Harley_Davidson_V_Rod_MY_OPINION

I recently bought a new 2003 V-Rod and couldn't be happier. Initially, I was considering purchasing either the V-Rod, Fat Boy, or Deuce. But once I saw the V-Rod in person and actually sat on it, I had to have it. It fit me like a glove. I love the fact that no other Harley looks like this bike. It is totally unique. And man is it ever an attention-getter! I am constantly amazed at the power and speed that the V-Rod is capable of. I mean, when you open up the throttle, even if you're already cruising along at 65-75 mph and running at 5000-6000 RPMs, this thing just jumps to life like a bullet out of a gun! Frankly, this bike has more power and speed than I think I would ever need. Not that I'm complaining about that! There are so many "pros" to this bike, but only two "cons" that I can think of. Those being the high price ($19,070 tax, lic, accessories, etc.) and small fuel capacity (3.7 gallons). But no bike is perfect, right? And I haven't regretted this purchase for a second!

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This is a fantastic motorcycle. All of the research, visits to showrooms and e-mail that I have read always lead back to "WOW, what a motorcycle". However my problem is the price. I'm not opposed to paying for a quality motorcycle, but why would I buy a motorcycle for $20K when I can buy two statistically comparable motorcycles for the same $20K. I am a member of the military and have been serving my country for the past 14 years. When I called Harley Davidson (HD) to ask if there was a discount program for the military member, I was shunned, almost laughed at. I asked the customer service representative "why should I buy a HD for $20K when I can buy a Honda for a fraction of the price?" His answer because its American made and I should support American made products. I then explained my military story of the only reason HD can make a motorcycle is because the military member sacrifices to ensure America is free. His response, "so what?" This buy American but forget about who keeps America free philosophy has made up my mind. I will not support a company that believes it costs double to "buy American". I'll stick with an overseas motorcycle manufacturer. My advice is to shop around and research. A motorcycle may look like a princess, but have the heart of a slug.

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Welcome the future of Harley Davidson! This radical new design is so beautiful most people fall in love with its looks. Some older traditional Harley enthusiasts don't care for its liquid cooled engine ... until they ride it. I only have 53 miles on it so far, but it far exceeds my expectations as far as comfort, and style. Harley Davidson is pretty specific on the break in period, so I have not opened it up. I am waiting for the streets to be swept so I can get out on the road and put some more miles on it. I was surprised by the technology integrated in the fuel injected line of Harley Davidson motorcycles. When you turn the bike on, you can hear the fuel pumps priming the engine according to a variety of sensors. The factory security system is fairly sophisticated. I didn't expect a lot of technology from a 100 year old company that continues to sell retro styled bikes. I upgraded the factory security system with a siren. I have had 2 bikes before this one and both have been tipped over, by people. I know this won't prevent a tip over, but at least it might help me catch the person who did it. [06/11/2002 Update] Now that the break-in period is over I can comment on the full power of the motorcycle. WOW! You have not experienced power until you get the engine revolutions above 5000! The V-Rod is sure to impress with the generous amount of power. The V-Rod is not going to win any races with an R1 or other sport bikes (because of the weight) but it should be able to keep up. This bike gets a lot of looks. Still not used to so many people walking up and looking at the bike. Some people have even offered to buy it on the spot. This is the bike I was waiting for Harley to make. I am not going to sell it now! The V-Rod is an excellent motorcycle and I am still very happy with it.

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I fell in love with the VRod the first time I saw one four years ago. Knew I'd never be able to afford one, £14,000 in the UK, I had to settle for renting one for a day. That's when it got disappointing. My first gripe was the Mickey Mouse ignition key, the kind you get on a kiddies cycle lock- for fourteen grand I expected a security device of some sort. The key was fiddly and the ignition sited just where you can't reach it, under your right leg, it got so that I was having to switch the bike on and off using the kill switch-not recommended. Next, possibly because I'm a bit of a shorthouse, only five eight, I found my feet only just reached the footpegs. Operating the brake and gears was a real stretch, literally. Then I discovered that the frame under the tank, uncomfortably dug in to my thigh. But that was heaven compared the burns I almost got from the exhaust pipe under my right calf. This to me, is a serious design fault, it's got to be fixed. I've read accounts of a sweet gearbox, not on the specimen I rode. This bike was brand spanking new, only four hundred miles on the clock, and yet the gears clunked like something off a pre-war Russian tractor. Finding neutral was a hit and miss affair, usually miss. I'm not an inexperienced rider, thirty years in the saddle, but this was the most awkward bike I've ever ridden. Having said all that, this is still the most beautiful thing on wheels, apart from Miss Universe on roller skates, and I still love it. It really turns heads in the street. So as soon as I can have my legs made from asbestos and extended six inches, I'll consider ram raiding my local dealer and stealing one.

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I've been off of motorcycles for over 12 years and got the itch to buy a Harley and ride again. After experiencing only Japanese bikes (my last bike was a GPZ-550), I was looking for the traditional V-twin cruiser, particularly the Softail Deuce. I didn't care for the soft handling of the Deuce...it was smooth, but I wanted a more sporting and responsive bike. I tried the Dynas and really like the FXDX until I got my butt on a VROD. In a word, it was stunning. The motor is smooth and has just the right amount of noise to let cars know you're there. The torque at 2000rpm is good (not stump-pulling @2000 like a TC88) but downright eye-popping when you get to 4000rpm. The 115 ponies are all there and well-fed by a very smooth and progressive F.I. system. Very gentle throttle response at all rpm make it a smooth ride. When I want to just putter around, the VROD accommodates that mood nicely. When I feel the need for speed (0-60 in 3 secs), well, just throttle up and hang on. The bike fits me perfectly and has a zen-like balance which translates into great high-speed and easy low-speed handling. I felt no unusual instability in cross-winds with the disc wheels either; just the usual balance adjustments as with any bike I've been on. Countersteering, however, is not as quick as on a sportbike or the FXDX but it is a marginal difference. I expected a quick bike based on a short test ride at a dealer. After riding several hundred miles (the seat is fine for me...no aches), I love it even more for its wonderful balance and dual nature as a gentle cruiser or powerful adrenaline rush of acceleration. Congrats to Harley-Davidson for having the guts to do the VROD.

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On a routine day back in July (or was it June?) I drug myself to another day at the office. Not much going on that morning so I took a look at Harley-Davidson's web site and there it was...this can't be real. I had never owned a HD before, but I knew now that someday I would. HD just introduced the V-Rod and I immediately started looking for a dealer that would sell one at MSRP. I came across Red River Harley-Davidson outside of Wichita Falls, TX and put my name on the list. About 8 months later I had a new V-Rod sitting in my garage. BTW, Red River HD was the best dealership I had ever dealt with and I highly recommend them! As of today (3/5/02) I have 600 some-odd miles on the bike and have a pretty good idea of what the bike is like. So far the tach has only seen the 5,000 RPM territory (not wanting to 'race' it until first service is done). If that was all she had in her I would still be content. That's pretty impressive considering that places it at only a little more than half its power. Since I've had numerous bikes much faster than the V-Rod, I'm not as concerned about the power like a lot of people are, but rather the 'whole package'. And let me tell you, it delivers the whole package! The attention this bike draws is unreal. I'm sure it will die down after the 'newness' is gone, but for now it's quite amusing. Guys leave their girlfriend's sitting in the drive-through to come look at it, people make u-turns to come back and look at it, people stop short at red lights so I will be next to them when I stop, people don't leave on green until I do, kids stop and stare as it rolls by (that's my favorite), and women absolutely LOVE it (still haven't quite got used to that one). I truly believe it draws more attention than my buddy's very awesome 427 powered '67 Z-28 - and it's always drawing a crowd. The fit and finish of the bike is first class and better than any bike I've ever owned (from Japan to Italy). I'm 6' tall and the bike fits me like a glove, however I'd like the foot pegs stretched a little more forward once I'm cruising. I had the leather Bad Lander seat added at delivery and it's very comfortable, but I can't comment on the stock seat. The Super Sport windshield does a nice job of complimenting the looks of the bike and does a good job of keeping wind off the mid-section. However, because of its angle and height it throws the wind directly into your face. That's not an issue if you wear a full-face helmet or good glasses. I also added the Screamin' Eagle pipes at delivery and can not compare their performance to stock since I've never ridden a stock V-Rod. I can say the SE pipes give it a much throatier sound than the stock pipes and are not too loud if you live in an area where you do not want to wake up the neighbors while leaving for work in the morning. Special care must be taken when making right turns with a passenger. My neighbor's wife begged me for a ride and the lower pipe 'easily' drug the ground while the rider's foot peg never did. Remember this since it happens much easier than you would think. Another thing that really sets this bike apart is all the chrome working with the anodized aluminum. I added most every major chrome accessory (swing arm, front forks, belt guards, belt pully, hand and foot controls, mini-sissy bar, jiffy stand, steel-braided water line, etc.) and it really did wonders for the bike. As mentioned above, I still have not experienced the full power of the bike, but there's no doubt that it wants to run. It's performance specs (with the exception of handling) is almost identical to the new and high-tech Honda VFR sport-touring bike, which ain't too shabby for a 600 lb., 2 cylinder, raked-out cruiser! The handling is very natural, IMO, but you must remember things will drag much too soon if you are used to riding sport bikes. As far as the solid wheels and cross-winds go, it's not that big of a deal. I felt more thrown around on sportbikes with heavy cross-winds than on this bike. I guess my biggest compliant with the bike is how soon the gas light comes on. It's usually around the 80-90 mile mark but I notice I only add around 2.5 gallons at the pump which still leaves about 1.2 gallons in the tank. I could probably squeeze out 120-130 miles but at around 100 miles I'm about ready to stretch my legs anyway. My other complaint is the dealer gouging going on around here and most places. I don't care what the excuse is. I could see $500 over, but $10,000 over...come on! I was fortunate to buy mine at MSRP and spend $4k on accessories, $650 on labor, $800 on a 4 yr. warranty, TTL, plus freight and setup and still walk away cheaper than nearly all of the 'cheaper' V-Rods in the metroplex that are bone-stock and no fees or taxes. I believe the bike is a great buy at MSRP, but not at $27k for a stock bike. If you are paying these prices for a stock V-Rod then I hope you have money to burn, because the dealer is laughing all the way to the bank.

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I too was struck by the V-rod's styling when it first came out. I was not looking for another motorcycle but had to have one since it was the first ever HD water-cooled bike. Anyway, I was not expecting to like the bike as I am around 40 with kids, no longer looking to prove myself through what I can do at stoplights. Boy was I surprised-this thing is great to ride. The powerband on this motor is incredible-good to know that HD still understands the balance between TQ and HP. I currently ride a 92 FXRS evolution with an engine I love for its reliability and cruising torque, but I compare it to a truck motor, or tractor motor actually since I am from Iowa. Great for what it is intended for but will never really blow you away. This Revolution engine is a jewel. You can cruise through town using just the throttle and the total range of RPMs, down to about 2000, and aren't constently fishing for gears. Try that on one of the in-line 4s and you will think you are dragging bricks until you get the revs up. The Revolution reminds me of my BMW V-8, you are always smiling because you love the engine. I did add the Screaming Eagle pipes, air cleaner and computer mods before I took delivery. I still use my 92 convertible for all road trips and don't feel the V-rod would excel here. Don't get me wrong, the thing could cruise all day long, but the chassis is just a touch too stiff for my taste for long trips. I have logged a hundred or so miles at a pop and agree that you are ready to get off, although this may pass with time in the saddle. So, buy it if you love to simply cruise around on a bike in great weather, hang-out at the local joints, and make occasional trips out of town, although you may not stop as the bike is just so great to be on. It will never be a touring bike and thank god for that! Too expensive, maybe for some and cheap to others. I have yet to see any other bike with the quality of parts and assembly that Harley uses. Jap cruisers look cheap to me, although I know they are as quick and reliable for much less money. And yes, I like the fact they are made in Milwaukee, one of my favorite towns in the world. All I can say is I can't wait to see what they put that engine in next and already have sent the motor company a letter telling them I will be first in line when they come out with a street legal VR1000 style bike. C'mon Harley-you know you want to!

Harley_Davidson_V_Rod_MY_OPINION

I rented a Harley V-Rod down in West Palm Beach, FL last month, and thought I would share my impressions, for those considering buying the bike. At the outset, just looking at the bike is like candy to the eyes. The fit and finish of the beautiful aluminum chassis and bodywork is stunning, and there's more than enough chrome to satisfy most. It is decidely 'Un-Harley-like' in appearance, but doesn't look like all the other metric cruisers, either... if nothing else, the V-Rod is unique. Sitting down on it, I was dissapointed. Although I liked the foot controls, which are placed fairly far forward for stretched-leg comfort, the handlebars were too close, and the bike felt small; it IS small, if you consider the 625 lb weight, in the context of the 115 HP engine. The engine starts instantly, thanks to Harley's fuel injection system, although one does have to wait perhaps 5-10 seconds for fuel pressure to be established before hitting the starter (a warning light on the instrument cluster tells you when it's OK to light it up). The engine gives a satisfying rumble, much more muted than the average Harley, but nothing like the average metric engine. My first sprint down Belvedere Boulevard tells the story: this sucker really kicks! There's seemingly unlimited acceleration, constrained only by the nerve of the rider. Despite the 9000+ RPM redline, I don't think I got it much over 5000 RPM before selecting the next gear, and even then, the acceleration was truly impressive. The five speed tranny has well spaced ratios. However, the handling was a bit unsettling, although part of this impression might have been the rather worn tires on this rental (the bike had 12K miles on the clock, and the rubber was original). The bike felt skittish and a bit too responsive, as if the front end geometry was a bit too hot. The brakes were very good, with lots of fade free stopping power. The clutch was surprisingly heavy, though, despite the fact that it's hydraulic. I was supposed to have this bike for three days. However, it developed transmission problems; finding neutral at a stop light was nearly impossible, and I kept popping it past the neutral point, regardless of whether I approached it by going 'down' from second, or 'up' from first. While this problem wasn't necessarily a show stopper, I didn't like the idea of having my left hand utterly chained to the clutch lever, so I returned the bike to the rental agency and took a Heritage Soft Tail Classic instead.

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When I first saw the V-Rod, I was unimpressed. The styling seemed like a wannabe Yamaha. But the more I looked, the more I liked. Beautiful sweeping curves, grace and elegance in motion. I gradually fell in love. Finally, on Christmas Eve, my Sweetie rented me a 2004 V-Rod. We put about 300 miles on it, swapping off as we rode around the Island of Hawai`i. You can see a few photos at www.Wrench-Wench.com in the Reviews section. The beautiful, brand-spanking-new machine we lucked into had actually been shipped over just for us - the 2003 bike we had been scheduled for had been crashed by the previous renter. Both the Sweetie and I had a hard time imagining how a person could crash that bike without having been hit by a raging cage. It just WANTS to stay up and RUN! Riding "him," I felt like one of the ancient goddesses who used a shark for a steed - the tank looking like the curve of a shark's back, and the headlamp "snout" thrusting ahead. . . the bike reminded me of Kamohoali`i, Pele's brother, a shark deity. Hitting a couple of mossy patches, he flicked his tail just a bit and then surged forward. Handling was different from what I am used to - a bit more "floppy," in the curves. But I quickly got used to that. It has a nice smooth powerband, with no surprises. In fact, it handles so smoothly, and the center of gravity is so low, it is a very easy ride. If felt almost impossible to drop. I'd call it a perfect bike for the smaller, and woman, rider. . . . EXCEPT . . . The stock pipes, while beautiful to look at, are really a pain for the inseam-challenged. I could barely reach the ground with my right tippy toe, which made backing the bike into parking spaces, and other such manouvers, kind of difficult. YO! Manufacturers! Not EVERYONE who rides has a 32+" inseam!!!!!!!! I have a 29" inseam with my BOOTS ON! In addition to holding my leg out, the pipes also toasted it up pretty well. I had to ride with my right leg actually resting on the pipe, which got pretty warm, especially when the bike was under load, like pulling up a hill, or when I was downshifting a lot in the twisties.I was SOOO glad I had on leggings, jeans, knee-high boots, and chaps. I think I would have suffered some real burns with anything less. First mod would have to be the pipes. Acceleration was so smooth, I didn't realize I'd topped 80 until my helmet started lifting and tugging at the chin strap. The suspension smoothed out the patches in the Saddle Road, but retained firm handling characteristics. I never got a chance to run through all the gears because even in 2nd, the 69 cubic inch Revolution engine moves that 600-plus pound bike faster than I'm competant to ride. The RPMs were hanging around 6K, and suddenly I realized my grip had tightened, not so much in the emotional rush of speed, but simply because without a windshield, there is a definate sensation of being blown off the bike by my own wind. If you are looking for the feel of raw power - that sense of "gathering" the large cruisers tend to exhibit before the horses overcome inertia, you'll need to look somewhere else. It's not at all a V-Rod thing. The bike simply increases rpms smoothly - no fuss, no muss - with a sound reministent of a jet spinning up. While the Sweetie did not at all like the sound, I loved it. A bit "Yammish," I really liked the quiet hum, and sudden "whoosh" as my Honey passed me while he was taking his turn on the bike. I didn't even hear him coming up, then there was a faint whine, then suddenly, like a sudden gust of wind, he was by me and gone! And I loved the sound while I was riding it. Sort of a "Stealth Harley." Controls are a bit forward for my taste, but they were too close for the 6' Sweetie. However, straight stock, the bike is perfectly rideable by either of us. Fit and finish were excellent. The welds were smooth an unobtrusive. It took a while for me to even FIND some of the welds and connections! Oh, yeah, that little semi-padded thing on the back fender. Even WITH a sissy bar, don't bother climbing on it. It's purely decorative. If I ever actually buy a Harley, the V-Rod is certainly at the top of the list!

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I purchased my V-Rod at the Harley-Davidson Dealership in Las Vegas, NV on October 13th, 2004. Before I even got if off the showroom floor, I already had the first of many offers to buy it. By the time I pulled out of the dealership parking lot, I knew I was sitting astride a winner! The V-Rod is a motorcycle like no other, yet it feels strangely familiar as soon as you slip into the low-slung saddle. Everything is within reach, and the seating position feels like it was tailor made for me personally. Being 5'8" and a beefy 200 lbs, I seem to be the exact sized individual the engineers had in mind when they created this bike. The foot-pegs are in a seemingly natural resting place, yet their forward position doesn't inspire the typical Harley slouch. This could be simply attributed to the enormous ego one develops by merely riding such a unique machine. The bike tracks well, except at low speeds where the front end seems a little too light. Once you exceed 10-15mph, the steering is a dream on the straights and in the twists. The ample clearance allows a warm, fuzzy comfort zone in deep curves, with the first thing to contact pavement being the heel of your boots. The rider is quickly lured into a natural oneness with the V-Rod; however, a simple twist of the wrist, and any complacency which might have crept in is immediately blasted away by the sheer force of the bike's acceleration. Which brings us to the motor... which must be the result of Area 51 scientific testing, because it is certainly not of this world. Acceleration this immediate, consistent through the power band, and intuitively manageable is not bred in your typical Harley Davidson stable. The engineers at Porsche must have believed they were developing a new engine for their own motorcycle, for them to have put so much thought and perfection into it. The motor alone, on ANY motorcycle would make the bike exceptional. It beckons the rider to push hard. Very hard. The most difficult time of my life was undeniably the 500 mile recommended break-in period with its suggested 4K maximum RPM limit. When you have that 10K red-line on the tachometer (neatly tucked away alongside the speedo) as a constant reminder of the motors potential, 500 miles seems like a million. Imagine my feeling of bliss, when I stopped by the dealership a couple of days later with 300 miles on the odometer, and the mechanic told me... "Go ahead. Get in it." The first 25-foot rubber stamp was laid not far from the dealership that very same day. The speedometer shows 140mph of possibilities, but somewhere around 136, I felt the unrelenting force of my own velocity attempting to wrestle me from the drivers seat! The exhaust note from the artistically sculpted twin pipes seemed to be screaming hallelujah as we bid farewell to the 8 grand mark. What a rush! The ride from zero to break-neck was smooth and predictable. No sputters, jitters, or wiggles other than those caused by the wind attempting to pound me out of the V-Rod's saddle (a feat made impossible by the deeply sculpted stepped seat). Alas, it was time to slow down. The front and rear calipers bite eagerly into the V-Rod's massive disks to rapidly bring the brushed aluminum and chrome bullet to a stop. No uncomfortable nose dives, no lock-ups, no skidding. Just the tenacious grip of the meaty Dunlops working their magic on the blacktop. Still reveling in the adrenaline rush, I pulled into a gas station to refill the absurdly small gas tank. 3.5 gallons isn't nearly enough to squeeze big chunks of enjoyment from each ride. The tank located under the seat is easily accessible, although attempting to fill it to the brim (for more mileage) will result in a slight fuel spill. This is caught by the rubber skirt surrounding the gas cap; however, the run-off does stain visible parts of the frame and belt guard. When I finished filling the tank and went inside to get my change, I returned to a coven of 7 V-Rod worshipers attempting to ascertain the origins of this unusual contraption. They did not know each other, and had no interest in getting acquainted with anyone but the owner of this beautiful motorcycle. The V-Rod attracts an unbelievable amount of attention. Gawkers from age 7 to 70 are drawn to it like so many moths to a flame. People who hate motorcycles (and motorcyclists), love the V-Rod. It is sexy. It swoops and curves and shines in all the right places with just the right mix of beauty and brutish good looks. It's manly without being macho, and feline without being feminine. No one can walk by this machine without stopping, turning, looking, and repeating. The V-Rod does have some quirks which require getting used to, such as the radiator fan which kicks on at unpredictable intervals, and the odd placement of the rear exhaust pipe which curves like a smoldering serpent along the rider's right inseam. These quirks are quickly put to bed though, each time yet another person says to you "My God. That is the most beautiful bike I have ever seen." The V-Rod is an engineering masterpiece molded into a work of art. It will inspire either deep adoration or livid contempt in anyone who gazes upon it, because it is impossible to remain neutral about such an incredible machine

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Harley finally gave us a fast bike. Since I'm not a Buell fan, I'll discount those from the outset. (I personally think that design teams should start from the ground up, rather than stick half a Sportster engine in a new frame and call it a new bike). The VRSCA comes out of the box with a respectable 115 horsepower. This horsepower comes from Harley's first factory water-cooled powerplant and is capable of propelling you at a respectable 140+ m.p.h. Early V-Rod's had some problems with the electronic ignition package, but that problem was corrected quickly, early on. The new ignition packages are more than reliable, they are a dream. No more hard starting. As a fan of the Harley Davidson sound, I was pleased to discover that the V-Rod also has that sound, particularly at low r.p.m. On the other hand, when you put the bike through it's paces, it does sound more like a racer and less like a Harley. This is primarily due to the higher revolutions generated by the new Revolution engine designed by Harley in conjunction with engineers from Porsche. The transmission is pure Harley. You still get the good solid "clunk" when you're shifting. For my money Harley transmissions are yet to be beat for hitting every gear solidly every time. The gauge cluster is a bit better than the one on my Fat Boy. The speedometer is the largest gauge in the middle with a tachometer on the left and a fuel gauge on the right. There is also a trip odometer at the bottom of the speedometer along with the neutral shift indicator and a oil pressure warning light. I must say that I love the fact that this bike comes with a tach. Most Harley's don't. The seat height is approximately the same as my Fat Boy at 26 inches with a half inch more ground clearance, at 5.6 inches. This bike is just shy of 94 inches long with a little more rake on the front forks than a typical Harley (34 degrees). After reading the technical specs on this bike I expected cornering to be a problem. However, this bike will lean like a racer. This ability to lean allows the bike to handle road curves much better than my Fat Boy; which tends to hit the foot rests when you turn too hard. The V-Rod will hit the mufflers on the right side if you "get after it" too hard. Road curves and tight handling are too different things and the long, raked V-Rod will not turn tightly (in a parking situation for instance). If you're able to go 140+ m.p.h. it's important to know something about how well you'll be able to stop. The V-Rod answers this concern nicely with 4 pot calipers on disc brakes. It doesn't take much finger pressure to put the brakes to work. And they do work well and reliably. All that stuff is pretty cool, but how does it ride? Quite well is my answer. I did not take it to it's top speed, but I did give it a nice workout and found it to run up toward top speed very quickly. I won't tell you how fast I went (I'll invoke my fifth amendment rights and avoid self incrimination here). I will say, this bike will go faster than the majority of riders will want to go. I loved the way it handles curves. It's like riding a gyroscope, the way it leans way over and comes right back to center as soon as you hit the straights. There is no feeling like riding a great bike, and this was one very good ride. The one thing I didn't like was the fuel tank. At something less than 4 gallons, it doesn't go nearly as far as your friends will between fill-ups (unless they're riding a sporster). I also didn't like the location of the fuel tank, having to lift the seat to get to the gas fill. I thought people would think I was having to work on the bike, not to mention it's just not convenient. It's not terribly difficult, as there is a latch, but still. I didn't care much for that. As for looks, that's as varied as there are individuals. I do like the racing appearance of this bike. But, I did not care for the brushed aluminum appearance. I guess the look grows on you, but it hasn't taken root with me yet. At the end of the day, it's a fully functional motorcycle, and there really isn't such a thing as a BAD bike; just some better than others. For those looking for a cruiser, this one handles well, the long wheel base is bump friendly and it certainly handles road speed and more without effort. But, you will have to stop a lot to fill up and you'll have to lift the seat to do it. If you're looking for a bike that turns heads, this one certainly did while I road it, and it has the performance to back it up. Be well, get better, live large.

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The V-Rod is a departure from the Harley Davidson image. A lot of die hard HD fans don't like it... I love it. It's the most beautiful bike that HD makes. It's full of innovation, nothing else on the road looks like it. I had the chance to rent a V-rod on a recent trip to Denver. I only had it for 24 hours, but I rode it on the freeway, in town, in the mountains (curves), and through a rain storm. Here are my impressions after 24 hours with a V-Rod. Comfort I'm 5'10" 190lbs The V-Rod has a low slung and deep seat with footpegs that look to be VERY far forward. When I sat on the bike I noticed how easy it was for me to touch the ground, I could even stand above the seat if I chose to. The seating position has you reaching for the footpegs and handlebars, it sounds like it would be uncomfortable, but surprisingly it isn't. I was able to ride all day with no discomfort. I was stopping often to take pictures though. Once you get your feet on the pegs it feels like kicking back in your easy chair and putting your feet up. The rear view mirrors were useless. All I could see in them was my elbows unless I pulled my arms way in and creened my neck way out (hardly a safe riding position). HD needs to extend the mirrors for better rear vision. Controls I had to train myself to use the turn signals on the V-Rod. I've never ridden a bike with self canceling signals or that had separate signals for left and right. I kept pushing the right turn signal when I meant to start the bike. The lights and horn are in about the same spot as my Magna but that's about it. You have to reach over the Run/Stop switch to get to the starter button. Once you get used to the button locations everything is easy to find, it's just different than anything else I've ridden. The ignition switch is in a weird location under your right thigh. It's not easy to reach and you can't see it without leaning over. This switch also unlocks the seat so you can fill the gas tank (located under the seat, that thing on top is NOT for gas). The ignition key will fall out with the bike in the "LOCK" position and guess where it falls... yep, right between the hot engine and the hotter exhaust (guess how I know). The gauge cluster consists of a speedometer, tachometer, and fuel gauge. There are also warning lights for temperature, oil, fule pressure, and low fuel. The odometer is digital and includes a trip meter. Engine/Transmission The V-Rod's 69 cubic inch (1130cc) Revolution engine is an absolute powerhouse. It's a fuel injected, liquid cooled overhead cam engine that I hear was designed by Porsche. Whoever designed it made a great engine! Turn on the key and wait a few seconds for the fuel pressure to build, hit the starter, and the V-Rod springs to life! The Revolution engine doesn't have the vibration that Harley's are known for, there is a little vibration at low rpm, but it's not bad at all. Low RPM torque is very good but this engine really comes to life about 6K rpm, yes I said 6k, when most cruisers are done the V-Rod is just getting started! The engine redlines at 10K rpm and from 6K up you'd better hold on. Cruising around the mountain roads in Rocky Mountain National park, I was able to ride in 5th gear and just roll on the throttle when I needed to accelerate for all but the steepest grades. I cruised at about 2000 rpm most of the day no where near the "fun" range for the V-Rod. If you like to put around the V-Rod can do that just fine, but it's much better suited to "spirited" riding. My rental bike had an aftermarket Samson Exhaust system that was entirely too loud! I was setting of car alarms with it! The distintive exhaust sound that you expect from a Harley was there, it was just obnoxiously loud. (I found out later that the V-Rod was the loudest bike they had!) The transmission is another work of art! This has to be the smoothest shifting transmission that I've ever used. The gearing seems to be perfect, theres no clunkiness, it's an absolute jewel. Power is transferred to the rear wheel via a belt. The clutch was very stiff, I was surprised at how much effort it took to engage, especially since it is hydraulic. You have to learn to feather the stiff Harley clutch to keep from stalling the engine at take off. In traffic I would take my hand off and stretch at each stop light, once you get your hand used to the stiffness I'm sure it's fine, but it was killing me! Suspension/Brakes Disc brakes are standard on both front and rear on the V-Rod. There are dual disc on the front and single on the back. Braking was very good with little effort and not much fade. The rear brake on my rental bike was very sensitive and easily locked up. The Suspension seemed adequate, it smoothed out the mountain roads and made the ride a pleasure. The front end didn't dive on hard braking and I always felt in control, even when I hit a pot hole in a curve. Handling Obviously straight lines and moderate curves are the V-Rod's forte. It felt rock solid on straight aways but any serious curves revealed a weakness. The V-Rod feels top heavy and you have to work to get it to lean. It takes effort to maintain a line through a corner. Handling wasn't bad, but you had to think about it more than I'm used to. Summary Obviously 24 hours isn't enough to get a detailed impression of the V-Rod, but it is enough time to form an initial impression. I loved the looks and just had to ride it. After spending a day on the V-Rod in all sorts of situations I can say that it is a very nice motorcycle that handles ok and will haul buttocks! The only things that stand out as negatives are the mirrors and the ignition location. If the price were right I'd definitely buy the V-Rod!

Harley_Davidson_V_Rod_MY_OPINION

In 2001, Harley stunned the cruiser world, with its $17,995 VRSCA "V-Rod" A 106hp / 72LbFt, modern liquid cooled 11XXcc powered, DOHC, 4-valve per cylinder V-twin, in a raked-out, trick-looking dragsterish chassis. The V-Rod represents both a move into the second half of the 20th century for Harley, and a significant rising of the performance bar for the cruiser world. The power cruiser genre almost got started in the mid 80's with Honda's V-65 Magna and Yamaha's awesome VMX-12 V-Max. These bikes however, were powered by liquid cooled OHC V-four motors, which though extremely fast, didn't feel or sound right to traditional cruiser buyers. Oddly enough, just when Harley was changing the cruiser game, Japan stepped up to the plate with bikes that finally looked and to some extent sounded like traditional American cruisers. The Yamaha Roadstar Warrior combines best in class suspension, and excellent brakes, with a 73hp / 92LbFt, 102ci (1670cc) air-cooled, pushrod, V-twin in a racy long and low cruiser package, for $11,999. Having both of these bikes at our disposal, MO decided this was a prime opportunity for a mini "Best of the Best Power Cruiser Shootout" Given the disparity in price between the Warrior and the V-Rod, we allowed two easy to install and fairly inexpensive bolt-on mods to the Yamaha. The mods are: a $449 Vance & Hines "Pro Pipe" 2 into 1 megaphone exhaust, and a $329 Dynojet Power Commander PCIII adjustable tuning module. Thus modified, the Warrior gained a somewhat louder and deeper exhaust note and more importantly, picked-up 5.2 horsepower and 5.8 foot-pounds of torque, for a total of 78.4 and 97.8, bringing the Warrior a little closer to its more powerful rival from Harley. How ironic the Japanese does its best work at about half the rpm level of the V-Rod...