No one likes the V-rod for the same reason no one like the New Beetle
If you'r a purist, you know that ain't a real one
if you're not, it's got an association you don't like
Although there are ditzes that like both, anyway

I may be a bit "old school" - but I don't like the Harley V-Rod because it doesn't look like a real motorcycle to me.  It looks like a childs toy that was made by some manufacturer that sort of new what a motorcycle is supposed to look like - but altered the length/size/shape to suit the toddlers ergonomics and the need to cast it out of plastic.

The shape of the V-Rod just looks weird to me.....is it a drag bike, cruiser....does it corner or just go well in straight lines?

Dave wrote on 12/14/15 at 12:27:25:


You don't get the v-rod cause it's better than the old school HD's.
You get it cause it was designed by porche and pisses off the old school hog riders.

Dave wrote on 12/14/15 at 12:27:25:


They actually do corner pretty darn well if they're ridden well. I've seen a couple of guys going nuts in the hills. Not pirate riders, the one piece suit with sliders type of guy.

Harley Davidson was 1903-1964. 6 volt kick only.

Hardly Ableson was 1965-1969, 12 volt slabside engine.

Nose cone engine, 12 volt with fail prone everything 1970-current. Evo and Twinkie engines, though designed by Kawasaki and built with 90 percent Asian content, are junk. Don't feel right, look right, sound right, last...

The last Sporty I would buy left the factory as a 1974 model. Last year with right side shift. They lost something with the change over for 1975 federal compliance.

If I wanted a brand new classic HD, I would order a replica chassis,  Baker 6 in a 4 kick start tranmission, and an S&S 120 cubic inch Knuckle, Pan or BT Flattie. Would prefer one of Kiwi's replica BT Flattie Chiefs to be honest.

I should drag out the Super Beetle and go mess with the stealership this weekend...  

Yup, the old HD's needed more "love" than the newer ones, but you got to "know" your ride and what it needed the most.

The newer electronics and fuel control systems leaves most backyard mechanics in a tizzy.

Me personally, I sold the Road Glide only because of the weight.... and got the savage instead (and still broke my back).
Truthfully, if I could put this engine on a full aluminum frame, i'd do it in a heartbeat. I suppose since I have the Ninja I could do a project out of the savage and see what I can come up with... although I've never welded aluminum (barely welded steel just a few times), I would be attempted to try to build a frame suitable for one person and the LS650 engine....

Hmmmm.... i'll ask a few shops around here about frames....

DesertRat wrote on 12/15/15 at 05:17:13:


Left is only "proper" for pre-75 Big Twins, BMWs and Japanese (not all of them at that).

It takes all of 5 minutes to learn to ride a right side Sporty or Brit bike.

Takes 10 minutes to figure out a tank shifter and rocker clutch.

Takes 20 minutes to figure out the left hand throttle, right side tank shift, left foot clutch right foot brake on a properly set up flathead Chief or Scout.

Wish it would only take me that long to rewire the 69 Dodge truck. It is going back on the road, 9mpg on a good day. Fuel infested electronic ignition 21-25mpg piece of junk left me on the side of the road again on the way to work yesterday. Last time was over a grand to fix that 4 popper Ranger.

I find that with an old Brit bike, I can change gear (rhs) without a problem. But when I need to brake in a hurry, I always seem to try and apply the back brake using the gear lever