My New Ride, a Harley Davidson Nightster 1200
<img width="200" height="124" class="floatleft" src="motorcycle.in.th/images/articles/a_Harley-Davidson_Nightster_1200_my_ride_1.jpg" alt="" />I consider myself very lucky when it comes to motorcycling. To date I've experienced almost 25-years on two wheels, ridden hundreds of bikes, covered uncountable kilometers and enjoyed almost all of them. But the real plus, as far as I can see, it that I have never been addicted to one marque, or style, or for that matter period of bike.My shed says it all. A classic race machine from the 70s snuggles up at night with a later 30s vintage bike, what's now known as a Japanese classic and one of Harley-Davidson's finest, which only comes out on sunny days. I'm also lucky when it comes to having a bike to knock off the kilometers, whatever the weather. We prefer to change our regular bikes each year.
After the introductions, always a memorable moment with a new love, my first impression of the Harley-Davidson Nightster weren't great I have to admit. Despite the choice of motorcycle being made for me I was quite looking forward to the light, low 1200cc.
Ok it didn't have a dual seat, so pillion runs with the Misses weren't on the radar, It made me wonder why she selected this bike for me... It also had no obvious means of carrying any luggage, so even overnight working trips would be interesting, but the saving grace was my commute, which takes in the best 15 or 20 kilometers of roads you'll find anywhere in a big city. The H-D Nightster looked a good bet for that role.
A educated friend told me once 'you only get one chance to make a first impression' and how right he was. So what's the Nighster like in use? As I said, my route to work is pretty damn good and this unlikely looking, low, cruiser makes the journey fun. Do I sound surprised? Well I guess I was. My list of likes, bearing in mind I'm only 200 kilometers into this six month love affair, are the much maligned 1200cc engine, which has stocking pulling power, the rough edges off, and the lovely exhaust note. And dislikes, the footrests, which just happen to be where you don't want them when it comes to putting your feet down at a junction and the ridiculously long foot pegs, which frighten you to death when they touch down under slightly spirited cornering. But they can, and will, be removed..
