Hi All,

I joined up to ask a few questions about the Nightster. My wife is looking at possibly buying a Nightster. To the point: will the Nightster have better lean clearance than a Low Rider? The reason I ask is she used to have a Low Rider and would quickly touch down and scrape a peg in the corners. We sold it and she is currently on a sport bike that I lowered for her, but the handling is messed up because of that. She's back in the market to buy one, started researching and saw rthe Nightster and likes it.

BTW, she is 5'3" and 130 lbs, my thinking is that the Nightster WON'T touch down as soon as the LR did but the on the HD site the lean angle is actually said to be a degree or 2 better for the LR???

Any advice is appreciated, thanks!

 

According to published specifications (direct from Harley);

Maximum Lean Angles (per SAE J1168).

Harley Dyna Low Rider - Right 30.5 degrees Left 31 degrees

Harley Nightster - Right 29 degrees Left 30 degrees


Based on those published figures the Dyna Low Rider has a greater maximum lean angle than the Nightster, but the difference is so small you probably wouldn't notice it between bikes.

 

Interesting comparison.
Does someone have the resources to do a lean angle chart of all current model Sportsters?
I can say my Nightster touches down quick. Foot peg feelers are a definite warning that hard parts are going to drag. Without feelers, pipe grinds on the right and kickstand bracket on the left. Neither side grinding is desirable.

 

Put forwards on my Nightster improved turning 100%

 

You have to go to the Harley specifications for each model to see it's maximum 'right/left' lean angle. I don't think there is a chart that lists them in one place.

For example;

My 2003 WideGlide right 31.0 degrees left 32 degrees

2010 WideGlide right 28.4 degrees left 31.9 degrees

Sportster Iron right 29.0 degrees left 30.0 degrees

Sportster 883 Low right 29.0 degrees left 31.0 degrees

Sportster 1200C right 29.0 degrees left 31.0 degrees

Other bikes such as the Super Glide have a more generous lean angle, right 32.0 degrees left 34.0 degrees


Because they are smaller many people think the Sportsters have a much greater 'lean angle' than most of the larger Big Twin models, but it's just not true.

 

You can always put 12 inch shocks on the nightster. I put 12 inch street glide air shocks on mine and now I am not as afraid to lean as I was with the stock 11 inch shocks.

 

I scrape both quite a bit but oh well just ride it and buy a new set of shields later!

 

I am having the same problem.

I really enjoy the handling of the nightster, feels really nice pushing through the twisties then watching your old man on a triumph bonnie power away from you after you are trying to reduce the damage at fist scrape.

I noticed someone mentioning the air shocks or something. I am guessing this gives a little more height? I am now up for some new heat shields for my short shots.

 

i scrape every turn i take.. lol the kick stand is half its size now,,, the bolts on the exhaust are almost gone.