Decisions  2005 1200 Roadster or  2008 Nightster  !  I'm coming back in to the sportster fold 

after spending time riding and working on old English bikes for the last 15 years before that I had an 90,s 883 

I now want something that I don't have to prep the day before and I can just get on and ride

so here's the dilemma Nightster 2008 EFI or 2005 1200 roadster ( carb) both bikes are local Nightster has about 19,000 k s the roadster has 49,000 the roadster is cheaper by a couple of grand 

Any recommendations pro or cons on both bikes would be greatly appreciated 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They should both be rubber mount's so from that point of view they are very similar, do you have a preference for efi or carb?

I had exactly the same problem....the old Evo was getting a pounding as a daily commute so I sold the car and bought a Sporty!

My checklist was.... A Sporty (cause I have never owned one and they are nimble in traffic), must be a rubber mount, must be belt drive, must be EFI, be less than 50k mileage and must not looked like it has been thrashed.

Ended up with a 2009 883 Low and love the thing. Its great in traffic and stops on a dime. I'm 6'2" and the bike is a good size for me; so i am happy and will keep it for many years.

Depends a lot on what you prefer in terms of working on your own bike (EFI vs Carb) in my opinion.

Personally I have gotten used to EFI and don't really miss tuning carbs all that much, though it can be very rewarding.

If it were me and budget allows, I would go the Nightster.

Where's local?

Seriously thinking of trading/selling my 2010/11 Nightster and buying the new Lowrider S.

Sydney 

All good points, just be aware that if the gear box needs work, on later than i think? 2002 you have to pull the motor out split the cases to get at the gear box. on the earlier models they have a trap door. pull primary, cover pull clutch undo 4 bolts pull out gear box.

I have seen a few late model that needed gear box work, ok if you can do it all yourself. expencive if you have to pay someone. only drawback is all the models with trap door are ridgid mount but from experience they don't vibrate as much as a big twin as short stroke. but you need to check things have not loosened up. good thing about the 2002 or could be 2000 back? is they are lighter a lot lighter!! but steer clear of the duel spark plug!! intersting to note the old roaring sporty's supposedly 883 , they put Buell thunderstorm heads & pistons ? ( 1200?? ) & they were doing some fast speeds!!! Daddyracer57 used to race one. the plus for late model is better heads ( 1200 ) rubber mount so smoother. the minus's heavy major job to do gear box work. i prefer carb , but EFI ok. just heavy.

Bugger WA. But might have some bits that may interest you.

 

efi Roadster.... much more work to get the good of a roadster on to a nightster than to make a roadster look like a nightster.   i spent a good grip getting my 883 upto(and past) roadster spec

from this.....

to this....

 

loved evvery minute of it thouh