Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Nightster XL1200N: Detailed Specs, Background, Performance, and More

• Table of Contents
• 1. A Brief History of Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Nightster XL1200N
• 1.1 Later Models of Harley Davidson Sportster Series
• 1.2 Most Popular Motorcycle of 2007
• 2. Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Nightster XL1200N At First Glance
• 3. Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Nightster XL1200N: A Buyers Guide
• 3.1 How Does It Feel to Ride a 1200 Nightster?
• 3.2 The performance of Harley Sportster 1200 Nightster
• 3.3 Is the Sportster 1200 Nightster A Good Bike For Beginners?
• 3.4 Name the Top Harley-Davidson Nightster Models of All-Time?
• 4. Detailed Specifications
• 4.1 Engine & Transmission:
• 4.2 Dimensions and capacities:
• 4.3 Wheels, brakes, suspension, and chassis
• 4.4 Electric:
• 5. Aftermarket Modification and Luggage Options For Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Nightster XL1200N

Harley-Davidson is widely known and respected today and has been in the business of manufacturing the finest motorcycles to rumble the road and some have become an iconic part of human history. Among the most popular motorcycles ever produced by Harley-Davidson, the Sportster lineup has its prominent name for staying ahead in the competition.

In Harley-Davidson history, these models were the most popular machines which reach the consumer market and gained the title of ‘Superbike’ among the motorcycling public.

Since 2007, Nightster models began to appear in the Sportster series. And, Harley Davidson Sportster motorcycles got a burst of admiration with the launch of the Nightster XL1200N. Its unique design, outstanding performance, low seat height, and unseen combination make it a game-changer for the Harley Sportster series.

The XL1200N Nightster is a blacked-out street bike that resumes a 50-years Sportster legacy of versatile motorcycles. With many amazing features and components, this bike has all the improvements which take the Sportster family to a peak level.

1. A Brief History of Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Nightster XL1200N

Since 1903, Harley Davidson has been manufacturing motorcycles and using the signs of time as a queue to restyle and upgrade in order to stay one step ahead of the competition. One of the most popular Harley-Davidson motorcycles ever made is the Sportster. Sportster was produced and released in 1957 with a four-stroke V-Twin engine and connecting rods that include a package of a knife and fork design, sharing a common crank pin. Each Sportser model was made with the same design.

1.1 Later Models of Harley Davidson Sportster Series

The Iron 883 and the well-known Iron 1200 were later added to newer Sportster models. Moreover, the roadster, the SuperLow, and Forty Eights each have integrated into their designs.

Also Read: Harley Sportster 883 SuperLow: Buyer’s Guide and All You Need To Know About This Motorcycle

1.2 Most Popular Motorcycle of 2007

In 2007, Nightster models started to spawn from the Sportster series and reach the customer market. In the Harley-Davidson motorcycles lineup, Nightster was the most notable model from the Sportster series.

At first, the market thought that Harley-Davidson painted one of their bikes black and called it the Nightster. But when experts reviewed it, they declared it to be a very unique and different motorcycle with optimal performance.

The most highlighted points which made the Nightster popular among the fans were its stunning looks, High-end performance, and its handling. These motorcycle series gained many loyal fans from 2007 to 2012 and even now. In the Harly-Sportster series, Nisghtster always remains a legend.

2. Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Nightster XL1200N At First Glance

XL1200N is featured with a bobbed rear fender, side mount license plate, and front-fork gaiters. The handlebars were lowered and the seat was placed closer to the tank. This bike is specifically designed for a more comfortable seating position that made the biker easier to handle.

The low positioned seats put the rider in a position where he/she feels closer to the road, riders feet can touch the ground more easily, which gives them the confidence to feel more comfortable. The lowered seating and all-black looks make this bike unique, attractive, and more significant.

Furthermore, this bike has a huge fan following from women riders. Its smaller size, low height, and less weight make this bike considerable for many beginners and women riders. This bike is one of the perfect bikes for those riders men or women who wish to satisfy their souls with premium looks, high performance, and amazing control while riding for long motorcycle tours or around the town.

Also Read: 6 Best Motorcycle Trip Planner Apps for Adventure Touring

3. Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Nightster XL1200N: A Buyers Guide

3.1 How Does It Feel to Ride a 1200 Nightster?

When you initially ride a Nightster you may notice if the riding position feels a bit dissimilar to what you’re used to. It may feel like you are sitting in a chair instead of a motorcycle seat. Because the pegs of this bike are designed closer to the rider than normal. Your sitting posture looks like your legs are parallel and your shins are perpendicular to the ground.

Moreover, the bars are wider and nearer to the rider, that is why your arms are expanded to the edges. Most of your body will sit on the low seat, and your legs and arms will be in a rest state on the foot stirrups and the handlebars. You don't need to stretch them very far.

After starting your ride you'll come to know about how genius the seat's ergonomics are. The wide handlebars provide you with enough leverage and give you the confidence to turn around swiftly.

3.2 The performance of Harley Sportster 1200 Nightster

Harley Nightster XL1200N has a 1200 cc five-speed transmission engine with a horsepower of 57.2 which produces a 64.4 pounds-per-foot of torque. The bike can touch a top speed of 107 miles per hour. The injected fuelling system is quite admirable, and its top gear made enough acceleration to make riders happy. You might be thinking that the horsepower is moderate, and even 500cc motorcycles can make more than this. But it's not all about horsepower, the main thing is the torque which decides what can be done with power.

3.3 Is the Sportster 1200 Nightster A Good Bike For Beginners?

This bike has earned a special place in the hearts of beginners as one of their ideal motorcycles to ride. Those confident beginners who want to ride their first Harly-Davidson, Nightster 1200 models are a great choice for them. This bike is also an ideal investment opportunity for those who want a decent ride that doesn't put too much load on their wallets.

The main features which attract most beginners include its low height which is agile enough for everyone and it has a bulk of attitude, style, and power. This is common that many qualities are often sacrificed in an entry-level model.

Also Read: Best Cruiser Motorcycles for Beginners in 2022

3.4 Name the Top Harley-Davidson Nightster Models of All-Time?

Here we have the list of the five best Harley-Davidson Nighster models of All-Time

• 2010 Harley Davidson XL1200N
• 2008 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Nightster
• 2012 VRSCDX Night Rod Special
• 2009 FXSTB Night Train
• 2007 XL1200N Sportster Nightster

4. Detailed Specifications

4.1 Engine & Transmission:

Engine type	V2, four-stroke
Engine details	Air-cooled, Evolution®
Displacement	1201.3 ccm
Compression	9.7:1
Torque	107.1 Nm (10.9 kgf-m or 79.0 ft-lbs) @ 4000 rpm
Bore x stroke	88.9 x 96.8 mm (3.5 x 3.8 inches)
Cooling system	Air
Fuel system	Injection, Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Lubrication system	Dry-sump
Transmission type	Belt (final drive)
Gearbox	5-speed
Clutch	Multi-plate with diaphragm spring in oil bath
Driveline	Chain primary drive, 57/38 ratio
Fuel consumption	4.90 liters/100km
Greenhouse gases	113.7 CO2 g/km
Exhaust system	Chrome, slash-cut exhaust with dual mufflers

4.2 Dimensions and capacities:

Dry weight	247.2 kg (545.0 pounds)
Weight incl. Oil, gas, etc	254.9 kg (562.0 pounds)
Seat height	653 mm (25.7 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting
Overall length	2179 mm (85.8 inches)
Ground clearance	99 mm (3.9 inches)
Wheelbase	1519 mm (59.8 inches)
Fuel capacity	12.49 liters (3.30 US gallons)
Oil capacity	2.60 liters (2.75 US quarts)

4.3 Wheels, brakes, suspension, and chassis

Frame type	Mild steel, tubular frame; circular sections; cast junctions
Rake	30.5°
Trial	117 mm (4.6 inches)
Front suspension	39 mm
Front-wheel travel	92 mm (3.6 inches)
Rear wheel suspension	Mild steel, rectangular tube section, stamped junctions, MIG welded swing-arm; preload dual-adjustable shocks,
Rear-wheel travel	41 mm (1.6 inches)
Front tire	100/90-B19
Rear tire	150/80-B16
Front brakes	Single disc. Dual-piston
Diameter	292 mm (11.5 inches)
Rear brakes	Single disc. Single-piston
Diameter	260 mm (10.2 inches)
Wheels	Black, Laced Steel wheels with chrome spokes and black hubs
Seat	Sportster classic solo seat

4.4 Electric:

Light	55-watt low beam, 60-watt high beam
Electrical	Sealed lead acid battery, 12V, 12 amp/hour, 200cca
Instruments	Handlebar-mounted electronic speedometer with odometer, dual trip-meter, time-of-day clock on odometer, low fuel warning light, low oil pressure light, engine diagnostics readout, LED indicator lights

5. Aftermarket Modification and Luggage Options For Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Nightster XL1200N

Every Youngster who has just adopted the craze of motorcycle riding might not be interested in the aesthetics of Nightster XL1200N. Some want to give their bike a sporty look with different ways of customization, you can always try backpacks to look cool and sporty and then add sissy bars to your motorcycle. But also, many professional riders can't stop praising the classic and unique look of this bike.

This model offers you plenty of modification options for satisfying your inner artist. You can add a pair of premium quality saddlebags to carry your important things like mobile, documents, etc for your urban riding or you can attach a luggage bag for enjoying your camping trips and having your camping tent and raincoat along with you.

There are a lot of after-market parts available that you can easily install to your beauty and can enjoy your routine rides. Some professionals have also complained that the seat of this bike gets harder after a while. Don’t worry you'll be able to replace it with our super comfortable Sportster seats .