not for me thank you,,overpriced, under powered . German or Italian for me

robinyatesuk2003# i agree with you, just out of interest what are some of your favourite motorbikes?

It's a sport cruiser and not a street racer bike. A 125hp is a lot compared to most bikes (more that Ducati Monster 1100 and BMW R1200R), except for top tier street racers and they cost more than the Night Rod Special. Plus, this power is lower in the RPM range as it should be for to be streetable in real world traffic.

You've got to be kiddin Harley Davidson..Technology? Performance? I don't think so. Overpriced for what you get..HEAVEY, no handling, Tiresome riding...nobody wants this OLD stuff anymore...And looks? Good grief, look at the 1940's and Harley hasn't changed nothing at all. They have to get with the program, who wants to try and ride a bike that weighs over 400, 500, 600 lbs anymore...riding is about fun, handling, and ease of use.

I guess if you can squeeze 2.3 billion bailout money from the government, you can call yourself "the global symbol of the American Dream"

Finally a modern designed Harley. Congratulations!

(the photographer sure likes just right side photos)

It would be nice to see one in ABB (Anything But Black) engine/wheel wise.

The engine, frame and seating layout also looks great.

However, the head angle seems kinda scary for cornering around town.

(just gotta try it.. looks can be deceiving )

Not underpowered but definitely overweight. Styling looks great. No more expensive than the Germans or Italians. Now if H.D. could perform miracles and knock off 100 lbs off the V-Rod and XR 1200's they might have something to crow about.

Guess we all dreamed of Buell getting a free hand at creating something great from scratch. Scratch that,he's doing that himself after being tossed out the door.

Maybe a little MV Augusta creation and engineering rubbing off? Scratch that after blowing thru $200 million in no time. The Castiglioni family,for the price of a cup of coffee, will continue and improve their heritage.

As the aging baby boomers die off so will H.D. They blew their chances. R.I.P.

"The Night Rod Special is a custom variation of the V-Rod series that brought a more modern and aggressive street style plus a number of technological advances to the brand." Advances like double overhead cams? Didn't Crocker have that in 1938? How about those self canceling turn signals? Where have I seen those before? Oh yeah, on my 1983 Honda Sabre. Seems like Vincent Rice got some Harley spam in the mail and thought it would save him from having to do some work this week.

If H-D was the only motorcycle brand in the world, I'd ride the V-Rod. But thankfully, they aren't. I'll continue to enjoy my Hondas.

A couple of things:

1. Porsche did not design this bike; it was designed in house. Porsche lent technical assistance and engine refinement. The bulk of the work was actually done by the team in Milwaukee.

2. Some of your readers need a history lesson; the V-Rod family's been around since 2002, long before the ill-fated (and ill-advised, in my opinion) acquisition of MV Agusta.

3. Comparing a power cruiser like this to a sportbike (R1, GSXR, etc.) is like comparing apples hand grenades; both useful, but hardly interchangeable. Comparing it to something it directly competes with (Victory's Hammer S, Yamaha's Warrior, Yamaha VMax) makes a lot more sense; against most of these bikes, it compares fairly well, both in price and performance.

4. Have any of you guys ever ridden a V-Rod? If not, you should. I went to a demo a few years ago, and I've gotta tell you, these bikes are a lot of fun. I found their 'V-Rod Muscle' edition particularly well-designed. I'd have to replace the too-far forward controls with mid-mounts if I was in the market, but otherwise, this was an exceptionally refined, exciting bike, with build quality and attention to detail to rival the best in the world. Keep in mind this is from a guy who's owned hondas, yamahas, ducatis, and has ridden bmw's, suzukis, etc., and has never owned a Harley.

I can buy any replacement part for my '02 XL1200c, try that with honda, they discontinue parts faster than I change underwear!! It took me 6 months to locate a fuel tank for a 1983 VT500 Ascot FT, I kept getting replies for the FT 500 ascot thumper. I finally got a tank, but it was in bad shape. I finally scrapped that bike out after trying to locate other parts. If one was to keep a honda more than ten years, better invest in vital replacement parts such as a spare fuel tank, seat and rims.

Harley Davidson builds machines that people want to buy. Every Asian manufacturer has one or more machines in their stable designed with essence of cruiser if not intentionally imitating (with legally mandated differences) the styling of H-D. Yes there are lighter, faster, and more agile machines on the road, so what? As pointed out by another writer, parts are readily available for nearly any vintage Harley. Try finding parts for something as recent as the unfortunately short lived Honda Valkyrie. Haven't tried myself (though I have loved those machines since they were introduced) but I'd wager it would be easier to find parts for a '48 Panhead. I currently ride a Road King. It is not my first bike and hopefully not my last. I have ridden Yamahas, Hondas, and Kawasakis and have fond memories of each. I would love to have a V-Max and I would love to have a V-Rod. Don't hate The V-Rod because you prefer a race styled machine. That is akin to hating Ford because you drive Chevy, its just plain silly. I don't dislike Kawasaki because I ride a H-D. Look at the V-rod for what it is, a powerful and appealing street rod. It is intended to be neither a Cafe racer nor a top fuel dragster, neither is it a touring machine. It falls into the same category for bikes as street rods do for cars. They are not for everyone but you find yourself compelled to admire one when you see one.

I do not like the look. Maybe because I started riding in the 60's on a Hondo 50, and really riding in the 70's, I like the older body styling. I like the old kick start even though if you did it wrong, you would either bang your shin or have it kick back to where it was possible it would break your leg. Not that I am anti electric start, I just preferred the kick start. I also like the old body styling. This one looks too much like a croch (sp?) rocket. When I think of Harley Davidson, I think of class, style, luxury (sort of), like when you think of Cadillac, Rolls-Royce, and Dusenburg. The company now appears to be abandoning that tradition.

wow Richard your smart comparing finding parts for a 9 year old bike to a 28 year old bike

It's one of the very few good looking bikes they have ever made.

Except for the shitty 45* V twin and it's appalling vibration (should be 90*) the 1977 XLCR was the only other really good looking Harley ever made.

http://www.caimag.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/18/harley-xlcr-cafe-racer-too-soon-or-too-late-for-harley/xlcr-1977.jpg

http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/Gallery/Harley XLCR 77..jpg

Take it or leave it - but it is a shit load of money for what amounts to a V8 motor with 2 cylinders sliced off the end - slung in a steel tube frame between 2 wheels....

Many years ago - it was when I saw all this Harley Paraphenalia stuck up in an Authorised HD Dealers shop - the bandanna's, leathers, gloves, boots, wallets, zippo lighters, T shirts, key rings, ear rings, stickers, shot glasses, posters, etc., etc., etc and worst of all - Harley Davidson runners with the Harley Logo formed in the sole - like William Firestone's advertising that lead to tread on tyres.

And I thought HOW crap, how cheap, scummy, gimmicky...

That is when my perception of HD changed from liking the motorbikes - as a means of transport, to despising the WAY OVER PRICED brand.

The VRSCDX Night Rod Special has been the most reliable and comfortable motorcycle I've owned since 1978. I've owned the 2003 VRSCA and sold it with 50k miles. I now own two Night Rod Specials each with over 30k miles . I'll upgrade to the 2012 NRS asap.

This is the only Harley I ever want.

Not because it's a Harley - because it is big, fast and sounds like a real motorbike.

And the power is more tractable, it feeds in, instead of jumping in.

You have to just love the morons who still compare this bike, which is undoubtedly a street cruiser, to sport bikes. Not just any sport bike but Ducatis of all things, Harley must be loving that.

You have to love the idiots who clammer about it's cost and then quote Ducati, Aprilla and the like which is more yet. I know I'm comparing HD to Duc but you started it!

You have to love the emotions that a 125HP Harley evokes, It's rather bizarre actually. Why all the concern. hate and rhetoric over a Harley? And from those who consider their bikes superior? Anyone???

Why all the bragging over being faster? It's "just a Harley". Anyone?

Willie must be doubled over with laughter, listening to the industry chatter, listening to all those with faster and better handling bikes attempt to discredit it for whatever juvenile reasons.

The V-Rod is unique, love it or hate it, it's not a cookie cutter sports bike or some Jap copy wanna-be V-twin cookie cutter or some oddball looking monstrosity like the Triple or V-max. It's unique in many ways, right or wrong, Harley finally did something way out of the box and people bietch about it????

A very respectable 125 HP and they call it a dog? This is a V-Twin folks, a true V-Twin. It rocks.

I suppose for those who need to be king of the hill, justify their own purchase or are just envious, jealous, hater types, all the crying makes sense. Not from this view.

I purchased one of the first 2012 Night Rod Specials that rolled into Virginia. My first Harley. It is bad @ss from top to bottom. Everywhere I go people ask me about the bike and I have plenty of cagers that try to keep up for a closer look.

To each his own. If you don't like it (or Harley's) you're in good luck. There are plenty of other bikes out there. But I'm having a blast on mine.

I find it amazing how everyone says it's too heavy.

1. Do they not understand the difference between a Sport bike and a Cruiser.

(Harley is not trying to make a sport bike hence Muscle Cruiser)

2. Cruisers are heavier, the heavier the bike the more comfortable the ride at long distance.

Their reason for the VROD is to have a Cruiser with speed and performance. Everyone talks about the price, well let's take a look at the resale value for a Honda, Yamaha, or any of the other bikes out there. If someone does not like the bike to each their own, but how can you think you're an intelligent person if you knock the way it handles or rides if you never rode the bike? In response not everyone thinks riding is about speed, some like to just get on the bike and ride. Take a 300-400 pound sport bike on a five hour ride and take a Harley on the same ride and tell me how you feel after. I think they did a great job and people should stop expecting a Cruiser to be light like a sport bike. By the way this Cruiser is faster than a lot of Stock sport bikes. Try riding one and see for yourself before you talk.

HD's are expensive but i wouldn't consider them overyly heavy like the cruisers built by honda. They Keep their value aswell. A friend of mine has Night rod, i have ridden different kinds of bikes i love the performance that a ninja can put out but that night rod i was more comfortable on and it will out perform sport bikes any day of thee week

The night rod is comfortable and puts out power the only cruiser I think that can out perform it is personally one my favorite bikes besides night rod. The Kawasaki Vulcan Meanstreak 1600. It's loud mean and comforable. But it does not hold its value like a harley.