Harley-davidson Roadster 1200 vs Harley-davidson Nightster
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Harley-davidson Roadster 1200 vs Harley-davidson Nightster. Harley-davidson Roadster 1200: 61 hp @ 5,500 rpm (estimated, air-cooled Evolution V-twin) hp, 256 kg (wet/curb weight — note: varies slightly by model year) weight, top speed 175 km/h (estimated), Motoryk rating 7.2/10. Harley-davidson Nightster: 89 hp @ 7,500 rpm hp, 220 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 185 km/h (estimated), Motoryk rating 7.8/10.
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Harley-davidson Roadster 1200
Harley-davidson Nightster
Horsepower (hp)
61 hp
89 hp
Torque (Nm)
92 Nm
95 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
175 km/h
185 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
256 kg
220 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
61 hp @ 5,500 rpm (estimated, air-cooled Evolution V-twin)
89 hp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque
92 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
95 Nm @ 5,000 rpm
Top Speed
175 km/h (estimated)
185 km/h (estimated)
Weight
256 kg (wet/curb weight — note: varies slightly by model year)
220 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
5.5–6.5 L/100km (approx. 15–18 km/L, typical real-world average)
5.5 L/100km (approx. 18 km/L typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Harley-davidson Roadster 1200
7.2/10
"A flawed but characterful machine that rewards patient, informed buyers."
Pros
+Excellent low-down torque
+Best-handling Sportster variant
+Strong used parts availability
Cons
−Brutal highway vibration
−Seat comfort genuinely terrible
−Primary chain tensioner issues
Harley-davidson Nightster
7.8/10
"A genuinely good motorcycle that earns respect beyond the badge."
Pros
+Revolution Max engine is excellent
+Actually corners with confidence
+Low, manageable seat height
Cons
−Stock seat is punishment
−Cramped for tall riders
−Limited wind protection
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.
