Nighster as a beginner bike

Message

NightStar · Wed May 23, 2007 10:13 am

Hi everyone
Is the Nighster a good beginner bike?
Thanks

jonnythan · Wed May 23, 2007 10:15 am

The H-D Sportster Nightster?

It's 1200cc. Pretty big engine for a first bike.

NightStar · Wed May 23, 2007 10:23 am

The H-D Sportster Nightster?

Yes. that's the one

It's 1200cc. Pretty big engine for a first bike

But isn't it a 1200cc-cruiser/standard bike than a 1200cc-sport bike?

Wed May 23, 2007 11:03 am

I rode one the other day. I would not recommend it for a first bike.
It really is fast and powerful and the brakes and throttle response are pretty unforgiving. If you give a little too much input on either one you could get your self into trouble. Dont let the fact that its in the cruiser-ish market fool you, that v-twin puts out some serious torque.

It could be done I am sure. But I wouldn't want to have learned on it.

Oh, and it is not the easiest thing to learn to turn on compared to other more beginner friendly bikes.

Check out the sportster 883 If you really want that style of bike.
You can always buy flat black paint for it.

#5 Unread post by **Wrider** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:08 am

Trust me, not the best idea... Yeah, it's better than starting on a 1000cc sportbike, but still... I started on that 800cc bike you see in my sig and it was plenty enough for a beginner...
Wrider

NightStar · Wed May 23, 2007 12:39 pm

Thank you for your informative replies

I will give it a second thought

Nalian · #7 Unread post by **Nalian** » Wed May 23, 2007 12:56 pm

It's a pretty grey area bike. There are better first bike choices, but there are also worse.

jonnythan · #8 Unread post by **jonnythan** » Wed May 23, 2007 1:08 pm

It is really hot though, isn't it?

Get a used metric cruiser as a first bike, then get yourself the Nightster after a year or two

midrangetorque · Wed May 23, 2007 5:12 pm

You don't want a nice bike for you're first. The majority of people drop there bike while learning. It would suck to scar up a nice Harley, you would feel like kicking yourself in the "O Ring". Just get a beater bike, rack up some miles, beat the "poo poo" out of it, then when uou feel comfortable.....invest in a nice bike.

#10 Unread post by **Wrider** » Wed May 23, 2007 5:16 pm

Agreed, definitely a nice bike, one of very few Harleys I'd own (the others being V-Rods). But yeah, save your money for investment in a bike later on... Chances are you'll drop your first bike. I got lucky quite a few times and didn't drop mine in 8 months and 3800 miles, but like I said, I got lucky... Honestly, if you're going to start on a Harley, the sportster 883 is the way to go. My Volusia was lighter but put out more horsepower, and was fine for me... Plus you can find them on craigslist and such for around 4K...
Wrider