Harley Davidson Night Rod Special hot take

"Spanfeller is a twat" (theaspiringengineer)
06/17/2018 at 23:13 • Filed to: None

“Oh this is !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! ” I thought to myself as I approached it, but then I saw the magic number “9000 RPM“

Yes, this is a dual overhead cam, internally balanced, liquid cooled v twin engine that revs up to nine thousand. This Harley was, according to Cycle World, part of the line that was “by far the most modern, best-performing bikes in The Motor Company’s entire 32-model arsenal.” Surprising then, that it failed so badly.

This is a bike that doesn’t shake, a bike that was co designed with Porsche, has Brembo brakes and fat tires that grip, this is a bike that represents a modern take on America. A take that is respectful, but not nostalgic, of it’s past. A take that is flawed, but isn’t afraid to show it’s flaws.

This bike is the United States of America that we all love and truly envy, because no one else could’ve pulled it off. BMW’s RnineT? Horrible compared to this. The Diavel? A shitbox I say.

So it’s a shame it’s gone because it is a truly special bike and a truly special engine. As The Drive said:

“It was the Harley for the non-Harley rider that stood out as proof that the brand was capable of doing something different.”

It is also a shame that Harley is going away, because I don’t think any manufacturer has had the guts they had when they made the V-rods.

It’s the Harley I could drive with a full face helmet without looking like an idiot, for that, I respect it.

DISCUSSION (32)

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > Spanfeller is a twat
05/26/2018 at 07:43

by far the most modern, best-performing bikes in The Motor Company’s entire 32-model arsenal

soooooo..... not a tractor basically :p

Variance > Spanfeller is a twat
05/26/2018 at 07:48

I remember watching a special on the Discovery Channel like 15 years ago about the development of the V-rod’s engine. I miss the days when the Discovery Channel, History Channel, etc. actually had interesting content...

Spanfeller is a twat > farscythe - makin da cawfee!
05/26/2018 at 07:52

Well, It’s not a gold wing, bur I don’t think it should be expected to be a gold wing, baby steps.

I do feel that Harley could’ve made the V rod work in bigger bikes without being thought of as a bad choice. This engine in a large, not chrome infested, cruiser chasis would work wonders with the people that doubt the goldwings or the BMW Ks.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > Spanfeller is a twat
05/26/2018 at 07:54

eh harley could have...

but they seem determined to do anything they can to put themselves out of business

Spanfeller is a twat > farscythe - makin da cawfee!
05/26/2018 at 07:58

Being such a political company, the original post had a lot more to do with politics than it should’ve I removed most of it, if not all.

TL;DR: Rejecting the V rod was rejecting progression and that progression is not Un-American as it is sometimes framed by some. Harley will not die, but when it’s saved I suspect it will go back to making more refined engines like the V rod and cater to a more “progressive” crowd as the Tea Partiers and such die off.

Spanfeller is a twat > Variance
05/26/2018 at 07:59

I was marveled when they brought the bike back in 08' nothing looked like it, even today ten years later it looks and feels much more modern that it deserves to!

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > Spanfeller is a twat
05/26/2018 at 08:05

i hope harley doesnt die... i kinda like them in a silly old sort of way (ill call them tractors any damn day tho)

but... they have a hell of a lot of work to do to get that brand to mean anything other than oh look at the geezer on his tractor

im not sure they can pull it off (mostly coz they’re not trying very hard )

Mercedes Streeter > Spanfeller is a twat
05/26/2018 at 08:20

So it’s basically a Buell. It’s the HD you buy when you aren’t all about the “loud pipes save lives” and so much vibration that you sterilize yourself down there crap.

HD will survive, but they need to change their image (and their pricing) if they want to attract a younger crowd.

Side note, I got massive props from the MSF instructors for getting a Buell. :3

Spanfeller is a twat > Mercedes Streeter
05/26/2018 at 08:32

I don’t think it’s as refined as a Buell (the chasis might be tubular aluminum but it’s still very heavy). However, this engine in a buell ADV chasis would kill any bmw GS

Dusty Ventures > Spanfeller is a twat
05/26/2018 at 08:49

Who ever thought there would be a day where Harley is struggling and Indian is soaring

Spanfeller is a twat > Dusty Ventures
05/26/2018 at 09:00

Ash78, voting early and often > Spanfeller is a twat
05/26/2018 at 09:00

Harley has come back from the brink a couple times before, I think they’ll be fine in the long run. But I can tell you that laying off huge swaths of employees is not part of the founders’ vision.

Those guys spoke at my business school around 2000 or 2001 after they came back and pulled a “Steve Jobs” on the company in the early 90s(?).

Their comment that stuck with me the most is that “People are your only sustainable competitive advantage.”

Spanfeller is a twat > Ash78, voting early and often
05/26/2018 at 09:21

Well, they’re milking the current company as much as possible before someone like say, Tata, rescues it.

Then Tata could pull a Land Rover on it..

Tekamul > Spanfeller is a twat
05/26/2018 at 09:41

V-Rod’s problem was that it showed how flawed a typical Harley is. For that, Harley guys, including the dealers, hated it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Spanfeller is a twat
05/26/2018 at 09:47

For the $ I’d still prefer this: https://oppositelock.kinja.com/not-bad-yamaha-not-bad-at-all-1826338685

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Spanfeller is a twat
05/26/2018 at 09:54

and oh man do they look great in blue

https://chicago.craigslist.org/nwc/mcy/d/harley-davidson/6599340404.html

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Dusty Ventures
05/26/2018 at 09:57

the scout, scout sixties, and scout bobbers are beautiful bikes.

Spanfeller is a twat > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
05/26/2018 at 10:25

I’d get an XSR900 and call it a day if I was looking for a “retro” bike. I don’t like Forward Controls that much.

Spanfeller is a twat > Tekamul
05/26/2018 at 10:27

Oh the dealers, my uncle (who owns this bike) told me dealers hated the bike, but ten years ago when he wasn’t in the prime “harley buyers club” age of 52 he liked the new design more than the old style ones.

it has aged well, and it will be a testament to the stubbornness of current HD thinking.

Spanfeller is a twat > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
05/26/2018 at 10:29

It looks less gaudy than other harleys also the short exhaust does marvels to the looks!

JCAlan > Spanfeller is a twat
05/26/2018 at 11:08

The VRod is a terrible bike, and I’ll tell you why (even though you haven’t asked). It has all the performance of a sport bike, and none of the handling. It’s a big, heavy, oddly balanced and proportioned cruiser. The handling is atrocious, and the seating position laughably conceived. They’re a little better with the mid-peg configuration, but still bad. If your feet are forward, your handlebars need to come up to match that stance. On the VRod, your feet are forward AND your handlebars are low, so you’re in a terrible seating position. I respect what the bike is, but after having ridden several of them, I cannot imagine choosing it. If I want a cruiser, it needs to be comfortable. If I want a sport bike, it needs to be light weight and handle well.

Spanfeller is a twat > JCAlan
05/26/2018 at 11:14

Oh I hate front controls, but I sort of understand them. I wouldn’t buy this bike (hell, any harley tbh) but I feel that it’s got a much better engine than the other harleys!

I also think my uncle made a mistake when buying the front control version rather than the mid control one (the chassis clearly was designed for mid control pegs) and it is as you say very heavy!

Baby steps I guess, this engine in another chassis would’ve been killer.

DipodomysDeserti > Spanfeller is a twat
05/26/2018 at 12:35

A whole 9k RPMs! Damn, it can almost spin as fast as my nearly half century old Honda! The guy I bought my Honda from was selling it to buy a V-Rod. He had a hard time handling a 450cc bike, so I hope he is still alive.

Spanfeller is a twat > DipodomysDeserti
05/26/2018 at 12:38

Well, baby steps. Also, I hope he’s alive this bike is ridiculously heavy

Dusty Ventures > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
05/26/2018 at 16:42

I used to say if/when I start riding it would be on a supermoto. The Scout had complicated the matter immensely

Barney's Rubble > Spanfeller is a twat
05/26/2018 at 18:31

Which V-Rod version is this?

I’m over 50 and I’ve thought V-Rods were sexy af since they came out. Basically a H-D version of the V-Max. I’m on a metric cruiser right now, but I’ve owned and ridden a wide variety of motorcycles for over 35+ years.

Barney's Rubble > JCAlan
05/26/2018 at 18:39

I hated the front controls too at first. I went from a KLR650 to a Yamaha Roadstar and it took a long time for me to adjust, but now I actually prefer the setup. The right bar height/length is crucial for comfort, especially if you are an older dude with a gut. I dunno how guys ride with those silly ape hangers, and I just got rid of an 89 V-Max because the riding position felt so cramped.

Oddly enough, my CBR1100XX project bike feels perfectly comfortable, although I haven’t ridden it more than a few trips around the block to check suspension adjustments.

Spanfeller is a twat > Barney's Rubble
05/26/2018 at 18:44

This is an, um, night rod special with fwd controls; 2008 model

JCAlan > Barney's Rubble
05/26/2018 at 21:18

I cannot imagine the appeal of the ape hangers, other than if you just like the way it looks.

Gerry197 > Spanfeller is a twat
05/27/2018 at 02:17

Harley is in the market of selling brand new “57 Chevys”, not branching out into modern bikes. It’s all about the look and feel of that air-cooled rumble and shake that they are known for.

I should know, I just bought a Iron 1200. I could have bought a much more modern 750 Street, but I didn’t even want to look at it. Why? Because if I own a Harley, I want an “authentic” Harley. Though Sportsters have their own perception issues within the Harley community.

But as the owner of a Suzuki SV650S and Ducati 1098S (you can see I like twins), I can appreciate what that Iron 1200 is and that Harley isn’t even trying to move forward, but relying on their strengths of “history and heritage”. Which does go a long way.

Obviously Harley Davidson is stuck in a tough space. Trying to attract younger buyers while not alienating their current customers. Though I think they just decided to lower production while still keeping prices high. Not sure if it’s the best strategy.

Gerry197 > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero
05/27/2018 at 02:19

Yup, that new Scout Bobber is absolutely beautiful, made me think twice about my Harley 1200 purchase.

Gerry197 > Mercedes Streeter
05/27/2018 at 02:21

Actually, the motor was originally destined for Buell, but Harley stole it from him for the V-Rod.

Though they allowed Buell to buy Rotax motors for the 1125R, which is probably more refined for their application anyways.