My problem is that I can't figure out what the V-Rod is or what it is suppose to do. It might out run a few, very few, other bikes and it handles just a hair better then my Ultra. I know that I must be missing something because a lot of smart Riders own the V-Rod. Hopefully something in this thread will educate me.
It's a very fast cruiser that easily outruns every other HD bike. It's not a sportbike, but it will outrun most 750's. The main thing is it's modern. I don't want to bash other HD bikes, but they all strike me as antiques.
If you have the patience to search thru a website with 19,000 registered users, here's your education...
My problem is that I can't figure out what the V-Rod is or what it is suppose to do. It might out run a few, very few, other bikes and it handles just a hair better then my Ultra. I know that I must be missing something because a lot of smart Riders own the V-Rod. Hopefully something in this thread will educate me.
I was in the same boat the first time I rode a V-rod. We showed up too early at an HD Factory ride. We wanted compare the Dynas to the Soft Tails. Harley was misinformed and thought it was a sport bike show so they brought Buells and the VRSC line. I was ready to leave but my wife insisted that we ride "something". Since we were so early, the factory rep got to know us and what we wanted in a bike. He told us the Night Rod was the only bike made that had everything WE wanted. Well, he was right. Two weeks after that test ride we couldn't take it any more and bought a Night Rod. The day we bought the D we also tried all the Dynas and Soft Tails. (It's nice having a long time friend that owns a dealership.) I can't say the the V-rods are the perfect bike for everyone, just the perfect bike for us.
The V-rods are cruisers. They are very quick off the line when you want them to be. They aren't the fastest bikes built, but they are fast and will get to the top end quickly. They live in the twisties, even two-up. I haven't seen another bike that handles the twisties so well with a passenger. They are comfortable riding bikes, at any speed. The front end is a bit heavy at parking lot speeds. The wide-tire bikes don't handle quite as well as the bikes with the 180 rear tire. IMHO the Night Rod is the best all around cruiser. I don't ask anyone but my wife to agree with me. Anyone that gets the Southeast region Full Throttle Magazine will be able to see, probably in the next issue, what category our bike took first place in during a recent Toys-for-Tots bike show. I'm not telling.
That said, anyone up for a ride in west Georgia this weekend? Bring what you got. My wife will be on the back as usual so we'll have to keep it down to more or less legal speeds.
__________________ Cody
"I often question my sanity. It never answers."
06 VRSCD
I like the style of the V-Rod & in some remote way it reminds me of the V-Max with that squat bull dog stance. The V-Max was infamous for the front end wobble that kicked in at 125 mph & in a flat out race the V-Rod would over take the V-Max at +100 mph & beyond. I owned two of the V-Max machines & don't miss them. Are Power crusiers defined more for their ability to go fast rather then smooth crusiers?
I think I understand where you V-Rod guys are coming from now and agree with the modern angle. Also the 2 up riding in a more sporting manner. Just don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining. The V-Rod is no sport bike at that weight. In the 80's when I was in my 40's I had 6 bikes at one time. From a 500 XC Husky to a FLHS. Having rode all those bikes back to back over many years, I can see why a person would choose a V-Rod. It is a little of everything. And a good bike.
I like the style of the V-Rod & in some remote way it reminds me of the V-Max with that squat bull dog stance. The V-Max was infamous for the front end wobble that kicked in at 125 mph & in a flat out race the V-Rod would over take the V-Max at +100 mph & beyond. I owned two of the V-Max machines & don't miss them. Are Power crusiers defined more for their ability to go fast rather then smooth crusiers?
The Night Rod is a very smooth crusier. When we test rode the Dyna my wife claimed the vibrations made her nose itch. It's fun having acceleration and speed. That isn't why we bought it. There have been a couple of times that I have had to use that crazy acceleration to stay our from under cages. Both times my wife was on the back. Taking a bike from 50 to 100 up the Mogllion Rim on I-17 north of Phoenix, in third gear with a passenger would normally be considered fun. When you are about to be 18-wheeler fodder because a jerk in a Mustang thinks he's quick enough to block you, it becomes a matter of survival. (After we topped the rim I dared him to try and pass us. He also decided at the last minute that the next rest stop would be a bad place to be.)
__________________ Cody
"I often question my sanity. It never answers."
06 VRSCD
My problem is that I can't figure out what the V-Rod is or what it is suppose to do. It might out run a few, very few, other bikes and it handles just a hair better then my Ultra. I know that I must be missing something because a lot of smart Riders own the V-Rod. Hopefully something in this thread will educate me.
The V-Rod is a bike which can not be judged on a single test ride or even a day. It takes a bit of riding even if you're experienced or rather used to a different set-up and many reviews have reflected this.
The long wheelbase and rake can take a bit of learning if one never handled such a set-up. Coming from shorter wheel bases I had a I bit of dislike / uncertainty at first. But once I figured out what the bike needed it was off to the twisties and I mean twisties, She can lean and corner as low and hard as most of you can take her. Very responsive and easy to handle.
The motor: HD has never claimed it to be what it ain't, (it's the competition thats constantly comparing it to sport bikes), but it's been called a "muscle" or "power" cruiser, even "sport cruiser" - by others. It too may take some time to learn what it can do and when to do it. More than enough HP for the street and more than most will need or use on the street. "Street" is the key here. This motor can cruise around town very gently and smoothly, great in traffic, on the highway ect, but get past the 5-6000rpm range and it turns beastly for those who want THAT! Remember this Harley revs to 9000 rpms!!!!!! Ka Peash? Absolutely a blast to drive, I've likened it to the best of both worlds.
I don't see the weight as an issue, are we looking for et's here? The weight for a "street" bike is an asset, I can understand why some would like it lighter and I too have managed to shave about 40# off the bike but with the amount of power it produces the weight, again on the "street" in no problem. Even the "Almighty" "Busa" is over 500# and it's a sport bike. Hell for a big cruiser the v rod weighs probably average.
It's a very fast, very smooth, very responsive motorcycle. It handles IMHO very easily and does whatever I need it to. Comfort is subjective as is aesthetics, but for an all around street bike Harley simply nailed it down, add to that reliability, water cooling and loud pipes and you're hooked.
I think I understand where you V-Rod guys are coming from now and agree with the modern angle. Also the 2 up riding in a more sporting manner. Just don't piss on my leg and tell me it's raining. The V-Rod is no sport bike at that weight. In the 80's when I was in my 40's I had 6 bikes at one time. From a 500 XC Husky to a FLHS. Having rode all those bikes back to back over many years, I can see why a person would choose a V-Rod. It is a little of everything. And a good bike.
Who said it was a sport bike? I also own a CBR600 F3, which I never ride anymore...maybe because I'm 46 now. The Honda is MUCH more nimble, but not as fast or even as quick, but I prefer to sit straight up and enjoy the scenery...and have some juice in my glass. I own a 600hp Nissan 300ZX as well. I like power.
Who said it was a sport bike? I also own a CBR600 F3, which I never ride anymore...maybe because I'm 46 now. The Honda is MUCH more nimble, but not as fast or even as quick, but I prefer to sit straight up and enjoy the scenery...and have some juice in my glass. I own a 600hp Nissan 300ZX as well. I like power.
I said your bike was a good bike, it's the future I'm sure. I guess now that I'm older I like more than just power. I like character more than any other attribute. You know like a biplane compared to a lear jet. A biplane is so mechanical, you can almost taste what's going on. The same with a Sportster, when I get her warmed up, I can hear those 4 cams whirling around and all the different noises are music to my ears. You don't have to defend the V-Rod to me any more, I understand where your coming from and think H.D. is making a great bike for the future. But I for one, will not be dragged into the future if is water cooled. To me, a bike is more than what the V-Rod or any bike with a radiator is. I'm sure that I'm in the minority, but that's okay, guys like S&S will give us what we want if H.D. goes to water cooling.
I said your bike was a good bike, it's the future I'm sure. I guess now that I'm older I like more than just power. I like character more than any other attribute. You know like a biplane compared to a lear jet. A biplane is so mechanical, you can almost taste what's going on. The same with a Sportster, when I get her warmed up, I can hear those 4 cams whirling around and all the different noises are music to my ears. You don't have to defend the V-Rod to me any more, I understand where your coming from and think H.D. is making a great bike for the future. But I for one, will not be dragged into the future if is water cooled. To me, a bike is more than what the V-Rod or any bike with a radiator is. I'm sure that I'm in the minority, but that's okay, guys like S&S will give us what we want if H.D. goes to water cooling.
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I'm interested - I will never understand the problem some have with water cooling. I just don't see the gripe? If your Sporty had a radiator would it act or sound any different? Run different? Cooler for sure and last longer. "Character" would remain in tact. The sound of your 4 little cams would still be chirpin'. What the hell is it?
Funny thing is that all the bikes they compare and say the V-Rod is NOT are water cooled!
I'm interested - I will never understand the problem some have with water cooling. I just don't see the gripe? If your Sporty had a radiator would it act or sound any different? Run different? Cooler for sure and last longer. "Character" would remain in tact. The sound of your 4 little cams would still be chirpin'. What the hell is it?
Funny thing is that all the bikes they compare and say the V-Rod is NOT are water cooled!
Yes it would sound very different. I would not hear my "4 little cams" or the engine much at all, only the exhaust. Have you ever heard a sporty when they pull off the interstate? The engine makes all kinds of sounds that a water cooled engine would not. I like the nature of all of those sounds. If you don't, it's fine with me. I also don't like the looks of a radiator on a bike, no matter how beneficial. It's a whole different trip, if it's not for you, okay. This thread is about your thoughts on the V-Rod, I'm not bashing the bike, it's just not my idea of a proper bike. I like Sportsters and radial engines, just the way it is. They have their own sound and character.
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