Harley-davidson Sportster S vs Harley-davidson Nightster
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Harley-davidson Sportster S vs Harley-davidson Nightster. Harley-davidson Sportster S: 121 hp @ 7,500 rpm hp, 228 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 210 km/h (estimated; Harley-Davidson does not publish an official figure), Motoryk rating 7.5/10. 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 Sportster S
Harley-davidson Nightster
Horsepower (hp)
121 hp
89 hp
Torque (Nm)
127 Nm
95 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
210 km/h
185 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
228 kg
220 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
121 hp @ 7,500 rpm
89 hp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque
127 Nm @ 6,000 rpm
95 Nm @ 5,000 rpm
Top Speed
210 km/h (estimated; Harley-Davidson does not publish an official figure)
185 km/h (estimated)
Weight
228 kg (wet/curb weight)
220 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
6.5 L/100km (approx. 15.4 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 Sportster S
7.5/10
"The most exciting Harley in decades, but buy one carefully."
Pros
+Revolution Max engine is exceptional
+Handles nothing like old Sportsters
+Strong used value proposition
Cons
−Ergonomics punish taller riders
−Early battery and software gremlins
−Limited aftermarket compared to others
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.
