HARLEY DAVIDSON XL 1200N Nightster (2007)

HARLEY DAVIDSON XL 1200N Nightster (2007) Motorcycle Pictures, Review, Specifications and Insurance informations.

Harley Davidson XL 1200N Nightster (2007)

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Harley Davidson XL 1200N Nightster (2007)
Motorcycle Review, Specifications and Motorcycle Insurance info.

By Toph Bocchiaro
With this year being the 50th anniversary of the H-D Sportster, we were really looking forward to what the MOCO had up its sleeve for a special anniversary-issue scoot. Reminiscent of H-D's 100th, the XL's 50th wasn't much of a celebration for a bike with such history-the limited-edition XL came bearing nothing more than some commemorative badges, stickers, and paint. Aside from the addition of EFI to the entire lineup, the Factory still had a surprise in store for the '07 Sportys. Announced about six months after the rest of the new '07 models, H-D debuted the XL 1200N, the Nightster.

For the unobservant, the Nightster might reflect just another iteration of flat paint and mixtures of medium-gray powdercoat and black. In fact, the majority of the components on this bike have been carefully designed to emanate a sinewy, asphalt-jungle ethos. One of the most significant redesigns on this bike is the chopped rear fender. In addition to the shorter rear skin, the taillight and license mount have been moved to the left side of the rear wheel. Another nice touch was integrating the brake and taillights into the rear turn signals. Up front, the black 39mm forks got fork gaiters, while the new front fender mounts received the lightening-hole treatment.

With the stitched solo seat coming in at a mere 25.3 inches from the ground, the Nightster puts the rider as close to the pavement as the 883 Low and a full inch shorter than the 1200 Low. That low seat height comes courtesy of the rock-like 11.5-inch rear shocks. Although H-D claims 2.4 inches of rear-wheel travel, riding the Nightster feels as if there's less than that. Combining the low-profile seat (which is moved forward compared to a 1200 Custom) and the mid-mount pegs makes the Nightster a compact bike. Of course, lowering any bike reduces ground clearance, too, with the front exhaust pipe touching down before the peg in right-handers.

Coming in at a dry 545 pounds, the Nightster feels lighter than that, probably due to its low center of gravity. It is an extremely nimble machine, slicing through traffic and slow-moving parking lots with ease. The rubber-mounted chassis makes a happy home for the fuel-injected 1,200cc Evo XL motor, with vibes apparent only at idle. Once moving, even at 85-mph highway cruising speeds, the black mirrors were actually usable. The new EFI worked flawlessly in temps varying from the 40s to near triple-digits, with the electronic brain taking care of cold-start duties. Turn the key, thumb the electric leg, and get the fun on.

Dunlop 401 tires wrapped around black-rimmed laced-steel rims hugged the road tightly enough to reach the roughly 30-degree lean limits on either side. Up front, a standard two-piston caliper stops well enough with help from the rear's single-piston unit. Blacked-out, low-rise handlebars, controls, and speedo keep with the dark theme of the bike while providing a comfortable riding position. Clutch effort is very manageable, as is the shifting from the well-honed XL five-speed gearbox. Our test bike came with the two-tone brilliant silver denim and black denim paint option that adds $395 to the $9,595 MSRP for a Vivid Black version. Other new two-tone color options are mirage orange pearl and vivid black, olive pearl denim and black denim, and suede blue pearl and vivid black. The denim hues are matte finishes that complement the lack of chrome very well. H-D used a satin metal treatment on the gas cap, oil dipstick, and headlamp trim ring-these little touches make a stock bike like this come off as custom.

In fact, there isn't a place on this bike that wasn't thought about and gone over. It works from an aesthetic standpoint, as well as being one heck of a fun ride. Are you going to want to tour the country on it? Probably not. But if you want to have that feeling of pure unadulterated two-wheeled fun, this bike is for you. The new breed of Sportys no longer qualifies as the paint-shakers of yesteryear. Instead, you get all the Sporty's traditional torque, agility, and attitude combined with the reliable technology of today. Stop into your local H-D dealer, or go online at www.harley-davidson.com to see more specs and colors.

General information

Model: XL 1200N Nightster
Engine/Displacement: Evo/1,200cc
Induction: ESPFI
Primary Drive: Chain
Clutch: Nine-plate, wet
Transmission: Five-speed
Final Drive: Belt
Front Brake: 11.5-inch, two-piston
Rear Brake: 11.5-inch, one-piston
Front Wheel/Size: 19x2.5
Rear Wheel/Size: 16x3
Front Tire Size: 100/90-19
Rear Tire Size: 150/80B 16
Fuel Tank capacity, gal.: 3.3
Seat Height, inches: 25.3 w/rider

Motorcycle Insurance Info

Who will provide physical damage insurance coverage for custom built motorcycles?

USAA General Agency - Whether your bike is a cruiser, street bike or a moped, a specialist in USAA's General Agency can provide insurance coverage for your specific needs, with policy options including: Liability, comprehensive, collision and theft coverage. Custom parts and equipment up to $30,000. Coverage for safety riding apparel, like helmets. Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Medical payments. 24-hour claims service and roadside assistance. Transport trailer physical damage coverage up to $10,000. Insurers with the General Agency are carefully evaluated to meet the USAA level of service and must continually meet our standards. Four-Season Pricing - Your policy is priced to reflect the length of the typical riding season in each state, yet you have the twelve full months of coverage each year. (usaa.com/inet/ent_utils/McStaticPages?key=insurance_motorcycle)

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