NEW: Best Beginner Motorcycles of 2026, our top picks for your first ride.
Head to head

Aprilia RS 660 vs Harley-Davidson Nightster

Specs side by side, plus our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.

Aprilia RS 660 and Harley-Davidson Nightster: three different takes on what a great bike should be. The Aprilia RS 660 undercuts the Harley-Davidson Nightster by about $450, so value is squarely on the table. On paper the Aprilia RS 660 leads on power with 100 hp. Below we put them head to head on price, performance, weight and seat height, then give our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.

Aprilia RS 660
Our pick
8.8

Aprilia

Aprilia RS 660
Harley-Davidson Nightster
7.8

Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson Nightster

The verdict

The Aprilia RS 660 is our pick of this group on the numbers, scoring 8.8/10.

Best for new riders

Aprilia RS 660

A2-legal, 100 hp.

Most exciting

Aprilia RS 660

100 hp and 0.55 hp/kg, the strongest here.

Best value

Aprilia RS 660

Our 8.8/10 at $11,549, the most bike per dollar.

Easiest to manage

Aprilia RS 660

183 kg with an 820 mm seat, the easiest to throw around.

Highest rated

Aprilia RS 660

Our top score in this matchup at 8.8/10.

Price & rating
Price$11,549$11,999
KickTheStand score8.8 / 107.8 / 10
Performance
Engine659cc twin975cc twin
Power100 hp91 hp
Torque67 Nm95 Nm
Power-to-weight0.55 hp/kg0.41 hp/kg
Chassis & brakes
Front suspension41mm Kayaba USD fork41mm Showa conventional fork
Rear suspensionMonoshockTwin outboard emulsion shocks
Front brakesDual 320mm discs, Brembo radial 4-pistonSingle 320mm disc
Rear brakesSingle 220mm discSingle 260mm disc
Dimensions & practicality
Weight183 kg221 kg
Seat height820 mm705 mm
Fuel capacity15 L11.7 L
Suitability
ClassSportCruiser
A2 licenceYesNo
Good for beginnersNoNo
Best forsport, track, touringcruising

Cyan marks the best figure in each row. Specs are the most-cited for the current model; verify before relying on them.

Still torn between them?

Answer a few questions and we'll rank every bike by how well it fits you.

Open the bike finder

Aprilia RS 660 vs Harley-Davidson Nightster: your questions answered

Which is faster, the Aprilia RS 660 or the Harley-Davidson Nightster?

The Aprilia RS 660 makes the most power at 100 hp and 67 Nm, giving it the edge on outright performance.

Which is cheaper, the Aprilia RS 660 or the Harley-Davidson Nightster?

The Aprilia RS 660 is the most affordable here with an MSRP around $11,549.

Which is lighter, the Aprilia RS 660 or the Harley-Davidson Nightster?

The Aprilia RS 660 is the lightest at 183 kg, which makes it the easiest to manage at low speed and in the bends.

Which is better for a beginner, the Aprilia RS 660 or the Harley-Davidson Nightster?

For a new rider we'd point to the Aprilia RS 660: A2-legal, 100 hp and 183 kg make it the most approachable of the group.

More comparisons