Harley-Davidson V-Rod

Let's talk significant motorcycles. Significant in that they changed the face of motorcycling world wide. Umm, there's the Norton 500 Manx, Honda CB750 Four, Britten V1000, Vincent Black Shadow to name a few.

Now add another the Harley-Davidson V-Rod.

It evokes that "where were you when..." type of news-worthiness if you're anything like a fair-dinkum motorcyclist. Liquid-cooled Harley? Get on with you...

After wringing just about as much development possible from its air-cooled variants, Harley-Davidson knew it had to enter the hitherto 'heinous' realm of liquid-cooling. It was a case of get wet or resign yourself to the fact that a standard quick Harley was just not going to happen. Ever.

The bike traces its roots to the VR-1000 Superbike race program and was created by Harley-Davidson's Powertrain Engineering team and Porsche engineering in Stuttgart.

Some have suggested the factory could well be taking a big risk here. That the move away from the air-cooled format may disenfranchise its huge customer following world-wide. I reckon there's very little chance of that. After all, as many professionals buy the product as hard-liners and the dentists definitely won't resent the refinement the V-Rod represents. Toss in the fact that mainstream appeal and a canny ability to market the H-D dream is what saved H-D in the eighties and I think you'll agree, the factory is pretty safe.

There are no plans to drop any of the air-cooled variants at this stage, so the V-Rod simply represents an addition to the range, not a replacement.

But, the hardcore better get used to it. Methinks this engine will deliver H-D with the sort of platform it has sorely missed in the past a seriously powerful and functional engine. The word Buell keeps ringing in my head...

Now for the news
What's all the fuss about? Well, cop these apples...

Following the introduction of the infinitely-more-reliable-than-its-predecessor Evolution engine, the new V-Rod powerplant has been given the very apt moniker of Revolution.

Features for the 1130cc donk include the aforementioned liquid-cooling, 60 degree V-Twin geometry, dual overhead cams in four-valve heads, rubber-mounting, a claimed 115ps at 8250rpm, and a healthy 10.2kg-m of torque at 7000rpm. Those are the sort of numbers that would have Willie G waking up in the evening with a southerly stirring and a more permanent smile than Ronald McDonald... Unheard of figures for a stock H-D until now.

In keeping with the up-tech spec is sequential port fuel-injection, five-speed transmission using a combination of spur and helical gears to deliver smooth, short-throw shifting, with minimal mechanical noise.

You get four-piston front brakes and braided lines that actually stop the bike, which, at the risk of sounding flippant, is a recent development for H-D.

A wet sump oil pump means there's no external tank and a horny-looking two-into-one-into-two big bore exhaust system gets the nod. Our test bike had an aftermarket Screamin' Eagle exhaust fitted so the aural experience we enjoyed is not representative of the standard item. Fact is, anyone buying one of these will look long and hard at a performance exhaust. The engine demands it and the extra dollar will be well worthwhile if for the throaty note alone.

The frame represents yet another departure for the Milwaukee Mob. It's a silver-dipped, hydroformed, perimeter job which looks strong enough to deal with just about anything the V-Rod can throw at it while looking delightful in the process. There are twists and bends all over the shop but they all complement the bike beautifully. For mine this is one of the highlights of the V-Rod. A frame that entwines the bike to arrive at a visual package. It's a design element that reserves the right to claim function as its first priority. Top marks here.

Its a big long raked out thing this. You're looking at a wheelbase of 1713mm, a 34 degree rake, 38 degree fork angle and 99mm of trail. All this adds up to a nicely stable ride, but the bike tends to want to lay into slow corners a little due to that big raked out front-end.

Suspension is non-adjustable 49mm forks with a twin shock rear-end. Nothing startling there.

Grunt and glitter
First thing you notice as you enjoy your pilot seat orientation is just how physically small the bike feels. There's a super low seat-height at 659mm and this thing can be ridden by just about anyone. A big plus for shorties and a big "ker-ching" factor for H-D. Mass appeal. There's that term again, but you didn't hear it from Milwaukee...

The gearbox action is the best on any Harley ever, I reckon. Certainly any one I've ridden. First class. Set off and everything happens neatly and without fuss. Time to twist the wrist. "Heavens-to-Besty" (or insert your own superlative here) you think to yourself. It just pulls and pulls and pulls to the 9000rpm redline and you find yourself looking for the longest route to your planned destination immediately.

Clearance is acceptable and the bike rewards aggression. Push it in hard and there are no hidden surprises. It's no R1, but its handling is superb for the cruiser category. Stability is s strong suit and long sweepy corners can be approached with bags of confidence. This is a fun factor machine of the highest order and the more I rode it, the more I loved it.

It's a long time since I got on a bike and had such an instant affinity with it. I raved then and still do now.

But this thing is as much about look as lope.

Anodised aluminum body panels abound. There's integrated instrumentation H-D calls a clamshell (sculpted aluminium nacelle extending from the top triple clamp) which features a speedo, tacho, fuel gauge and warning lights.

Incorporated here is a start-up self-diagnostic check and multiple trip and fuel level settings.

It's hard to deliver a bike that will probably sell in the tens of thousands world-wide with true custom status, but it's a treat just to look at this thing. Engineering eye-candy.

The H-D press blurb says: "So Powerful, the Earth Revolves Around It" Dunno about that, but park it up in the main street and you could almost believe it's true. Everyone in the immediate vicinity certainly revolves around it in very quick time. And the appeal covers all age groups. From kids who would struggle to climb aboard the bike to oldies with the same affliction but for different reasons. You'll be noticed with your V-Rod. Want to impress that Britney look-alike? Get one and do it now. Oh for those days again...

I digress.

It's not perfect. It's a little difficult to deal with in roundabouts and low-speed, tight corners, but it's a bike that taps into that indefinable place where we live it's emotional. And that's going to sell a whole bunch of these things. Fact is the 150 ordered for Down Under are already gone. Yep, you have to get in line for the next batch, but it's a wait you should seriously consider.

I've been one that has not cut Harley-Davidson the sort of slack that many will. I believe there is little excuse for a large, worldwide manufacturer not attempting to at least create one bike at the cutting edge of its design criteria. Well, H-D has gone and spoiled that little personal indulgence. This is as good a cruising gets for mine.