VRod Red Headed Step Child?

[gijack22]

I'm interested in all bikes but how come it seems like the older Harley Faithfuls are less into the VRODs? They've been out for 11 years so I thought people would be more into them? What do you think?

[FLHTDan]

My guess would be the styling. I like the V-rod. I's a nice looking bike but doesn't look like the traditional HD.
Curious to hear what others say.

[MilesToGo]

Originally Posted by gijack22

I'm interested in all bikes but how come it seems like the older Harley Faithfuls are less into the VRODs? They've been out for 11 years so I thought people would be more into them? What do you think?

The Vrods do have a following. If they didn't then Harley wouldn't still be producing them. The people that buy them aren't your typical grey beard biker type. I'll admit the styling isn't bad and with the right pipes they can look pretty good. I test rode one of the new 2013 models earlier this year. It felt really small to me. Overall impression was...just not my style.

[59panhead]

I would say a True Harley person would never ever own a VROD! There fast but look a bit weird LQQKING ! There more popular with the 1st time Harley buyers that are also looking at a J A P P O S and cant make up there mind!
I have been on the race version VROD at the drag strip great race bike but as far as a water cooled H-D I would never ever own one ! and I hope Harley never ever makes one !

[1rusty1]

I really don’t care for the styling of the v-rod but would love to have that engine on my Ultra. I have no issues with them being water cooled.

[WEINERDOGBONE]

It's water cooled. That's why traditional HD guys don't like it.

[Thermodyne]

The MoCo was looking to get some of the sport bike market. When that didn't go as well as they planed for, they did away with the sport bike like version and tried to sell some to the traditionalists. Seriously, it's too water cooled for the traditionalists, and way too fat for the sport bike segment.

At this point I seriously don't know why it's still around. Other than some experience with wet motors, what is it good for from the MoCo's point of view? With what they cost, and the numbers they sell, it has to be a break even product at best.

IMHO they should put it on a serious diet and test the sport segment again.

[CornFed]

Forward controls. Raked front end. Air box for a gas tank. Designed by a committee that didnt talk to each other or agree on a result. Fugly and weird.

Sent from my XOOM 2 using Motorcycle.com Free App

[Hot Sparks]

It'sa yuppy Harley.

[benzrod]

A better solution in MHO would be to develop it into more of a road or touring type bike. Loved my 03 but hated 3.67 gal tank,performance was awesome! Not too happy with my vibrating like a banshee Switchback!

[blubyubusa]

I currently own a 09 vrod and a 99 FXR. Every time I ride the FXR I wonder what would it cost to make the FXR run with the vrod. I ride for two reasons, the thrill of a fast bike and just the pleasure of two wheel riding. The vrod does both, a traditional harley, only one. I frequent eighth mile tracks frequently and until I got the vrod I have kept a Hayabusa. The vrod is much slower than the busa but fast enough for a thrill on the street. Last summer (2011) I bought the vrod for ten thousand. I bought the FXR for sixty five hundred, work done I will have eight to eighty five in it. I can not make the FXR run even close to the vrod for the balance. If anyone knows a way (not spray) I will do it. Frankly, I would love to go to the track with an air head and run a six ninety something in the eighth. The FXR weighs a little less than the vrod so I believe a 100 rear wheel horsepower would do it. Frankly, I believe tradition has kept many away, plus it does not look like a real Harley. I am often asked at gas stations, what kind of bike is it or what kind of Harley is it?

[dynageno]

There's a lot not to like!

[Michael Psycle]

Originally Posted by blubyubusa

I currently own a 09 vrod and a 99 FXR.

If I were to own several bikes, there would probably be a vrod in the garage along with the fxr and a few other bikes.

[dog155]

For me the biggest issue is the watercooling and radiator.Call it old school loved the very first Harley I ever laid eyes on back in the 50's,that image has to be tatoo'd inside my skull.Now with the big inch mills available can have everything all in one machine,sure satisfys my needs.
Not taking a thing away from the VRod crowd they have proven themselves.

[RogerDodger]

Put that motor in a good stiff Sportster chassis and you'd have a Sporty that actually has some "sport" in it. There'd also be one of those in my garage and it would get ridden regularly.