I heard so many bad things about this bike that I didn't seriously consider it. The price is really high compared to the competition. Hell, even the Harley guys around here advised me against any Sportster saying "you won't be happy".
As a matter of fact, I decided on a Suzuki Boulevard M50 based on reviews, commentary (like on this website), and my base requirements: fuel injection, shaft drive, water cooled.
I eliminated various Triumph, Star, Kawasaki and Honda models over 6 months for one reason or another. In May I made the rounds one last time: I sat on a Nightster, and then immediately went and sat on the favored M50 once again.
My black Nightster has 500 miles on it now. It is what it is - there are undoubtedly "better" bikes with different attributes. But there are none like this one. People stare in silence at her beauty. I'm not kidding.
Rides like a tank, shakes like a Tommy Gun, pulls like a locomotive, hotter than Halle Berry.
I couldn't be happier.