Harley-Davidson Nightster vs Harley-Davidson Sportster S
Prices ex-showroom Delhi, checked 2026-09. On-road and running costs estimated for Delhi.
Harley-Davidson Nightster and Harley-Davidson Sportster S are both cruisers and turn up together on most shortlists. The Nightster undercuts the Sportster S by ₹3,51,000, a gap big enough to notice on the EMI but not to decide the argument on its own.
The Sportster S takes 3 of the 6 categories we score, so this is close and comes down to what you weight. Our overall ratings are 7/10 for the Nightster and 7.5/10 for the Sportster S.
Category by category
Price
Nightster
The Nightster starts ₹3,51,000 lower (₹14,54,000 against ₹18,05,000), about ₹11,130 a month less on a standard loan.
Running cost
Sportster S
Sportster S claims 20 kmpl against 18 kmpl. That is roughly ₹12,324 a year in fuel at 30 km a day.
Performance
Sportster S
Sportster S has the better power-to-weight ratio: 529 against 400 bhp per tonne. It will feel quicker with a pillion and on overtakes.
Safety kit
Tie
Braking and safety equipment are matched.
Features
Sportster S
Sportster S gets usd front forks, rear monoshock, colour tft console and bluetooth connectivity and 2 more items.
City manners
Nightster
Nightster is 7 kg lighter and lower in the seat (705 mm), which you feel in traffic and when parking.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the Nightster if
- you want the lower purchase price and EMI
- you are a new rider or shorter and want the lighter bike
- your priority is relaxed highway cruising
- your priority is long rides
Buy the Sportster S if
- mileage matters more to you than outright performance
- you ride two-up or on highways and want the stronger engine
- your priority is relaxed highway cruising
- your priority is long rides
What each really costs
Base variants, Delhi, 30 km a day. Servicing and insurance are class-typical estimates.
| Cost | Nightster | Sportster S |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom | ₹14,54,000 | ₹18,05,000 |
| On-road, Delhi | ₹16,39,353 | ₹20,33,337 |
| Fuel, 5 years | ₹2,46,480 | ₹1,84,860 |
| Servicing, 5 years | ₹35,000 | ₹35,000 |
| Insurance renewals | ₹78,688 | ₹97,600 |
| Five-year total | ₹19,99,521 | ₹23,50,797 |
Full specification comparison
Better figure in each row is shown in green.
| Spec | Harley-DavidsonNightster | Harley-DavidsonSportster S |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Starting ex-showroom | ₹14,54,000 | ₹18,05,000 |
| Rough EMI / month | ₹46,110 | ₹57,240 |
| Engine | ||
| Engine | 975 cc | 1252 cc |
| Engine type | 2 Cylinder, Liquid Cooled | 2 Cylinder, Liquid Cooled, 4 Valves |
| Power | 88.5 bhp | 120.7 bhp |
| Torque | 95 Nm | 125 Nm |
| Claimed mileage | 18 kmpl | 20 kmpl |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Transmission | 6 Speed | 6 Speed |
| Electric | ||
| Top speed | 180 km/h | 194 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Kerb weight | 221 kg | 228 kg |
| Fuel tank | 11.7 L | 11.8 L |
| Seat height | 705 mm | 765 mm |
| Ground clearance | 110 mm | 90 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1545 mm | 1520 mm |
| Length | 2250 mm | 2270 mm |
| Width | 840 mm | 843 mm |
| Height | 1108 mm | 1089 mm |
| Brakes & suspension | ||
| Front brake | Disc, 4 piston caliper | Disc, 320 mm, 4 piston caliper |
| Rear brake | Disc, 1 piston caliper | Disc, 260 mm, 1 piston caliper |
| ABS / CBS | Dual Channel ABS | Dual Channel ABS |
| Front suspension | 41mm SHOWA™ Dual Bending Valve conventional forks. Aluminum fork triple clamps | 43 mm inverted fork with compression |
| Rear suspension | Rear suspension is dual outboard, direct-acting | Linkage-mounted, piggyback monoshock with compression, rebound and hydraulic spring preload adjustability |
| Tyres | ||
| Front tyre | 100/90-19 | 160/70-R17 |
| Rear tyre | 150/80-B16 | 180/70-R16 |
Nightster vs Sportster S: questions people ask
- Which is cheaper, the Nightster or the Sportster S?
- The Nightster is cheaper by ₹3,51,000 at the base variant (₹14,54,000 against ₹18,05,000 ex-showroom Delhi).
- Which gives better mileage, the Nightster or the Sportster S?
- The Sportster S claims 20 kmpl against 18 kmpl. Real-world figures for both will be lower.
- What is the on-road price difference between the Nightster and Sportster S in Delhi?
- About ₹3,93,984: roughly ₹16,39,353 for the Nightster and ₹20,33,337 for the Sportster S, base variants, including road tax, registration and insurance.
- Which costs less to own over five years?
- Our estimate for five years at 30 km a day in Delhi is ₹19,99,521 for the Nightster and ₹23,50,797 for the Sportster S, including purchase, fuel, servicing and insurance renewals. The Nightster comes out ₹3,51,276 ahead.
