2024 Harley-Davidson Nightster and Nightster Special

Back in 2021, in a particularly gutsy move, Harley-Davidson capitalized on the shock value of its innovative next-gen sport-cruiser by giving it the vaunted Sportster name. The Nightster and Nightster Special, introduced in 2022 and 2023, respectively, shift the focus back to the Sporty of old. Some would say the Nightster is the updated Sportster people would have expected from H-D in the first place. If the Nightster name on the “tank” (actually an airbox cover) weren’t enough to suggest a lineage to previous generations of Sportsters, then its more classic cruiser styling—a return to the “heritage” looks from which the Sportster S so dramatically broke—is all you need to understand that the Nightster is the modern Sportster for Sportster people.

If at first glance you assume the Nightster is simply a restyled Sportster S, as the 2007–2012 model of the same name was to the Sportster of its day, then think again. Harley has gone to great lengths to differentiate the Sportster S from the Nightster and Nightster Special, its up-spec variant. Instead of using the Revolution Max 1250T engine, it uses the smaller-displacement Revolution Max 975, which produces a claimed 91 hp at 7,500 rpm and 72 lb.-ft. of torque at 5,750 rpm. While testers say the engine’s character and powerband are more reminiscent of a sportbike than a cruiser, it uses three counterbalancers to transmit power pulses and engine vibration to the rider to give it a more typical H-D cruiser feel.

While modern elements like rider aids and a TFT dash (on the Special) are fully embraced, fitting a fully modern, liquid-cooled motorcycle into the old Sportster silhouette is a somewhat fraught affair. None of that changes the on-road manners, which our testers praised, however. Oh, and at $11,999, the Nightster is also H-D’s most inexpensive motorcycle. That’s lots of bike for the money, making it a great way to build loyalty to the Revolution Max side of H-D.

The 2024 Nightster is available in Billiard Gray for $11,999 and $12,2999 for Vivid Black. The Nightster Special, starting at $13,499 for Billiard Gray and increasing to $13,949 for other colors, gets a small fairing, a TFT dash, a pillion seat, and more upright ergos.