Harley Davidson VRSCR Street Rod: Harley Davidson's new sports bike brings the marque bang up to date, writes John Wheeler
When we first got the chance to ride a Harley-Davidson V-Rod (VRSCB) we were, frankly, less than enthusiastic. It was a machine that seemed to typify the kind of driveway adornment beloved of the David Beckhams of this world.
We found it to be a machine whose only saving grace was a superb engine in the wrong chassis.
Recently we got to test ride the VRSCR Street Rod. This is a new member of the V-Rod family and, because of that, we fully expected to be under-whelmed. We are well used to being introduced to a new model that ends up as no more than a pale imitation of an existing model. But this new Harley, whilst looking like the original V-Rod at a cursory glance, is a world away.
I have no hesitation in saying that Harley-Davidson have now produced a thoroughly good, sports-type machine. The Street Rod is a high-performance roadster. It has a conventional "sit-up-and-beg" seating position instead of that dreadful spine-wrecking, feet-first position.
The mid-mounted foot controls, shorter handlebar risers and taller seat all contribute to a proper motorcycle feel.
It has a 40-degree lean angle and that's quite as far over as most riders ever want to go. The suspension has been re-tuned, resulting in much-improved cornering. The engine is the 60 degree liquid-cooled V-twin 1,130cc Revolution.
The engine is the same as in the other V-Rods but with a freer-flowing exhaust and some discrete black box programming. Peak power output is 81kW (110bhp) at 8,200rpm. Torque output peaks at 7,600rpm. Transmission is through a five-speed gearbox and belt final drive. It has twin 300mm front Brembo disk brakes, 49mm USD type forks, 10-spoke cast alloy wheels and radial tyres.
This is not your typical Harley specification, we've just got into real bike territory. Instead of classic, heavy metal, laid-back cruising you now have performance, agility and sport-like riding.
The brakes are by far the most effective ever seen on a Harley-Davidson, instead of having to send them a postcard before you want to stop they do just as they are told. The suspension, which has 25mm more travel than on earlier V-Rod's is a welcome improvement. This machine feels very solid, very stable and is comfortable even on poor road surfaces.
The saddle is an improvement as well, being rather wider and more padded. The claimed eight degree increase in the lean angle before you set sparks flying is true, though few would want to test this for themselves.
Despite the rather radical, sporty result, the Street Rod retains those all-important Harley concepts. The raised, straight-cut exhausts gleam and look very mean and purposeful. The fuel tank is larger than on other V-Rods. Holding 18.92L it should give a range of 270+ kms: about double what some Harleys can achieve. The tank filler is now hidden under the seat.
Boys large and small, seeing your Street Rod at the kerbside, will never doubt that "this is a Harley"; and you will still need to spend almost as much time cleaning and polishing as you will riding it, but it does look the business.
The instruments are good and clear but the angle seemed to us to be better suited to the other, laid-back, V-Rods than to this upright seating position. In terms of rider comfort this sports Harley is a world away from the foetus cramped, neck and wrist aching conventional sports bikes, which makes it times more fun to ride, and ride all day long. For anyone used to a traditional Harley, the ride on the Street Rod is a revelation.
Push it through the corners and it seems hard to believe this is a 300kg machine. The steering angle, now steepened, makes flicking the bike easier but it still retains that "man's bike" feel.
Top gear cruising at 3,500rpm gives an effortless 110 km/h. Maximum speed is 219 km/h and the 0-100 km/h time is a very creditable 3.96 seconds.
The €18,850 to €19,100 price tag, depending on the colour choice, is not in the budget category but it is the least expensive of the V-Rods and very much cheaper than a majority of the Harley range.
We never thought we would ever say this but "Harley-Davidson - welcome to the 21st century."
TechSpec
ENGINE
1,130cc 60° V-twin, liquid-cooled 'Revolution' type. 11.3:1 compression. Maximum power (actual) 81kW (110bhp) at 8,200rpm.
FRAME
49mm USD forks, Brembo disk brakes, twin 300mm disks front, single 300mm rear. Coil-over rear shocks.
DIMENSIONS
Seat height 762mm (loaded), Wheelbase 1,697mm, Dry weight 281kg, fuel capacity 18.92L
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed 219 km/h. 0-100 km/h time 3.96secs.
PRICE
€18,850 to €19,100 depending on colour scheme.