Harley-Davidson XL 1200N Sportster 1200 Nightster vs Harley-Davidson XL1200R Sportster 1200 Roadster (1200)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson XL 1200N Sportster 1200 Nightsterstacks up against the Harley-Davidson XL1200R Sportster 1200 Roadster. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Harley-Davidson XL 1200N Sportster 1200 Nightster
Harley-Davidson XL1200R Sportster 1200 Roadster
Spec comparison
| Spec | Harley-Davidson XL 1200N Sportster 1200 Nightster | Harley-Davidson XL1200R Sportster 1200 Roadster |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2010 | 2008 |
| Price | — | $8,895 |
| Engine | 1202 cc | 1200 cc |
| Torque | 98 Nm | 107 Nm |
| Weight | 251 kg | 256 kg |
| Seat height | 29 mm | 30 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 3.3 L | 4.5 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 5-speed | 5-speed |
| Front brakes | Single disc. Dual Piston | Single disc. 4-piston calipers |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. Single piston | Single disc. 2-piston calipers |
| Tires | 100/90-19 / 150/80-16 | 100/90-H19 / 150/80-B16 |
Harley-Davidson XL 1200N Sportster 1200 Nightster vs Harley-Davidson XL1200R Sportster 1200 Roadster — which should you buy?
Picking between the Harley-Davidson XL 1200N Sportster 1200 Nightster and the Harley-Davidson XL1200R Sportster 1200 Roadster usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson XL 1200N Sportster 1200 Nightster brings its published horsepower in a 251 kg package, while the Harley-Davidson XL1200R Sportster 1200 Roadster counters with its own power figure at 256 kg.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: