Road Rod

[Freebird]

I said long ago that Harley might do well to build a touring bike around the VRod engine. I expect they will do so at some point but at least one person got tired of waiting. Here is what he came up with.

[Freebird]

Or a trike version.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Must-See-Unique-Harley-Davidson-VRod-Trike_W0QQitemZ250230788165QQihZ015QQcategoryZ49997QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting

[Yama Mama]

WOW I LIKE THEM BOTH!

 

MAMA

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Actually there is a company that sells kits to do that. They have been out for a few years now. One of the problems has been that since the first v-rods only carried 3.5 gallons of gas, you might have a touring conversion under you, but you werent actually gonna be able to TOUR with it. It was more about style, comfort, and having something unique.

 

But now, since the v-rods hold 5 gallons of gas, its possible to actually use a Road Rod for sport touring...you see these at Sturgis every year, although I dont actually know anyone that has one.

 

As you might expect, these are not cheap...heres a link to one company making and selling the kits:

 

http://www.cyclevisions.com/road-rod-conversion-kit/road-rod

 

http://www.partsmag.com/0501/V-Rod-Project-Bike/V-Rod-Projectbike-0501.html (added later)

Another problem is the GVWR of the v-rod...by the time you add all the goodies, you barely have the capacity to add a passenger and her stuff...plus the v-rod goes thru $250 rear tires in about 4000 miles...but oh well...if you want one, just open that wallet WIDE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Freebird]

It's certainly not in my budget. I do expect to see something from Harley in the near future though.

[Guest tx2sturgis]

Yep...there are many rumors of a new touring bike based on either the v-rod motor, or maybe a new BIG aircooled v-twin. We'll just have to wait and see.

 

The old FL chassis is the only frame left in the Harley lineup that is essentially unchanged now for 25 years. Its in bad need of a revamp.

 

In the late 70's and early 80s, the speed limits were 55 everywhere, and the stock 80 inch Evo (or shovel) motor in that frame was about...55 horsepower.

 

Now, in that same frame, they put in 80-120 horsepower motors, and legal highway speeds are up to 80 in some places, and that poor little frame shows its tendency to wobble. I spent over $1000 curing the famous 'bagger wobble' on my scoot.

 

Its still not completely eliminated, but it handles MUCH better than it did before the upgrades. Until HD addresses the flexy frame issue, I will not be buying another new touring Harley.

 

Sooner or later, HD will have to upgrade the FL's, and when they do, watch out...it should be a winner.

 

 

 

 

[Red Ryder]

Actually Don, your thinking is right on. As we speak, Harley is working on building a Touring model like the Ultra Classic with a liquid cooled engine. They will start out with a full dresser, and if sales are good, they will produce the liquid cooled engine onto other models. The delays of this new bike is because, they have not figured out how to duplicate the current sound in a liquid cooled engine. You know, potato, potato, potato, which is what Harley is known for. Harley truly believes that if the V-Rod would have had that potato sound, they would have sold thru the roof instead of slow sales. The reason Harley-Davidson says it is producing this new bike is to switch Metric owners over to Harley-Davidson. Expect to see this new edition from Harley by the 2011 model year. Later-

[BOO]

The trike is nice but the two wheeler,,,,Yuck......

Jerry

[Mariner Fan]

I think they look cool!

[rod]

Cycle Visions is right down the street from where I worked and their prototype bike was great. One day a writer from a bike mag came to do a story on it and they let him test ride it. In 2 blocks he crashed it! They build really nice stuff but $$$$$$. Rod

[91nwl]

A friend of mine bought a V-Rod, thought he could tour on it, rode it on one long trip...about 2,000 miles, and sold it as soon as he got home. Bought a BMW GS. V-Rod was so friggin unfomfortable it almost disabled him.

[MAINEAC]

How about the new "Cross Bones" Harley??? It's a softtail with a spring front end, ape hangers, and bobbed fenders... It has single piston single disk up front and a two piston single disk in back... Don't make sense does it?

[James Ardrey]

Actually Don, your thinking is right on. As we speak, Harley is working on building a Touring model like the Ultra Classic with a liquid cooled engine. They will start out with a full dresser, and if sales are good, they will produce the liquid cooled engine onto other models. The delays of this new bike is because, they have not figured out how to duplicate the current sound in a liquid cooled engine. You know, potato, potato, potato, which is what Harley is known for. Harley truly believes that if the V-Rod would have had that potato sound, they would have sold thru the roof instead of slow sales. The reason Harley-Davidson says it is producing this new bike is to switch Metric owners over to Harley-Davidson. Expect to see this new edition from Harley by the 2011 model year. Later-

Actually the change over to watercooled has more to do with meeting the new EPA emission standards. Their current method of increasing engine heat to accomplish this is not practical and will not meet future standards. All bikes will probably have to be water cooled and fuel injected to meet the progressing tougher EPA standards. I think 2011 or 2012 is when the new tougher standards go into effect. Someone else may have the particulars on this.

[James Ardrey]

Don those are both very slick custom tourers. I think with the short wheelbase they will be cramped conditions and a rough ride for full blown touring aspect. I am in agreement with previous posts on this.

[timk]

I thought the sound of a Harley came only by the 50 degree v twin.?????

[Guest tx2sturgis]

I thought the sound of a Harley came only by the 50 degree v twin.?????

 

Its actually 45 degrees, and the staggered dual con rods on a single crankpin arrangement, Y-runner intake, and firing sequence, that all combine to make it that lumpy potato,potato, sound...and this could all probably be done with watercooling just fine...listen to a water cooled Kawasaki Vulcan sometime...its pretty darn close to sounding like a Harley.