Satoshi Rides.... 2014 Harley-Davidson VRSCSSCRSCRCSSCSC

"Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura" (sundowne36) 11/09/2013 at 15:15 • Filed to: Review, Harley Davidson, Satoshi Rides

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Dear Harley-Davidson: It's been a long while since you never actually attracted the younger crowds to your brand, let alone anyone under 40 until you brought us the V-Rod back in 2001 or so. Now, everyone is dying to get at the more modernized HDs in the next Decade. Thanks.

Anyways!

For those of you who do not know American Iron, the VRSC (V-Twin Racing Street Custom or V-Rod as it is known) was made for the sport/touring young'ns of the Y generation (akin to Toyota making Scion for yuppies and hipsters in college) with the idea of a performance-oriented Harley in mind, featuring a hydroformed frame and underseat-mounted Fuel Tank, Brembo brakes and a 1,250cc V-Twin engine with Dual Overhead Cams. Yes, it's an OHC engine.

Of course, I should probably get this out of the way - the one engine was responsible for conceiving the V-Rod and it's made by un brainiacs from Stuttgart vit lov. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, the engine is co-developed by Porsche, now made in Harley's plants in the US. So for those of you who are seething with rage, hating to see an European engine in the heart of an American bike along with burning effigies and shouting "Witchcraft!", you can slightly sigh a bit of relief.

( Full Disclosure: Harley-Davidson wanted me to test the VRSC Night Rod so badly they sacked me to a new model (Re: 12 miles on ODO) and sent me on the test-course throughout Fife - giving me a well-formed idea on how the bike would cope in every situation.)

The Ride

Now, most of you are probably shuddering from the idea of sitting on a cruiser/chopper with the pegs sit so far forward your legs are anticipating to drop down in case the bike tips over. I felt the same way, so imagine my surprise when the first moment I set off, the bike was perfectly balanced. It wasn't vibrating as much as my 919 (shocker!) and there was some low-end torque from the get-go - which is interesting considering I ridden a few V-twin bikes from the Suzuki SV to the Ducati Multistrada and thought "would it be interesting to see them have some low-end torque?"

Comfort and Handling were spot on as well - you could easily chuck around the bike's weight and it will be more happy going through corners with ease. It is thanks to the mere fact that the engine placement is set low to the ground allowing proper balance and cornering capabilities in tandem. With an inverted fork and dual rear swingarm setup, you may, from time to time pick up a bump or two but most if not all of them are dampened - potholes, however.

I do have one qualm with overall-comfort - your legs are constantly warmed if not boiled by the engine sitting in between and unless you don't live in a cold climate during fall and winter, it's a bit of an irritation if you're wearing leather chaps. (Something I need as my legs are constantly frozen)

What's Nice

1,250cc Porsche-derived liquid-cooled V-twin with Dual-Overhead cams have enough pick-up torque and power throughout the rev-range

Riding position means your arms, wrists and legs will never experience fatigue quickly

ABS and a Slipper Clutch are options on the VRSC - something I'd recommend.

What's not so nice

Excessive Engine Heat

Instrumentation could be a bit bigger along with the mirrors

Fuel tank under seat could make a simple refueling task be an ordeal

The Verdict

While I can't say for certain, Harley seems to hit on the younger-crowd target right by offering the V-Rod to the market. While it's not exactly cheap compared to the offerings of competitors - with BMW coming in second with the R1200R, it's still a good effort by Harley - and can be for years to come.

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 11/09/2013 at 15:28

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The V-Rod, living proof that HD can make good bikes, they just don't want to.

Buel - Never Forget

pdthedeuce > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 11/09/2013 at 15:36

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... or their customers don't want them ...

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > pdthedeuce 11/09/2013 at 15:50

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True. I know a guy that works at a Harley dealer (rides a Honda though) and says they mostly sell the brand to people.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 11/09/2013 at 17:48

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Oh did Erik Buell make good street bikes. Before Milwaukee bought him back up, and shut it down.

If you want a Harley, consider if you want a cruiser or the brand. I rode a Victory Judge at the local shop's demo day. Not my style of bike, but then again, it's not a H-D.

Also, if you like cruisers and want extra funk:

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 11/09/2013 at 19:36

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I'm not into cruisers. I like dirtbikes and bikes that handle- sport bikes, nakeds, things like that.

I wouldn't turn a Harley away if they made something I like, but they don't currently. I don't buy into motorcycles for the image. Some of their bikes do look cool though. The V-Rod is nice, and the Iron 883 looks cool if you could have it with the 1200 engine. So does the Breakout.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > MtrRider Just Wants Doritos 11/09/2013 at 20:05

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Disclaimer: I ride a Triumph Sprint ST 955i

If I wanted a cruiser, I would do everything to make sure it wasn't a Harley. Mainly because my dad rides a Harley, and I am not my father.

I'd get anything that had a cruiser riding position, but had a good dose of "Dafuq is that?" c.f. the Moto Guzzi California.

But that's if I'm insane. I'd rather have a Ducati Multistrada/Guzzi Stelvio/BMW R 1200GS

MtrRider Just Wants Doritos > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 11/09/2013 at 22:03

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When I was like... 6-7 I was a Harley encyclopedia. I knew everything there was to know about them. I got my dad to buy one actually, which he never rides anymore and doesn't like. I got older and realized, hey, these things actually suck.

Right now I keep my 2 wheel action off road, but I would do unspeakable things for a Streetfighter 848. Sometimes I lose my mind and start thinking about a superbike but then I realize how my desire to live is greater than my desire to die young and in a blaze of glory.

SteyrTMP > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 11/10/2013 at 21:05

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The only HD I ever looked into buying.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 11/11/2013 at 00:14

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I've actually ridden the Multistrada around Bellevue for a taste of what to expect on a Ducati - Needless to say, this was the first bike that brought me back with a disappointed face.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 11/11/2013 at 07:50

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I guess its different for different people, because the Multistrada was on my short list, along with the Sprint. I just happened to find a Sprint that was half what the Multistrada would be.

Although I'm still considering a Multistrada or a Guzzi Stelvio. I have a soft spot for British and Italian bikes.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 11/11/2013 at 11:45

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I will never say this, but if I had the chance to exchange my bike for a Sprint 1050 ABS, I will.

Built BMW Tough > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 11/15/2013 at 17:14

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the one thing holding me back from ever owning a HD is the stigma that comes with it; there are far too many assholes that ride HDs. It's worse than the current Audi/Subaru/douchebagmobile crowd. Thanks to how the riders behave here in Chico, I would be embarrassed to say I own a Harley.

LoremIpsum010101 > Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura 11/15/2013 at 19:07

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Woah, those are seriously forward-set pegs. No mid-mounts for this bike? At any rate, I'd buy a Moto Guzzi Griso any day of the week over this.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > LoremIpsum010101 11/15/2013 at 20:50

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I had to look for a bike with lowered pegs - Something akin to a UJM like my 919. I am 6'2" and my legs cried at the sight of the CBR.

4thwall > Built BMW Tough 11/16/2013 at 02:30

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Exactly.