2023 Nightster Special
Riders looking for the perfect street cruiser with sporty styling and a distinct rumble will find everything they need and more in the Harley-Davidson lineup, particularly with the new 2023 Nightster Special. Harley-Davidson is renowned for its sport and cruiser lineups because the models cater to every riding, style, and performance need. Whether you’re drawn to retro-inspired cruisers or modern touring bikes, there’s something for everyone in the Harley-Davidson fleet.
The 2023 Nightster Special is no exception and successfully lives up to the Harley-Davidson legacy. It expands the manufacturer’s already impressive lineup of powerful and agile sport bikes, and is perfectly positioned between the Nightster and Sportster S. But the real question is, “What makes it special?”
While the Nightster is considered the gateway into the Harley-Davidson fleet of sport bikes, the Nightster Special lives up to its name by offering more. The Nightster Special takes the crown as a classic Sportster with the heart of a warrior, two-up capability, more color options, and plenty of advanced technologies that promise to transform and enhance your time in the saddle. It makes for an incredible combination, especially with the backdrop of the bike's signature Harley-Davidson rumble.
What else can you expect from the 2023 Nightster Special? From the remarkable Revolution Max 975T powertrain to its classic silhouette and agile handling, the Nightster Special is a beast worthy of the spotlight. Here’s a closer look at its features and why riders fall head over heels for this exciting new addition to the Harley-Davidson sport bike family.
MSRP: $14,999[a]
Engine Size (cc): 975
Horsepower (hp): 90
Seat Height (in): 27.1
Design
Modern Performance and Vintage Details
The 2023 Nightster Special starts at $14,999, which gets you behind the handlebars of the sport bike trimmed in Vivid Black with black and dark chrome accents that add a modern twist to the bike’s vintage styling.[a] If you’re looking for something beyond the classic Vivid Black, Harley-Davidson offers three additional color options: Black Denim, Bright Billiard Blue, and Industrial Yellow. These colors slightly increase the starting price and only change the color of the tank. Still, the dramatic pop of color is notable and worthwhile if you want something beyond the standard Harley-Davidson palette.
Beyond its various color options, the 2023 Nightster Special blends modern performance with vintage details to create a head-turning powerhouse that promises plenty of thrills in the saddle. Lightweight and agile, the Nightster Special is 87 inches long, weighs 483 lbs in running order, and has a laden seat height of 27.1 inches. Most notably, the forward riding position and lower center of gravity reflect the expectations of a sport bike and how it handles. The combination gives you outstanding control, offers reassurance, and instills confidence in any conditions––all characteristics every rider will appreciate.
Along with providing outstanding control in the saddle, Harley-Davidson showcases its keen attention to detail with various finishing touches on the 2023 Nightster Special. For example, the air box cover pays homage to the rich Harley-Davidson legacy with its medallion and 1970s-inspired styling. The bike's lighting complements these vintage details, with the bright LED bulbs concealed in a traditional round headlamp and bullet turn signals. Additionally, Harley-Davidson adds a passenger pillion and passenger footpegs to the Nightster Special, an impressive inclusion since it doesn't detract from the bike's design or aesthetic and further differentiates it from its Nightster sibling.
Performance
The Revolution Max Engine
Harley-Davidson turned heads in 2022 when it debuted the all-new Revolution Max 975T engine on the Nightster. As the smaller sibling to the Revolution Max 1250T powering the Sportster S and Pan America 1250, the Revolution Max 975T quickly proved its capability as a short-stroke V-Twin engine with the heart of a warrior. Today, the 2023 Nightster Special reaps the benefits of that modern power plant, relying on the liquid-cooled V-Twin to produce impressive power for pure thrills in the saddle.
The Nightster Special delivers the signature rumble expected of a Harley-Davidson powerhouse, courtesy of the two-into-one exhaust with a catalyst in the header and the brilliant engine design. The rumble is the calling card of the Revolution Max 975T, which features double overhead cams to ensure on-demand delivery of 90 hp at 7,500 RPM and 70 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 RPM. With a broad powerband, the torque curve is steady to deliver exceptional control and responsiveness.
Heighten Your Experience
Harley-Davidson heightens your experience in the saddle by adding Ride Modes, letting you tailor the Revolution Max 975T’s output to your riding style and the conditions. You can switch between Sport, Road, and Rain modes or create two custom modes that fine-tune traction control, power delivery, throttle response, and the antilock braking system. As expected, Sport Mode offers the most thrills, with a tighter throttle response that earns the Nightser Special its classification as a potent sport bike with a penchant for speed.
With the bike weighing less than 500 lbs in running order, the Nightster Special is agile, engaging, and easy to maneuver. Harley-Davidson ensures as much with the forward riding position but also equips the bike with firm 41mm Showa Dual Bending Valve conventional front forks and a dual outboard rear suspension with emulsion technology shock absorbers. Plenty of suspension travel smoothes the ride and makes the 2023 Nightster Special perfect for pavement cruising.
Technologies
Modern Features Abound
Harley-Davidson strikes the perfect balance with the 2023 Nightster Special by blending vintage details with thrilling capability. It’s the ultimate combination that ensures an exciting experience in the saddle, wherever your next adventure takes you. Fortunately, Harley-Davidson doesn’t stop there and adds to the bike’s appeal by equipping it with the latest technologies to ensure everything you need is conveniently within reach or view.
The 2023 Nightster Special is one of the best-equipped bikes in the segment, with Harley-Davidson providing everything you need to stay connected and informed in the saddle. The bike features a USB-C charging port that eliminates any concern about keeping your smartphone connected and charged as you navigate your commute or venture beyond the city limits for a weekend getaway along the twisties. In addition, the four-inch TFT display gives you the performance insights you need without taking away from the bike’s vintage design. At a glance, you’ll see everything from your speedometer and odometer to the fuel level, time, ambient temperature, cruise control status, tachometer, and smartphone pairing.
Enhanced Connectivity and Control
As expected of a Harley-Davidson powerhouse, the 2023 Nightster Special also makes it easy to stay connected. With Bluetooth integration, you can easily access your smartphone and take advantage of features like voice recognition and text-to-speech. You can also stay connected when riding two up, with the addition of a compatible headset that features a rider and passenger intercom system. While the Nighster Special may have classic looks, you will never be left without modern technology.
Another suite of technology works behind the scenes as you navigate life behind the handlebars of the 2023 Nightster Special. However, these features aren't designed to keep you connected. Instead, they’re dedicated to enhancing your control and transforming your experience in the saddle. Technologies like cruise control make traveling at highway speeds easier, minimizing fatigue and letting you enjoy the ride. Other tools like the Traction Control System and Drag-Torque Slip Control System heighten the bike’s grip on the road in bad conditions. At the same time, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System keeps a close eye on the tire pressures to optimize your safety mile after mile.
Your 2023 Nightster Special Headquarters
Are you ready to cruise in style? The 2023 Nightster Special is the ultimate Harley-Davidson sport bike that showcases the brand’s rich heritage and its success at celebrating the past, present, and future. Its vintage design details complement its potent engine, while its ride quality, handling, and tech-savvy features encourage you to explore beyond the city limits, riding solo or two-up. It’s the best of Harley-Davidson, and it’s waiting for you on our showroom floor.
As the leading Harley-Davidson dealer in Houston, we can’t wait to welcome you into our family and learn more about your riding needs. Our passion for riding and the Harley-Davidson lineup is palpable, instantly putting you at ease and guaranteeing an exciting and rewarding experience. That experience is rooted in transparency and respect because, like you, we value every moment in the saddle and know that any time spent with us takes you away from that. Our goal is to deliver an incredible dealership experience that ends by bringing your Harley-Davidson dreams to life.
While you’re here, you’ll see firsthand what it means to work with a full-service Harley-Davidson dealership. Our state-of-the-art facility is home to an unmatched selection of new and used Harley-Davidson motorcycles and the friendliest sales team in the industry. It’s also home to our MotorClothes Department and factory-trained technicians who can handle every repair, service, and maintenance need. Add in our reputation for reliability and integrity, and it’s easy to see why Republic Harley-Davidson is the dealer of choice for riders throughout the Greater Houston area and beyond.