Picked up my black 'B' today : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

mikelandess · 10-16-2003, 06:38 PM

After putting only 400 miles on my silver/black Anniversery VRSCA, I decided to take the plunge and go for the bike I wanted the MOCO to build all along:
A black V-rod.
I put pencil to paper and tried to figure out what I would spend on disassembly, paint, reassembly and a 28T set up and it was more than it cost me to trade for the 2004.
I've only driven it home and to work (22 miles) but the differences are apparent right off the bat. No stalling, no searching for the 'right' gear in traffic situations.
In a word: Sweet.

flying V · 10-16-2003, 06:53 PM

Only question now is...Where's the chrome?

flying V · 10-16-2003, 06:59 PM

P.S. I have 5000 miles on my '03
Zero stalls...Zero problems and I always know which gear to be in ...but oh...that's right , I have been riding for 30+ years. Please put more than 400 miles on a bike if you want anyone on this forum to respect your opinions.l

Karl Scott · 10-16-2003, 08:32 PM

I'm a relative biker newbie, and I haven't had any dramas handling the v rod. Feels like I was born with it between my legs sometimes! Intuitive ride in my opinion - look and think where to go and it goes there beautifully, and if I have lugged the bike it's because I am a gumby, not the sprocket.

mikelandess · 10-16-2003, 09:34 PM

Hey, Fying V,

I've been riding for 40+ years and it only took 400 miles to figure out that the bike wasn't all I wanted it to be.
Mind you, I traded a tricked-out '03 XB9R for the 'rod. Sticking your feet out in front instead of out back took a lot of geting used to.
By the way, this is my 14th Harley Davidson product. My first was a new '75 Sporty from the bad old AMF days.
Again, the new "B" is terrific.

SuperKaz · 10-17-2003, 12:57 AM

Post some pics for us to see!
Kaz............

SVROD · 10-17-2003, 02:13 AM

"A" or "B", who gives a fcuk! They are both made to be sawed apart and be made not to look like a "C" but a "Z". I never had stalling problems, never problems finding gear. Given your experience riding and negative experience with the "A", you most likely had a Monday version of the VRSCA. Or you are BS'ing...By the way, the 12 other H-D products, where those H-D T-Shirts and stickers?

Polizzio · 10-17-2003, 05:17 AM

quoting mikelandess......

"I've been riding for 40+ years and it only took 400 miles to figure out that the bike wasn't all I wanted it to be. By the way, this is my 14th Harley Davidson product. My first was a new '75 Sporty from the bad old AMF days."

So just what were you riding in 1963? what manufacturer? It took 12 years till you bought your first HD motorcycle?

400 miles on a vrsca, you didn't even break the damned thing in before you traded it in.......my oh my.

eduardobibm · 10-17-2003, 07:18 AM

Geez, give the guy a break. Your acting like he brought a honda.
Ed

Polizzio · 10-17-2003, 08:26 AM

Ed,

I have no problem with Honda motorcycles, I have owned Japanese manufactured motorcycles, I like many brands. My point was the guy posts that after 400 miles, he trades in his new vrsca on a vrscb, stating that for him the vrsca was inferior. He also states that he traded in a '03 Buell for the '03 vrsca. Sounds like to me this guy has a problem identifying just what the heck he wants, or expects from his purchase. He rides the vrsca for 400 miles, not even broken in and proclaims "it isn't suitable for me." Given his past recent history of an '03 Buell, traded for a '03 VRSCA, traded for a '04 VRSCB, I still contend he doesn't quite know WTF he wants, and his opinion of the VRSCA is bunk. Nothing personal, just my opinion........

SVROD · 10-17-2003, 09:37 AM

Well maybe for some just the newest and freshest-from-the-box-and-"stockiest"-version does it....

VRODSTL · 10-17-2003, 10:08 AM

Good luck with your new V-rod, I too would like to see some pictures if you can post them..

mrfredsporty · 10-17-2003, 10:38 AM

mike i agree, the black vrod is a different looking animal and actually gets admiring looks. i really am appreciating mine more and more everyday
fred and VINNIE THE V

keithmcelhinney · 10-17-2003, 11:37 AM

They have a black one at my dealer and it is definitely sweet. The biggest problem (in my mind) is that the headlight housing is not black, but still silver. My first order of business if I got one is to rip that off and get it painted. Otherwise it is really nice.

-Keith

Kennedy · 10-17-2003, 12:04 PM

I AM a biking newbie, the V-rod is my first real bike (bigger than 250cc)... but my 03 doesn't stall, I too know what gear to be in, and my 03 has all the power I need for now. I actually won't be investing in 28-T until a 6th gear come out. 5th at 4800 rpm shakes a bit more than my liking.

The 04's are THE SAME bike minus the new paint scheme and a few cosmetics (gauge cluster, less chrome).
I think it's funny that all the "rideability" gripes Mike had could have been solved with a $250 sprocket change, but instead he took a multiple thousand dollar loss for bike with a different paint scheme.

I'm not knocking the guy, if you got the cash, do what you gotta do.
I bought the 03' cause I'm buying into the whole 100th marketing scheme, hoping this bike will be more valuable than other V-rods as time ticks by.
Love your rod,
kennedy