night train purchase??
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,122
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From: Florida
I looked for years till I found the right one I would definitely go for an 08 or 09 these were some really good years for nighttrain, axle size changed + , 200 rear tire, EFI is flawless IMO, no horns to trim if you do rear fender swap. I love Nighttrains but all the other years have something that makes them tough but they finally got it right at the end at least from a customizing standpoint. It would have been alot harder to do all the changes I have done on another older year bike. Please dont think I am bashing any other years just my opinion.
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 96
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From: crosby tx.
Ha yeah. guess I'll do some shopping around and see what I can find. think I found a vivid black( I like that better than the denim black, but haven't seen in person though.) 08 for $14.5 at the dealership. gonna try to talk them down a little though lol. thanks guys for all the advice.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,130
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From: FLORIDA
Ha, yeah thanks Jim. sure narrowed it down for me. Yeah I've been leaning more towards the 07-09, due to the same above reasons. their isn't much difference between the three really that I've seen. Just small stuff. I guess the biggest could be the frame change up from 07-08. from 08-09 it's like a front fender and different maps and other small stuff. I figure an 08 or 09 would set me about right. now it's just a choice of vivid black or denim black.
I've got an 08 right now. It is EFI. Having not heard much positive about carbuerated bikes, I'd stick with EFI. I didn't start riding HDs until 2007 when I bought my first, a Nightster.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 0
From: FLORIDA
Ha yeah. guess I'll do some shopping around and see what I can find. think I found a vivid black( I like that better than the denim black, but haven't seen in person though.) 08 for $14.5 at the dealership. gonna try to talk them down a little though lol. thanks guys for all the advice.
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 96
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From: crosby tx.
my first bike was a carb model but I never had any trouble out of it. then again it was a Honda and they last forever. but yeah I've found quite a few around here. Just got to pick which one I like the most.
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 58
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From: Catatonic State
There is much to be considered here. There have certainly been cosmetic improvements to the model in later years, but '02 was the last year that HD used Timken bearings on the crank, and I believe it was also the last year they used a hot-forged crank. I have had plenty of gear-heads tell me they would rather have a 95" motor hand-built from a stock 88" than to start with a stock 96", and that Timken bearing is great piece of mind. Of course, this all depends on how much you want to mod your motor. Another great advantage to the '02 would be cost. It will be cheaper to buy an '02 than an '08 or '09, leaving you with a larger budget for performance and cosmetic mods, and you'll have a more mechanically sound machine, assuming it was cared for. (Now I'm going to get it from all the other HD riders who have newer bikes. I have an '09 myself, but it cost a lot of money to split those cases and fit a Timken on the crank! Of course, I did head work, cams, and a displacement increase, too....)
Carb or EFI is really a personal preference. I have had no problem with either one, so far. What I will say for a carb over EFI is it is much easier and cheaper to work with a carb whenever you make any modifications to your motor. One jet kit should last you the life of the bike. Tuners aren't cheap, and dyno runs generally have to be performed whenever you so much as change your tires (ok, I'm exaggerating). What I'm trying to say here is, if you go for an EFI, make all your engine mods (intake, exhaust, cams, heads, displacement, etc.) at the same time! It gets pricey having to tune an EFI after each mod....
Now, having said all that, you'll be happy and well-off if you follow Sgt. Jim's initial advice! '99-'09 and ride it like you stole it!
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 82
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From: WV
Ha, yeah thanks Jim. sure narrowed it down for me. Yeah I've been leaning more towards the 07-09, due to the same above reasons. their isn't much difference between the three really that I've seen. Just small stuff. I guess the biggest could be the frame change up from 07-08. from 08-09 it's like a front fender and different maps and other small stuff. I figure an 08 or 09 would set me about right. now it's just a choice of vivid black or denim black.
i'd say get an 09 in black demim.......wonder where i came up with that answer...LOL
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