2007–2009 · Cruiser · Buyer's Guide
Blacked-Out Factory Chopper With Soul
The Night Train is Harley's factory custom at its darkest: blacked-out, stripped down, long and low. It rides on a 66.5 in (1,689 mm) wheelbase with a skinny MH90-21 front and a fat 200/55-17 rear. The rear suspension hides under the steel double-cradle frame, so from the side it reads like a clean old-school chopper, and very few factory bikes pull off that silhouette this convincingly. Power comes from the air-cooled 1584 cc Twin Cam 96B, a 45° V-twin making 70 hp and 86 lb-ft at 3,200 rpm through a six-speed box and a belt. There are no rider aids and no screens. What you get is metal, stance and a big twin.
On the road it wants to be ridden on torque. Short-shift, let it lope, and the six-speed keeps the revs relaxed on the interstate, where the long chassis tracks straight and calm at speed. The engine isn't working hard, and that under-stressed nature is why these bikes age well. The aftermarket for this platform is huge, so few Night Trains stay stock for long. The price for the look is real, though. Forward controls and a narrow drag bar stretch you out, the hidden rear shock puts style ahead of compliance, and there's no ABS. Buy it for attitude and good-weather days. It isn't built for coast-to-coast marathons.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 70 hp (52 kW) |
|---|---|
| Torque | 86 lb-ft (117 Nm) @ 3,200 rpm |
| Displacement | 1584 cc |
| Engine | 45° V-twin |
| Cooling | Air-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Belt |
| Fork | Telescopic |
| Front brake | 292 mm |
| Front tire | MH90-21 |
| Rear tire | 200/55-17 |
| Wheelbase | 66.5 in (1689 mm) |
| Seat height | 26.0 in (660 mm) |
| Wet weight | 681 lb (309 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 gal (18.9 L) |
| Top speed | 118 mph (190 km/h) |
| Fuel economy | 32 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Connectivity
Where this Harley-Davidson Softail Night Train FXSTB pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Top speed
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the Softail Night Train FXSTB is actually built for.
This is your bike. Blacked-out Harley attitude, that big-twin sound and a huge aftermarket to make it yours. It looks right on Main Street at Sturgis or Daytona, and it's easy to ride to the rally.
Made for A1A — Florida Atlantic Coast · Black Hills / Sturgis Rally Hub · Daytona Main Street / Bike Week
If your trips are unhurried loops through small towns and scenic byways, the Night Train's classic look and relaxed pace fit well. Plan short days, though, because the stretched position tires you.
Made for Acadia National Park · Austin / Handbuilt Motorcycle Show · Blue Ridge Parkway
Honestly, look elsewhere for the big park loops. There's no luggage, no wind protection, the ride is firm and there's no room for a passenger. It's a great weekend bike and a poor two-up tourer.
Made for Beartooth Highway · Blue Ridge Parkway · Going-to-the-Sun Road
If you're cross-shopping the older generation, here's what changed.
Previous generation · 2005–2006
All Black, No Apology
Compare to the previous model →If this one isn't quite the fit, these are the bikes worth riding back-to-back against it.
