Why are people so critical of the Sporty S/Nightster?

[bagster guy]

There's a lot of things I like about it but the one I have really is pretty simplistic so there's a lot of things I like about it too. To me the cost of turning my 883 into a 1200 was a joke.

[bagster guy]

Eventually hammer will figure out a way to get stupid HP out of them but I doubt it'll be cheap. The bright side is you'll probably wipe the bigger bikes right off the road.

[DrMotorcycle]

Seems like the main issue from reading the comments is Harley did that thing they try once every 10 years, where they build a bike that's a massive departure from their classic air cooled, 45 degree pushrod twin and get punished for it. Thing is, the things that many of you have brought up I agree with, especially regarding the MSRP of the bike and the concerns about buying a new platform. It also doesn't have anything near the classic Harley sound as well.

I think once there's more on the road, and 2-3 years have passed and the prices start to come down, you may be able to find them for a decent deal. By that time, we should also know a little more about the longevity of the rev-max, how it responds to mods, and who knows, maybe I'll get my paws on one and do an intercooled turbo setup.

[Crom13]

The right side engine covers look like painted plastic. I guess they're aluminum but they look like plastic. The left side looks like a lot of modern, high tech engines. If you drug a 200 pound magnet through a parts bin it wouldn't be any uglier than this side.
I wouldn't criticize it to an owner, to each his own. I'd say something positive about its power or trim profile, or something.
You asked why Harley riders are critical- because the loyalist Harley crowd are still loyal to the brand's older designs, the simplicity, the ability to service and or repair them (slipping away every year) and their resemblance to all the Harleys that came before.

New kids don't mind trading all that for an extra 50 hp and some bells and whistles. Most of them don't even have a set of tools.
As long as we can buy nice old ones. no problem. Youth are the future. I know I'm a dinosaur, heading gratefully to my tarpit.

Also, I've found that riding a slow bike fast is more fun than riding a fast bike slow. Even with 'rain mode' on.

[sportsterdoc]

It has some good features:
1. 70 ft #, but at 5,000 RPM
2. 90 HP, but at 7,500 RPM (VERY short stroke)
3. 52.4 MPG
4. 481# wet (same as my air cooled V7-850) even with the added weight of radiator, coolant, water pump, etc. However, the engine is again part of the structure, as were pre-2004 models.

Negatives (not a complete list)
A. The exhaust looks like a mud collector as was my 2018 Yamaha XVS950
B. Tank is a bit small at 3.1 gallons
C. More performance with liquid cooled, but not as easy to work on, with more stuff to repair.
D. $13,499 starting price
E. Triumph did a MUCH better job reducing the conspicuousness of their radiators. at least on the Bonnevilles.
F. Plastic (or sure looks like plastic) engine cover on right side of motor. This is a MAJOR deal breaker for me.

https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...nightster.html

[Iron Mike]

Just saw the bike for the first time in the link from the post above. My first thought was that it looks like the fake motorcycles on the kids merry-go-round at the amusement park.
However 90 HP at 7500 sounds ok to me. I don’t mind RPM’s or dancing on the shifter to keep them up there. As for the looks, I can’t see much of a bike while I’m riding it, so to me that doesn’t matter.
I’ll ride just about anything.