Peanut tank = smaller capacity (does look great though).
Mid controls stink for tall people.
Stripped down? If you like that, ok.
Lighter? Yeah, by 17lbs. I'm willing to bet I weigh less than your stereotypical Harley rider, so there's your difference

 

the nightster almost won, but i bought the 1200c, and havent regretted it at all
i love my custom more every day

 

LOL. I see you found this place.

 

Both bike are great bikes. I went with the nightster because it is the closer to how I ultimatly want my bike to look. Yeah, the peanut tank has less capacity, but I prefer the look of it. I'm short so the mid controls aren't a problem and I like more "dirt bike" like feel of the mid controls. It is really all about the kind of riding you want to do. If you can, take both out for a quick ride and see which one fits you better.

Either way, you'll end up with an awesome bike. Good luck.

 

Hey man, yep sure did.

 

welcome

 

I would bet the nightster would be a easier sell and probably hold more value if your planning to sell in a year or two. If you want to ride two up at all it might be cheaper to go with a C. Because of the extras needed for 2 up on a nightster.

 

Six one, half a dozen the other....Get which ever one turns you one. Our opinions don't really matter.

 

Here is my two cents, I own a Nightster and even though I feel like I've out grown the bike I still get a lot of head turning where ever I go. Here is what you should consider before buying either one.
A) Are you going to go on long rides or local runs?
B) How comfortable do you want to be?
C) Are you going to ride with a passenger?
D) Are you going to need saddle bags?
E) Will you need a windscreen?

If you answered any of these with a yes then the Nightster is not the one you want. Let me take you on how I see these questions.
A)The Nightster is a hard ride and you will need to upgrade the suspension to get even close to the ride of the Custom.
B)The seat on the Nightster is about as comfortable as a 2X4.
C) You can buy a pilon seat for your passenger but if you thought buying forward controls are a drag your going to also need to buy rear pegs and the mounting brackets.
D) Because the side mount license plate it makes it impossible to find a decent set, there is a one bag from Licks but it's small and it wont work with rear pegs.
E) Windscreens are great but on the Nightster they look about as good as a Custom Chopper with one.

Nightsters are great looking bikes but function over looks I would tend to spend the money where it matters. Your bike should be something you buy and not regret it next season, unfortunately Sportsters don't hold their value like the larger bikes so you should make it a one time decision.

Good luck.

 

My dealer was going to install forward controls on my nightster for me for cost of the forwards just for buying a bike. Im sure if you ask they will do the same.
I decided though that I like the mids better then the forwards. I like being able to stand up if I go over a big bump, plus it just feels "sportier". If I had a Road King or somthing then yea, forwards all the way, but on a sportser I feel mids are where its at.


Basically what it boils down to is ether you get the custom and spend money getting it to look good, or you get the nightster and spend money getting it set up like you want.