Sold my sport bike last winter, after owning three speed triples over the last 10 years, looking to replace it but want to stay in the HD family.
New XR is very cool but think i like the stance, ergos of the Nightster better. I want something that can keep up with my buddies Hypermotards and Thruxtons in the twisties, cruise at 80 with passing power to spare. This may knock the N'ster off the list, not sure.

Anyone with a Nightster or XR got any advice? Buells just don't do it for me, party because you sit perched up on top of them like my last Triumph, ready for something different.

thanks,

 

Honestly I think it's apples v oranges.

 

All the nightster needs is a better seat and 12.5 or 13 inch shocks,heavier weight oil in the forks and a fork brace,go have fun!

 

Yeah, but then you have a regular Sportster with a funny tail light...

Steve's right. They're apples and oranges. The N is a low bobber thingie, the XR is a tall flat tracker.

They're both great bikes in their own way, but asking us to pick one as being better is like asking us which is better - blondes, brunettes or redheads.

 

One could make a 1200N handle and brake for $1000 or two (double front rotors, fork brace, shocks and fork emulators, brake pads, swing arm brace for example) yet one can not make a N match the horsepower of the XR inexpensivley. The bottom ends are very different for one.
Dare I write the N is a cruiser and the XR is a racer?

 

I can answer that one! ... Brunettes of course!

 

And even better...Brunettes on Nightsters.

Seriously though, you need to decide what kind of riding you want to do then buy the one that fits that riding style, if your going to ride with your sport friends you better get the XR.

 

That helps, thanks. Maybe i'll reconsider my position on the Buells, that 1125CR would work.

 

Find a place that has all 3 and let's you demo them.

 

XR for that type of riding

or buell firebolt

nightster can be made to keep up, and it will look neat when its done, but overall its just not designed for it, the nightster and the XR weigh too much and make too little power for their weight and they are set up for asthetics more than performance

if you want to have a classic looking sportster that rivals the triumphs, get an older model and tune it up, you can do all this for less than the price of a brand new nightster as well!!

the older bikes weigh around 450 and have the same reliable engines. a 1200 with a standard stage 1 can make 70-80 HP and for its light weight its very fast. also the engine is rigid mounting which improves handling and corning stability. the stock shocks are higher (you can always change those though)

i like to compare the entire sportster model to the triumph bikes, similar history and culture and the sportster was designed to compete against bonnevilles in the first place so it makes a perfect fit. i keep my sporty as stock looking as possible, but lighten it up everywhere i can and its tuned pretty well. it can outrun my ducati 900ss in the mountains at times, its pretty competitive. I just need new front shocks and rear, these are wearing out.