The V-Rod - Harley’s Most Hated?

[@grzhoppa]

I Love My VRSCA V-rod . I purchased my 1st and only motorcycle in 2003. It is the 100th anniversary model and I love the way it looks. That’s why I purchased it.

[@guyfuller1369]

The V-Rod NightRod was a big step up from the original version. Wish I had one, regardless. The trellis frame black on black just works. Excellent quick scan of a rare HD moment of innovation.

[@canadiansa1nt309]

👍

[@jamesfoxx6650]

Love the Vrod and might get one soon

[@Bkamaclean]

I had a brand new 2006 Nightrod...loved it...the negative was the 3 gallon tank. Then I bought a new 2009 Nightrod with 240 back tire and 5 gallon fuel tank...great bikes...was a sad day for me when they discontinued it.

[@canadiansa1nt309]

It definitely has its fans out there.

[@FredNouvertne]

I have been riding 50 years. I have had many brands. Harley? Had 3 Sporties. No big twins. Bought a 2016 Night Rod and I live it. l lived off the bike for 3 years. It did it all. No one said they hated my bike.

[@Tommyhill-t7x]

I personally own the nicest most hated Harley Davidson The street 500

[@BlackSheeproadstar]

I still have my 2007 Night Rod. I ride it for fun, the Road King for comfort.

[@canadiansa1nt309]

Sounds like you’ve got things figured out 👍

[@normestits3317]

Me too😎👍

[@genekelley7579]

🛑🛑 My son inlaw has the 2005 Screaming Eagle VRod in the Candy Blue/Green. It is a High Reving Monster, and is a beautiful bike. When it pulls into bike nights, it always gathers a crowd. 💯 I think the VRod, was a bike ahead of its time, and should be reconsidered for a ReLaunch. 👍💯

[@canadiansa1nt309]

I think it would definitely be interesting to see Harley bringing out a new version of the bike.

[@jaycosta7204]

Great video bud!! Yeah, I'm going to have to say , I'm NOT a big fan of the V-Rod lol. I was like " WTF is that ? " when I first saw it , lol. I put out a couple of videos today and gave your channel a shout out. Have a great rest of the weekend bro 💯🤘🏻

[@canadiansa1nt309]

Thanks boss 👍

[@Sirloincloth1st]

I quite like the V-Rod

[@canadiansa1nt309]

Nothing wrong with that 👍

[@mikeskidmore6754]

Buell should have used the Liquid cooled V-rod engine in some models.

[@canadiansa1nt309]

Woulda shoulda coulda

[@dennismundt7378]

At the international motorcycle trade fair in Cologne (INTERMOT) in 2006, the exhibitor Harley-Davidson exhibited not only its new models but also the then new V-Rod-VRXSE Destroyer with wheelie bar. It was an interesting experience for me to be able to get on a motorcycle like that. All the pedals for the feet are not located at the front or in the middle, but towards the back. You lie leaning forward on the motorcycle when you're drag racing. The V-Rod, no matter the model, is a beautiful motorcycle. However, at the time I was riding a 2003 Yamaha V-Max where I didn't see the reason to switch to Harley.

[@canadiansa1nt309]

I always wanted to try the destroyer. I don’t know anyone who was actually on one.

[@mrwhite2628]

If folks really want to learn about the VROD. Watch, Birth of the VROD. Here on KZbin. I still have my 03. Probably the best HD I've ever had. And I've had a bunch of them.

[@canadiansa1nt309]

I’ll have to check that out 👍

[@marccastro9911]

Love my 2008 Night Rod Special. I've owned several Harleys and this is the best one so far. I get so many compliments on it. In straight line performance, it will blow away any pre 2024 stock Harley.

[@canadiansa1nt309]

I don’t doubt that 👍

[@robert-wr6md]

Thanks for that, not a lot of info around.

[@canadiansa1nt309]

No problem 👍

[@boodgiek8146]

THE V ROD IS A VERY COOL BIKE .

[@canadiansa1nt309]

👍

[@nhzxboi]

I very much liked my 2005.

[@canadiansa1nt309]

It’s definitely got it’s fans

[@marathon8649]

This is strange now, I've been watching vrod videos for a week now and you show up with a vrod upload

[@canadiansa1nt309]

You must have manifested it.

[@bolexmadnessbygilbertsolor6953]

When the VRod was introduced in 2002, my riding buddies hated it. “…it ain’t no Harley” they would say, and they would go on the gripe that HD never asked them, the core customer, for their input. I retorted if HD did ask us for input, this is what we would come up with as I pointed to a Heritage Softail. The point being, the core HD customer doesn’t want any deviation from its lineup of bikes. Witness the PanAmerica. By all accounts, the PA is a solid bike meant for a different customer and riding genre. But if those adventurer bike customers perceive hostility at the dealer, their dollars will go elsewhere, like to BMW

[@canadiansa1nt309]

I would tend to agree. Most Harley customers aren’t too interested in much change.

[@grzhoppa]

True.. which is crazy, cause the original bikes were basically for off road or dirt roads anyway.

[@revfree]

It’s definitely the KING of the “what the heck was Harley thinking?” Bikes. Followed closely by the Street 750 and the Street 500. Thanks for the excellent video bro!

[@canadiansa1nt309]

No problem boss 👍

[@jimcockburn4652]

Hate.......I absolutely loved my V Rod, in fact I believe that the V Rod is the best product ever to come from Harley Davidson. I look forward to the release of the 2025 V Rod.

[@richieiommi]

Got a low mileage 2004 VRod this year. Only Harley I've ever wanted. Totally in love with her. As for the rest of the world....your loss

[@giopirmisashvili5514]

Thank you ❤❤❤❤v rod

[@canadiansa1nt309]

No problem 👍

[@arlanwade3268]

When I first checked out the 1st gen. V-ROD in 2004, I really appreciated HD's major leap in engineering but the looks turned me off: I thought it looked too sweet for a Muscle Cruiser (like a 2-wheeled drag queen). I decided that year to buy a new 03 Yamaha FZ-1 ("World's Best Streetbike" Cycle World June 2004); twice the bike for half the price. But when I heard the V-ROD was discontinued in 2017, I though I'd better check out the Muscle before they sell out (till then I only saw them in pictures). DAYUM!!! Just looking at that black beauty gave me cold chills! After 2 test rides I was hooked. I loved it so much I bought a 2nd Muscle in 2018 (I called them "My Evil Twins"). I sold my 2010 Muscle to get a van, but I'll NEVER sell my 2017 Muscle. It's the PERFECT Bike for me (the Corvette of Harley Davidson). I disagree that "the fake ram air intakes are a waste"; I think they look cool, and contribute to the overall badass looks of the Muscle; gives it kind of a Cowboy look (I didn't know they were supposed to look like Air Rams; to me they look more like heat vents). People who hate on the V-ROD obviously care more about traditional outlaw image than excellent engineering & performance. Do I care that some people hate my bike? Not in the least: Anything that disassosiates me from fools is always a good thing.

[@canadiansa1nt309]

I do admit that the air rams make the bike look pretty bad ass.

[@dougk9647]

I have a question that is totally off topic. I was cleaning up my bike to put it away for the winter and as I was cleaning the wheels on my 2021 Fat Boy I was wondering if the slotted wheels are easier to clean than the non slotted wheels (like I have) or are they about the same. Since you have experience with both, what is your opinion. Are the slotted wheels easier to clean, harder to clean or about the same? Great video bye the way, as usual.

[@canadiansa1nt309]

I would say they’re close to the same. The only thing possibly easier with slotted wheels is that you can get your hand in better to clean.

[@dougk9647]

That makes sense. I find that the more times you clean them the easier it is each time. Still not a fun job though. lol Thanks for the reply. Hope our winter isn't too brutal.

[@Candywarhol]

Early in the V-Rod's production, after reading about what a POS these bikes were, I saw on the highway and I decided that it wasn't terrible at all. Just different.

[@canadiansa1nt309]

It’s definitely different from what they were doing at the time.

[@seanpenny4580]

ya, sportsters are more hated than v-rods in every circle I frequent :) couple friends have had v-rods and liked them enough. personally I never really was too stoked about them. Rode a couple and that kinda changed my mind. Don't hate them. Wouldn't own one. But I think they look good enough

[@canadiansa1nt309]

They’re definitely way more powerful than those older Sportsters. I can see why people would prefer them.

[@BeauSmith-y6u]

No VRSCX?

[@canadiansa1nt309]

Can’t win them all I guess

[@michaelmarchuk3692]

Despite the ugly versions of it, the driving experience was really good. No 6th gear was a deal breaker for me. Fat Boy still wins and looks great!

[@canadiansa1nt309]

👍

[@jamessouthworth1699]

As much as I didn't like the V-Rod engine it's not the most hated. The Harley engine I hate the most is the Rev Max.

[@canadiansa1nt309]

👍

[@mglmouser]

The fake ram air actually had one purpose. If your bike was equipped with the automatic turn signal, that box controller sits under the left fake intake. It protects the box from the elements. Other than that, it also serves the purpose of pissing you off when you need to service the air filter, as the additional fake intakes basically requires 10 bolts being removed in order to access the filter. My only pet peeve with my 09 VRSCF Muscle.

[@frank-u3k2c]

bike was something else lol lol

[@canadiansa1nt309]

Indeed

[@davidcohn7531]

Not a popular bike at all. Hardly ever saw them. As a motorcycle company why would keep producing over the years a bike that was not popular? It is almost like we dug a hole let's keep digging.

[@canadiansa1nt309]

Kind of like what they’re doing with their electric line.

[@geraldscott4302]

Most of the money they had tied up in the V Rod was in the development and tooling. They probably weren't losing much if any by continuing to make it after all that was paid for. And the V Rod was certainly a LOT more appealing than the Pan America or the Sportster S. I find those two absolutely disgusting.

[@davidcohn7531]

@@geraldscott4302Good points. I agree with you on the new Pan American and Sporster S. It is also though like they are not doing a lot of test marketing first and enough market research. Like the Pan American and Sporter S leaf blower.

[@johndesmond1987]

.....and it's probably the best bike they ever made.

[@canadiansa1nt309]

👍

[@mikeskidmore6754]

I have never owned a bike with forward controls. It's heavy it has poor brakes and poor handling. They can be fast at the Drag Strip.

[@canadiansa1nt309]

Yep. She’s fast in a straight line

[@geraldscott4302]

First of all, The V Rod is not a Harley. It may be a Harley Davidson, but it does not fit the definition of a "Harley". A Harley has a 45 degree single crankpin air cooled pushrod v twin that has a wonderful sound and feel. While I certainly don't consider it to be a Harley, I never hated it. There are other bikes out there besides Harleys. It didn't do that well mostly because it had the Harley Davidson name on it. Had it been made by any other manufacturer, it would probably have been a lot more successful. But that is all in the past. Harley Davidson now has two more bikes that I do absolutely hate. The Pan America, and what is laughingly called the "Sportster". While the V Rod was actually a very nice looking bike, the Pan America and that POS they are calling a "Sportster" are anything but. They are two of the ugliest bikes I've ever seen. Not to mention they dropped the REAL Sportster. And with the smooth quiet soulless M8 engine in all their other bikes, they really no longer have anything that fits my definition of a "Harley". I have a 1989 FXRS Low Rider and a 2002 Sportster 1200C. Those are actual Harleys.

[@canadiansa1nt309]

I would tend to agree about the Pan America and Sportster S. I’m not a fan of those bikes looks wise. And it would be interesting if the V-Rod was badged as something other than a Harley.

[@robolson7669]

I am sure Harley Davidson appreciates you defining a Harley. What would they know.

[@geraldscott4302]

@@robolson7669 They should know. They have been building Harleys since 1936. They just recently stopped. I'm quite sure they know what the difference between a real Harley and the crap they are making now is.

[@zf4hp24]

You'd better update Willy G. He was the lead designer. He's been quoted on several occasions acknowledging the authenticity of the V-Rod as an HD designed and manufactured product.

[@geraldscott4302]

@@zf4hp24 Yes, Willie G. was involved. But the V-Rod still does not fit the definition of a "Harley". At least back then H-D did make bikes that DID fit that definition, so you could still buy one.

[@o.u.t.olduglytroll3712]

lets face it, people buy harleys because they look like harleys. not because they're faster, handle better, are better engineered, or are more reliable. nothing else looks like a harley.

[@3089280288]

Nothing else should look like one of those things