It seems like only a couple years ago I first gazed upon this Harley, but folks, the reality is that 10 years have passed since the tradition-busting V-Rod first rolled into the Harley lineup. Ten years! To mark the ‘Rod’s notable birthday Harley has created a 10th Anniversary Edition V-Rod as part of the company’s 2012 model lineup. The 10th joins the Night Rod Special and Muscle, making the VRSC series a family of three for this year.
Much like the 2002 V-Rod, the anniversary edition is also gleaming with a silver color job in homage to the original. More than just sentimental paint, however, the 10th Anniversary model receives some worthwhile updates aimed at improving rider comfort and handling.
Early ‘Rods developed notoriety for putting the rider into a “clamshell” posture via a long reach to the handlebar and forward foot controls. If you’re long-legged, or just generally tall, the ergos weren’t the worst thing on two wheels. But if your build is closer to my 5-foot-8-inch frame with 30-inch inseam, then the reach forward was a turnoff.
The updated V-Rod’s pullback handlebar is now 3.0 inches closer to the rider, while footrests are a little more than an inch closer. A new inverted, cartridge-style fork – a la the V-Rod Muscle – provides good damping for a smooth ride, and a 2.0-degree reduction in rake (36 to 34 degrees) tightens up handling. In addition to friendlier rider ergos, an all-new set of wheels gets top billing.
Chopping 4.8 lbs from the front wheel and 3.8 lbs from the rear, the new Split 5-Spoke cast aluminum wheels are a whopping 8.6 lbs lighter in total than the previous models’ wheels. One of the best ways to improve a motorcycle’s handling and improve suspension performance is to lighten the wheels. Mission accomplished here.
Other updates include a more tapered tail-section design with a new flush-mount LED taillight and integrated stop-turn-taillights similar to those on some of the Dark Custom models like the Nightster.
The V-Rod Night Rod Special, a model sold in greater numbers outside the U.S. than domestically, according to Harley, receives the same upgrades given the anniversary edition. And while both models have a special 10 Years emblem on the engine case, the anniversary edition ‘Rod is all the more special: Harley intends to manufacture this bike for one year only.
Improved indeed
If the V-Rod’s appearance doesn’t signal to you this is a Harley beast unlike any other, then its engine most certainly will set it apart from the rest of the H-D family.
For the birth of the V-Rod in 2002, Harley turned to renowned German sports car maker, Porsche, for assistance with engine design, and drew inspiration from the powerplant in the Harley VR1000 superbike. Going where no other production Harley Twin has gone before, the 2002 V-Rod was powered by an 1130cc liquid-cooled 60-degree V-Twin with overhead cams and dubbed the Revolution engine. The first-generation Revolution engine claimed 115 hp at 8250 rpm.
A 67.0-inch wheelbase unchanged from last year can aid in giving the bike stability at speed, but when combined with that big rear tire, slow-speed maneuvers, like a tight-radius U-turn, are still a challenge to complete cleanly, as the bike feels cumbersome at a walking pace. You might find yourself second-guessing if you can get the V-Rod turned without dabbing your foot on the pavement like a back-up training wheel.
Good for another 10
The V-Rod was, and still is, a polarizing motorcycle. Traditionalists disliked the move to a foreign influence in engine design, while a new generation of Harley fans has embraced the performance-driven qualities so readily apparent in V-Rods.
For those loyal V-Rod fans we say, go experience the thoughtful ergo and performance enhancing updates to the 10th Anniversary V-Rod and Night Rod Special – we’re certain you’ll love ‘em. To the V-Rod’s detractors we say, go experience the thoughtful ergo and performance enhancing updates to the 10th Anniversary V-Rod and Night Rod Special – we’re certain you’ll love ‘em.
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