Harley-davidson Xl 1200 Custom vs Harley-davidson Nightster
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Harley-davidson Xl 1200 Custom vs Harley-davidson Nightster. Harley-davidson Xl 1200 Custom: 53 hp @ 6,000 rpm (approximate; later fuel-injected models post-2007) hp, 256 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 175 km/h (estimated; note: varies by year and rider conditions), Motoryk rating 7.2/10. Harley-davidson Nightster: 89 hp @ 7,500 rpm hp, 220 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 185 km/h (estimated), Motoryk rating 7.8/10.
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Harley-davidson Xl 1200 Custom
Harley-davidson Nightster
Horsepower (hp)
53 hp
89 hp
Torque (Nm)
92 Nm
95 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
175 km/h
185 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
256 kg
220 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
53 hp @ 6,000 rpm (approximate; later fuel-injected models post-2007)
89 hp @ 7,500 rpm
Torque
92 Nm @ 3,750 rpm
95 Nm @ 5,000 rpm
Top Speed
175 km/h (estimated; note: varies by year and rider conditions)
185 km/h (estimated)
Weight
256 kg (wet/curb weight)
220 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
5.5–6.5 L/100km (approx. 15–18 km/L real-world average)
5.5 L/100km (approx. 18 km/L typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Harley-davidson Xl 1200 Custom
7.2/10
"A rewarding used buy if you inspect thoroughly and ride locally."
Pros
+Bulletproof engine when maintained
+Narrow, easy city riding
+Massive aftermarket parts availability
Cons
−Harsh two-up ride quality
−Vibration above 70mph tiring
−Tiny fuel tank range
Harley-davidson Nightster
7.8/10
"A genuinely good motorcycle that earns respect beyond the badge."
Pros
+Revolution Max engine is excellent
+Actually corners with confidence
+Low, manageable seat height
Cons
−Stock seat is punishment
−Cramped for tall riders
−Limited wind protection
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.
