hp is the engine but I have no idea how much power is used to get it to the back wheel.

 

Give or take the standard is usually about 10-15% less on the rear wheel.

If dyno'ed that would be 75-80hp on the wheel. So that would be more how a 1200cc stage One Evo Sportster makes on the wheel.
Sportster Evo 1200 used to be advertised as 67hp and 883 at 52hp in standard form.

 

Too bad the traditional side cover is only on the right side. And too bad they didn't use the 1250T motor, like on the S.

 

I test rode the new Nightster this weekend. Then I got on my 07 1200R and liked it better I think. But the new Sporty was nice, fast , handled well
and is light. I’m considering it in the future after the bugs or recalls get done, right. Ow they’re adding $3000 in fees to the $14k list

 

My Wife and I saw one yesterday at the Stealership. I sat on it. Just feels all wrong. It's a good looking imitation Sportster. However, HD is good at using names from the past on new bikes. Example the Dyna. Dropped from the lineup. Then NEW Softail get's Dyna names, like Street Bob, Low Rider. NEW Softail is a new monoshock . . . designed to look like a Softail. Sell em a familiar NAME. The Sportster S and Nightster are NOT SPORTSTERS. It's nothing more that a POS Harley Street 750 with a bigger water cooled ending dressed up to look Like a Sportster. Now the Harley alphabet of names. HD could have called it a Streetster or a Sportsteet. Which in my opinion, would be perfect for what it is. My Wife keeps her 04 1200 Custom forever and I will keep my 77 XLH 1000 forever.

 

OK it looks kinda like the Sportster. I read the gas tank is beneath the fake tank, which houses the air cleaner, kinda like the ill fated V-rod. And $14K is out of my price ran I like its weight.

 

IMO the new Softail and Dyna transition was acceptable. Important note that the new models kept that custom look.
The only thing I did not like at the time was the smaller fuel tanks on the models back in 2018, like the Breakout, Street Bob, and Fat Bob.
Although today having done a couple of weekend touring with a couple new Breakouts is not as bad as one would think, and the range is a bit better to an Iron 883.

This Nightster new model code RH, has nothing to do with Sportster XL. The XL is gone in the code, and there is a good reason for that.

 

As a non aficionado to all things HD my conclusion is HD were forced to do something if they wanted to continue making smaller displacement bikes.

I like my XL1200T, for me it is plenty if a bit heavy but 67HP from a 1200cc engine is pretty rubbish.

The interesting thing over here about the 975 engine is that it can be detuned just like the 883 to be used by novice riders until they pass their full UK bike test. HD being an international company doesn't just cater for America.

 

I got to see on in person Saturday and liked it. I did sit on it and no complaints, need to ride it to form an opinion
Had hoped to get back on Sunday for a test ride but it didn't happen. Hope to ride it soon.