Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special vs BMW R 1250 R Roadster (2023)
Side-by-side spec comparison, pricing, and a plain-English breakdown of how the Harley-Davidson Night Rod Specialstacks up against the BMW R 1250 R Roadster. Numbers pulled from manufacturer spec sheets — click either bike for the full review.
Spec comparison
| Spec | Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special | BMW R 1250 R Roadster |
|---|---|---|
| Model year | 2017 | 2023 |
| Price | $18,749 | $15,595 |
| Engine | 1247 cc | 1254 cc |
| Horsepower | 121 hp | 136 hp |
| Torque | 111 Nm | 143 Nm |
| Weight | 289 kg | — |
| Seat height | 27 mm | 32 mm |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 L | 4.8 L |
| Fuel type | petrol | petrol |
| Transmission | 6-speed | 6-speed |
| Front brakes | Double disc. ABS. 4-piston | Double disc. ABS, 4-piston radial calipers |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. ABS. 4-piston | Single disc. ABS, dual-piston floating caliper |
| Tires | 120/70-ZR19 / 240/40-R18 | 120/70-ZR17 / 180/55-ZR17 |
Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special vs BMW R 1250 R Roadster — which should you buy?
Picking between the Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special and the BMW R 1250 R Roadster usually comes down to the numbers you care about most. On paper, the Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special brings 121 hp in a 289 kg package, while the BMW R 1250 R Roadster counters with 136 hp. On price, the BMW R 1250 R Roadster has the lower MSRP.
Our spec tables above highlight the winning number on each line. For the full rider-focused reviews including real-world fuel economy, service costs and available colors, click into either bike: