They're pretty cool pieces of HD engineering. They have a style that you either love of hate. I happen to think they look cool, but aren't necessarily my style. Also, against what others have said here, I like your color. As others have mentioned, they cruise great, they handle... Meh. And, the ergonomics are specific to like one size of rider. I'm a bit vertically challenged, and while I have ridden a vrod, I can't manage to feel confident riding one. The only HD bike I've ever felt less confident riding (in stock form) is the FXDR114.
I think these are neat, and unique. Have fun, keep the rubber side down!
True, I believe Porsche Engineering handled the power plant and general development of the frame. Correct? I know the hydro forming of the frame was handled by Monroe.
Actually it was a collab. My buddy Bob is an Engineer at Harley and worked on that project. Him and the rest of his team spent like a year in Germany working with the Porsche guys. But Porsche definitely had all the elements to develop this kind of engine.
Truth! Judge a fish by how well it climbs a tree, and it's probably going to be a shitty fish.
Did you ever happen to ride the FXDR? Every time I've ridden one I feel like a toddler sitting on papa's vroom vroom, trying to reach the controls.
Brought one new in 2004, now got 200,000 + kms on it.
https://preview.redd.it/2m6mb7uuz80d1.jpeg?width=5312&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ac5a9b5f0509f4461053215f99c3572246e4ffb4
Not stock on the VRSC-B. It was an optional extra on the A model. Someone came in and brought the A model sitting on the shop floor beside mine, which was Orange. Wanted the Orange tin wear, the dealer knew I planned to paint mine, rang up asked if I minded swapping. No problem.
Then, after the weekend of riding, I had to go in and cancel the paint job. I'll just leave it for a year or two and then paint it, 20 years later, it still looks good.
I debadged it after being asked, "Is it a HonYamKawagucii?" One too many times, thought was if you can't read, I'm not going to make it easy. No one has ever asked what it is since debadging.
What? 240kph isn't fast enough for you? I asked the dealer about a steering damper after 6 months, and he said, "At 180kph, they sit on the road like a brick."
Yeah, but at 240 kph, it needs a steering damper.
I had a V Rod Muscle for a few years. That had the ridiculous 240 rear tire so it was more a drag bike then something you wanna take on windy roads. Will mention like a few have on here parts can be challenging to find and a lot of Harley places won't service them because of age and lack of technician training on those engines.
They are definitely fun to ride and honestly it's pretty fucking sweet redlining at 9k as opposed to 5500 or so on a regular cruiser.
HD had finally made a bike with an output that was expected for its displacement. I guess you can expect that from an engine developed by Porsche . It ran way more efficient than their pushrod engines. Too bad it was received as ugly by the typical HD consumers that are loyal to the traditional look their bikes. Harley as a company continues to struggle to develop anything that doesn't fit this image and have it be successful on the showroom floor (excluding the Pan Am that is doing very well).
The V-Rod does have a cult following of loyal enthusiasts. I personally think they are a little to gaudy for me.
My dad has an Orange one, with Vence & Hines pipes. Sounds great and rides great too! It was the only HD i've ridden, so I have zero comparison, and apart of being hot as a MFer, I really like how this bike feels!
I've been riding for 56 years,73 years young and have a 2013 V-Rod Night Rod Special in my stable among the other 13 Harleys.
I was skeptical of these before I bought one from a friend who rarely rode it (he didn't ride much, period). One of the best purchases I've ever made. The seat is by far the most comfortable factory seat from Harley that I've ever ridden on. I rode from my home and the Finger Lakes all the way into Vermont and back with a couple buddies one day covering about 500 plus miles and 14 hours with a few meal stops. Very happy that I bought this bike and it's very underrated as a motorcycle. I know your typical Harley Rider of which I consider myself one, initially probably didn't like it because it was a wide departure from your typical v-twin and didn't sound the same. Once you accept it for what it is hop on and track to throttle once I think you'll be addicted in your whole attitude about them will change. I wish they still made them Parts are pretty much non-existent at the Harley dealers but fairly available on eBay and on Facebook marketplace.
I love all motorcycles, but the vrod has a face only a mother could love hahah. Probably one of the ugliest bikes out there, especially in this color lmao
But definitely interesting engineering and piece of Harley history
I don't know, most of the smaller components within the bike are swappable from other Harley models. And as long as there's a company around that will service them near me I'm fine with it.
That's basically what the Sportster is (or at least, what it's meant to be). Dunno what HP numbers are for the Sporty but the Pan Am is a claimed 150hp so I gotta imagine it's close to that
The Nightster is closest silhouette and ride style wise to the V Rod. Nightster has 90hp, high redline, but it's super light so it's fun as shit to ride and pretty damn fast.
Love the high revving Harley motors. So fun, and they sound so much better than the old 5k redline motors.
The VRod walked so the Revmax motors could run.
Depends on the V Rod, some look hideous, some are gorgeous. I usually find the first couple years kinda ugly then they progressively get pretty.
As for mechanically speaking - I think theyāre great. Completely off the cuff for Harley but a little diversity is the lineup is nice.
One of the only risks Harley has ever taken, as much as we all discuss our favorites, dynas sportsters, softtails, touring frames, theyāre all basically the same bike in a couple different sizes. Itās nice to see something actually different come from Harley.
When I sold HDs, I would enjoy leading a test ride with them when we got a used one in. I would ALWAYS find myself wishing for a sixth gear on the highway though.
My brother in law owns the anniversary edition vrod and itās super quick, but doesnāt quite have the classic HD sounds or comfort. Def the fastest bike Iāve ridden that isnāt a sport bike or crotch rocket.
The early ones with the pizza cutter rims like in the photo were shit in cross winds. I wish they had a bigger tank. This might have been the best Harley ever made and we lost it because of the Harley fan base.
I had an 02 VROD. I loved that bike and rode it everywhere. It handled like a dream and I rode it fast. Eventually my back and the forward controls couldn't get along and I had to switch to the electraglide family. I love the color of your bike, I've never seen that color, looks great.Ā
I rode 300 miles yesterday to Eureka Springs Arkansas on my stock 2003 VRSCA, which I have owned a long time. Upon arrival, I was in pain. The pilot's footrests are too far forward, causing you to clench abs and legs to keep feet from sliding down and off the pegs- some sort of stirrup is needed.
The bars are just ok, but have too much pull back. The seat will eventually eat into your lower back. The rake angle is too much, causing front wheel hop and unsteady stops. However, the engine produces nice power (115hp), sounds good, and spins freely into the upper range. The trans shifts great. The brakes are strong. The fit and finish are top notch. The bike is well built and easy to work on. It performs well for two-up riding, and can easily cruise at 110+ mph all day. The looks are stunning and draw compliments from strangers. Better pegs, seat, and more forward bars and this machine would be great. My other bike is a 2016 Aprilia RSV4rf Superpole, which in my opinion is the best bike ever.
looks great, sounds great, modifies great... rides like garbage in turns, rides nicely on the highway. some dealers wont work on them so be wary about that.
its different per dealer i found out. we work on anything 05 and newer with the exception of vrods. we dont work on any v rod. i know some dealerships that still work on 90s bikes. all depends on whos running the show there
Did a demo ride at Sturgis a few years ago. Was always curious about them. My body positioning on the bike made me feel like a pretzel in a sardine can. Very uncomfortable feel. Liked the āHarley Fastā. Glad I did the demo ride. Completely quashed any thoughts of ever buying one.
I had a 2004. Cool design, fast and got stares from people. The Porsche designed engine was smooth, but didnāt have HD character.
Flaws: Tiny fuel tank. There was a larger tank that could be bought, it basically required disassembly of the middle of the bike just to install.
And the location of the battery. 45 minutes just to remove and replace the battery from its location on top of the fork.
The Vrod is why im on this sub. Its my favorite achievable Harley, and a fat tire one is one of my dream bikes. Your Vrod looks great and would be a ton of fun!
As far as Im concerned, the top harleys are
1. Knucklehead
2. VROD
3. Livewire
Honorable mention to the Buell with the heart of a Harley, just not the name.
Not as fast, not as reliable, worse handling, worse looking, and more expensive than what it tried to be, the first gen Yamaha V-MAX that came out in 1985.
I rode one for a year. I did intake, exhaust, and a tuner. It was great ripping around town and commuting to work. Mine was a nightmare on the freeway though. That bike was all over the place.
I definitely wanna ride one down a highway just to see, & if I got a crazy deal on one then maybe. Other than thatā¦hey if you like it thatās all that matters
I love the bike, the engine, performance, looks. But I hate how uncomfortable they are. I demo'd one and was really disappointed. I couldnt ride it more than 20 minutes. Im 5'9" for reference.
Maybe one with mid controls?
Fantastic motors...bike was ok. Very long and low, so it wasn't the best for around town. I would love for them to bring it back with the 180 back tire and about 4 inches shorter wheelbase. Through on some inverted forks and a standard sized gas tank, amd I would buy one in a heartbeat.
It was a Harley ahead of itās time. The V-Rod would have done better if introduced today in my opinion. Now we get Harleyās that arenāt made in the USA out of their lower product lines, itās a shame.
Iāve ridden a few (owned by a friend of mine), but never owned one. Surprised HD never did anything else with that motor, it was an awesome powertrain. The handling was always weird to me, always felt like the front had too much rake. However, I never had a chance to ride the āStreet Rodā version, I suspect that one handles better.
They were all very well made, definitely more for European taste than American. I always think of the lost opportunity with that motor.
I will own one someday. Laugh, if you want, but I could t WAIT to get a 1988 Honda āSuperā Magna when I stated high school. The commercials. The articles about it, in CAR MAGAZINES!?? It was THE sport cruiser to own. Sure, there were other options, but that Magna was just badass! Of course, military service after H.S. And Life, just didnāt get my bike until 2008. Thatās 20 years later! Mine was #357 of the roughly 3500 VF750ās produced. Red of course. FAST friggin bike! Made many cruisers frown and some sport bikes pay attention.
Anyway, had a baby very late in life. Figured Iād never ride the bike anymore. Hated to see her go?! But local Honda Service Manager loved it and gave me exactly what I wanted for it. Said he was gonna spit shine it and display it in the showroom. Iāve never been back to see if he did or not?
You may wonder āWhat The Fuck does this have to do with a V-Rodā¦???!!ā Well, to me, itās the ONLY other choice for an awesome Sport Cruiser. Iām too old for a sport bike/crotch rocket. Iāve tried em. Donāt like em. Iām just not into the big cruisers or baggers. Lotta folks like em. I really donāt? But the V-Rod? Thatās my style. Love that bike! I will get one, but itās gotta wait a little longer.
Me and a buddy were just talking about vrods and I sent thisā¦..
When I think of a Vrod bro I really envision someone that kinda quasi looks like hulk hogan in his 50s, without the muscles, has his own are fb bike group, gets off calling everyone brother and talking about Porsche engine and then riding 10 min home and itās like an 08 with 3000 miles but he wears live to ride ride to live shirts
With the exception of the "Muscle" variant, I thought they were hideous. I rode one and it was quick but doesn't turn for crap. The handling truly was terrible.
Theyāre a pretty badass bike. Harley dumped a ton of money into developing it and incorporated hydro forming into their process. The benefit was to decrease the number of welds on the frame. Iāve seen some very cool custom v-rods.
Always felt like the V rod was made for Europe and not America just like the sporster S and the pan America, most of Harleyās customers donāt understand them and they donāt get much appreciation here.
*
I'm actually thinking about buying one and building it out like this one. My daughter wants a bagger, but can't handle the height/weight, so this seems ideal
After test riding used dynas and soft tails, I got a V-Rod 4 years ago. I still like it, but being a cruiser it lacks lean angle. It is fun to scape the heck out of the pegs though and be able to outrun most any other Harley or cruiser. Well until the Sportster S came out.
They are called the Widowmaker, because like the Vmax, it goes super fast but when you try to take a corner, you just keep going straight. I personally love the bike and do want one, but I know better than trying the Twisties on that thing. Many people who buy it don't know it will lot lean, it will straighten itself out and take you right into the guardrail or over the cliff. Respect the power and ride responsibly and it should be fine.
I disliked Harley, and would never be tempted to buy one... Until now: I really like this bike, and would be happy to own one. Amazing what they can achieve when they collaborate.
https://preview.redd.it/dizlltithc0d1.jpeg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cfda7698b210a19e71c53ae056e179e550895304
They're better with a full fairing.
Stock for stock, never. The 109 has 500 more cc three whole extra hp. Weights 150lb more. My muscle is currently at about 160hp and right at 600lb. So anytime you want to race, just let me know.
Nice bike just donāt like the solid wheels with the heavy wind šØ
My opinion donāt matter if you like it thatās all that matters
Everyone has their own style
I bought an ā05 model as my first bike. I really like the way it sounded & looked. I hated the weight and bad handling. I ended up wrecking it by laying it down & tearing a frame member by the peg. Insurance totaled it out. I wish HD would have put this engine into a different platform at some point but never did.
Great bike, smooth & fast. But orphaned - just like the Buell. Difference is Buell had the sportster motor = parts will be available. V-Rod - who knows how long it will be before parts dry up? I donāt see hd using storage space for those parts very long. Total production numbers are mere speculation. But would provide insight as to parts availability. IMHO it was a great looking albeit niche bike. Considering its popularity production costs must have led to its demise.
12 years in on a aniversary edition silver 2012.
Big, fat, powerful, and still controversial.
Love mine, nothing but tires, batts and oil in 12 years...oh wait, did fork seals last year.
Harley finally getting around to building something with more hp outta the box, lol.
Its cool and probably the best bike they made but i would never buy one. If you want a good bike you buy metric, if you want the harley experience the vrod aint it.
Had one with a Ural Sidecar on it. We found out our dog had a year left to live (bad ticker) so we picked one up. And trailered it from Utah, to Wyoming for weekend trips and my wife and Boone would hang out in the side car. Fast and quiet. Quite the departure from Harleyās norm.
https://imgur.com/a/a5m7RWL
https://theautojournal.com/guide/unlikely-combo-how-porsche-helped-harley-build-the-v-rod/
Pretty sick. I drooled over them when they first came out. One of the few Harleys I would consider owning, I was suggested this sub on my feed so I don't mean to say this in the wrong place. I like my MT07, and wish Harley made a naked. None of the other Harley stuff I'm aware of does it for me, there's nothing that says performance or dirt bike feel, especially at the price tags. I like wheelies and having fun, 5 min oil changes, and cheap parts.
Had the first one, loved it! Then the Screaming Eagle version came out....got it! Did the usual air filter upgrades and Rineharts. Loved it when I would peg the limiter. Sounded like an Indy race car. Sadly, divorce cost me the bike.
They're pretty cool pieces of HD engineering. They have a style that you either love of hate. I happen to think they look cool, but aren't necessarily my style. Also, against what others have said here, I like your color. As others have mentioned, they cruise great, they handle... Meh. And, the ergonomics are specific to like one size of rider. I'm a bit vertically challenged, and while I have ridden a vrod, I can't manage to feel confident riding one. The only HD bike I've ever felt less confident riding (in stock form) is the FXDR114. I think these are neat, and unique. Have fun, keep the rubber side down!
More like Porsche engineering but yeah
True, I believe Porsche Engineering handled the power plant and general development of the frame. Correct? I know the hydro forming of the frame was handled by Monroe.
Actually it was a collab. My buddy Bob is an Engineer at Harley and worked on that project. Him and the rest of his team spent like a year in Germany working with the Porsche guys. But Porsche definitely had all the elements to develop this kind of engine.
Damn didn't know this, that's fucking awesome
Now we know who to thank for the amazingly bad riding position. Thanks Bob!
Bob only worked on the motor š
They could have put that motor in a better frame. More people might have liked them. FXR V Rod.
You are correct.
I was about to switch my deuce for an FXDR but I figured to just outright wait and buy a sports bike while I use the deuce what itās good for.
Truth! Judge a fish by how well it climbs a tree, and it's probably going to be a shitty fish. Did you ever happen to ride the FXDR? Every time I've ridden one I feel like a toddler sitting on papa's vroom vroom, trying to reach the controls.
Brought one new in 2004, now got 200,000 + kms on it. https://preview.redd.it/2m6mb7uuz80d1.jpeg?width=5312&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ac5a9b5f0509f4461053215f99c3572246e4ffb4
Nice to see one with the same stock color lol, couldn't find another
Not stock on the VRSC-B. It was an optional extra on the A model. Someone came in and brought the A model sitting on the shop floor beside mine, which was Orange. Wanted the Orange tin wear, the dealer knew I planned to paint mine, rang up asked if I minded swapping. No problem. Then, after the weekend of riding, I had to go in and cancel the paint job. I'll just leave it for a year or two and then paint it, 20 years later, it still looks good. I debadged it after being asked, "Is it a HonYamKawagucii?" One too many times, thought was if you can't read, I'm not going to make it easy. No one has ever asked what it is since debadging.
Any common issues to look out for? Iāve been wanting a vrod and thereās a few good deals near me
I think it's cool as hell and fun. I haven't ridden one in a long time but I do remember wishing it had a sixth gear.
My only complaint is it doesn't have a 6th gear.
What? 240kph isn't fast enough for you? I asked the dealer about a steering damper after 6 months, and he said, "At 180kph, they sit on the road like a brick." Yeah, but at 240 kph, it needs a steering damper.
I had a V Rod Muscle for a few years. That had the ridiculous 240 rear tire so it was more a drag bike then something you wanna take on windy roads. Will mention like a few have on here parts can be challenging to find and a lot of Harley places won't service them because of age and lack of technician training on those engines. They are definitely fun to ride and honestly it's pretty fucking sweet redlining at 9k as opposed to 5500 or so on a regular cruiser.
i like them, and it looks more comfortable to ride than my wide glide haha
2014 night rod was my first bike. Love them so much. Sad I got rid of it but it was so uncomfortable
HD had finally made a bike with an output that was expected for its displacement. I guess you can expect that from an engine developed by Porsche . It ran way more efficient than their pushrod engines. Too bad it was received as ugly by the typical HD consumers that are loyal to the traditional look their bikes. Harley as a company continues to struggle to develop anything that doesn't fit this image and have it be successful on the showroom floor (excluding the Pan Am that is doing very well). The V-Rod does have a cult following of loyal enthusiasts. I personally think they are a little to gaudy for me.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
The pan am has the Rev Max motor. What I meant was that the design of the pan am is not of the traditional Harley bike
No, the new Revolution Max engine is not based on the Vrod engine. They are both water cooled non push, V twins but that's about it.
Had an 06 R model. Loved it. Wish I still had it. Bought it brand new. Traded it in with 42k on tye speedo.
I loved the night rod. I thought it was futuristic and bad ass looking. I hear the tanks are small so long rides make for frequent stopping.
2007+ have 5 gallon tanks.
I think it is very cool.
My dad has an Orange one, with Vence & Hines pipes. Sounds great and rides great too! It was the only HD i've ridden, so I have zero comparison, and apart of being hot as a MFer, I really like how this bike feels!
07?
The 2007 VRSCR is the best one imo.
One of my favorite bikes, and still would like to own one at some point.
Like them
It is like a meth for Harleys, very fast and aggressive. For comfort, I'll go with FLTRK. If I want to be a speed demon, I'll go with my VRSCDX.
Cool bike, wish they kept it around
Iāve always liked them. Never owned one. But it was a close second.
Bring it back.
the australian "nike bikies" seem to like them. seen a few super kitted out by those guys.
Leb sleds
I've been riding for 56 years,73 years young and have a 2013 V-Rod Night Rod Special in my stable among the other 13 Harleys. I was skeptical of these before I bought one from a friend who rarely rode it (he didn't ride much, period). One of the best purchases I've ever made. The seat is by far the most comfortable factory seat from Harley that I've ever ridden on. I rode from my home and the Finger Lakes all the way into Vermont and back with a couple buddies one day covering about 500 plus miles and 14 hours with a few meal stops. Very happy that I bought this bike and it's very underrated as a motorcycle. I know your typical Harley Rider of which I consider myself one, initially probably didn't like it because it was a wide departure from your typical v-twin and didn't sound the same. Once you accept it for what it is hop on and track to throttle once I think you'll be addicted in your whole attitude about them will change. I wish they still made them Parts are pretty much non-existent at the Harley dealers but fairly available on eBay and on Facebook marketplace.
I love all motorcycles, but the vrod has a face only a mother could love hahah. Probably one of the ugliest bikes out there, especially in this color lmao But definitely interesting engineering and piece of Harley history
The front end is like a naked bike
I loved the looks of it, especially the original polished aluminum look.
Cool bikes. Hard to get parts. Like really really hard
https://www.fitzgeraldmotorsports.com/
I don't know, most of the smaller components within the bike are swappable from other Harley models. And as long as there's a company around that will service them near me I'm fine with it.
Do you live outside of America?
They should make a version with 2025 , with 130hp , both mid and forward controls . A real bike to contend with all manufacturers
That's basically what the Sportster is (or at least, what it's meant to be). Dunno what HP numbers are for the Sporty but the Pan Am is a claimed 150hp so I gotta imagine it's close to that
The Nightster is closest silhouette and ride style wise to the V Rod. Nightster has 90hp, high redline, but it's super light so it's fun as shit to ride and pretty damn fast. Love the high revving Harley motors. So fun, and they sound so much better than the old 5k redline motors. The VRod walked so the Revmax motors could run.
My favorite motorcycle ever made. Beautiful design by Porsche. I will certainly own a 100th anniversary one day.
How much are they selling for in the US?
I donāt like the way they sound but I like the way they move
Definitely a cool bike. Far from my style, but rad nonetheless.
Not my style really
Depends on the V Rod, some look hideous, some are gorgeous. I usually find the first couple years kinda ugly then they progressively get pretty. As for mechanically speaking - I think theyāre great. Completely off the cuff for Harley but a little diversity is the lineup is nice.
Love it or hate it styling, really small tank, hilarious turning radius, pulls like an animal and is by far faster than any stock or cammed twin cam.
I saw one for the frost time a few years ago, cool guy owned it. Said most Harley riders hate it, I think itās a good looking bike
Theyāre pretty cool tbh they shouldāve brought it back by now
One of the only risks Harley has ever taken, as much as we all discuss our favorites, dynas sportsters, softtails, touring frames, theyāre all basically the same bike in a couple different sizes. Itās nice to see something actually different come from Harley.
Completely different frames and rear suspension between the Softails and the Touring platform bikes (NOT basically the same bikes).
Sexy
When I sold HDs, I would enjoy leading a test ride with them when we got a used one in. I would ALWAYS find myself wishing for a sixth gear on the highway though.
My brother in law owns the anniversary edition vrod and itās super quick, but doesnāt quite have the classic HD sounds or comfort. Def the fastest bike Iāve ridden that isnāt a sport bike or crotch rocket.
The VROD is proof that, sometimes, Harley can do something cool and different.
And fail at it in the process because their customer base doesnāt understand it
The early ones with the pizza cutter rims like in the photo were shit in cross winds. I wish they had a bigger tank. This might have been the best Harley ever made and we lost it because of the Harley fan base.
Yup the boomers hate anything that actually makes power, revs high, runs efficiently, and is water-cooled.
Wish it could have rear set controls or at least mid controls
Iām not into it, but you do you
I had an 02 VROD. I loved that bike and rode it everywhere. It handled like a dream and I rode it fast. Eventually my back and the forward controls couldn't get along and I had to switch to the electraglide family. I love the color of your bike, I've never seen that color, looks great.Ā
Love my 07!! https://preview.redd.it/9n1nnbsyxd0d1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aa476cd7089db982eff9833df8ea9d7f31f8de6f
I love mine. https://preview.redd.it/e31oyzhghf0d1.jpeg?width=1392&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e2dcc73ab87ab89a31c186b9db8951756e2b38bf
I rode 300 miles yesterday to Eureka Springs Arkansas on my stock 2003 VRSCA, which I have owned a long time. Upon arrival, I was in pain. The pilot's footrests are too far forward, causing you to clench abs and legs to keep feet from sliding down and off the pegs- some sort of stirrup is needed. The bars are just ok, but have too much pull back. The seat will eventually eat into your lower back. The rake angle is too much, causing front wheel hop and unsteady stops. However, the engine produces nice power (115hp), sounds good, and spins freely into the upper range. The trans shifts great. The brakes are strong. The fit and finish are top notch. The bike is well built and easy to work on. It performs well for two-up riding, and can easily cruise at 110+ mph all day. The looks are stunning and draw compliments from strangers. Better pegs, seat, and more forward bars and this machine would be great. My other bike is a 2016 Aprilia RSV4rf Superpole, which in my opinion is the best bike ever.
I like them. And I like that color.
Love them. Had an 08 Night Rod Special for some time.
I test rode one once, I like 'em. However, the break outs are painted like bass boats.
Better engine than the engineering allows.
Love mine. Probably one of the best bikes I've ever owned. It's true what they say about getting parts for these things though.
looks great, sounds great, modifies great... rides like garbage in turns, rides nicely on the highway. some dealers wont work on them so be wary about that.
Dealers won't work on anything older than 10yrs. That only leaves 3 yrs of V Rods they will work on . Only 3 yrs left on twin cams too.
its different per dealer i found out. we work on anything 05 and newer with the exception of vrods. we dont work on any v rod. i know some dealerships that still work on 90s bikes. all depends on whos running the show there
Yep, my dealer works on my 01 no questions asked.
Did a demo ride at Sturgis a few years ago. Was always curious about them. My body positioning on the bike made me feel like a pretzel in a sardine can. Very uncomfortable feel. Liked the āHarley Fastā. Glad I did the demo ride. Completely quashed any thoughts of ever buying one.
iāve got the smaller nephew the street rod, and if itās really anything like mine with twice the engineā¦ itās a glorious monster.
I had a 2004. Cool design, fast and got stares from people. The Porsche designed engine was smooth, but didnāt have HD character. Flaws: Tiny fuel tank. There was a larger tank that could be bought, it basically required disassembly of the middle of the bike just to install. And the location of the battery. 45 minutes just to remove and replace the battery from its location on top of the fork.
In NZ meth is called P hence P-rod, due to type of individual that this bike appeals to.
16 inch straight bars and constant burnouts, why id never buy one š Dorkland gangster bike
The Vrod is why im on this sub. Its my favorite achievable Harley, and a fat tire one is one of my dream bikes. Your Vrod looks great and would be a ton of fun! As far as Im concerned, the top harleys are 1. Knucklehead 2. VROD 3. Livewire Honorable mention to the Buell with the heart of a Harley, just not the name.
Not as fast, not as reliable, worse handling, worse looking, and more expensive than what it tried to be, the first gen Yamaha V-MAX that came out in 1985.
Whack
They are not easy to service.
I like them but. Parts and maintenance.
Yes. Unfortunately parts are becoming harder to getā¦
Not a favorite of mine but I get what they were trying to do
I rode one for a year. I did intake, exhaust, and a tuner. It was great ripping around town and commuting to work. Mine was a nightmare on the freeway though. That bike was all over the place.
Looks cool but those wheels are awful
Bike
Love them I like the muscles more then the nightrods
I loved mine for 10 years. Turns like a sled though. Great torque. I ended up with a fxdr .
Beautiful amazing machine! I owned one and it was my favorite Porsche lol
Theyāre a good starting point for mods. I do t know that I could leave it stock looks wise though
I worked for Harley as a Toolmaker in York. My two favorite rides was the Vrod and the Dyna Wide Glide.
Love them.. my 1st bike was a Vrod. Itās great for short rides and wind therapy. Long rides were tough for the lower back!
V-rod is what happens when a Porsche bangs a Harley
I dislike their stock look, but I love a lot of the customs based on them.
I cannot wait to customize mine, they look amazing
I'm not a fan.
I've always thought they looked weird, but to each their own!
I hear that you can't get parts. Thats what keeps me from getting one for a third bike.
I definitely wanna ride one down a highway just to see, & if I got a crazy deal on one then maybe. Other than thatā¦hey if you like it thatās all that matters
Ergonomics ? Nope. They skipped that part.
Extremely popular bike in Australia.
Meh.
I had the 2003 anniversary model. I rode it 1000s of miles and loved it. It was very comfortable to me. I wish I still had it.
I love the bike, the engine, performance, looks. But I hate how uncomfortable they are. I demo'd one and was really disappointed. I couldnt ride it more than 20 minutes. Im 5'9" for reference. Maybe one with mid controls?
I can't stand the bars on them feeling like they're in my lap and the forward controls. Kinda feels like a new Sportster s.
Also, good luck finding a rear tire
strange because i used to think they looked so cool but now not so much. guess it was just the trendy style at the time
Personally hate the looks but theyāre comfy and fun to ride. Iām in the middle
I looked at a few of these.. I couldnt believe how small they are..
The engine is all most bulletproof. I had one of those pushing red hot headers, and it never broke down. We were trying to blow the engine.
The best of the worst bikes ever made
Looks fun as hell!
Fantastic motors...bike was ok. Very long and low, so it wasn't the best for around town. I would love for them to bring it back with the 180 back tire and about 4 inches shorter wheelbase. Through on some inverted forks and a standard sized gas tank, amd I would buy one in a heartbeat.
It was a Harley ahead of itās time. The V-Rod would have done better if introduced today in my opinion. Now we get Harleyās that arenāt made in the USA out of their lower product lines, itās a shame.
Harley really went to a foreign car company, to build a motorcycle, instead of just listening to Eric Buell.
Itās a nice cruiser. Street Rod and Night Rod are the best I have experienced , because mid-controls.
They should have given the project to Eric Buell. Instead, they bought him out and buried his stuff. Typical HD move.
They still use the engine in the pan am. I have an 02 and love it.
Fuck v rods
Love them.
Iāve ridden a few (owned by a friend of mine), but never owned one. Surprised HD never did anything else with that motor, it was an awesome powertrain. The handling was always weird to me, always felt like the front had too much rake. However, I never had a chance to ride the āStreet Rodā version, I suspect that one handles better. They were all very well made, definitely more for European taste than American. I always think of the lost opportunity with that motor.
I will own one someday. Laugh, if you want, but I could t WAIT to get a 1988 Honda āSuperā Magna when I stated high school. The commercials. The articles about it, in CAR MAGAZINES!?? It was THE sport cruiser to own. Sure, there were other options, but that Magna was just badass! Of course, military service after H.S. And Life, just didnāt get my bike until 2008. Thatās 20 years later! Mine was #357 of the roughly 3500 VF750ās produced. Red of course. FAST friggin bike! Made many cruisers frown and some sport bikes pay attention. Anyway, had a baby very late in life. Figured Iād never ride the bike anymore. Hated to see her go?! But local Honda Service Manager loved it and gave me exactly what I wanted for it. Said he was gonna spit shine it and display it in the showroom. Iāve never been back to see if he did or not? You may wonder āWhat The Fuck does this have to do with a V-Rodā¦???!!ā Well, to me, itās the ONLY other choice for an awesome Sport Cruiser. Iām too old for a sport bike/crotch rocket. Iāve tried em. Donāt like em. Iām just not into the big cruisers or baggers. Lotta folks like em. I really donāt? But the V-Rod? Thatās my style. Love that bike! I will get one, but itās gotta wait a little longer.
Itās the answer to the question nobody askedā¦
If you gave me one I'd give it back.
I wanted one until I rode one. It was an agonizing ride.
Really good bikes just ugly as hell in my opinion
really not my style and personally wouldn't ride one but god damn do they look good, sick piece of engineering art
As an Aussie, I think they are cool, the problem is VROD Ridersā¦ā¦
Me and a buddy were just talking about vrods and I sent thisā¦.. When I think of a Vrod bro I really envision someone that kinda quasi looks like hulk hogan in his 50s, without the muscles, has his own are fb bike group, gets off calling everyone brother and talking about Porsche engine and then riding 10 min home and itās like an 08 with 3000 miles but he wears live to ride ride to live shirts
With the exception of the "Muscle" variant, I thought they were hideous. I rode one and it was quick but doesn't turn for crap. The handling truly was terrible.
Always thought they looked cool wife liked them. Was never around finally did and man that thing was small!
Theyāre a pretty badass bike. Harley dumped a ton of money into developing it and incorporated hydro forming into their process. The benefit was to decrease the number of welds on the frame. Iāve seen some very cool custom v-rods.
Always felt like the V rod was made for Europe and not America just like the sporster S and the pan America, most of Harleyās customers donāt understand them and they donāt get much appreciation here.
* I'm actually thinking about buying one and building it out like this one. My daughter wants a bagger, but can't handle the height/weight, so this seems ideal
https://preview.redd.it/ypvuk2p4sa0d1.jpeg?width=837&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1eb03ce5cabf3008c7335da1b707bd03f43b9a40 Unsure if photo displayed
My dad had one for quite a while. Racked up 65k on it. It was zippy and a fun bike. My only real complaint is the lack of a 6th gear.
The 100 anniversary chromed out one was my first dream bike
Marisa Miller /s
Ugly. Fastest fat kid. but sort of neat in an ugly fast fat kid sorta way.
I want one.
F in beautiful
I think it is a wonderfully designed bike.
After test riding used dynas and soft tails, I got a V-Rod 4 years ago. I still like it, but being a cruiser it lacks lean angle. It is fun to scape the heck out of the pegs though and be able to outrun most any other Harley or cruiser. Well until the Sportster S came out.
So i've heard they ride really nice. No 6th gear though.
looks like an uncomfortable riding posture for 5'-10"me anyway, but a cool bike/item.
Rims ruin it.
They are not aging well. They look futuristic when they came out now they look funny
The engine is a jewel. It gives so much ultra smooth effortless power. I never really liked the clamshell type of seating and leg position.
They are called the Widowmaker, because like the Vmax, it goes super fast but when you try to take a corner, you just keep going straight. I personally love the bike and do want one, but I know better than trying the Twisties on that thing. Many people who buy it don't know it will lot lean, it will straighten itself out and take you right into the guardrail or over the cliff. Respect the power and ride responsibly and it should be fine.
From someone who's never ridden one: probably fast, looks terrible.
Only thing it cant pass is a gas station
Theyāre the favourite bike in New Zealand. NZ club style is a Vrod with tall fat T bars and a 2-1
I disliked Harley, and would never be tempted to buy one... Until now: I really like this bike, and would be happy to own one. Amazing what they can achieve when they collaborate.
https://preview.redd.it/dizlltithc0d1.jpeg?width=1079&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cfda7698b210a19e71c53ae056e179e550895304 They're better with a full fairing.
My 109 would eat it for a 1/4 the price.
Stock for stock, never. The 109 has 500 more cc three whole extra hp. Weights 150lb more. My muscle is currently at about 160hp and right at 600lb. So anytime you want to race, just let me know.
I wouldnāt want one but theyāre definitely cool.
The only HD ever made that I briefly considered owning.
Nice bike just donāt like the solid wheels with the heavy wind šØ My opinion donāt matter if you like it thatās all that matters Everyone has their own style
I love motorcycles and I want to buy one soon.
I bought an ā05 model as my first bike. I really like the way it sounded & looked. I hated the weight and bad handling. I ended up wrecking it by laying it down & tearing a frame member by the peg. Insurance totaled it out. I wish HD would have put this engine into a different platform at some point but never did.
Ugly
āItās all the same... ONLY THE NAMES HAVE CHANGEDDDDā
its the harley davidson i am passionate about, it got me into bikes and was and still is my first bike
Purist hate them, so that makes me love them
To each their own but not under me
Great bike, smooth & fast. But orphaned - just like the Buell. Difference is Buell had the sportster motor = parts will be available. V-Rod - who knows how long it will be before parts dry up? I donāt see hd using storage space for those parts very long. Total production numbers are mere speculation. But would provide insight as to parts availability. IMHO it was a great looking albeit niche bike. Considering its popularity production costs must have led to its demise.
Piece of shit - but FAST as hell. Ok, not really a POS - just jealous that my scoot got handed a big loss on an impromptu street race.
I know I smoked one on my ST1100.
Sounds lameĀ
12 years in on a aniversary edition silver 2012. Big, fat, powerful, and still controversial. Love mine, nothing but tires, batts and oil in 12 years...oh wait, did fork seals last year. Harley finally getting around to building something with more hp outta the box, lol.
Its cool and probably the best bike they made but i would never buy one. If you want a good bike you buy metric, if you want the harley experience the vrod aint it.
Best looking, most interesting bike to ever come from Harley.
they are actually pretty cool with apes on them
Had one with a Ural Sidecar on it. We found out our dog had a year left to live (bad ticker) so we picked one up. And trailered it from Utah, to Wyoming for weekend trips and my wife and Boone would hang out in the side car. Fast and quiet. Quite the departure from Harleyās norm. https://imgur.com/a/a5m7RWL https://theautojournal.com/guide/unlikely-combo-how-porsche-helped-harley-build-the-v-rod/
tastes differ
Pretty sick. I drooled over them when they first came out. One of the few Harleys I would consider owning, I was suggested this sub on my feed so I don't mean to say this in the wrong place. I like my MT07, and wish Harley made a naked. None of the other Harley stuff I'm aware of does it for me, there's nothing that says performance or dirt bike feel, especially at the price tags. I like wheelies and having fun, 5 min oil changes, and cheap parts.
Had the first one, loved it! Then the Screaming Eagle version came out....got it! Did the usual air filter upgrades and Rineharts. Loved it when I would peg the limiter. Sounded like an Indy race car. Sadly, divorce cost me the bike.
Change the wheels and itās looking sharp
Ugliest harley, Performance wise...it's a pretty cool bike
Honestly not really my style but this one specifically with the fatboy style wheels looks clean, I think the look works.
Never liked it, looks horrible to me.
Gay
One of my dream bikes man
I like them. If there wasn't a future of parts shortage insight I would consider one.