UNABLE TO MEET EVER-TIGHTENING EMISSION regulations, the long-toothed air-cooled Sportster was dropped from the Harley-Davidson (H-D) range, leaving a huge gap in the Harley line-up. But now, 65 years after the first Sportster, HD have introduced the Nightster to fill that gap and it can even be derestricted for new A1-licence holders.
The all-new liquid-cooled Nightster offers a significant leap in power over both the previous 1,200 and 883 bikes. A peak figure of 90 hp and a 9,500-rpm red-line are things the old air-cooled war horses could only dream of. In fact, that is 80 per cent more (50 hp/73 Nm) than the old 883.
But it is not just about the engine (whose liquid-cooling will certainly ruffle the feathers of air-cooled enthusiasts). The Nightster comes with a new chassis, Showa suspension, multiple riding modes, traction control, and anti-lock braking system (ABS). While the design may shadow the lines of previous Sportsters—19-inch front and 16-inch
