A NEW CHAPTER IN THE SPORTSTER™ SAGA BEGINS WITH THE NEW HARLEY-DAVIDSON NIGHTSTER™

The new Revolution® Max 975T motor is designed for maximum torque

NEU-ISENBURG, April 12, 2022 - The next chapter in the H-D® Sportster™ saga begins with the Harley-Davidson® Nightster™ - a milestone in performance and design, built on 65 years of tradition. This has been achieved thanks to the preservation of the classic Sportster™ silhouette and the impressive performance of the new Revolution® Max 975T engine. As an „Instrument of Expression“, the Nightster™ not only offers the perfect introduction to the fascination of motorcycling, but also to the Harley-Davidson brand.

„The Nightster is an ‚Instrument of Expression‘ - underpinned by great performance,“ says Jochen Zeitz, Chairman, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson. „Building on some 65 years of Sportster heritage, the Nightster is ideal for expressing yourself creatively and expressing your own personality. Whether for new or long-time motorcyclists, it is the ideal basis for customizing projects and pure expressiveness.“

New Revolution® Max 975T V-Twin 
At the heart of the 2022 Nightster™ is the new Revolution® Max 975T engine. This is a liquid-cooled V-twin with a cylinder angle of 60 degrees, which is characterized by an extremely flat torque curve across the entire usable speed range. The cam profiles of the four camshafts and the variable intake timing have been designed to ensure optimum acceleration and plenty of power in the mid-range. The length and shape of the intake pipes and the volume of the airbox have been selected to maximize the engine's performance at all engine speeds.

Technical data of the Revolution® Max 975T motor- Displacement 975 cc- Maximum output 90 hp (66 kW) at 7,500 rpm- Maximum torque 95 Nm at 5,000 rpm- Bore 97 mm, stroke 66 mm- Compression ratio 12:1 
The hydraulic valve lash adjustment minimizes the mechanical noise of the engine and reduces the service costs of the motorcycle, while two balancer shafts prevent uncomfortable engine vibrations and optimize the reliability of the drivetrain.

Powerful agility
The H-D® Nightster™ combines an extremely powerful engine, particularly in the medium speed range, with a chassis that is as light as it is easy to handle - an ideal combination for riding in urban environments and for cornering on lonely country roads. Thanks to the centrally positioned footrest system and the flat handlebars, the rider enjoys a sporty but relaxed riding position. The seat height is only 70 cm unloaded - in combination with the narrow width of the motorcycle, this allows most riders to stand with both feet on the ground when stopping at traffic lights.

The Revolution® Max 975T engine serves as a supporting part of the Nightster™ chassis. This design reduces the weight of the motorcycle and ensures a very rigid chassis. The rear frame is made of light alloy and the two rear suspension struts with emulsion shock absorbers, external expansion reservoirs and adjustable spring preload are directly linked to the swingarm, which is made of welded square tubes. At the front, a 41 mm SHOWA® telescopic fork with „Dual Bending Valve“ damping ensures that the front wheel always remains in contact with the ground, thus optimizing the handling of the machine.

Rider Safety Enhancements
The Nightster™ is equipped with the „Rider Safety Enhancement Systems“^[1] from Harley-Davidson, a technology package that adapts the acceleration and deceleration forces of the motorcycle to the available tire grip. The systems used are electronically controlled and are based on the latest chassis, brake and drive control technology:
 - The Anti-lock braking system ABS prevents the wheels from locking when braking and helps the driver to maintain control of the vehicle when braking in a straight line. It controls the front and rear brakes independently of each other.

- The TCS traction control system („Traction Control System“) prevents excessive slip on the rear wheel when accelerating and thus supports the driver in the event of limited tire grip, for example in precipitation, suddenly changing road surfaces or on unpaved roads. The TCS can be deactivated in any driving mode when the vehicle is stationary and the engine is running.

- The Drag torque control DSCS („Drag-Torque Slip Control System“) adjusts the engine torque in coasting mode to prevent excessive slip on the rear wheel. Such slip can occur in particular if the driver shifts down too early on a wet road or abruptly releases the accelerator. 

Freely selectable driving modes
The Nightster™ offers the rider three freely selectable riding modes, each of which electronically regulates the riding dynamics of the motorcycle and determines the intensity of the electronic interventions. Each riding mode influences the power delivery, engine braking, ABS and traction control of the motorcycle to varying degrees.

The driver can use the MODE switch on the right handlebar fitting to change the riding mode both when stationary and while riding, except in a few exceptional situations. Corresponding symbols on the machine display indicate which riding mode is activated.

- The mode Road is intended for everyday use of the machine and ensures homogeneous performance characteristics. It offers a moderately aggressive power delivery, a balanced level of engine performance in the mid-range and moderate intervention from ABS and TCS.

- The mode Sport utilizes the full potential of the motorcycle in a direct and highly precise manner with full engine power, direct throttle response, powerful engine braking and late intervention by ABS and TCS.

- The mode Rain is intended for driving on wet roads or when tire grip is otherwise limited. It reduces acceleration by lowering engine power and smooth throttle response, reduces the effect of the engine brake and ensures relatively early intervention of ABS and TCS. 
What looks like the fuel tank on the Nightster™ is actually the sheet steel cover of the airbox - the 11.7 liter fuel tank, however, is made of plastic and is located under the seat. The filler neck can be reached by folding up the lockable seat. Placing the tank underneath the seat not only creates space for the machine's correspondingly large airbox, but also lowers its overall center of gravity, making it easier to bring the motorcycle parked on the stand into a vertical position and maneuver it.

The Nightster™ is equipped with a ten-centimetre analog speedometer with an integrated multifunctional LCD display attached to the handlebar risers. The entire lighting of the machine is created by LED lamps with strong luminosity, which optimize the style of the machine and the safety of the rider by making the motorcycle more visible to other road users. The Daymaker® LED headlight ensures that the road is evenly illuminated without irritating hotspots.

New interpretation of a classic design
Sleek, low and powerful, the Nightster™ has been redesigned from the ground up, but at the same time cites classic Sportster™ styling elements such as the exposed rear suspension struts and the airbox cover, which is based on the shape of the legendary Sportster™ „Walnut“ fuel tank.

The round air filter cover, the single seat, the shortened fenders and the lamp cover are also reminiscent of Sportster™ models from the recent past, and the side cover, which covers the fuel tank under the seat, has a similar shape to the oil tank of the Sportster™.

The visual centerpiece of the machine is the Revolution® Max 975T engine with its textured powder coating in metallic charcoal with shiny black highlights, framed by curved exhaust manifolds.

A cover underneath the radiator conceals the battery and thus takes away the radiator's visual dominance. The wheels are painted in Satin Black, the fenders and the lamp cover in Vivid Black. The airbox cover is available in Vivid Black, Gunship Grey or Redline Red on request.

The offer of the Harley-Davidson® Genuine Motor Parts & Accessories now also includes a whole range of new accessories especially for the Nightster™, with which the ergonomics, comfort and appearance of the machine can be adapted to individual requirements.

From June 2022, the first examples of the Nightster™ will arrive at Harley-Davidson dealerships and will be offered at recommended retail prices starting at EUR 14,995 in Germany, CHF 15,700 in Switzerland and EUR 17,995 in Austria.

Harley-Davidson® stands for the timeless pursuit of freedom and adventure, for „Freedom for the Soul“. On harley-davidson.com provides a wealth of information on the full range of 2022 Harley-Davidson® motorcycles, equipment, accessories and other products.