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Returning To Riding Advice

  • Nino
    Nino
    10 days ago
    Hi
    Sorry mods if his is the wrong place to post this question

    I'm new here and I guess just looking for advice on the Nightster vs a 1200 sporster

    My last bike was a 2018 Deluxe. I sold this in 2020 after a non work accident where I came off a ladder and did my knee and ankle. So the bike was just too heavy to push around the garage or back it up.

    So at 65 I'd like to start riding again, just locally and maybe commuting to work (10 km on the M4 in Syd).

    I started off no I'll get a 48....no question. Then I start looking at the ads and see that for a little more than the 48 I could maybe get a 2025 Nightster.

    Hmmmm the Nightster visually is a bit ordinary but on paper it seems to have a lot, except that Harley sound. 

    So I guess is the Nightster just too much bike for communing and short rides at night like up to La Perouse on a hot summer night ?



     
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    10 days ago
    Choices choices!  

    I had not heard of the Nightster so had a look at it.  Man it looks fucking gay! (but I am inclinded to be opinionated).  Looks like they rebranded a Kwaka vulcan or something.

    Me.... I'm a bit classic (softail/fxr/sporty) and would pick the 1200 sporty every day.  I commute as well so have an 09 883 that is light and nimble on the freeway etc.  Add a good tune or a tuner and do yourself and some pipes and your good to go.
  • speedzter
    speedzter
    10 days ago
    No first hand experience, but the revolution powered Nightster will likely do everything better than the old air cooled Sporty .
    That being said, It wont give you the feel of a cranky old V-twin that most of us love .
    Why do you want another Harley ? 
    Just for the name or the ride ?

    As we don't know what you like, it's up to you to take them both for a test ride if possible .
    Let us know which way you go 👍


  • Nino
    Nino
    10 days ago
    Why another HD well my Deluxe was great, had Sportsters and a Slim.

    Just prefer that put maybe I need to look wider


    I get it's not the best looking bike, yes has a lot of plastic but I not a spanner bloke so maybe getting something newer.

    Yeah the Nightster isn't a classic looking HD but weight is light and that's a factor.

    I get this is a HD forum but there's the Royal Enfield 650 cruiser that about 12k new.

    Problem though with something like the 48, which I'm a big fan of the looks is that they are so pricey for a decent one day 2015 or later with ABS.

    So you think  sure the Evo motor is pretty solid, not worried about mods....def not some ear splitting exhaust. Just a maybe 90% stock 48.


  • speedzter
    speedzter
    10 days ago
    Royal Enfield are going great guns - just announced a huge expansion .
    They make some pretty neat bikes .
    I know an old ex Sporty rider that has one and loves it.
    Go test ride 👍👍
  • Nino
    Nino
    10 days ago
    Yeah cheers.
    Never ridden anything but a cruiser and not wanting my feet pointing backwards.
    The slim, Deluxe and a the old 48s were feet forward and just felt natural.

    Yeah maybe the Enfield (HD copy cat).
    Just need to see if it's OK for doing short 10k stints on the M4....

    Also it's not like $$$ are no barrier but 12k or less it's tempting if only it wasn't made in India...not sure how well they build stuff🤔🤔🤔
  • Nino
    Nino
    9 days ago
    Thanks for the idea I didn't look at this one but I will. I thought Triumph was expensive but you gave me something else to look at so appreciate this.
  • Far Canal
    Far Canal
    9 days ago
    Quoting Nino on 24 Feb 2026 10:37 PM

    Thanks for the idea I didn't look at this one but I will. I thought Triumph was expensive but you gave me something else to look at so appreciate this.

    My ex missus had one and it was ace! I think it was about 20 grand new when she bought it. Great fun to ride. If you are very tall the footpegs are not forward mounted (possibly there are forward control options?). Also the tank was on the small side making it a bit of a hassle on longer trips. 
  • Nino
    Nino
    9 days ago
    Yes I am only 178cm so maybe it will be ok
     
    I will do some research because I don't know very much about Triumph. But I think.it has many things I would want like ABS and some traction control.

    I know many people don't like this but im Italy I have a scooter and it has and and traction control and I find it very good on the bad roads we have in Sicily.

    Also because I am coming back to riding I would like these extra features.
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    9 days ago
    Wow...Vespa country!  I'll be there in a month

    I'm 6'2" and find the sporty good fun to ride with forward controls
  • Nino
    Nino
    9 days ago
    Enjoy your trip. In Italy especially Sicily we find the Vespa too expensive so you will see many brands like Kymco because of the cost.

    Im not sure if you have done it but to get on a scooter and ride through the countryside is very nice and over there it is a bit different to here because you ride what you ride and nobody makes a judgement.

    I hope you have a good time and enjoy the food.
  • Nino
    Nino
    6 days ago
    Hi
    I have found a bike I think I should go and have a look.

    I am not a mechanic but this Sportster is very very low KM. It has about 2000 km in 9 years and I am thinking is this real or maybe somehow they stopped or turned back the clock.

    Of course they said it was never ridden in the rain. They wan $17,000 which is expensive but I am thinking well 1st it will need new tyres because after 9 years they can be old.

    From the photos the bike looks cared for but do you think it's suspicious that a 9 year old bike has low km like this ?

    Thanks  

  • tussuck
    tussuck
    6 days ago
    It does seem low - you will be able to tell once you meet them - one look at the bike and you should be able to tell if the low k's is legit. esp underneath.  That seems pricey for an old Sporty.

    One note: 2000km in 9 years means the motor is barely run in (if at all).  My worry is the fluids sitting in the engine for that long and not being run could result is some engine/tranny issues that only come out once she has been on the road a few weeks.  

    If it was me i would not buy....a combination of the price being too high for my wallet (I'm a circa $10k for a Sporty guy) and the total lack of riding leaves the engine in doubt - despite if being new.
  • Nino
    Nino
    6 days ago
    Thank you.

    I am not a mechanic buy like in my lawnmower if you leave the petrol in there for a long time it can cause problems.

    The tyres too old even if they are new.

    This person told me they did not have a service because not many KMs but that is not how to keep the bike.

    No I would not pay that price.

    You see the Nightster 975 for that price because it's valued dropped by a lot. It is technically a much better bike but not in looks.
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