(NGC)-V-Rod test ride.

[Gliderjohn]

Going through some old pics. This was taken in 2003 after I had received a post card that if I test rode a V-Rod I could pick $50 free merchandise. Got two nice pair of gloves.



GliderJohn

[twowheeladdict]

Nice.

I test rode one 2 or 3 years ago.  It was a hoot to ride, but felt like a metric at a premium price.  The valve adjustment maintenance made it less appealing than the Vulcan Meanstreak I owned, and purchased for a third the going price of a V-rod.

[JJ]

Going through some old pics. This was taken in 2003 after I had received a post card that if I test rode a V-Rod I could pick $50 free merchandise. Got two nice pair of gloves.



GliderJohn

Was'nt this the motor that Porsche was involved with? 
The V-Rod's were quite the straight line drag bikes!!

[Moparnut72]

Yes they were. Some of that design work may be part of the Street series as well as the new Pan America.
kk

[Gliderjohn]

The motor power band was kind of like the Norge 8V, a solid pull till about 5K rpm then an upper end rush. Where a traditional H-D motor would have been redlined this motor was just getting on the cam. Remember the seating position becoming quickly uncomfortabel and the handling being about would you would expect. Brakes and transmission were very good.
GliderJohn

[acogoff]

     I rode one for about 4 miles and that was enough. Great power and slick shifting, but the reclineresque seating position seemed downright dangerous.

[twowheeladdict]

     I rode one for about 4 miles and that was enough. Great power and slick shifting, but the reclineresk seating position seemed downright dangerous.

No more dangerous than riding a motorcycle. 

[cliffrod]

The motor power band was kind of like the Norge 8V, a solid pull till about 5K rpm then an upper end rush. Where a traditional H-D motor would have been redlined this motor was just getting on the cam. Remember the seating position becoming quickly uncomfortabel and the handling being about would you would expect. Brakes and transmission were very good.
GliderJohn

The regular VRods had single position forward pegs and were not comfortable at all.  Even with the peg relocation fix (that moved the pegs only slightly) it was still no fun.  You are locked into a single seat & legs position.  No way to move.  It only takes a few miles to get really really old. 

The Street Rod series had regular mid pegs like a normal bike. It makes a huge difference. Great engine to ride. 

We had one of each for a year+  The plain VRod only had <700 miles and was all blinged out.  It was torture to,ride.  It was sold without a tear.  The Street Rod that came soon afterwards was a bike that we hated to see go. I rode that Street Rod whenever I could.

[Moparnut72]

A lot of Harley fans have always wished that HD had put the Vrod motorcycle in a touring chasis.
kk

[twowheeladdict]

A lot of Harley fans have always wished that HD had put the Vrod motorcycle in a touring chasis.
kk

People are starting to say that about the new engine in the Pan America.  Of course the Pan America is a touring bike. 

[Rough Edge racing]

This is a bias opinion...I considered a V Rod for a project...There was on locally for $5000 that had been modified , no fenders, cut exhaust and other parts missing but it ran fine and the frame wasn't hacked up...I took a look and walked away...Too long, typical Harley frame geometry and the engine is ugly....

[cliffrod]

I still want one to build a VR1000-themed cafe bike.  At this point, it's not a huge priority and if I have to resuscitate a long-dead engine on one, it's even less of a priority.

[JJ]

A lot of Harley fans have always wished that HD had put the Vrod motorcycle in a touring chasis.
kk

YES!!  Like in an FLH frame like the Road King. That would have been quite a touring motorcycle!!

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

Good doner for a Morgan, otherwise not for me. Like anything 'outside the box' that Harley makes, it seems they have a passionate group that loved them, but that group is too small to sway Harley into developing it further.

[Moparnut72]

And of course the traditional Harley rider didn't want anything to do with anything but the old tractor engine and still don't.
kk

[twowheeladdict]

And of course the traditional Harley rider didn't want anything to do with anything but the old tractor engine and still don't.
kk

Because there is nothing wrong with the old tractor engine, is there.   

Many on this forum won't even touch a small block because they prefer the larger tractor engine.   

[Rough Edge racing]

 There is nothing wrong with air cooled Harley engines. Even  the vintage knuckles, pans and shovel when assembled with care can be reliable and with good tuning and an efficient exhaust system make enough power for sensible riding.

[bobrebos]

I liked the Vrods.  Nice bike in my opinion.

[Tom]

+1 on the Street Rod being a better bike.   

[kingoffleece]

Yep.  My buddy has a Street Rod.  It's a total blast to ride.

[wymple]

There was plenty wrong with the old air cooled Harley stuff. Or maybe history gets to do a rewrite. My brothers and quite a few of my friends rode them and were diehards about it. To a man the were plagued with problems. One of my coworkers back in the 80's and 90's rode with a very large Harley club. He told me that during any given winter cycle about 1/3 of them were down for overhauls. As he got older he gave up and bought a big Honda Shadow. My son rides a fairly new Ultra Glide Classic. Very nice bike and he knocks down some miles, done the iron butt thing twice now. He's had the water pump  get him trailered home from a road trip, and something called the "compensator? has failed. He had to replace a bushing in the shift linkage while it was still low miles, & fork seals. He does have a 2002 Sporty that has been trouble free, but it's not heavily ridden. Every now & then I find someone who claims a perfect track record with them, but who really knows? They sell the crap out of them, and buyers are willing to live with them. My son bought his assuming he may have problems, and said if he did it was expected and part of the price he pays for riding the Harley. He got rid of a 1200 BMW K bike to buy it. I personally think the V-Rod is super cool.

[dte8dom]

The secret to newer Harley air cooled twins is to try and leave them stock. I put a ton of miles on my nearly stock (mufflers/air cleaner/fuel map) twin cam, never had any issues in 14 years.  1450cc and barley 54hp with a low rev limit, it is very dependable if you treat it right. I sold it to get my Cali 1400, no regrets. My Evo that I still have is a much different story, it is heavily hot rodded. It's my local bike now because it has come on the trailer more than once and I have no doubts it will again. But it is a hell of a ride.