2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster RH975 First Look

After a brief teaser campaign, Harley-Davidson officially revealed the Nightster, a new Sportster model powered by a 975cc version of the liquid-cooled Revolution Max engine. Arriving in dealerships this month, the 2022 Harley-Davidson Sportster is priced at $13,499 for Vivid Black and $13,899 for the Gunship Grey or Redline Red color options.

Fast Facts Revolution Max 975T claims 90 hp at 7500 rpm and 70 lb-ft. at 5000 rpm Claimed 481 pound wet weight Price starts at $13,499

Visually, the Nightster hits all the traditional notes of classic air-cooled Sportsters with twin rear shocks, chopped fenders, a round air intake cover, and a walnut-shaped fuel tank. Dig a bit deeper, however, and you will notice some significant changes that modernize the newest Sportster.

The visible fuel tank, for example, is actually an airbox cover, with the actual tank located under the seat behind the side covers. Placing the 3.1-gallon plastic fuel tank in this position helps lower the center of gravity while also allowing Harley-Davidson to maximize the size of the airbox. To refuel, you will need to lift the hinged locking seat. The fuel tank is 0.2 gallons smaller than the Iron 883’s tank, and while the fuel economy has improved to a claimed 52.4 mpg, that works out to a range of 162.4 miles compared to the Iron’s range of about 168.3 miles.

The new Nightster is powered by a Revolution Max 975T engine; that’s a 975cc version of the engine of the 1252cc Sportster S. The new displacement comes from a bore of 97 mm and a 66 mm stroke, compared to the larger engine’s 105 mm x 72.3 mm.

The DOHC engine uses hydraulic lifters on all four valves per cylinder, with variable valve timing on the two intake valves. Like the Sportster S’ engine, the “T” indicates the engine is tuned for torque, which suggests that a Revolution Max 975 tuned for other purposes is in the works. Harley-Davidson claims the engine produces 90 hp at 7,500 rpm and 70 lb-ft. of torque at 5,000 rpm.

The engine is joined by an assist & slip mechanical wet clutch and a six-speed transmission.

The 2022 Nightster offers three electronic ride modes, each with a different combination of engine mapping, engine braking, ABS, and traction control. Sport Mode offers the highest level of performance, with full power delivery, quicker throttle response, increased engine braking, and traction control at its lowest setting. Road Mode is designed for everyday use, with a less aggressive throttle and lower mid-range power, plus maximum ABS and traction control intervention. Rain Mode prioritizes safety, with restrained throttle response and power output and limited engine braking, with ABS and traction control maxed out.

The Nightster is also equipped with a drag-torque slip control system which adjusts torque delivery to prevent excessive rear wheel slip during abrupt gear changes or in slippery conditions.

The engine serves as a central component of the chassis, helping contribute reduce weight to a claimed 481 pounds, wet. That’s a claimed 21 pounds lighter the Sportster S. The Nightster is also significantly lighter than the old Evolution-engined Sportsters, with the Iron 883 claiming a wet weight of 564 pounds and the 1200cc Forty-Eight tipping the scales at a claimed 556 pounds.

The front frame is a steel alloy trellis while the rear subframe is aluminum. The swingarm is formed of welded rectangular steel tubing.

The dual outboard emulsion-technology rear shocks attach directly to the swingarm, offering preload adjustment and 3.0 inches of travel. Up front, the Nightster is equipped with a 41mm Showa dual bending valve telescopic fork with 4.5 inches of travel.

The 19-inch cast aluminum front wheel is equipped with a single axially-mounted four-piston caliper and a 320mm disc. The 16-inch rear wheel is matched with a single-piston caliper and 260mm disc.

Other features include a 27.8-inch seat height, full LED lighting (market dependent), a 32-degree lean angle to either side, and a choice of three colors: Vivid Black, Gunship Grey, and Redline Red.

2022 Harley-Davidson Nightster Specifications
Engine Type	Liquid-cooled Revolution Max 975T Chain-driven, DOHC, hydraulic self-adjusting lifters, intake VVT; four valves per cylinder
Bore	3.82 in. (97 mm)
Stroke	2.6 in. (66 mm)
Displacement	59.5 cu in (975 cc)
Compression Ratio	12:1
Power	90 hp at 7,500 rpm (claimed)
Torque	70 lb-ft. at 5,000 rpm (claimed)
Fuel System	Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Air Cleaner	Downdraft intake, tuned velocity stacks, washable filter media
Exhaust	2-into-1; catalyst in header
Lubrication System	Semi-Dry Sump
Primary Drive	Gear, 49/89 ratio
Final Drive	Belt, 80/34 ratio
Clutch	Mechanical, 8 plate wet, assist & slip, 1090N
Transmission	6-speed
Gear Ratios (overall) 1st	12.21
Gear Ratios (overall) 2nd	9.022
Gear Ratios (overall) 3rd	6.994
Gear Ratios (overall) 4th	5.641
Gear Ratios (overall) 5th	4.731
Gear Ratios (overall) 6th	4.131
Frame	Stressed-member, high strength low alloy steel trellis frame; stamped, cast, and forged junctions; MIG welded; aluminum forged mid-structure
Swingarm	Mild steel, rectangular tube section, stamped x-member; MIG welded
Front Fork	41mm Showa Dual Bending Valve conventional forks.  Aluminum fork triple clamps. 4.5 inches of travel
Rear Shocks	Rear suspension is dual outboard, direct-acting (no linkage) emulsion technology shock absorbers with coil springs and a threaded collar for pre-load adjustment. 3.0 inches of travel
Front Wheel	19-inch aluminum cast, satin black, 2.5 inches wide
Rear Wheel	16-inch aluminum cast, satin black, 4.25 inches wide
Front Brakes	Axially mounted 4-piston caliper, single 320mm disc
Rear Brakes	Floating single-piston caliper Solid uniform expansion rotor, 260mm disc
Brakes, Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS)	Standard
Tires	Dunlop Harley-Davidson Series Bias Blackwall
Front Tire	D401F 100/90-19 57H
Rear Tire	D401T 150/80B16 77H
Rake (Steering Head)	30°
Fork Angle	28°
Trail	5.4 in. (137 mm)
Length	86.9 in. (2,206 mm)
Overall Width	32.9 in. (836 mm)
Overall Height	43.6 in. (1,108 mm)
Seat Height, Laden	27.1 in. (688 mm)
Seat Height, Unladen	27.8 in. (705 mm)
Wheelbase	61.3 in. (1,556 mm)
Fuel Capacity	3.1 gal. (11.7 l)
Oil Capacity (w/filter)	4.75 qt. (4.5 l)
Coolant Capacity	2.22 qt. (2.1 l)
Weight, As Shipped	462 lb. (210 kg)
Weight, In Running Order	481 lb. (218 kg)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating	922 lb. (418 kg)
Gross Axle Weight Rating, Front	353 lb. (160 kg)
Gross Axle Weight Rating, Rear	595 lb. (270 kg)
Lean Angle	32 degrees left and right
Fuel Economy	52.4 mpg (claimed)
Battery	Sealed, maintenance-free, absorbed glass mat (AGM) battery, 12V, 12Ah, 225 CCA at 0°F
Charging	Three-phase, 45 Amp system (300 Watts @13 Volts, 1200 rpm, 585 Watts max power @ 13 Volts, 2250 rpm)
Starting	0.9 kW electric with direct drive starter motor engagement
Headlight	All LED headlamp, low and high beam with signature position lighting
Rear Lights	All LED rear lighting
Front Signal Lights	LED Bullet Turn Signals
Rear Turn Signals	LED Bullet Turn Signals
Gauges	4-inch viewable round gauge area analog display with, Speedometer, L/R turn Indication, Traction Control Indication, Coolant Temperature Alert, ABS alert, Fog Lamp Indication, Battery Voltage Alert, High Beam Indicator, Low Fuel Indication, Rear-ABS Disabled Indication, Failure-Indication Alert, Neutral Position Indication, Low Tire Pressure indication, Check Engine Light indication, Oil Pressure Alert, Service Indication.
Warranty	24 months (unlimited mileage)
Service Interval	First 1,000 miles (1,600 km), every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) thereafter

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