Topic: drove the harley v rod

[tramp]

the bike had a lot more power than i thought it would
any gear any speed the throttle just kept going
thats the good news
the bad news is that the bike does not handle for crap
very slow to get it over to change lanes and a ponderous beast to move around at a idle
i do understand the harley magic and if i wanted to buy one the v rod would be the one
it is a heavy bike and handles like one

[Ernie]

have you seen the night rod special ? now that just looks badd ass!!!

[Raul CB750K1]

I always say that heavy, big bikes are like whales: impossible to move out of the water, but smooth and safe while on the move.

Don't forget that the V-Rod has a sport engine in a cruiser frame. The geometry is not intended for a sport riding, so it doesn't facilitate the change of lanes as the rake is too advanced -I believe that's the correct term, but you know what I mean: the steering angle is far from vertical.

Anyway, that bike is intended only for racing between traffic lights. Only some stupid -like me- will put 500 miles on a day with it. It was mine for a day, so I rode it from Nashville to Tupelo along the Natchez Trace. Great memories, but my butt is still aching four years later (I don't want second meanings with this, please behave)...


Raul

[ProTeal55]

No matter how you look at it - or how harley markets it, a V-Rod is NOT a sportsbike.
The streetrod is ALITTLE more of a sportbike then the regular model , but it is still an american cruiser.
If you want good handling , go buy a sportbike...

[HondaJay]

The best thing about the V-ROD isnt even made by Harley... They went to Porsche to design the engine for them.

[pmpski_1]

The best thing about the V-ROD isnt even made by Harley... They went to Porsche to design the engine for them.

Source please?

[burmashave]

The best thing about the V-ROD isnt even made by Harley... They went to Porsche to design the engine for them.

Source please?

You can find it several places.  motorcycle.com: tinyurl.com/j5dzg   motorcyclecruiser.com: tinyurl.com/f9ovo.  It was also discussed in a documentary about the bike.   The same is true of the Night Rod Special: tinyurl.com/ma6kz

Personally, I don't like the styling of either of them; however, I most certainly am not their target audience

[Raul CB750K1]

The best thing about the V-ROD isnt even made by Harley... They went to Porsche to design the engine for them.

Source please?

There was a documentary on Discovery Channel. You can surely download it from eMule, but I have the original DVD bought at a supermarket.

[Jay B]

I put about 25 miles on one a couple years ago. I thought the motor was FANTASTIC, the rest of it was junk. If they'd put that motor in a decent sport-touring chasis they would really have something.

[dusterdude]

the v-rod engine is the engine of the future for big twin harleys,aint no way they can pass emission regs in the near future with air cooled engines.

[ProTeal55]

the v-rod engine is the engine of the future for big twin Harley's,ain't no way they can pass emission regs in the near future with air cooled engines.

Exactly.
HD new they needed a new motor for their future bikes, and the V-Rod powerplant is it.
Would be super wicked to have a fully dressed RoadKing classic with a v-rod powerplant in it...

There's a new tuner version every month it seems, but PT is right, it is what it is.

This is because the V-Rod sales are nothing what HD thought they would be..
They actually pay top "custom" builders to use their bikes for high profile media projects, to help stir intrest in the bike and sales. The bike is ugly, unconformable, and DEF. not a sportbike in any means..
The "NightRod" is just another version of the same ugly,unbalanced, uncomfortable bike that came out a few years back, just in black. The "streetrod" is just another version with better brakes and mid controls..

You want HD sportbike - go buy a Buell....

[dusterdude]

true on both accounts

[nickjtc]

You want HD sportbike - go buy a Buell....

I agree. They are really fun to ride. Pity about the spotty reliability issues, though.

[dusterdude]

You want HD sportbike - go buy a Buell....

I agree. They are really fun to ride. Pity about the spotty reliability issues, though.

im in no way a buell afficiando,but what are the specific issues?

[nickjtc]

You want HD sportbike - go buy a Buell....

I agree. They are really fun to ride. Pity about the spotty reliability issues, though.

im in no way a buell afficiando,but what are the specific issues?

I should have chosen my words better. Sorry about that. The earlier models had a history of factory recalls to correct issues with manufacture:

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/press/date/19990504/press022802.html

Newer models have issues too:

http://www.farrin.com/legal-news/product-recall-alerts/2006-buell--motorcycles.php

My personal experience is limited to the fact that I used to lead Buell demo rides for the local HD dealer. On one occasion a demo rider pulled into the lot at the end of his ride with the front of the motor covered in oil from where the external oil feed had come disconnected. The rider didn't notice that anything was wrong, but if he had continued riding the motor would have eventually been empty of internal lubricant.

[ElCheapo]

The frame looks like a strangled trapeeze act.

Number one reason for not liking it.

1. It is a Harley
2. I would have to get my arms lengthened so they drag on the ground so I can reach the bars.
3. My ride gear would now cost more than a sane person would pay for a bike.
4. Shakes like a tractor.


Ohhh wait that's 4 reasons.. 

[ProTeal55]

I was ALL ABOUT owning a Buell untill I sat on one last weekend at the dealership.
1st off the thing is way high. I am about 6'' tall with a 34'' inseam and I couldnt flat foot the floor.
Plus it just seemd cramped and not comftable what so ever. My 30+ year old bike sits more comfy than
that thing !

[tramp]

one more thing about the ride is that there was vibrations in the handlebars and the frame it did seem to be fine for long distance rides

[pmpski_1]

wow - I had no idea about the VROD. It's a nice looking bike, but too much money.

Speaking of too much money...ProTeal, which Buell did you test? The CityX is the one that I like. I sat on one at the dealer and it was tall... and the footpeg placement seemed kind of weird (guess that's what rearsets would feel like?). There's a used one for sale with a low seat but it's still $$$. .

Plus, I also looked at a Suzuki DRZ400SM this weekend. Half the price of the Buell, easy to take to track days, light, cheap if you drop it and break something, and you can take it in the dirt and jump it if you are so inclined. Doesn't quite sound like a Buell though...

[Chris Liston]

My brother owns a V-Rod and I basically broke the bike in while he was in the Army.
 Its a nice bike for what it is and the engine is very nice and has plenty of power.  But the bike is super uncomfortable for any distance riding, the suspension is way too hard and your ass and lower back are dead after about 1 hour. 

The bike doesn't even know how to say the word corner as you have to go slow through all of them, but then again it really wasn't designed for it.  Its nice on long flat highways as the motor needs to be moving.  Around town its alittle cumbersom.  I'd never spend the money on a bike that can't handle at all. 

And the exhaust is placed so perfectly that you need to keep your foot on the last .5" of right footpeg so you don't cook your calf.  Harley should have done more tests on ergo's on that bike. 

[Raul CB750K1]

The ignition lock is just below the seat, on the right side. I rented the bike for one day and managed to drop the keys twice. Needless to say, the key will fall and get caught between the frame the hot exhaust, and you will have to look for a stick or something to get the key. I guess that owners, like me, will not drop it more than two times. Live and learn...


Raul