Finally test rode a V-Rod, and I love it!

[motrhead]

 I did the Harley test drive thing today...been thinking about a "big block" Harley to go with my XLCR Ironhead Sporty, and Buell X1 Lightning. My girlfriend has a new Softtail Slim, and it is very comfortable and smooth, and good handling as far as it leans...I am more interested in lighter weight rather than hidden shocks, so I came to the demo intending to ride a Dyna, which I did. In between the Low Rider and Fat Bob, I jumped on a Night Rod Special. Wow!
 What a revelation! The motor is amazing. Smooth, plenty of torque and great top end rush like a sport bike. The brakes are good, and it actually leans over far enough for sporty riding. I'm 5'-9" and it fit me not bad...could have the pegs about an inch closer, but all in all it was comfy and fit me well.
 I am thinking that my next purchase could be a V-Rod. I had no idea what I was missing all this time! Let the haters hate all they want...this is the best Harley by a mile!

[Sport-Touring]

[Blue is Best]

You and I are on the same page related to Harley's best. I will ask if you got it on the freeway and put some miles on? My brother had one and I put some miles on it. Very nice. What's not to like about the motor?! But, and here it comes, I couldn't ride the Vrod doing the type of riding that I do. Heck of a windblast at any speed. The seating position which is OK around town really turns ugly when at speed. Quite a bit of "engineering" on my part would have to be accomplished before I could ride it SPORT/TOURING.

[Cricket1]

Motor-

That's great to hear you've found a bike you like.  But...I guess low weight (compared to the rest of the biking world) is shall we say... relative?

How much does the V-Rod weigh?  673lbs?   I guess compared to a Ultra Touring bike its light, but compared alot of other bikes (non cruiser) tends to be a bit on the porky side.

Nothing wrong with porky, but for pure fun, a lighter weight bike is most of the time more fun.

(ooops, but then again, in the Harley world- which starts at 600lbs, I guess it is light )

[motrhead]

 I was on the highway , up to probably 70-75mph at times. I was completely comfortable with the wind blast...much more comfortable than on a lot of bikes I can think of. I was ready to take off across the country on this thing. I was actually laughing out loud at how comfortable and just plain "good" the bike was.
 The specs say 662 wet weight. I find it hard to believe. One thing about the non-dresser Harleys: they carry their weight low, and you really don't notice it. AN FJR is a behemoth in comparison. It actually felt lighter than my BUell X1. Non-issue.
 I was a hardcore lightweight bike guy when I started riding, but as I get older and ride a LOT more bikes, I find the center of gravity and bike height to be more important (unless you are on an RZ350 diving under someone in a corner...lol).
If no one told me the weight of the V-Rod, I would have guessed closer to 500 pounds.  There were some pretty little ladies about half my weight riding pretty much all of the Harleys, and they handled them just fine. These bikes are well balanced.

[Blue is Best]

Motor, I am not trying to be negative at all here. Just a comparison of different points of view to others out there.

My brother owned a first generation VRod. 1136(?) motor with a pipe and tuning. Thing ran great and low on vibration and great everything. I thought to myself that Harley had a winner. But to me it was heavy, making a U turn in a cul de sac was much more difficult than on any bike I had ever ridden. It wanted to "fall" when turning at low speed due to it's extended stance and steering geometry. Maybe the second generation is better.

I met my brother in Texas with my new FJR for a ride. My FJR out torqued his VRod from 60MPH. It got better mileage, had better everything else(handling, brakes, etc), the FJR just felt better and was more comfortable. Plus it was $ thousands less than the Harley.

I categorized the VRod as a niche bike. Not a "one motorcycle only house " type of bike which you certainly are not!

[motrhead]

That's fair. Yes, I do have the luxury of having choices, but I could see it replacing one of my main bikes, maybe even becoming my main ride. I really liked it, and will be keeping an eye out for a deal on one. No panic, but the Yamaha triple I was thinking about may have to wait. The Night Rod fit me very well! I'm riding the FZ and FJ back to back this week, but I am pretty sure I need a V-Rod first.

[Blue is Best]

That's fair. Yes, I do have the luxury of having choices, but I could see it replacing one of my main bikes, maybe even becoming my main ride. I really liked it, and will be keeping an eye out for a deal on one. No panic, but the Yamaha triple I was thinking about may have to wait. The Night Rod fit me very well! I'm riding the FZ and FJ back to back this week, but I am pretty sure I need a V-Rod first.

Good for you!! Sounds good.

Can I have your RZ350?

[motrhead]

No, the RZ is one of the three or four bikes that will be buried with me someday! LOL

[Blue is Best]

No, the RZ is one of the three or four bikes that will be buried with me someday! LOL

Fine, you are now off my Christmas list.

[motrhead]

Fine, you are now off my Christmas list.

 

[veefer800canuck]

If you're going to get a V-rod, get the VRSCR Street Rod version. Better suspension, geometry, tires and brakes.

[Bounce]

Harley could have an industry winner if they put the vrod motor into a sport-touring chassis.

[1Arm]

Street Rod for the win. I'd still have it if not totalled in a deer strike.

[Blue is Best]

Harley could have an industry winner if they put the vrod motor into a sport-touring chassis.

Very good idea. I want to write a letter to Harley and push for your appointment as Vice President of Product Development.

Of course, we all know why Harley would never do that.

Add:  Meaning making a sport tourer.

[Blue is Best]

1arm- I know this must be a sensitive subject for you but I have to ask if you only have one arm due to the deer hit??????????!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice set-up on the your old VRod.

[1Arm]

1arm- I know this must be a sensitive subject for you but I have to ask if you only have one arm due to the deer hit??????????!!!!!!!!!!!

Nice set-up on the your old VRod.

Not a sensitive subject at all, I was only a one arm mofo for about a year, mostly back to normal after a few years.  I do believe I joined this forum while on the mend and that is why I went with the name, though

[Blue is Best]

WOW, that doesn't look good!

[1Arm]

And broke both legs, pretty helpless there for a while. I laugh about it now, my wife just shakes her head every time I ride to this day.