What has happened to the HD V-Rod?

[Momz]

Yesterday I had to go to medical supply company to be fitted for a device for my post surgery later this month. Within three blocks was a HD dealer (Detroit HD), and I stopped in just to look around. I didn't see any V-Rods and asked how come they were absent from their showroom. The general manager said that the factory has not alloted any this year.

I got online and checked at "Biker Bobs HD" in Taylor MI and checked their inventory. Guess what? No V-Rods in their 2011 inventory either.

I then checked the online inventory of "Motor City HD", and they had two V-Rods.  They had one "Muscle" and one "Night-Rod".

Could it be that the V-Rods days are numbered?

[G-Man]

To me it looked liked a girls bike anyway.  I sat on one in the dealership and was sooooo smaaaaaall.

[DIGGER]

It took HD 100 years to build a 1980 Honda Shadow. 

[Willow]

Don't be too quick to disrespect the V-Rod.  The V-Rod, with the right rider aboard, would spank a Valk in a heartbeat and, if my memory serves correctly, was originally offered around $16,000.

It wasn't so much a bike I would want to ride for what I do, but it's a nice piece of machinery.   

[Psychotic Bovine]

Don't be too quick to disrespect the V-Rod.  The V-Rod, with the right rider aboard, would spank a Valk in a heartbeat and, if my memory serves correctly, was originally offered around $16,000.

It wasn't so much a bike I would want to ride for what I do, but it's a nice piece of machinery.   

Actually, I always liked the looks of the vrod.  Finally a HD that didn't use the same frame and engine as every other bike in their lineup.

[SANDMAN5]

The V-Rod is UGLY, IMHO. But I'm glad harley finally tried something
different....if you can call trying to catch up to everyone else 'different'.
As for me, I'll put the V-Rod in the same category I put the rest of the
harleys....if somebody GAVE me one I wouldn't keep it.

[tank_post142]

ALL 2012 HDs will be water cooled. so they probably are dropping the v-rod from the product line.
http://www.thebikesworld.com/2012-harley-davidson-models-will-be-powered-by-water-cooled-engines.html

[Bobbo]

ALL 2012 HDs will be water cooled. so they probably are dropping the v-rod from the product line.
http://www.thebikesworld.com/2012-harley-davidson-models-will-be-powered-by-water-cooled-engines.html

Those reports should always be taken with a grain of salt.  Any news on the 2012 Valkyrie?!   

[Jess from VA]

ALL 2012 HDs will be water cooled. so they probably are dropping the v-rod from the product line.
http://www.thebikesworld.com/2012-harley-davidson-models-will-be-powered-by-water-cooled-engines.html

V-rods are water cooled.

[MP]

ALL 2012 HDs will be water cooled. so they probably are dropping the v-rod from the product line.
http://www.thebikesworld.com/2012-harley-davidson-models-will-be-powered-by-water-cooled-engines.html

V-rods are water cooled.

+1.

Kind of amazing.  We give everyone grief about being ignorant about the Valkyrie.

MP

[..]

V-Rod goes like the wind but has NO clearance in the twisties unless you want to grind away both footpegs AND exhaust pipe on the right side.

[BigAl]

The V-Rod to me, and I own a Harley as well(myProblem) is not one I would want.

Kinda like the Yamaha V-4 Hot Rod Cruiser called the V-Max , just little slower is all, both straight line terrors, until you come to a corner.

The V-Rod and the Rocker, and Buell(Not made anymore) while I am at it are not and have never been good sellers, just an alternative to keep you

that would, coming back to the Harley Dealership.

I bet they laugh everytime they sell a Sporster too, knowing that dude will be back for more fleecing pretty soon.

All about marketing.

Getting us to try something they know will not satisfy the average Joe , but average Joe will buy anyway.

[Bob E.]

What I can't figure out is why HD has been so slow to offer the VROD motor in a chassis that is more like their touring bikes or soft-tails.  That is a great motor that, in my opinion, would open up HD to a whole new market...and give them alot more credibility in the power-cruiser/tourer market.

[Jess from VA]

What I can't figure out is why HD has been so slow to offer the VROD motor in a chassis that is more like their touring bikes or soft-tails.  That is a great motor that, in my opinion, would open up HD to a whole new market...and give them alot more credibility in the power-cruiser/tourer market.

EXACTLY!  Water cooled V-Rod (Porche) either in a Dresser/Road King or better, a sport tourer setup like a comfortable ST1300 with good clearance, fairing and quick detach bags/top rack.  (And as few HD symbols as possible  LOL)

[Bobbo]

What I can't figure out is why HD has been so slow to offer the VROD motor in a chassis that is more like their touring bikes or soft-tails.  That is a great motor that, in my opinion, would open up HD to a whole new market...and give them alot more credibility in the power-cruiser/tourer market.

EXACTLY!  Water cooled V-Rod (Porche) either in a Dresser/Road King or better, a sport tourer setup like a comfortable ST1300 with good clearance, fairing and quick detach bags/top rack.  (And as few HD symbols as possible  LOL)

Let's not dig up THAT old debate...   

I think the best candidate for a liquid cooled touring bike would be the Road Glide.  A chin scoop below the headlights and shark fin vents on the side of the fairing would be rockin'!!   

[Hoser]

f the vrod had the footpegs back a bit, they would not be bad.  Hoser

[F6Dave]

The article about the water cooled H-D was posted on April 1st.  One has to wonder, however, if at some point they'll not be able to meet ever tighter emission standards with their old air cooled design.  Maybe they could modify it to be air/oil cooled like the BMW R models.

[tank_post142]

april 5th

[DIGGER]

What I can't figure out is why HD has been so slow to offer the VROD motor in a chassis that is more like their touring bikes or soft-tails.  That is a great motor that, in my opinion, would open up HD to a whole new market...and give them alot more credibility in the power-cruiser/tourer market.

EXACTLY!  Water cooled V-Rod (Porche) either in a Dresser/Road King or better, a sport tourer setup like a comfortable ST1300 with good clearance, fairing and quick detach bags/top rack.  (And as few HD symbols as possible  LOL)

WHAT????????   COPY A HONDA??????......never happen

[Sodbuster]

.... and assembled in India 

http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/HD_News/Company/newsarticle.jsp?locale=en_US&articleLink=News/0893_press_release.hdnews

[Robert]

They never really sold most considered them not a Harley. Porsche had to help Harley to make the engines live, They are fast though.

[solo1]

It's possible that Harley made the Vrod to test the waters. The engine is well designed by Porsche and takes a back seat to no other (in a straight line, that is) The chassis is something else.

The main hangup, as I see it, is that HD owners don't want radiators.  Trying to take the air cooled Vtwin into watercooled emission standards territory, is where their image runs smack dab up against what Harley riders want, air cooled 45 degree Vtwins.

By the way, Eric Buell is back on his feet, making new racing bikes using what looks like a watercooled four valve twin. They'll sell for a paltry 40 or 50 K.

[Sodbuster]

.... air cooled 35 45 degree Vtwins

[Bobbo]

It's possible that Harley made the Vrod to test the waters. The engine is well designed by Porsche and takes a back seat to no other (in a straight line, that is) The chassis is something else.

The main hangup, as I see it, is that HD owners don't want radiators.  Trying to take the air cooled Vtwin into watercooled emission standards territory, is where their image runs smack dab up against what Harley riders want, air cooled 35 degree Vtwins.

I thought Honda owners were among the more knowledgeable about other makes of bikes...

What is now the "Revolution" motor started life in 1994 as the VR-1000 motor, designed by Harley with Porsche consultants.   Harley again went to Porsche to refine the VR-1000 into a street usable engine.  Harley realized they had to offer a bike that appeals to younger crowds, and decided to rework their race engine and produce a sport cruiser.

Harley engines are 45 degrees, with the exception of the V-ROD, which is 60 degrees.

[rodeo1]

ALL 2012 HDs will be water cooled. so they probably are dropping the v-rod from the product line.
http://www.thebikesworld.com/2012-harley-davidson-models-will-be-powered-by-water-cooled-engines.html

Those reports should always be taken with a grain of salt.  Any news on the 2012 Valkyrie?!   

word has it that the 2012 valkyrie will be a 3000 cc v-10. it will have no petcock or vent lines to go bad or clog, no rubber components to dry up, will use no oil, doing away with that subject. it will do 0 to 60 in one second and run the 1/4 mile in 2.9 sec. @ 790 mph. it will convert easy to an airplane and fly, or a submarine and travel underwater. it will travel over land on a cushion of air, also doing away with the tire subject, you will of course be able to choose between car air or bike air, both will handle the  same. they will sell msrp @ $500.00 (8 bucks more for red) and will have optional three air cushions for those preferring a trike. they are available now by going to www..../?.---.com

[solo1]

I corrected my mistake, thanks.

Question.  Is my Vstrom 1000 a 90 degree Vtwin or a 90 degree L twin.  I've heard it both ways.
At any rate, it's no comparison to the 45 Harley Vtwin.  92 hp at the rear wheel, 1000cc.

[toetruck21]

ALL 2012 HDs will be water cooled. so they probably are dropping the v-rod from the product line.
http://www.thebikesworld.com/2012-harley-davidson-models-will-be-powered-by-water-cooled-engines.html

Those reports should always be taken with a grain of salt.  Any news on the 2012 Valkyrie?!   

word has it that the 2012 valkyrie will be a 3000 cc v-10. it will have no petcock or vent lines to go bad or clog, no rubber components to dry up, will use no oil, doing away with that subject. it will do 0 to 60 in one second and run the 1/4 mile in 2.9 sec. @ 790 mph. it will convert easy to an airplane and fly, or a submarine and travel underwater. it will travel over land on a cushion of air, also doing away with the tire subject, you will of course be able to choose between car air or bike air, both will handle the  same. they will sell msrp @ $500.00 (8 bucks more for red) and will have optional three air cushions for those preferring a trike. they are available now by going to www..../?.---.com

LOL, a smarta$$ in every group, that made me laugh!

[Bobbo]

Question.  Is my Vstrom 1000 a 90 degree Vtwin or a 90 degree L twin.  I've heard it both ways.
At any rate, it's no comparison to the 45 Harley Vtwin.  92 hp at the rear wheel, 1000cc.

Since there's no official definition of "V", "L", "I", or "W" engine designs, you can call it what you like.  Generally speaking, a "V" design has the cylinders about the same angle from a plumb line through the crank, with various angles.  An "L" engine is usually 90 degrees and has one cylinder parallel to the ground.  The V-Stroms I'm familiar with have a 90 degree engine tilted forward slightly, so it it closer to a "V" than an "L".   

[solo1]

Yeah, that kinda makes sense.  I'm not going to lose any sleep over it .

[fudgie]

I did see some V-rods that were considered touring bikes. It was called the Road Rod. Local HD dealer had a couple. It had hard bags and the Road Glide fairing. It looked pretty sweet. All black. Didnt have a radio tho, but it was a option. For the price tho I would have bought a RG instead.
Cant be sure if it came from HD that way or if the dealer built it.

[RP#62]

Question.  Is my Vstrom 1000 a 90 degree Vtwin or a 90 degree L twin.  I've heard it both ways.
At any rate, it's no comparison to the 45 Harley Vtwin.  92 hp at the rear wheel, 1000cc.

Since there's no official definition of "V", "L", "I", or "W" engine designs, you can call it what you like.  Generally speaking, a "V" design has the cylinders about the same angle from a plumb line through the crank, with various angles.  An "L" engine is usually 90 degrees and has one cylinder parallel to the ground.  The V-Stroms I'm familiar with have a 90 degree engine tilted forward slightly, so it it closer to a "V" than an "L".   

Au contraire (well for airplane engines anyway)

For reciprocating engines (spacing screwed up, but you get the idea):

 MVLHGATSIORL 550F
 |||||||||||| |  |
 |||||||||||| |  .->  F: FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control)
 |||||||||||| .---->  The Engine displacement in cubic inches
 |||||||||||.------>  L: Liquid cooled engine
 ||||||||||.------->  R: Radial engine
 |||||||||.-------->  O: Opposed engine.  Other valid letters are:
 |||||||||            I (Inline), V (V-engine), R (Radial), X (X-type)
 ||||||||.--------->  I: Fuel injected
 |||||||.---------->  S: Supercharged (Engine can operate at manifold
 |||||||              pressures above 29.92)
 ||||||.----------->  T: Turbocharged (Engine can maintain rated power
 ||||||               at altitude (up to a certain maximum)
 |||||.------------>  A: Aerobatic engine (inverted oil system, dry sump)
 |||||                AE: Aerobatic engine (inverted oil system, wet sump)
 ||||.------------->  G: Geared engine
 |||.-------------->  H: Horizontal Helicopter engine
 ||.--------------->  L: Left turning engine
 |.---------------->  V: Vertical Helicopter engine
 |.---------------->  M: Drone

See also:
http://www.designation-systems.net/usmilav/engines.html

-RP

[Grumpy]

ALL 2012 HDs will be water cooled. so they probably are dropping the v-rod from the product line.
http://www.thebikesworld.com/2012-harley-davidson-models-will-be-powered-by-water-cooled-engines.html

Read this article , the water cooled Harley was an April fools joke. At the bottom of the article it states it.
http://motorcycles.about.com/b/2011/04/01/2012-harley-davidson-lineup-to-break-tradition-with-water-cooled-engines.htm

[Bobbo]

Au contraire (well for airplane engines anyway)

Sure, many industries define things for their own internal use, but it usually doesn't apply outside that industry.  From your link:

The letter (1) indicates the cylinder arrangement of the engine:

    H - Double Opposed
    IV - Inverted Vee
    L - In-Line
    O - Opposed
    R - Radial
    V - Vee


It defines an inline cylinder arrangement as "L", where in automotive terms an inline is generally called an "I".  BMW designates their horizontally opposed engines as "R", some call it "boxer", Honda calls ours "F", and here it is "O".

Strangely enough, these letters are used in electronics too!  I = current, V = volts, L = inductance, R = resistance, and W = watts.     

[lilzaphod]

When I thought I would never be able to get a Valk with low enough miles to not give me troubles, I thought long and hard about buying a Harley. 

But the lack of water cooling in their big bikes pushed me away. 

I'm glad they didn't get around to putting a water cooler on their full dressers, or I would have a different bike before I found my girl.

[musclehead]

ALL 2012 HDs will be water cooled. so they probably are dropping the v-rod from the product line.
http://www.thebikesworld.com/2012-harley-davidson-models-will-be-powered-by-water-cooled-engines.html

Those reports should always be taken with a grain of salt.  Any news on the 2012 Valkyrie?!   

I wish! I went out on that limb a few years ago, wasn't pretty. my neighbor bought a used V-rod if this is true I'll let him know he might want to hang on to it as a collectors item. he definately bought low, maybe he can sell high.