Harley Davidson will launch its entry-level cruiser Nightster in India soon, it might replace the aging Iron 883
Harley Davidson is gearing up to launch its modern entry-level roadster, Nightster, very soon as the brand has put up a teaser revealing the same. With the aim to phase out its air-cooled engines, Harley-Davidson unveiled the Nightster earlier.
It might replace the aging Iron 883 and Forty-Eight in the long run. Powered by an all-new 975cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, V-twin, short-stroke engine with VVT from Harley-Davidson’s Revolution Max engine family, the Nightster looks retro on the outside.
But, there’s a world of difference between the specs of the Nightster and the Iron 883. Power is up by 40 HP while torque has increased by 27 Nm. But, peak power and torque are achieved a little late in the powerband, thanks to the short stroke nature.
Numbers aside, Harley has worked its part to make sure the Nightster does not deviate from the brand’s simplistic design philosophy. The round air intake cover, chopped fenders, twin rear shocks, and the walnut-shaped fuel tank signify that it is, indeed, a Harley roadster.
Harley has loaded the Nightster with a lot of features never heard of in the brand’s entry-level motorcycles. There’s an assist and slip mechanical wet clutch on a 6-speed transmission, 3 ride modes, ABS, full-LED lighting, and traction control to name a few.
Furthermore, people would be pleased to find that the bike comes with a drag-torque slip control system which limits torque delivery to prevent rear wheel slip during fast gear changes.
The motorcycle weighs 218 kg wet (it is lighter than the Iron 883, Sportster S, and Forty-Eight) and it also features a steel alloy trellis frame and an aluminium subframe. The tank-like structure on top is just the airbox cover as the original fuel tank sits underneath the seat.
The rear shocks offer preload adjustment and 76.2 mm of travel while the front has 41 mm Showa dual bending valve telescopic fork with 114.3 mm of travel.
The front wheel is a 19 incher sporting a 320 mm disc, while at the rear, there is a 16-inch wheel with a 260 mm disc. The seat height is very accessible at 706 mm. The bike is available in 3 colours – Gunship Grey, Redline Red and Vivid Black.
When launched in India, Nightster is expected to command a price tag between 13.5 – 14 lakhs (ex-showroom).