Harleys - Am I mad?
Discussion
I've been pondering a bit lately and I've got this semi-mad idea that I want to shop my bike in for a Harley.
I've never ridden one and I don't plan on going full 'country boy' with my leather vest; I'm wondering what people's experiences are with them and how much they differ from a typical road bike? Any big things that I should be aware of? I know I need to get a test ride sorted and I'm working on that at the moment.
For some background, I currently have a MV Brutale 910, been riding 3-4 years, fair weather rider managing about 1000-2000 miles a year. I'm 6ft and 16 stones, so I don't think the weight will be an issue. I'm not too fussed about the drop in performance as I'm not a riding-God/knee dragger.
Looking at a V-Rod as it seems to tick the boxes for style and has more power than the typical fatboys etc.
Any experience or thoughts from previous owners?
Thanks
I've never ridden one and I don't plan on going full 'country boy' with my leather vest; I'm wondering what people's experiences are with them and how much they differ from a typical road bike? Any big things that I should be aware of? I know I need to get a test ride sorted and I'm working on that at the moment.
For some background, I currently have a MV Brutale 910, been riding 3-4 years, fair weather rider managing about 1000-2000 miles a year. I'm 6ft and 16 stones, so I don't think the weight will be an issue. I'm not too fussed about the drop in performance as I'm not a riding-God/knee dragger.
Looking at a V-Rod as it seems to tick the boxes for style and has more power than the typical fatboys etc.
Any experience or thoughts from previous owners?
Thanks
I went from an MV Agusta F4 750 to a Fat Boy. Yes really ;0
I decided to bail out of sports bikes as I too am not a riding God and wanted to own something more basic and just enjoy the ride at a less frantic pace. My wrists were complaining too much.
Overall, I really enjoyed the Harley and despite the fact that it was agricultural in every way, it had bags of character. I say go for it but do so with eyes open and don't expect your Vrod to be another sports bike.
They're great, just in a different way.
I decided to bail out of sports bikes as I too am not a riding God and wanted to own something more basic and just enjoy the ride at a less frantic pace. My wrists were complaining too much.
Overall, I really enjoyed the Harley and despite the fact that it was agricultural in every way, it had bags of character. I say go for it but do so with eyes open and don't expect your Vrod to be another sports bike.
They're great, just in a different way.
I think the Ducati Diavel is the way to go for that style of bike these days.
I had a Harley years ago and yes they do have a certain charm that can be enjoyed when in the mood but they are in my book a one trick pony. Whereas the Ducati can deliver so much more depending on differing moods.
I had a Harley years ago and yes they do have a certain charm that can be enjoyed when in the mood but they are in my book a one trick pony. Whereas the Ducati can deliver so much more depending on differing moods.
Bought a Sportster 1200 some years ago. Nice to polish, fondle, look at. Was otherwise unsuitable for motorcycle use. Got hooked into the tune-up thing, and spent a grand on bits, which just made it worse. Sold it a year later for a profit.
You can rent a Hardly in the UK before splashing out on polish, bandanas and er, leather chaps. Good social crowd, lots of meets. Later engine have rubbery bushes, or something.
https://www.harley-davidson.com/gb/en/rent-a-bike....
You can rent a Hardly in the UK before splashing out on polish, bandanas and er, leather chaps. Good social crowd, lots of meets. Later engine have rubbery bushes, or something.
https://www.harley-davidson.com/gb/en/rent-a-bike....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkqCmVXXbk4
I had the idea of getting the VROD Muscle, but i was shown this.
Now i no longer have that urge to own a Harley
I had the idea of getting the VROD Muscle, but i was shown this.
Now i no longer have that urge to own a Harley
GrumpyTwig said:
Great if you can accept them for what they are.
You're never going to get somewhere as fast as a sports bike but you'll have fun getting there.
There's something fun about trying to hustle a big lump along a b road.
This, I'm on my second Street Glide and it's perfect for me in the sense that I don't get tempted by huge power/speed etc and I am very visible on the road. It's also very comfortable and I can do big miles on it. You're never going to get somewhere as fast as a sports bike but you'll have fun getting there.
There's something fun about trying to hustle a big lump along a b road.
The V-rod is quite a nice bike but I find them uncomfortable unless with mid controls. Lovely engine.
On sunny days, I drive an old Ford pickup, happy to roll along country roads with the windows rolled down and some country music blasting. At other times, I drive a subtly modded Mx5 as fast as I can, vying against other speed junkies in an adrenaline fueled frenzy.
Guess which one is most like riding a Harley?
If you're happy with relaxed riding, other people passing you, and a certain amount of stereotyping by others, riding a Harley can be a very rewarding experience.
My personal opinion is don't go for the VRod, you're just diluting the Harley experience with a compromise which isn't fast and doesn't take away any of the Harley stigma. Just be prepared to chill and enjoy the cruise.
Guess which one is most like riding a Harley?
If you're happy with relaxed riding, other people passing you, and a certain amount of stereotyping by others, riding a Harley can be a very rewarding experience.
My personal opinion is don't go for the VRod, you're just diluting the Harley experience with a compromise which isn't fast and doesn't take away any of the Harley stigma. Just be prepared to chill and enjoy the cruise.
Die-hard Indian fan-boy here, but there's nothing wrong with a V-Rod, and in truth there's nothing in the Indian stable in quite that category, although the Scout comes close (within 100cc depending on the variants) but certainly the Scout seems a smaller/lighter bike, but looks/feel could be deceiving.
Certainly if you want bigger and air-cooled v-twin (my choice) then I'd have to say Indian do it better, and if you want what I recall as a bit physically smaller and water cooled then again I'd say Indian do it better. But in the fairly unique category of a physically big water cooled v-twin Harley have it (had it) sewn-up. Although I do recall some of the V-Rods have less than spectacular cornering clearance (and lets not start on Road Kings etc), but other models had things tucked it quite high - but I don't know enough about the range to say what ones can lean lots and what ones can't - all just V-Rods to my untrained eye.
But you could certainly do worse than riding a Harley and an Indian back-to-back before biting the bullet (or should that be chewing on an arrow).
Certainly if you want bigger and air-cooled v-twin (my choice) then I'd have to say Indian do it better, and if you want what I recall as a bit physically smaller and water cooled then again I'd say Indian do it better. But in the fairly unique category of a physically big water cooled v-twin Harley have it (had it
) sewn-up. Although I do recall some of the V-Rods have less than spectacular cornering clearance (and lets not start on Road Kings etc), but other models had things tucked it quite high - but I don't know enough about the range to say what ones can lean lots and what ones can't - all just V-Rods to my untrained eye.But you could certainly do worse than riding a Harley and an Indian back-to-back before biting the bullet (or should that be chewing on an arrow).
Thanks for all the responses guys/girls, interesting reading.
To confirm a few points:
To confirm a few points:
- Definitely not expecting sports performance, although I was hoping, from what I have read, that the V-Rod had a bit more go than your standard Harley.
- Thanks for alternative suggestions; Rocket 3 and Diavel has been considered, but I had written the Diavel off due to cost. Rocket 3 is still a contender and great shout on the Indian. The Scout looks amazing.
- Cheers for highlighting rental service, I'll have a look at that.
A v-rod is not a real Harley, few "real " Harley owners will talk to you if you ride one ...perhaps another reason to get one
I have an MV Brutale and a V-rod since 2012.
Non Harley people dont like it because "its a Harley, must be slow and crap" and Harley people dont get it because its not a big overweight 1.8L aircooled lump struggling to deliver 85bhp. It was the fastest production Harley made and still is.
So yeah, you should try one and see if you like it. They are real easy to launch (8ft wheelbase) and on standard EU market gearing rev out about 155mph if you can keep your feet on the pegs
I dropped the gearing on mine 2 teeth (as per US market) so it only does 145mph but gets there quicker
The MV is great for chucking about down a B road for a couple of hours, but I do the most miles each year on the V-Rod. Usually a few thousand in the UK and few thousand on a touring holiday every years. They are quite versatile and very adjustable for fit.
There are a lot of variants with subtle differences, and owners all love their own for different reasons. Most have forward controls, some forward with reduced reach (comfy for shorter guys) one model came standard with mids, some later models have optional mids (but limits exhaust options)
Otherwise the key difference is engine size went up from 2007 from 1130 to 1250 and about 113bhp to 125bhp (before you put the obligatory stage 1 kit on it) and with it the move to a wider rear wheel/tyre (200 to 240)
So you have pre 2007 and post 2007 then a load of styling jobs, some owners mix and match, start with the base bike they like the look of then change bits from other models - the bodywork is just composite fibre covers and quite interchangeable. They hold value well but were good VFM for a Harley when new, you wont lose much if you buy one for a year or two.
tons of info for further research on 1130cc.com the V-Rod forum
heres mine in the Scottish Highlands last year
I have an MV Brutale and a V-rod since 2012.
Non Harley people dont like it because "its a Harley, must be slow and crap" and Harley people dont get it because its not a big overweight 1.8L aircooled lump struggling to deliver 85bhp. It was the fastest production Harley made and still is.
So yeah, you should try one and see if you like it. They are real easy to launch (8ft wheelbase) and on standard EU market gearing rev out about 155mph if you can keep your feet on the pegs
I dropped the gearing on mine 2 teeth (as per US market) so it only does 145mph but gets there quicker The MV is great for chucking about down a B road for a couple of hours, but I do the most miles each year on the V-Rod. Usually a few thousand in the UK and few thousand on a touring holiday every years. They are quite versatile and very adjustable for fit.
There are a lot of variants with subtle differences, and owners all love their own for different reasons. Most have forward controls, some forward with reduced reach (comfy for shorter guys) one model came standard with mids, some later models have optional mids (but limits exhaust options)
Otherwise the key difference is engine size went up from 2007 from 1130 to 1250 and about 113bhp to 125bhp (before you put the obligatory stage 1 kit on it) and with it the move to a wider rear wheel/tyre (200 to 240)
So you have pre 2007 and post 2007 then a load of styling jobs, some owners mix and match, start with the base bike they like the look of then change bits from other models - the bodywork is just composite fibre covers and quite interchangeable. They hold value well but were good VFM for a Harley when new, you wont lose much if you buy one for a year or two.
tons of info for further research on 1130cc.com the V-Rod forum
heres mine in the Scottish Highlands last year
A key decision is on what you intend to do with it...no point in having a 350-400kg full dress big twin tourer just to go down the shops or if you like riding quick down a B road ....
If you want a cruiser that handles well and a bit of go in it, then an Indian Scout would be a great choice. I rode one of those last year whilst out in the states and was very impressed. its 100bhp ish and 50kg lighter to start with than most Harleys. Well engineered, good warranty and good VFM a couple of years old.
If you want a cruiser that handles well and a bit of go in it, then an Indian Scout would be a great choice. I rode one of those last year whilst out in the states and was very impressed. its 100bhp ish and 50kg lighter to start with than most Harleys. Well engineered, good warranty and good VFM a couple of years old.
I've ridden a couple of Harleys (Fatbob and an 883) and while there is undeniable grin factor, they were both pretty poor motorcycles in terms of handling, power, brakes (comically bad) etc.
If I was going down this route then I would be looking at an Indian and would also have looked at a Victory (Hammer S looks quite tasty). The Rocket is so vast that I'm less interested but worth a look. Also the Guzzi California or the Audace would be on the list.
But for now there are so many interesting retro style bikes like the Guzzi V7 Special which I'd be looking at first. I think that they'd be better bikes and I prefer a more upright sitting position rather than the feet forward thing.
If I was going down this route then I would be looking at an Indian and would also have looked at a Victory (Hammer S looks quite tasty). The Rocket is so vast that I'm less interested but worth a look. Also the Guzzi California or the Audace would be on the list.
But for now there are so many interesting retro style bikes like the Guzzi V7 Special which I'd be looking at first. I think that they'd be better bikes and I prefer a more upright sitting position rather than the feet forward thing.
I borrowed this for this weekend 
I did about 400 miles on it.
Totally not my normal kind of bike.............in fact I've never ridden anything like it.
I absolutely loved it for what I used it for. Very hot with that big big engine.........but the steering geometry was a thing of witch craft - so good on the sweepies.
Quite lazy, cruise control. 40mph - big screen.
I didn't even have a visor on...........
So - the much cooler looking Harley - I can totally understand that as a choice.
I did about 400 miles on it.
Totally not my normal kind of bike.............in fact I've never ridden anything like it.
I absolutely loved it for what I used it for. Very hot with that big big engine.........but the steering geometry was a thing of witch craft - so good on the sweepies.
Quite lazy, cruise control. 40mph - big screen.
I didn't even have a visor on...........
So - the much cooler looking Harley - I can totally understand that as a choice.
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