Harley Davidson Nightster 2022: thrilling mini sportster

The novelty therefore proudly displays 211 kg dry, or 221 kg fully fueled in running order, and that's not all. To add these 10 small kilos to the empty weight, it is necessary to consider a tank of only 11.7 liters now placed under the saddle (which opens on the side and frees access to a screw cap), while the battery is in the low position, in the engine guard and facing the road. Harley shuffles the cards, modernizes significantly and yet not always visible. The air box suddenly hides under the fake sheet metal tank. This hairpiece, constituting a beautiful hollow-sounding piece, displays the classic walnut shape well, but it is a facing. The air intake is on the right side of the bike, while the easily removable round cover can be replaced by an optional horn Whatever the choice, the Nighster remains an asymmetric motorcycle as possible coming into conflict with the knees and their periphery. A Harley, it is not used, it is touched. With two faces, the 2022 surprises, including visually. It requires spreading the legs on the small saddle placed only 700 mm high. A seat that remains firm, which we can legitimately fear the non-comfort with regard to the 76 mm of travel of the two rear shock absorbers which we can still increase the firmness (pre-load by spring). On the fork side, we console ourselves with a conventional element with the Showa logo, nicely finished but of course not adjustable, in order again to respect a certain house tradition. We are not mounted rigid, but we feel that the buttocks will seek to complain at one time or another, especially since it finds itself in a "bowl" and moved back from the "tank" . The handlebars, on the other hand, remain forward and low enough to tilt the upper body, while the standard footrests provide a pleasant and high position for said feet. The driving posture isn't the most natural, but it goes quite well. Anyway, it's a classic, you don't put a Harley in your hand, it's a Harley that puts you in its own… We will quickly forget the mirrors positioned at the end of the handlebars. It's trendy, but on a motorcycle that hasn't forgotten to vibrate, even if it's pretty well damped, you really need a decoder as soon as you exceed 3,000 rpm

Another notable point: hoses, cables and cable ties clutter the handlebars and the steering column. And while the hand controls are relatively standard in their use, they're bulky in form. The direction indicator, admittedly not dissociated "left thumb, right thumb" as in the past, is placed high. We also regret that it does not deactivate automatically. An option that has become common on motorcycles of this price level and which would have been useful in this case. We console ourselves by looking at the commodos, well laid out, but unfortunately not lit. With a departure at 5 a.m., in other words, we were able to lose our fingertips before they were frozen (no heated grips either). Once in broad daylight, there is a button on the left to alternate between the information on the small LCD display found under the analog meter. Nothing is missing, not even a fuel gauge (tiny, but well integrated), while you can assess the distance before reserve and benefit from two partials in addition to the odometer. However, you will not have to ask for more than a watch to alternate with the digital tachometer. The gear engaged indicator is permanent. Note that we have a box 6 and of course a belt transmission. Heads or tails On the other side of the handlebars, it is once again flawless. Hazard lights, engine mode (Rain, Road and Sport), deactivation of traction control, we are on familiar ground and conquered. It's simple once again, basic, but the engine modes automatically control the level of anti-skid to adapt it to road conditions, including while driving. Engine braking and throttle response are also modulated towards more or less smoothness. Finally, the ABS is still active, which is more on the angle, but it is triggered more or less early depending on whether one approaches the rain mode. It's good news. Especially since the rear disc is a good size and the single front disc covers the 19-inch rim with its 320 mm diameter. It is gripped by a 4-piston caliper with the Brembo master cylinder adjustable in spacing, just like the clutch lever. It's responsive, it's efficient and the levers are in an accessible shape for small hands. Ah, you see, whenever you want, M'sieur Harley! Well, the dressing of the final transmission is not the happiest, and we regret the basic shape of the steel swingarm. This is not the only grievance to be made. This bike immediately made us think of the Ducati X-Diavel. Not in form or quality, but in design. The design is less happy, less impressive, but we feel that they didn't rack their brains too hard in the design office to hide the electrical harnesses and embellish the left side of the bike. On the tails side, the clean, efficient and tidy, on the front side, everything that we haven't been able to hide or pass elsewhere... We get used to it, but we would like it to be a little more flattering (€15,190, all the same…). Hoses, cables and even a fan, you can see everything from the driving position and that's not a happy thing. Especially since the swingarm also sees hoses and electrical wires running all along it. On a motorcycle at 100,000 francs (but for 100,000 you have nothing left as Édouard Molinaro said in the eponymous film), we would have liked better, especially from a brand that has become a master in the art of concealment and integration on its other models (not a cable on the handlebar). It's like being back in the days of the 750 Street, a motorcycle that is certainly fun and friendly, but produced in India and whose finish leaves something to be desired. If the Nighster is much cleaner in presentation, it does have certain shortcomings, suggesting that we will have to dig lightly from the catalog of options to finalize the product. The novelty of this Nighster comes also and above all from an unprecedented displacement for an engine that is not quite. By its shape, we recognize the block that recently appeared in the 1250 version on the Pan America and Sportster S. It is deflated here, but still just as beautiful to see. Carrier for the frame and the cycle parts, the power of the 975 cm3 V-twin is announced at 90 hp, i.e. less than 70 kW, and a 35 kW A2 version is available on the market with an electronic clamp. That is good news ! For information, the switch intervenes around 9,750 rpm, which is a high value with regard to the architecture. On paper, here is what promises some good feelings. But live, what can it give? To find out, we started with a Paris by night. At least at 5 am, when the city wakes up according to Dutronc. In fact, we had to wait 6 hours and a few to come across a cat.