Harley test ride - what bike?

[koji52]

Dean, I believe that Harley sells a kit that pushes the foot controls towards the rider a bit and higher and the sundowner seat pushes the rider forward a bit...I am not sure why HD doesn't have a bike with these mods available for testing or rental. They'd do well to let the shorter guys and gals have a shot at riding the machine and becoming addicted.

[Ryethil]

dang short legs.

i once saw a show on little people (i like documentaries). in this show they had one guy who was having surgery where they were breaking his legs and arms and having him wear these braces on the outside to hold it all together while the bones would grow back together. this was done to make him taller.

i think i'll look into this so i can ride a v-rod.

it's too bad they can't do something about that exhaust and bring the controls a few inches closer. i'd really like them if they were in a standard position.

I never understood why they built the series in such a large format.

It would have been awesome if the V-Rod had been built in a size somewhere between the Sportster and a Big Twin. I know a lot of people that would be more drawn to Harley Davidson if they had. A lot of them are drawn to VTX1300s/ 1800s now and think Harley s*cks because of it.

I can fix the handle bars but there's no way to make it shorter. Also, I know people that have them who have trouble lifting their feet to the forward controls from a standing start. I think it's because there isn't enough of bend at the knee to fully engage the controls.

Anyway, I'm sorry it didn't work out for you.

[koji52]

dang short legs.

i once saw a show on little people (i like documentaries). in this show they had one guy who was having surgery where they were breaking his legs and arms and having him wear these braces on the outside to hold it all together while the bones would grow back together. this was done to make him taller.

i think i'll look into this so i can ride a v-rod.

it's too bad they can't do something about that exhaust and bring the controls a few inches closer. i'd really like them if they were in a standard position.

I never understood why they built the series in such a large format.

It would have been awesome if the V-Rod had been built in a size somewhere between the Sportster and a Big Twin. I know a lot of people that would be more drawn to Harley Davidson if they had. A lot of them are drawn to VTX1300s/ 1800s now and think Harley s*cks because of it.

I can fix the handle bars but there's no way to make it shorter. Also, I know people that have them who have trouble lifting their feet to the forward controls from a standing start. I think it's because there isn't enough of bend at the knee to fully engage the controls.

Anyway, I'm sorry it didn't work out for you.

Ryethil makes a good point about getting the feet from the ground to the controls. The Vrod makes the forwards on the xl feel like mid controls. It's something that takes getting used to but it becomes easier after a few hours on it.

While the bike is lengthy and probably could be a bit shorter, I think that it's one of the factors that make the bike look the way it does. I guess its just personal preference.

[RhadamYgg]

You know - they've been putting this up on my facebook ads as well. Maybe I'll be tempted to the dark side - or at least ride a HD, anyway.

What am I talking about - I haven't had the time or rest to ride my own bike.

RhadamYgg

[paul246]

I've ridden every variant of the V-Rod and had no problem with foot placement on the controls, quite the opposite. But thats just me, I'm average height and leg length, 5"10"", inseam 30". But again, that is just me.

On the other hand, I witnessed many dozens of different people of all sizes riding the same bikes during those 4 days of demo riding, they seemed to do alright, too.

The V-rod is a very well balanced bike and in my opinion about as easy as it gets to ride a high performance machine. Holding the bike upright with the left foot on the ground and the right foot against the brake pedal was effortless.

[Ryethil]

I've ridden every variant of the V-Rod and had no problem with foot placement on the controls, quite the opposite. But thats just me, I'm average height and leg length, 5"10"", inseam 30". But again, that is just me.

On the other hand, I witnessed many dozens of different people of all sizes riding the same bikes during those 4 days of demo riding, they seemed to do alright, too.

The V-rod is a very well balanced bike and in my opinion about as easy as it gets to ride a high performance machine. Holding the bike upright with the left foot on the ground and the right foot against the brake pedal was effortless.

Wow! I'm 5'9.5"and my legs are longer than yours by 4 to 5 inches. I thought a guy's leg to hieght was longer than women's. Not bad, just different.

I find I can reach the controls on a V-Rod but I can't seem to find the leverage to work them as positively as I would like. This is something I see in a lot of riders. You've got to have a certain amount of leg bend to work the controls positively. IMHO, A lot of Harleys have foward controls that just don't give the a large number of people that kind of engagement. So a lot of people aren't as safe as they should be. I like my legs forward but not so stretched out that I assume the "clam" position. There are just some things I won't give up for fashion.

I like the V_Rod but it just doesn't translate for me. I mean it has everything that I could want but it always seems to be not really focused in any particular way. Sort of like japanese Cruisers were for a long time. The engine is a jewel and it does come in some attractive packaging but is it a muscle bike or is it a fashion cruiser. I don't find it viscerally appealing not like the Night Train or the Rocker series. However, I'm glad they came out with the V-Rod for it has really rejuvenated the idea of the power cruiser and also the image of HD as a performance bike maker.

[paul246]

I've ridden every variant of the V-Rod and had no problem with foot placement on the controls, quite the opposite. But thats just me, I'm average height and leg length, 5"10"", inseam 30". But again, that is just me.

On the other hand, I witnessed many dozens of different people of all sizes riding the same bikes during those 4 days of demo riding, they seemed to do alright, too.

The V-rod is a very well balanced bike and in my opinion about as easy as it gets to ride a high performance machine. Holding the bike upright with the left foot on the ground and the right foot against the brake pedal was effortless.

Wow! I'm 5'9.5"and my legs are longer than yours by 4 to 5 inches. I thought a guy's leg to hieght was longer than women's. Not bad, just different.

I find I can reach the controls on a V-Rod but I can't seem to find the leverage to work them as positively as I would like. This is something I see in a lot of riders. You've got to have a certain amount of leg bend to work the controls positively. IMHO, A lot of Harleys have foward controls that just don't give the a large number of people that kind of engagement. So a lot of people aren't as safe as they should be. I like my legs forward but not so stretched out that I assume the "clam" position. There are just some things I won't give up for fashion.

I like the V_Rod but it just doesn't translate for me. I mean it has everything that I could want but it always seems to be not really focused in any particular way. Sort of like japanese Cruisers were for a long time. The engine is a jewel and it does come in some attractive packaging but is it a muscle bike or is it a fashion cruiser. I don't find it viscerally appealing not like the Night Train or the Rocker series. However, I'm glad they came out with the V-Rod for it has really rejuvenated the idea of the power cruiser and also the image of HD as a performance bike maker.

Exactly. The regular Harleys give the impression of going fast, the V_Rod actually is fast, plus it handles very, very well.

My view is the V-Rod is light years ahead of the rest of the Harley pack. So it isn't a tourer, well, thats why Harley and the others make lots of choices in that regard. Personally, I would opt for a used Valkyrie Interstate if looking for the ultimate touring machine.

[XB08]

The answer for what you ask is this. Go to a demo day at a local or a few dealers and ride as many as you can. look at the bigs you like and they have as demo's.

[Ryethil]

I've ridden every variant of the V-Rod and had no problem with foot placement on the controls, quite the opposite. But thats just me, I'm average height and leg length, 5"10"", inseam 30". But again, that is just me.

On the other hand, I witnessed many dozens of different people of all sizes riding the same bikes during those 4 days of demo riding, they seemed to do alright, too.

The V-rod is a very well balanced bike and in my opinion about as easy as it gets to ride a high performance machine. Holding the bike upright with the left foot on the ground and the right foot against the brake pedal was effortless.

Wow! I'm 5'9.5"and my legs are longer than yours by 4 to 5 inches. I thought a guy's leg to hieght was longer than women's. Not bad, just different.

I find I can reach the controls on a V-Rod but I can't seem to find the leverage to work them as positively as I would like. This is something I see in a lot of riders. You've got to have a certain amount of leg bend to work the controls positively. IMHO, A lot of Harleys have foward controls that just don't give the a large number of people that kind of engagement. So a lot of people aren't as safe as they should be. I like my legs forward but not so stretched out that I assume the "clam" position. There are just some things I won't give up for fashion.

I like the V_Rod but it just doesn't translate for me. I mean it has everything that I could want but it always seems to be not really focused in any particular way. Sort of like japanese Cruisers were for a long time. The engine is a jewel and it does come in some attractive packaging but is it a muscle bike or is it a fashion cruiser. I don't find it viscerally appealing not like the Night Train or the Rocker series. However, I'm glad they came out with the V-Rod for it has really rejuvenated the idea of the power cruiser and also the image of HD as a performance bike maker.

Exactly. The regular Harleys give the impression of going fast, the V_Rod actually is fast, plus it handles very, very well.

My view is the V-Rod is light years ahead of the rest of the Harley pack. So it isn't a tourer, well, thats why Harley and the others make lots of choices in that regard. Personally, I would opt for a used Valkyrie Interstate if looking for the ultimate touring machine.

First of all to those that have PMed me, nicely or negatively and others though I don't understand why everybody doesn't know this. A certain amount of bend at the knee when using forward controls means that you have a good amount of leverage to either shift the bike or stomp on the stop pedal. If your leg is too straight when your feet are resting on the forward pegs, you don't have the same leverage and can even find yourself in a jam esp. if you can't fully use the rear brake. Sorry if I uspset anyone's dreams.

Actually I'm torn about the Goldwing/Valkyrie issue. I'm breaking down and getting a ST1300A but there is a lot to be said about the simplicity of the Harley Big Twin design. To me riding a Goldwing is like taking a car to go the same distance. Yes, your actually riding a motorcycle but it cocoons you and takes a lot of the sensory inputs away. And now that HD is finally as reliable as a hammer, there is no fear of breaking down. The ride can be pure joy!

As for the V Rod and the rest of the Harleys it's like comparing apples and oranges. The big twins are simple, easy to ride bikes that take nothing away from the inputs of the world around you. There are few bikes Harley makes that I wouldn't take for a romp of 3-400 miles. I do that on my Sportster quite regularly.

However, the V Rod is sort of in the OMG catagory. It isn't your father's HD. I love its sheer power with outout a sense of being busy. Once you get used to it's top heavy handling. its not a bad handler either. I still feel that the Night Rod Spl could of done something it's lack of ground clearance a bit better. Also the 240mm tire in the back has a tendency to not want to turn as well as it should. But for straight line, it's a bottle rocket. A lot of Dragsters are made from V Rods, the Screaming Eagle Revolution motor is 1300cc and has a number of tricks to its repitory. And 1300 isn't close to the limit they're getting out of the engine size or power wise. There are also a number of aftermarket frames for the V Rod dragster.

This leads me to the V Rod as a canyon carver. I know, laugh, get it it out of your system. But there are a couple of different modified frames for the revolution motor and I keep wondering what the motor would be like with a shorter more responsive geometry setup frame. Kind of scary isn't it.

These are show bikes but think about it.





I've always had a crazy thought of buying a wreaked V Rod with a good motor and gearbox then breathing on it a bit then sticking it into a more responcive chassis. I think it could be a killer. However, I don't think Harley will build anything like it soon...

[High_Side]

I've always had a crazy thought of buying a wreaked V Rod with a good motor and gearbox then breathing on it a bit then sticking it into a more responcive chassis. I think it could be a killer. However, I don't think Harley will build anything like it soon...

Why not a Street-Rod as a foundation? They were the better handling V-Rod, but they didn't have the look. They are the cheapest of the bunch to buy used as well.