Harley-Davidson Nightster vs Kawasaki Vulcan S
Specs side by side, plus our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.
The Harley-Davidson Nightster and Kawasaki Vulcan S are among the most cross-shopped cruiser bikes of 2026. The Kawasaki Vulcan S undercuts the Harley-Davidson Nightster by about $4,349, so value is squarely on the table. On paper the Harley-Davidson Nightster leads on power with 91 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.
Our pickHarley-Davidson
Harley-Davidson Nightster
Kawasaki
Kawasaki Vulcan SThe verdict
The Harley-Davidson Nightster edges it overall at 7.8/10, but the Kawasaki Vulcan S wins on best for new riders, so let how you ride decide.
Kawasaki Vulcan S
A2-legal, 61 hp, forgiving to learn on.
Harley-Davidson Nightster
91 hp and 0.41 hp/kg, the strongest here.
Kawasaki Vulcan S
Our 7.6/10 at $7,650, the most bike per dollar.
Harley-Davidson Nightster
221 kg with an 705 mm seat, the easiest to throw around.
Harley-Davidson Nightster
Our top score in this matchup at 7.8/10.
Cyan marks the best figure in each row. Specs are the most-cited for the current model; verify before relying on them.
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Harley-Davidson Nightster vs Kawasaki Vulcan S: your questions answered
Which is faster, the Harley-Davidson Nightster or the Kawasaki Vulcan S?
The Harley-Davidson Nightster makes the most power at 91 hp and 95 Nm, giving it the edge on outright performance.
Which is cheaper, the Harley-Davidson Nightster or the Kawasaki Vulcan S?
The Kawasaki Vulcan S is the most affordable here with an MSRP around $7,650.
Which is lighter, the Harley-Davidson Nightster or the Kawasaki Vulcan S?
The Harley-Davidson Nightster is the lightest at 221 kg, which makes it the easiest to manage at low speed and in the bends.
Which is better for a beginner, the Harley-Davidson Nightster or the Kawasaki Vulcan S?
For a new rider we'd point to the Kawasaki Vulcan S: A2-legal, 61 hp and 229 kg make it the most approachable of the group.
