2008 H-D Night Rod® Special test ride | A surprisingly fun ride
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- čas přidán 5. 08. 2024
- If you would like to go straight to the test ride, it begins at 2:18.
For years I have wondered if someone my size could ride the low and long Harley Davidson V-Rod. Well, lucky me, there was one available to test ride and I seized the opportunity, and boy was it fun to ride!. The VRSC is not being made anymore, so if you've wanted to buy one, do it soon!
Thanks to Jim and the sales staff at Folsom Harley Davidson. Visit their website:
www.folsomhd.com/
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I'm 5'8" and went to sit on one the other day at a HD dealer. I too thought I was going to feel too stretched out but honestly it felt fine. Hoping to go test ride it next Wed. Oddly enough, another worry I had was the weight. It was a lot lighter than I was imagining. I might be buying this one. We'll see.
Yeah, it was a really fun ride, and not intimidating at all. Best of luck on your decision, and have a good time! 🤓👍🏽
So you mentioned that the bike was really working hard and you only about 4k or 5k rpm, it doesn't Redline until about 9k rpm and doesn't believe produce its maximum torque till 4k or 5K. So in lots of ways you were short-shifting it.
Philip Casey since else had mentioned that. Wish I could go back and give it a proper ride! Thanks for watching! 🤓
@@thatoneguymoto I just picked one up about a month ago a 2009 vrscaw if the weather ever clears and your in the Tracy area.
Great video....I just bought an 06 Night Rod, and I dig it! 👍👍👍
Thank you. I'd love to get another shot at with a few more years of riding, and a better knowledge of the bike's engine and ability than I did when I wrote it.
Should have dragged the gears out more. they start to really make the power around the 4-5k mark.
chriso k for sure! I’ve since learned that and would love to give this bike another ride!
I have had mine about 2 years now and I love it. I have rode over 600 miles in one day with mine and no issues
Great feedback! I do look back on this ride fondly, and I'd love to ride one again. 🤓👍🏽
When I had my V-Rod I put on HD leather saddlebags, more comfortable rider and passenger seats, sissy bar, engine guard, different headlight, Bub Jug Huggers exhaust, K&N high flow air filter, Vance&Hines FuelPak and some other bells and whistles. My wife and I used to ride on the V-Rod from Massachusetts to Naples Florida and back 2 times a year. I ended up trading it in for a brand new Fat Bob that had nothing but issues and we never took it to Florida because we didn’t want to be broken down on the side of the road. I definitely miss the V-Rod, it was the most reliable motorcycle that I have ever owned! 👍🏻👍🏻
My touring V-Rod.
czcams.com/video/COodM8LCLf8/video.html
I just added a 2013 Night Rod special to my Harley collection. Awsome bike..
Yes it is. Enjoy! ✌🏽
Recently I have has a ducati hypermotard, a 2021 Triumph Rocket and I've just bought a 2011 Night Rod special with low mileage. I am 6 foot 2. I loves it precious. It's a great bike.
The night rod stock with do over 140 mph i have one very modified redline 10,000 rpm 175rwhp
I don't know why these bikes get a bad rap cause I also test rode a couple models & had the same reaction as you. I think they're awesome bikes, tons of torque & you can rev the crap out of them. They're fast & fun & handle pretty good for being as heavy as they are. My local dealer has 5 of them & can't move them. I'd love to own one some day. Right now I'm enjoying my Sportster!
I've gone back and forth with the V-Rod, but after riding it, I'm definitely a fan. It's too bad they're done making them, and I'm also not a huge fan of the bike the engine ended up in. I mean, the Street Rod was fun to ride, and really gets on it, but it's just not my favorite.
Great video!
I wish my wife had knocked me out and locked me up in the basement the day I traded my V-Rod in for a Fat Bob. One of the worst mistakes I’ve ever made! Something that I truly hate myself for doing.
👍🏻👍🏻
Dyna or Softail Fat Bob? Either way, I understand regretting the decision to sell a bike afterwards. Hopefully you're still enjoying riding anyway. 🤓
that one guy unfortunately that experience with the Fat Bob ruined it for me. I put 20,000 miles on my V-Rod, I had it for 2 years without any problems. The Fat Bob I had for 5 years and only put on 5,400 miles on it. It was in the shop so much or it wasn’t worth taking out and being stuck on the side of the road broken down far away.
It’s now 5 years later and I’m getting that itch again and probably going to try and find a good condition low miles 2011 Night Rod Special. 👍🏻👍🏻
@@akaredcrossbow Ah man, that really sucks. I hope you do find something! I haven't looked in a while, but about a year ago, I know you could still find a V-Rod or a Night Rod fairly easily. Maybe not low mileage.
Best of luck to you and take care!
I'm wanting to pick up a 2008 night Rod soon. I test rode a 2016 Night Rod and had no issues with reach as I believe Im the same height as you. Did you feel like you had trouble with the 2008 break and shifting?
How tall are you two? I'm 5'7" and thinking of buying one.
@@biggpete52 I am about 5'6 -5'7...found that i had no problemo with controls and brakes on a 2016 night rod and muscle
Dude my bikes exhausts voice to much. Not like yours did you touch exhaust?
Yeah, that bike definitely had an aftermarket slip-on exhaust.
Very nice bike, and i realy like it, I will buy night rod specia 2008, but i dont know if this is right bike for my hight 168cm ? What is your hight ?
I think that puts you at about 5' 5", right? I think it could work for you. It definitely wasn't a huge stretch for me at 5'6" and a 30" inseam. It's low enough to the ground that you should be able to get close to flat footing it, but it will depend on your inseam. Good luck to you and ride safe! ✌🏽🤓
that one guy thanks man for answer.
I’m 169 easily biking :) but when I fast driving 100 mile up fell like fly. :) just don’t move head up :))
Dam bro I’m 5.6 I got this bike do you think can I handle 145 pound first bike what you recommend
I'm also 5'6" and was able to ride this bike without any issues. It's all going to depend on your skill and confidence level. The power on the Night Rod (V Rod) is manageable, not overwhelming so I think it's possible for you to ride it as your first bike, but you'll have decide for yourself. Best of luck and ride safe ✌🏽
@@thatoneguymoto thank you for information bro when i watch your video i decided ill do :)
The Vrod shares some Vmax traits. Air intake under the faux gas tank. The gas tank is actually under the seat and it is watercooled. They are like most sportbike Vtwins...lotta low end torque-not much high end HP which is fine...its fast enough. Yes it is 5 years older but it is a Vrod. Picking up my 08 tomorrow simply because they are goners. Coming from an 06.
I've always wanted to ride a Vmax! Almost did at the demo truck, but ended up not riding because they didn't allow me to have my camera on my helmet... Someday, I'll ride one.
Exhaust sound is importend
The bike's not all that heavy, especially for a Harley. The long wheelbase and fat rear tire just make it feel heavy.
I was surprised you didn't notice (or at least say anything) about the heat. My leg was right next to that exhaust and roasted.
Shame they couldn't have used that engine in some other more standard bikes. It is an absolute peach as were the brakes and even suspension was pretty good.
Oddly, the engine was used in a bike called the Street Rod that did have more standard ergos, standard tire size and so on, but it was as if Harley didn't want it to succeed. They painted it funky colors, put it on ugly rims, and it had a mishmash of finishes. Shame, as that bike would haul the mail.
imgur.com/a/HBYq5
BTW, they are liquid cooled. That's a radiator those big scoops on the downtubes are shrouding.
For the time that I rode, there weren't any issues with heat. I know on my Fat Bob, the exhaust is by my leg, and I definitely feel that when in traffic.
Lol bikes just waking up at 4 or 5k airbox is under the tank and the gas tank is under the seat
I have a 2009 V rod night rod with power command jetpak wide back tire power all over also 2 into 1 Vance and Hines i love it a guy at the gas station offered me $3500 cash i had to laugh
LOL! Really?! That's hilarious! I'd double it! 😉
I just traded in my 2017 streetrod for a 2008 night rod special, same paint job as yours. It's cold in Chicago so I won't be riding it until the Spring, but I can't wait. I got lucky enough to find one with only 13k miles. It's definitely lighter than I expected and I love how smooth the ride is. I was like you though in that I didn't hit high revs, was just shifting at about 4k rpm. Only thing I'm worried about is clearance... The 2017 streetrod has so much ground clearance, I took some very aggressive leans cornering that I would worry about with this bike. Any luck getting custom parts? I want to add a back rest and possibly switch out the seat.
I was surprised to find so many available still. I mean, I know they made them for quite a few years, but I still see a ton of them for sale. This was not my bike, though, just a test ride. Custom parts shouldn't be too difficult to find, though, as I said they made the V-Rod for years. Best of luck to you!
Bought mine for touring.
Cool. I'm curious, are you on the taller side?
5k rpm isnt high revving especially for a v-rod. It's not like an aircooled harley which is screaming for death at 5k. its just waking up then and peaks between 8-9k. You didnt hit anywhere near that bikes potential and just barely tasted the powerband.
Good to know, for future reference on oil-cooled bikes. Wish I could go back and do it again! Thanks!
V-rods are liquid cooled. The newer HD bikes have varying degrees of oil cooling. The touring bikes have oil cooled cylinders while the softtails only have oil cooled heads. Most people ride them like traditional Harleys and never approach the bikes potential before passing judgement. But at 9k with loud pipes my V-rod muscle is VERY loud.
And there are still plenty of v-rods to ride. Besides what else can you ride that messes with the heads of both HD guys and metric riders.
@@thatoneguymoto You should do some more research on the bikes you review. It's liquid-cooled (coolant), not oil. Also as others have already mentioned, it doesn't really come to life until you reach 5k RPM. This is a high performance engine based on the VR1000 but modified and fine-tuned by Porsche. As far as I could figure out, It's the only motorcycle engine which have been through and passed Porsches Düsseldorf-test, it's a work of art.
Tommy Borgelin thanks for sharing your expertise. Had I known I was going to ride this bike before I got there, I'd have definitely since some deep research. Appreciate you watching! 🤓👍🏽
VRODS WITH FORWARD CONTROL ARE NOT FOR SHORT GUYS.....PERIOD..
AT 6.3 ....ITS PERFECT FOR ME....
Definitely not a great riding position for guys my height (5'6").
@@thatoneguymoto A VERY GOOD FRIEND OF MINE OF JAPANESE ANCESTRY ALMOST LOST THE CONTROL OF HIS VROD......
DUE TO THE FACT THAT HIS BUTT WASN'T TOUCHING THE BACK OF THE SEAT(BY 2 INCHES !!!!!ON A 2007 1250CC SREAMIN' EAGLE)...THE ACCELERATION 0TO60 IN 3.3 SEC
ALMOST GOT HIM LOSING HIS GRIP.....
NOW IT MAY BE A DIFFERENT STORY BY INSTALLING MID CONTROL....
There is definitely a difference in distance to the forward controls between the VRod earlier and the late VRods. I had sat on an early VRod and remember barely being able to reach, but the one I rode (still forward controls) was a later model and I could ride it comfortably (not sitting forward on the seat, either). Your friend possibly was even shorter than me, and if not maybe had a shorter inseam.
I am 5.8 and have a 2012 10 year anniversary edition and ride the shit out of it
Mid controls.