Home > One Rider’s Unbiased Viewpoint on Harley’s Nightster from Across the Pond

One Rider’s Unbiased Viewpoint on Harley’s Nightster from Across the Pond

By Richard Sachek - February 14, 2025

Many American Harley-Davidson fans detest the new age bikes like the Nightster, but do they fare any better against an international backdrop?

Since Harley-Davidson’s Nightster lineup dropped in 2022, quite a lot of digital “ink” has been spilled over the controversial entry-level machines. Opinions range from “it’s not a real Harley” to praise for the brand finally joining the 21st century. But have you ever wondered if the opinions of international motorcyclists are the same as their American counterparts? A recent video review of the Nightster by The Missenden Flyer will shed some light on one Brit’s impressions.

This Harley Nightster review is unbiased

The Missenden Flyer (real name Andy) gets his YouTube handle from the fact that he’s located in the hamlet of Great Missenden in southeast England. As well, he’s a pilot of small aircraft. To set the stage for the review, Andy proclaims himself to be Harley-Davidson agnostic. “I wouldn’t call myself a Harley fanboy, but neither do I dislike Harley-Davidson,” Andy says.

There’s actually quite a few memorable quotes put forward in this review. For example, that Harley “threw the cat amongst the pigeons … when [the Nightster] was released.” Indeed, the Nightster has now fully displaced the iron-head Sportster as the Motor Company’s go-to steed for new riders or riders of small stature.

Focusing on the Nightster’s looks, Andy conceded that “it’s not a bad looking motorcycle” and that the finish quality is top notch. One minor quibble is that while all the covers and shrouds do an admirable job of concealing wiring and hoses, they do make the Nightster looks cheap. Some critics have commented that it looks like a toy.

Highlighting the Nightster’s divergence with the air-cooled V-twins of yesteryear is a “975” emblem on the Revolution Max’s air filter. Real Harleys would never brag their displacement in metric cubic centimeters over cubic inches, right?

After cruising around Missenden lovely lanes for a while, the conclusion is that the Nightster is, well, fine. Our reviewer is clearly smitten with the bike’s four-inch digi-analog instrument cluster tucked under the handlebar. But besides that, it doesn’t do anything particularly great. However, it doesn’t have any huge flaws, either.

Where does the Nightster fit in?

Andy’s damning-by-faint-praise assessment begs the question of who would actually buy the Nightster? The video mentions that prices in the United Kingdom start at £13,295. However, a quick peek at Harley’s UK website brings even worse news. Per the manufacturer, the MSRP for a 2025 model is actually £14,495. That’s equal to about $18,000 which is bonkers for an entry-level bike.

Clearly, the fans of classic Harley-Davidson chromed-out Americana have rejected it. But at the same time, it’s so much pricier than other well-qualified peers like the Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 and Triumph Speed Twin 1200. It seems like competitors on the European continent are either better, cheaper, or a combination of both.

Regardless of your preconceived opinion, The Missenden Flyer’s review is well worth a watch. It’s nicely presented, entertaining, and dare we say, soothing. Across the pond back in the U.S., the Revolution Max-powered bikes may have an even more uphill battle with the announcement that production is fully relocating to Thailand.