Posts Tagged ‘Harley-Davidson’
The Harley Davidson Vrod is a motorcycle for those who want a performance cruiser. The Vrod specs are nothing short of impressive. No other cruiser matches it in performance and it’s combined with good looks and the Harley Davidson name. It doesn’t ride like any other Harley and it doesn’t share the same motor or heritage. It’s liqued-cooled 8 valve engine was designed by Porsche.
Image by Footprints via Flickr
The Vrod produces approximately 115 horsepower in it’s stock configuration and there aftermarket kits that can boost that much higher. This motor will keep a heavy pull of acceleration well into the triple digits and it will get their fast. It’s rated at 87 lbs. of torque. The Vrod’s mpg is rated at 37 mpg, but this decreases dramatically when spirited riding techniques are used. Premium gasoline is recommended. The motor has 11.5:1 compression with a 76.28 inch displacement.
The brakes are dual caliper front disk with single caliper rear disks. The bike can do a 32 degree lean on either side. The front has a 34 degree rake and the wheelbase is 67 inches. The front tire is a 120/70ZR-19 60W and the rear is a 240/40R-18 79V.
The Vrod is a great bike for those that love performance and do not need a long range comfortable bike. Of course, there are ways to add a comfortable seat and luggage, but the bike is still not made for long days of motorcycle touring. The cost of operating a Vrod will be high. The tires and insurance alone are expensive. Don’t let it’s $15,000 price tag fool you. Check the maintenance costs before you buy.
Another aspect of the Vrod specs that you may want to consider is the opinion of other Harley riders. Some don’t even consider the Vrod a “real” Harley. Very little about the Vrod follows the time honored traditions of Harley Davidson. The bike is meant to attract younger riders and they’ve strayed from the air-cooled v-twin in order to gain the performance edge. Don’t expect other riders to be awe-inspired by your choice of motorcycle. For many motorcycle buyers, it’s not about raw performance.
If you’re buying a used Vrod, the opinion that it’s not a “real” Harley Davidson can play in your favor. This opinion keeps the price of a Vrod low! Many buyers bought a Vrod new, but then found that the looks and performance that attracted them to it were just a little to much. It’s possible to find a used Vrod that’s in excellent condition with low miles. Buying a used Vrod is much like buying a Sportster. Don’t expect a huge savings over new, but do look for many add-ons.
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Harley Davidson Cruiser. Image via Wikipedia
Cruiser motorcycles come in a large variety of sizes and models. On top of the large variety, there is a huge market for aftermarket upgrades and customization. If you want a one-of-a-kind motorcycle, the cruiser is the only way to go. If you want comfort and style he cruiser is great, if you’re only considering shorter rides. The cruiser is capable of long rides, but they lack the ability of the touring motorcycle.
I don’t suggest cruisers for starter motorcycles because the lack the stability of a standard motorcycle. However, they do hold an advantage for short riders because of the low seating position. If being able to touch the ground with your flat foot is important to you, a small cruiser may be your best option for learning to ride.
The make of cruiser you buy should depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want -
- Price
- Quality
- Comfort
- Looks
- Technology
- Old-School Technology
- New Technology that looks like old school.
- High Performance
- Lifestyle
- High Weight Capacity
- the list of choices could go on and on
Here’s the thing about your cruiser choice. You can have a combination of qualities, but it’s rare to find a combination of all choices in one bike. There is a give and take that happens when producing a motorcycles. This balance is weighted towards one type of rider or another and the companies put their investment in bikes that will appeal to the largest groups. Let’s take a brief look at some of the groups.
Harley-Davidson Cruisers
For some people, Harley-Davidson embodies all that they dream about. They buy “the lifestyle”. If that’s you’re thing and you have money for it, go ahead, but don’t forget to load up your checking account before buying. These people could care less about specs. It’s about the looks. Harley specs pretty much stay the same and if you don’t like them, you can pay a fortune to change the bikes performance and capabilities. There are some tech advances used by Harley, but they’re rarely a draw towards the motorcycle. Often, in the case of the watercooled V-Rod, the Harley-Davidson crowd will discount these advances as junk because they deviate from the basic Harley design. If Harley covers all of your wants in a motorcycle, no other brand will give you what you need.
Close Harley-Davidson Knock-Offs
Harley-Davidson alternative bikes are plentiful. Victory Motorcycles are much more technologically advanced and they are made in America. They’re expensive too, but you get the advantage of a motorcycle that outperforms Harley on nearly every level, except “lifestyle”. Large CC Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha V-Twins are cheaper Harley knock-offs that perform well, but lack in looks and overall quality. The drive trains exceed Harley, but the ornamental pieces are commonly plastic and cheap.
Cruisers That Only Borrow The Harley Seating Position.
There are many cruisers that resemble the Harley setting position, but that’s where it ends. Triumph’s triples, Honda’s V-4′s, and other configurations are great performers. Generally speaking, the less the motor looks and sounds like a Harley-Davidson V-Twin, the more value you get for the money. V-Twin’s are antique and the Harley sound is created when the antique technology is used. Motorcycles that do not require this retro look and sound can excel at smooth operation, power, and increased engine life. They are even less expensive to manufacture, so the price is more reasonable.
In Conclusion
Consider these options when buying a cruiser. There is one out there that is the perfect bike for you if you consider what qualities you most need in a motorcycle. I would say that you are crazy if you forego motorcycling altogether just because you cannot afford a Harley-Davidson. Don’t let anyone tell you different. Ride within your means and you’ll enjoy it more than a monthly payment bike.
