New Nightster Silver
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Miami, fl
New Nightster Silver
Hello everyone, im the proud new owner of a brand new '09 silver nightster. I came from riding my dads '09 softail custom so im kinda having a tough time adapting. The nightster is a lot rougher, the engine vibrates 100% more, the softail has something that transmits 0 vibrations. I love my ride but im having a hard time adjusting, the mid controls are very uncomfortable and to me it has to be one of the first things to change. Not sure if its normal and maybe im comparing it too much but i hear alot of engine noise compared to exhaust noise. The engine emits a lot of metal, clashing, rubbing and grinding against one another, is this normal? Again it could all be due to the comparison of the softail to my new nightster. Im extremely happy i love the ride, the power is great and agility are all excellent just wonder sometimes if all the noise and vibrations are normal?? Thanks alot for any comments or replies. I'll post pics soon.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 407
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From: San Francisco
first impressions
I know how you feel. when i started looking for a nightster after my triumph bonneville i had a tentative deal to buy a used one from a guy on craigslist. first i wanted to ride a stock one so i went to the dealership and test rode one. as soon as i sat on it and started it i was thinking HOLY ****!!! the bike vibrated like crazy, the stock seat was awful, and it just kind of felt cheap. After the test ride i was surprised every woman in america didn't own one cuz its a rolling vibrator. the one i was looking at on craigslist had a few mods: 16" bars, v&h exhaust, dyno tuned, HD brawler seat, and a few i'm probably forgetting. after riding it i had a MUCH better opinion of the bike. the seat and exhaust made the ride sooooo much better, it was what i thought riding a harley should be like, although i was still surprised at the vibration.
The only thing i've done since is put ohlins shocks on it (which intentionally raised the bike about 2") and it rides infinitely better, little bumps don't make me cringe and in fact i find myself looking to hit them so i can see the improvement.
I guess my personal experience is that the ride infinitely improved with a better seat (i've since added a two up rallyrunner, which is comparable to the brawler just 2 up), 10" bars and a better suspension. I'm thinking of forward controls, but i'm only 5'7" so this may take a back seat to the woman's whining for a bitch bar. i'm pretty sure the exhaust makes a big difference, but it could just be the sound which is awesome!!! anyway, i love the bike now.
The only thing i've done since is put ohlins shocks on it (which intentionally raised the bike about 2") and it rides infinitely better, little bumps don't make me cringe and in fact i find myself looking to hit them so i can see the improvement.
I guess my personal experience is that the ride infinitely improved with a better seat (i've since added a two up rallyrunner, which is comparable to the brawler just 2 up), 10" bars and a better suspension. I'm thinking of forward controls, but i'm only 5'7" so this may take a back seat to the woman's whining for a bitch bar. i'm pretty sure the exhaust makes a big difference, but it could just be the sound which is awesome!!! anyway, i love the bike now.
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Miami, fl
That makes me feel better! I thought the exhaust would have a much deeper note since its a nice 1200cc and they looked big but once i looked inside i saw it was silenced big time. The seat i have to get a two up for the GF, and well i will get the forward controls, im 5'10" and the mids are a bit uncomfortable to me. Im afraid of the exhaust replacement since i know sometimes if not all times you need to add a tuner to get it to run nice. I do love the look and the bike is really snappy.. i couldn't be happier but maybe i shouldn't have been riding my dads softail for a month or so then jump to this one.
Last edited by yomny; Jul 18, 2009 at 03:56 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 608
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From: Westchester, New York
Congrats on the new bike!
The Sporty Evo engine has a different sound than the TC - very noisy and often compared to a sewing machine.. you get used to it. Throw on some slip ons and the sound will improve 100%!
Just for reference, here is a clip of the drag specialty slip ons after I installed them on my 1200N last summer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhVIy-fTFR0
Also, as you probably know, the TC96B engine is counter balanced, hence the reduced vibration of the Softail bikes. I for one, prefer the Twin Cam's on the Touring and Dynas to the TC96B but it's a totally subjective thing.
The Sporty Evo engine has a different sound than the TC - very noisy and often compared to a sewing machine.. you get used to it. Throw on some slip ons and the sound will improve 100%!
Just for reference, here is a clip of the drag specialty slip ons after I installed them on my 1200N last summer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhVIy-fTFR0
Also, as you probably know, the TC96B engine is counter balanced, hence the reduced vibration of the Softail bikes. I for one, prefer the Twin Cam's on the Touring and Dynas to the TC96B but it's a totally subjective thing.
Hello everyone, im the proud new owner of a brand new '09 silver nightster. I came from riding my dads '09 softail custom so im kinda having a tough time adapting. The nightster is a lot rougher, the engine vibrates 100% more, the softail has something that transmits 0 vibrations. I love my ride but im having a hard time adjusting, the mid controls are very uncomfortable and to me it has to be one of the first things to change. Not sure if its normal and maybe im comparing it too much but i hear alot of engine noise compared to exhaust noise. The engine emits a lot of metal, clashing, rubbing and grinding against one another, is this normal? Again it could all be due to the comparison of the softail to my new nightster. Im extremely happy i love the ride, the power is great and agility are all excellent just wonder sometimes if all the noise and vibrations are normal?? Thanks alot for any comments or replies. I'll post pics soon.
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Miami, fl
Sewing machine thats exactly what i wanted to say.. but i love it though.. i just wanted to make sure nothing was loose or messed up on my Nightster. Im planning on getting some black vance and hines like a lot of people have here.. just wondering if i needed a tuner for that? Those slip ons sure sound hella mean! just like the Nightster should! Can you guys recommend some black forward controls, i wanted to get them at the dealer but they're about 399+labor and tax.. pretty expensive and i need new pegs. Other than not being use to the bike i have to say i absolutely love it and the looks are amazing, great quality and just absolutely love the ride. Now the father and i could ride out together. I have to say the helmet is huge.. i wanted to get the smaller ones but they told me they weren't DOT, i really wanna protect the melon.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 407
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From: San Francisco
PUT THE PASSENGER PEGS ON BEFORE THE PIPES!!!!! i got mine with pipes but without passenger pegs and now can't get the bottom bolt to the right side passenger peg on without removing the exhaust which I'm NOT doing. the woman weighs 125, one bolt with some lock-tite should do it. if not, i find a new woman 
I think all you need to tune is the fuelpack which i don't think comes with the pipes. mine was SUPPOSEDLY dyno tuned, by the first owner and the second owner said he was given the fuel pack by her so he gave it to me.
what seat are you thinking of? HD doesn't make a great looking two-up seat for this bike IMO, but i tried with the rallyrunner. the passenger area is bigger than the other HD seats, but still not that big unless you buy the ungly one. I've heard negative things about the badlander being too low profile so it lacks any back support and one guy said he fely he would slide right off the back on the freeway, not to mention not much of a pasenger pad. go to corbin, i heard they make you breakfast.... and they better for $500!!!!
as for helmet, it's a Spaceballs looking helmet that protects you, or a cool looking on that doesn't..... i actually just bought a lower profile 3/4 helmet form Biltwell, that had SOME protection, probably about a 3 or 4 on a scale of 1-10 if a harley hat is a 1 and a $500 Shoei is a 10.
I think all you need to tune is the fuelpack which i don't think comes with the pipes. mine was SUPPOSEDLY dyno tuned, by the first owner and the second owner said he was given the fuel pack by her so he gave it to me.
what seat are you thinking of? HD doesn't make a great looking two-up seat for this bike IMO, but i tried with the rallyrunner. the passenger area is bigger than the other HD seats, but still not that big unless you buy the ungly one. I've heard negative things about the badlander being too low profile so it lacks any back support and one guy said he fely he would slide right off the back on the freeway, not to mention not much of a pasenger pad. go to corbin, i heard they make you breakfast.... and they better for $500!!!!
as for helmet, it's a Spaceballs looking helmet that protects you, or a cool looking on that doesn't..... i actually just bought a lower profile 3/4 helmet form Biltwell, that had SOME protection, probably about a 3 or 4 on a scale of 1-10 if a harley hat is a 1 and a $500 Shoei is a 10.
Last edited by eviltwin415; Jul 18, 2009 at 06:51 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 772
Likes: 4
From: ohio
For the forwards, either keep an eye on Craigslist, ebay or cruise the Sportster section of 'parts for sale' here on the forums. If you can't find them there either Chicago Harley or Zanottis Harley sells MoCo parts at 20% off retail (sometimes even more!!).
