What about the V Rod ...that is a bad a$$ engine with a little help
Question for the Harley Gurus.
- Thread starter La Hot Rods
- Start date
Agent Blue
Well Known Member
Well, ..... A step in the right direction. Haven't heard any bad reviews of the engine. The model itself struggles for sales. Each dealer has to take a couple. I spoke with one dealer said he had to deep discount them to get them out the door. Used examples are for sale forever at very low values. Don't know much about the configuration but it is shunned by the old school owners. There have been reports of a similar engine powering a dresser for future production but the company is hung up on heritage fearing sales loss if they lose their hallmark. I think for now its as good as it gets with no changes in store. It appears buyers are satisfied as they sure sell a ton of cycles every year. Years back no used Harleys with dealer waiting lists ( I was a fool in line for 3 months ) for new. Many foreign bikes available. Now there are tons of Harleys of every model and few foreign used on the market. Part of this is may be the foreign resale value is low and owners hold on to them rather than give them away. As of late I have never viewed so many one to three year old dressers back on the market, some as second owners.
That is because it was the fix for it.
Agent Blue
Well Known Member
You lost me. Please explain.
The V Rod and the hard core didn't like it.
wristpin
Well Known Member
I'd like to have a V-rod but I need to sell a few bikes for the extra room and to fit a 888 or 915 Ducati in first. I ride my softail and ultras like sport bikes, drag floorboards on ultras and exhaust on softail. I hate replacing tires that have usable side rubber. Honest fact is most Harley riders couldn't use 30% of the Vrod potential and 50% of other riders can't ride.
Agent Blue
Well Known Member
That was my thought. The next one I see under 5k is going in my garage. Saw a couple for 6-6500 not long ago. This next winter I will hit CL with a want ad. Like I said never heard anything bad about the engine other than the engine has to come out of the frame to adjust the valves per one post. I think it would make one heck of a local cruiser. Watch, they will catch on and prices will sky rocket !
You're not beating them hard enough
Can't remember what the back tire to front tire replacement ratio was....
No doing burnouts,......... 
Agent Blue
Well Known Member
Is there a particular reason for the expensive tire replacement ? Odd size, weight limit or load capacity ? Maybe they have to have a Harley stamp inside or they won't warranty the cycle. If I remember correctly the Continentals were around 150 mounted. ( rear ) front about thirty or so less. Been a couple years since I bought tires.
wristpin
Well Known Member
I don't buy oil, tires, spark plugs because they say Harley. The 200 wide tires are expensive because they're more rubber and multi compounds. My favorite all time tire is Continental Blitz in the 140 width. Those handle curves, rain, snow and last about 16k miles. Dunlop now has a new tire for dressers that last on rear to 20-25k they claim.
No burnouts because street compound at track doesn't need one and burnouts on the street are to impress people that don't deserve one. I laugh when I see someone's rear tire down to tread in the center 2" and the rest like new. A lot even have the rubber nipples unworn beyond about 15° lean angle. On a Sport bike!! Posers.
The original front Dunlop on my springer only went 6-7k. I replaced it with a Michelin. The rear was gone at 9k and I matched the michelin front. The handling improved 100% and the end of the kickstand got ground off some while the rear tire found air. Made a 90° turn in 4 ft at about 30 mph...
LOVE the Michelin's but quickly learned the bikes lean parameters.
LOVE the Michelin's but quickly learned the bikes lean parameters.
Probably 7-8k on the Road Kings back in the 90's. Metzler's lasted better for me. Back then ran 10-12k miles annually.
wristpin
Well Known Member
Nice bikeThe original front Dunlop on my springer only went 6-7k. I replaced it with a Michelin. The rear was gone at 9k and I matched the michelin front. The handling improved 100% and the end of the kickstand got ground off some while the rear tire found air. Made a 90° turn in 4 ft at about 30 mph...
Agent Blue
Well Known Member
This post sure got out of hand.. Probably my inquisitive mind lurking in the Harley world. Just not brave enough to enter.......... yet !
wristpin
Well Known Member
Go to HD dealer and of you have a motorcycle endorsement on your license ask for a test ride. If nothing else you'll get to ride one.
Agent Blue
Well Known Member
Been there, done that. Every year the factory has open house and demo bikes. Tried out some dressers. The part that didn't interest me was following a car at 60 mph and trying to pass. Leave it in over drive and it chugs along slow to respond. Drop a gear, still slow but winds the engine rpms and sounds like the rev limiter kicks in or its going to blow up. The performance aspect is missing and it feels like your driving a compact car on two wheels. I get the image.... they are chromed out wonders but I would sooner be on a Wing or BMW. I appreciate all the enthusiasm owners show with the harley clothing, chrome, and any additional product they can endorse for a buck ...... but not my baleywick.
After the dust settles and the " water cooled sportsters " are shunned into ridiculous ( almost there ) values I intend to purchase one. I think Suzuki badges will keep onlookers confused and stimulate a thought process in some. Thats my story and I'm sticken too it.
After the dust settles and the " water cooled sportsters " are shunned into ridiculous ( almost there ) values I intend to purchase one. I think Suzuki badges will keep onlookers confused and stimulate a thought process in some. Thats my story and I'm sticken too it.
Form what I hear with the big Harley's you have to get the pass a truck kit to make them move down the road.