Harley-Davidson XL1200N Nightster vs Harley-Davidson XL 1200L Sportster 1200 Low (2012)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson XL1200N Nightsterstacks up against the Harley-Davidson XL 1200L Sportster 1200 Low. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Harley-Davidson XL1200N Nightster | Harley-Davidson XL 1200L Sportster 1200 Low |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2012 | 2011 |
| Price | $9,999 | $9,899 |
| Engine | 1201 cc | 1201 cc |
| Torque | 107 Nm | 107 Nm |
| Weight | 247 kg | 253 kg |
| Seat height | 26 mm | 26 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. Patented, uniform expansion rotors. Dual-piston. |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. Single-piston | Single disc. Patented, uniform expansion rotors. Single-piston. |
| Tires | 100/90-B19 / 150/80-B16 | 100/90-19 / 150/80-16 |
Harley-Davidson XL1200N Nightster vs Harley-Davidson XL 1200L Sportster 1200 Low — which should you buy?
Picking between the Harley-Davidson XL1200N Nightster and the Harley-Davidson XL 1200L Sportster 1200 Low usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson XL1200N Nightster brings its published horsepower in a 247 kg package, while the Harley-Davidson XL 1200L Sportster 1200 Low counters with its own power figure at 253 kg. On price, the Harley-Davidson XL 1200L Sportster 1200 Low has the lower MSRP.
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: