Posts Tagged ‘vrod’
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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