Harley-Davidson Night Rod Review
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- čas přidán 5. 06. 2022
- My Harley-Davidson Night Rod review after owning my VRSCD for over 5 years.
Want the full story? Check out my detailed review here: youmotorcycle.com/harley-davi...
#vrod #nightrod #harleydavidsonvrod - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Want the full story? Check out my detailed review here: youmotorcycle.com/harley-davidson-night-rod-review.html
want the full review of the VROD Muscle, that outlines all the reasons why its a great first bike.... check this out... czcams.com/video/bXMPTWZH6ME/video.html
I went from a 1982 FLT to 02 Vrod VRSC. Here in 2024 it is still pumping out a smile on my face. No issues either.
It's impossible to sit on a V-Rod and not smile. That's just science.
I purchased my 2006 v-rod a month ago and all I can say is THAT IT HAS BEEN MILES OF SMILES
Congrats, they're great bikes!
I agree with you on your comment about it being the Greatest Harley Davidson ever made. I own two of them. A 2015 Muscle and a 2003 100th Anniversary Edition.
Sold mine two months ago, already keeping my eyes open on the classifieds for a new one lol
@@YouMotorcycle I'm looking for a tuner for the 2002 vrsca
Which engine do you like more, the 1130 or the 1250 or do they basically behave the same?
For me, no preference, both have more power than I need, and yet I still wish they both had a 6th gear.
Considering the category the V-Rod falls into, up until a couple of years ago or so it would be the only bike of its class that Harley made, the rest of the bikes would be known like the rest of us know them... Harley-Davidson!
I’ve been riding Vrods for just shy of 20 years. I just got a new to me 2008 Nightrod. It’s always been one of my favorite models and I just happened across a smoking good deal on it. I almost want to move further south to get a longer riding season. They’re great bikes and your review is solid. 🍻
Thanks Bo. I really appreciate the feedback from someone who's spent a lot of time on/around these bikes. Ride safe!
Your Vrod program is the best I have watched. You give the good , the bad, and the ugly. A really honest and informative report.
Thanks so much! I put a lot of time into it.
Ive just put a deposit down on a mint 2004 v rod with only 6000 miles on the clock. Thanks for this very informative upload 🤘🤘🤘
Thanks so much and congratulations!
About to picked up a 2006 with 4K miles tomorrow! So excited thanks for the key suggestions!
Congrats, such a fun and charismatic motorcycle. Hope you're enjoying it!
This is, hands down, the best V-Rod review I've come across. Looking to transition from a Yamaha R1 to the V-Rod. This is exactly what I needed to hear. Thank you
Thanks so much. The V-Rod is a lot of fun. Won't have the all-out top speed of your inline four, but, man, there's a lot of fun torque to play with. I hope you enjoy it if you end up getting one!
Sweet bike... you had some love for that bike ... half the fun is getting it where you want to be ... and keeping it there - great review!
Yeah, you said it. That was my baby
It’s the only Harley I’ve ever been interested in. Good video informative video bro thanks.
Thanks very much!
loved the magnetic bag slapping the metal door. EPIC
LOL. Had to get creative to do half of a review of a motorcycle AFTER it was already gone!
My favorite Harley. Owned 2006 Nightrod that I drag raced for 7 years and won Gainesville Raceway Track championship in 2009,2010 and 2012 and 2012 NHRA DIV 2 Race of Champions. Sold that bike and bought a 2013 Nightrod Special that I rode for another four years. If Harley still made them I would have a new one now. I do have the 2022 Sportster S with the Revolution motor that the Vrod developed
That's awesome, congrats!
Curious about that sportster s!! How do you like it?
@@777RocketS I like it very much. You know how much I loved my Vrods and I've always loved Sportsters as well.I've had 4 of those. This is sort of a combination of both. I have had software issues but that's mostly been resolved. I have slightly over 4,000 miles. Not sorry i bought it and still a work in progress as far as the mods.
@@Danasmith2816 bummer of the software issues, but i feel that thing should be freaky fast! I'll have to go check one out!
@@777RocketS yes, very fast. Same horsepower as my Vrod but 150lbs lighter. A lot of fun, just not as comfortable riding position as the nightrod. Take one for a spin. it will put a smile on your face.
I have an '06 Night Rod and to me, the headlight nacelle was one of the biggest style attractors. P.S., I've never seen a single episode of SOA so I'm not a fan boy for that reason. I just happen to like the look better with it than without it. Good video. Thanks for posting!
The 5.75" headlight just reminds me of every Sportster I've opened before my Night Rod that used the exact same headlight. By the time I got the V-Rod I was over it lol
Best review on CZcams! My local Harley dealer lent me a 2009 model when my Buell was in for a service once… pinning the throttle on the straights was addictive! It’s the ONLY bike I’ve ever ridden where people would roll down their window and shout ‘nice bike’ at stop lights (this doesn’t happen usually in the UK, we are terribly reserved folk) …Cornering with the fat squared off rear tyre was ‘interesting’ 😂
lol thanks very much for the compliment and for sharing your experience. Agree with you about cornering. On my Z900RS I could arrive at a corner and pick my line when I got there and the bike was just so maneuverable it would be fine. On the V-Rod I really had to know what my line was going to be _before_ getting to the corner to really handle the corner at a good speed.
Thanks for the review, it was brilliant
Thank you very much! Ride safe!
I sold my Vrod and i miss that bike. So sooner or later i will have another one. Alot of Harley riders hate them. Not me. It put a smile on my face on every ride.
Agreed. Terrific machine, even with its flaws.
This wil be my first Harley and I am physced to see what kind of performance it has. I appreciate the honesty that it won't handle like my 98 BMW K12 RS , but maybe it will be a bit easier on my wrists, of course it will, lol. And maybe enjoy a similiar quarter mile time. Thanks for the video, it helpful in knowing what we are getting. Cheers! TCRS!
I think you're going to love it. Not a perfect motorcycle, but that's part of what makes it so fun 😃
een goeie uitleg van de motor bedankt ik ben al blij met mijn aan koop 👍
Thank you!
I would like to start a petition here today. Bring back the vrod or sale Crate Motors.
Awesome vid aswell!
Thanks!
I like the idea of selling crate motors.
I bought one for my 1996 Electra Glide Standard.
Very happy with it.
How about a crate screaming eagle?
I’ve seen that Birth of the Vrod video more than a dozen times. I love the Vrod. II have two, 2013 VRSCF Muscle and the best of the best, the 2008 VRSCD Nightrod. The last of the original Nightrods. It has all the upgrades… Slipper clutch, 1250 motor, Brembo brakes, 5 gallon tank, relocated ignition. But it also has the best features like the better handling 180 rear tire, mid controls with the forward highway pegs, and the Nightrod in the classy black and chrome is the best. It still needs an upgraded headlight though. But my Nightrod is getting there. It still needs lights, seat, and I might find something shiny for her (Eleanor).
I didn’t realize that I already commented on this video. Oh well, Vrods still rock.
@@bothetinman772 lmao that's funny. One of my first videos ever was addressing the headlight upgrade the bike needs: czcams.com/video/rdAGwTysfTs/video.html
I have the 2005 screamin eagle cvo.bought new.built nitrous built 170hp iam now 60yrs and still the power is amazing.....
That thing's an absolute beast. Now it's a beast on steroids lol
Thanks for sharing your experience with this amazing Harley-Davidson 🤘🏻
Thanks for watching and commenting! I really enjoyed it. A motorcycle that was way ahead of it's time! :)
Anyone who says solid wheels push you around in crosswinds are passing around information that's bs. I never noticed it and if your good enough rider to own a VROD it's a none issue. Manup quit whining and be lucky you own in my opinion coolest Harley made
Have you tried two V-Rods, one with solid rims, and one without, back to back on the same windy day? I have.
Harley-Davidson V-Rod is so exciting!
V-Rod's engine becomes a Porsche at high revs!!!
I agree, such a fun motor! So much torque.
That discovery channel documentary is how I came to know Harley Davidson existed when I was kid!
It's fantastic. You can still find it on CZcams!
Subbed. Great episode
Thanks brother, ride safe!
I had a fully custom one as my first bike. It’s a perfect first bike if you can handle power
And that "if" is why it isn't a recommended beginner bike
Great video! I’m looking at a 2002 with very low miles and this is very informative. Question: Can the forward-controls on the earlier models be replaced with mid-controls such as you have there? Thanks again for a very helpful video.
Thank you. Yes they can but as far as I remember I didn't see anyone making a kit to swap them, so you either need to buy all the parts (which may be hard as some may be discontinued now) or you need to find another V-Rod owner who wants to trade. Might not be easy to find. Do a little Google searching you may find info that I don't know or can't remember :)
I have a 2006 street rod with mids on if you’re still looking to swap em out? Im in England but i dont mind shipping, i want forwards
@@tommiduncan1349: Deal didn't fly. Thanks anyway.
Nice v-rod Overview
Thanks so much!
I loved my 2004 V-Rod, until the rear tire wore out…previous owner(s) didn’t know what anti-seize is/was and after paying for three hours of HD dealer trying to remove the rear tire, I traded it in for a Husky FE501.
I miss the Harley VRod, but there are not existing rear axles for the 2004 in the world!!! They changed the design after 2004 of the rear axles, so $1500 was the price for a tire (new custom axle in 2014, more now with FJb inflation) change plus tire.
Nothing good lasts the VROD was short lived...5years in & still inlove with my 2nd wife ❤😍....NightRod 🔥
Just sold mine two months ago and already keeping my eyes open for another one haha
Good vid. Subscribed.
Thanks Brian!
You've almost sold it to me. The documentary looks like it was made 30 years ago 😳
Only 21 years ago! 😂 Bike ran from 2001 to 2017 but this generation ran from 01-06.
Play I fell in love with the V Rod when it first came out in 2002 so I got a 2003 anniversary, over 20 years and not a single engine problem couple of valve adjustments only, three sets of tires 70,000 miles later. It still runs flawless with regular oil changes, I’m retired now take it out every once in a while. Definitely been a great Harley Davidson. I got no complaints whatsoever. It’s been a Great Ride,
Hey Tim, that's awesome. Glad you still have it and I'm not surprised it's been trouble-free for you. That is one solid, reliable rocket of a cruiser.
Great video big fan of the vRod muscle. Don’t think you can use Suzuki M50 and the Vrod in the same sentence.
Sure you can. "I couldn't afford the V-Rod so I bought an M50." and "Then I made more money so I sold my M50 and bought a V-Rod." lol
Thank you for your vid
Happy to help!
How good is the lean angle on this motorcycle? Good in-depth review
It should be better than the standard V-Rod (32 degrees) but not as good as the VRSCR Street Rod (40 degrees)
More info here youmotorcycle.com/2006-harley-davidson-v-rod-vrsc-street-rod.html
Its a beautiful beast 👍🇺🇸
She absolutely is!
Nice bike... But I had the best V-rod of all. It was the 2008 Night Rod. It had the 1250 motor and the 5 gal gas tank, with mids. . Not the ugly Night Rod Special with the ridiculous 240 tire and forwards. Now I have the new dual sport V-rod. Better known as the Pan America with the Revolution Max motor... Amazing balls!!! V-rods forever! :)
Excellent job unicorn capturing lol
Thanks for the video. I’m looking at getting a 2014 muscle has 6500 miles. One question, what is a pigtail? Is that a battery tender or something?
Glad you liked it 👍🏻 the pigtail is something that connects to the battery on one end, and that you can plug a battery charger into on the other end. People use them because the batteries are difficult to access, but the pigtails make it easier. Kind of like an extension cord in a way.
I had a 2007 night rod with front controls solid flat black, sorry to say 😢 I sold it and bought a 2019 Heritage. I put almost 30k miles on my V-rod
Is she the one that got away?
You’re only getting 29mpg?! My 2003 gets at least 40, and I don’t ride gently . Also, factory saddle bags and better pegs make the VRod a very practical bike. Love that LED headlight and I plan to do the same upgrade.
Are you running stock air filter, exhaust, and tune?
Recommend tuners for a 2002?
Depends on what pipes you're running, and whether you'll be tuning it or having someone tune it for you. If someone will be tuning it for you, you should ask them what they like to work with.
I have an 07 Night Rod and it has an 1130cc motor.
Cool. I think the VRSCs had 1250 in 2007 but the VRSCDs didn't. Can't remember.
Nice bikes for sure 👍
They are! I was really happy with it. If everything goes well in the next week or two I'll explain why this one had to go... Fingers crossed it was/will be worth it... You know how it is, some things gotta go to make room for other projects...
@@YouMotorcycle- Hope it goes well 👍
I just sold my r1200gs, handle bars caused a shit ton of back pain. My brother-in-law is trying to convince me into a Harley and I have to admit this has me intrigued. Quite a bit worried though with multiple back issues (reasons for selling the GS).
You should think about how the back issues would be effected by the seating geometry. With the V-Rod you could go for a model with forward controls, which might be better if you have upper back/shoulder pain (more stretched forward, less cramped up), whereas if you have tail bone pain, that might suck as the forward controls put a lot of weight on your butt, in which case a V-Rod with mid controls might be better for you. Best of luck with your search :)
Cool thanks for the heads up! Cheers.
Mini apes helped me a lot
I’m in Florida found a bike on CycleTrader in Orlando 2014 VR muscle. He brought it to me in Fort Lauderdale got it with 7000 miles on it. Guess who took the bright line back home
Congrats on the V-Rod! What's the bright line? lol
@@YouMotorcycle the train goes from Miami to Orlando
@@salvatorericcio2303 got it. Guessing that was him on the return ticket haha
A couple of items to mention: The triple sprocket bolt! MUST do maintenance (remove/loctite). Second, the major improvements in the second generation (5 gallon fuel tank, O2 sensors, PowerVision TargetTune support, better fuel level sensor, ABS!!). Hate to say it, but short of a small budget I see no reason to buy the first gen of these.
I'm a "less is more" man. To me, less tech = more simplicity and reliability. Less weight and size = more fun. Similar power and less cost = free money for mods.
If you're a "more is more" person, I could see the appeal of the second gen. I wouldn't say there's no reason to go first gen though. I would probably buy another first gen tbh.
You're right that the bigger tank is a really sweet improvement though. Fuel level sensor, I was lucky, when I suspected it was starting to be goofy I ran some STP carb and injector fluid through and that seemed to clean things up. ABS, yup, I would have liked to have, but thankfully, I never needed it!
Were this modifications after 2007.
@@JIMWSMITH a brief overview of some of the changes/introductions over the years
2005 VRSCR; mid controls, flatter drag bars, inverted forks
2006 Night Rod: ABS introduced, cosmetic upgrades; blacked out engine
2007 3.2gal -> 5gal; frame widened (to accommodate more fuel); 180mm -> 240mm rear tire; output 123hp; gained 37lbs
2011 Muscle introduced; fairing, cosmetics; bars; etc
My first time owning a VR 2012 and I was thinking of removing the baffles from the stock mufflers and go topless on the filter as they say, would I have to get a tuner also if I go through the process of removing the baffles?
In my opinion the bike comes so lean from factory I would get a tuner even if I wasn't doing any work to it. It'll smooth it out when you first roll on the throttle really nicely
How much experience would you recommend before you get one never had a bike but I have liked them since I was young and really like the vrod like what bike should I get first and how long should I ride it before I upgrade
I would ride for at least a good 10,000 miles through all kinds of situations before jumping onto one of these.
I started out on a home made mini bike with 5 h
This is monster especially the one that's 112hp throw a supercharger on it be well over 200hp
did u get another vrod again? I'm looking a a particular one right now and would appreciate someone looking into it with me to make sure everything is correct and accounted for and sounds right before i drop 10G's down on it
Not yet. I made an offer on one, the guy didn't reply to me for like a week. By the time he accepted my offer I bought something else 😂. Where are you located?
@@YouMotorcycle right now I’m in MN, but within 40 days I’m packing up and moving outta my parents place and moving into a place with my girlfriend, but by the time we get the place we will be married, on my way down to Florida from MN I’m planning on purchasing a Vrod Night Rod Special and loading it into a uhaul enclosed trailer, don’t worry, the bike will be strapped down and protected on both sides with two mattresses!
Strap it down right with four straps and you'll be better off with no mattreses, but dang dude, if I were you I'd be worried less about motorcycles and more about rushing my other life choices lol. Take it easy man.
15:28 fucking time speed up jumpscared me, thought you were about to go right into the truck.
Michelin scorcher 11 tires are the tires made for this bike
First off, thanks for sharing that.
Second, I just looked up the price of a front and rear Michelin Scorcher 11s for this bike and almost fell off my seat. Wow!! Not cheap.
I just bought a 2004 Vrod with forward controls. It's a bit of a reach .I been look at a way to bring it a back even a couple inches. Not cheap to install mids. Anybody with any a cheaper alternatives would be greatly appreciated
Find someone local with mids who wants forwards and do a swap
It could be the busa of cruisers!
😂👌 you're not wrong.
I was saying the same thing b4 u mentioned it😂😂😅
What same thing?
@@YouMotorcycle the hot ass pipe
The vrod came out in 2001 and Harley hasn't made anything being close to "That Good" Yet !😮💨
I want to love their new liquid cooled sportster and nightster because I feel like it's the V-Rod's descendant. But that new motor is so freaking ugly!
Interesting
Thanks, hope you enjoyed it :)
Anyone knows a good mechanic for cross in Atlanta ga thanks
I don't, sorry
Does anyone know anyone know anything about, are ever going to bring the Harley davidson vrod bike back, I'm only one individual out of a few hundred thousand people with my own opinion, and I think the vrod bike is way better looking bike, it's just a better looking muscled bike, and I also remember that they had a 1500 cc size motor mounted to the vrod, but as far as the possibility of the vrod ever coming to exist for the public market, between being a user friendly and the engineering being way different rather than the original traditional bike, hay the vrod is what it is, I'll take a vrod over the traditional any time, everything has a high price, they always say, it's only money, better make dam sure about what you want,
No rumors, no speculation, so probably not happening any time soon. I think the new Nightster and Sportster S have filled the role. Too bad because the original V-Rod was better looking in my opinion. The new liquid cooled 1100cc Harley-Davidson motor makes my eyes sad.
...Then again, everything was so hush-hush when the first V-Rod came out, so never say never :)
@@YouMotorcycle that's absolutely right, never say never
2007 has the 1130cc engine
Dang, you're mostly right. Depends on the model. 2007 VRSCX = 1250cc, the rest of the V-Rod line was still 1,130cc. Good catch!
Wrong 2005 screamin eagle cvo is fastest.forged internals ect@@YouMotorcycle
Hello Kramer
*slides through door* Hey Jerry!
when did sons of anarchy first air?
2008
The V-rod was built to last,like a Honda.
100%!
Feels rich and premium except for the suspension 🙈🤣🤣🤣 that’s the bread and butter of a motorcycle
Are you familiar with Harley Davidson ownership? That statement can be said of every Harley I've ever owned
Solid rims - susceptible to wind = Bullshit
I've owned this V-Rod at the same time as my girl owned a solid rim V-Rod, we would switch back and forth. You could feel a difference. But up here could be very different than where you are. I just got back from riding across Italy and didn't face any wind gusts in the whole country as bad as those we face up here. If you're somewhere south of Canada your wind may not be strong enough to notice the difference. Where are you located?
@@YouMotorcycle Southern Oregon, We get 50-60 mph winds on occasion, sometimes higher.
@@Roaddog420 guess you're just the man of steel 🤷🏻♂️ I'm not. At 165 lbs and I feel it lol
@@YouMotorcycle I honestly don't feel a difference. I don't think it has anything to do with my abilities or nerve, but maybe I just compensate without thinking about it. Incredible bike the VROD is! I am comparing to other bikes with spokes or spoke mags like my Heritage, Dyna, Roadliner and ZX14.
why is this a good first bike??? mundane before 4100 RPM 4k shows me 63 MPH on the freeway. gobs of brake gobs of traction and it can get out of its way handily know your limitations and respect what the VROD is and you willl not have problems with teh bike as you home your riding skills.
I didn't say it was a good first bike.
@@YouMotorcycle you should have!!!
@@ericneville8043 but then I would be lying to people and telling them that 600+ lbs and 100+ horsepower and 70+ ft lbs of torque is a good idea for a first time rider and it really isn't
@@YouMotorcycle it is if you tell them that staying out of it and being disciplined while you learn, teling them its a bike to grow into. It saves money over the long term. Stay out of it and gradually use the power band as you learn... Lemmy said it best if you listen... the VROD isint even awake at 2500 RPM The power band doesnt really kick in until 4k, hell i can get 63mph on the highway at 4k.. SO less than 4k will do everything needed around town.. Its perfect.. then after you master it start working on advanced fundamentals. four words for teh new guy.. STAY OUT OF IT!!
This IS a good first bike!! this cat doesnt know what he t is talking about with that
If you think a 100+ horsepower, 600+ lb, high torque, long wheelbase motorcycle, with expensive to replace parts (that you can no longer get from the dealer anymore because they are discontinued), is good first motorcycle, you don't know anything about good first motorcycles.
@@YouMotorcycle plenty of dedicated fabricators if you look.. and of course there are a lot of aftermarket sources and wrecked bikes.. which you would know if YOU knew anything about motorcycles....
A fabricator isn't going to make you a new ECU or a new fuel sending unit. These motorcycles are a lot more digital than they used to be, or then you seem to think they are, but if you're the expert, why aren't you the one trying to help the community?
Uh, nope. Slow speed U-turns need lots of practice, and with the 240 back tire, good counter-steering technique is an absolute must. It takes a hell of a lot of muscle to get it over and into the lean on a high-speed turn. Once there, it's fine. My 2014 VRSCF was my first street bike, and if I had to do it over again, I'd start out on a cheap used 750 for a year or two.
I had one it wasnt that fast my suzkuki m109r is faster
Considering it's almost twice the displacement you would expect the 109 to be waaaayyyyyy faster though
True the bike is also kinda little
Why is this not a beginner motorcycle
For all the reasons a champion race horse isn't a good first horse.
A 600+ lb motorcycle that makes over 100 horsepower and gobs of torque from the second you let go of the clutch before you even roll on the gas. It's not an easy bike to ride slowly, you're constantly trying to hold the reigns because the thing wants to take off on you. It's a good fast bike and a bad slow bike. It's not geared for beginner's pace or style of riding, it's not forgiving.
@@YouMotorcycle I appreciate that response. I’m 6’0 210 pounds and wanted this bike sense 2017. It’s my dream bike what would you recommend I do then ? It’s my dream bike however I don’t want it to be my down fall
@@dandrecarter1614 keep it as a dream bike, get it when the time is right. First bike shouldn't be your last bike. You can look at something like the Kawasaki Vulcan s, or Suzuki Boulevard m50. I wouldn't go any bigger than that for a first bike. Do a year or few on one of those or even something smaller and then get the dream bike
@@YouMotorcycle thanks a lot I’m sure you saved me from myself. Lastly why not give a champion race horse to a beginner wouldn’t it mold their taste or make things easier?
@@dandrecarter1614 Because the horse wins, and a rider that can't handle a winning horse loses.
It’s fast, but not even ninja 600 fast…
It’s a good beginner bike, just heavy..
87 ft lbs of torque and 620 lbs wet is not a "good beginner bike" lol
Typical HD selling broken motorcycles
You're referring to the one time something broke in 25,000 km?
I own multiple Harley's I was never a fan of the V Rod
Refer to the part about Harley traditionalists not liking this bike haha
Yeah, a Harley that is actually relatively fast and doesn't drip oil on your floor is really annoying.
😂👌
@@itmercenaries6868 Never owned a Harley that drips oil. So far I have owned 5 Harley's.
@@YouMotorcycle Not sure I would call myself a 100% traditionalist. I do like the new Pan America they came out with.
HD represents EVERYTHING the confederacy stands for. The Vrod is an example of the failure to try and get a change from the confederacy ideology.
The V-Rod had a 17 year production run. You call that a failure??
Great video big fan of the vRod muscle. Don’t think you can use Suzuki M50 and the Vrod in the same sentence.
That's fair, although it is a pretty natural upgrade from the M50 to the V-Rod. PS thanks!