HARLEY-DAVIDSON NIGHT TRAIN (1998 - 2010) Review

One of Harley’s whackier ‘image bikes’, in a similar vein to the Harley-Davidson Bad Boy, Street Bob and Night Rod. The Harley-Davidson Night Train is a Europe-only model based on the Softail. It’s lean, mean and very black and it goes pretty much as it looks. If you like the style of the Harley-Davidson Night Train you won’t be disappointed.

With the Softail's harsh hidden shock rear end, the Harley-Davidson Night Train can’t match the twin shock Dynas for ride quality and handling, but it’s not desperate, either. The Harley-Davidson Night Train's braking also can’t match the twin disc-ed machines such as the Harley-Davidson Super Glide Sport.

The Harley-Davidson Night Train delivers grunt, fabulous noise (especially if you bin the stock silencers and fit a pair of open cans), lazy, US-style cruising and… not a lot else. Harley’s engineering hasn’t moved on much since the 60s. For fans, that’s the appeal of a Harley-Davidson Night Train for others it’s an anathama.

Modern Harleys set the benchmark for paint and chrome work and the Harley-Davidson Night Train is no exception. What’s more, the Harley-Davidson Night Train's big engine is understressed and under engineered and, generally, the motorcycles themselves are ridden gently and regularly serviced. All of which adds up to few reliability woes…

The Harley-Davidson Night Train was around £12k when new and is regarded as something of a classy, iconic motorcycle, and is particularly desirable as such, keeping used values high. Find a Harley-Davidson softail for sale.

Nothing to get excited about, true, but the Harley-Davidson Night Train has all the custom bells and whistles where it matters, all served up to provide a fairly classy, luxurious concoction. It’s not touring motorcycle but the  Harley-Davidson Night Train will certainly pull the crowds.