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2012 Harley-Davidson 10th Anniversary Edition V-Rod Review
 

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2012 Harley-Davidson 10th Anniversary Edition V-Rod Review

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I ran across an original Vrod a few weeks ago.

It looked pretty classic in all stainless steel or brushed aluminum or whatever it is.

The solid disk wheels looked kinda funky but it was pretty dramatic when it came out.

I wonder if HD has earned any profits on the VRod. They built an entire factory, tooling, design, etc. The investment must have been huge.

What's holding the V Rod back is the frame not the engine. That engine should be incorporated into the entire line-up especially the touring bikes. All the complaints about hot running and weak power outputs are neatly put to bed with the VRod engine.

It's a pity they don't have motorcyclist running the show anymore, HD is going to go the same way as HONDA with the beancounters in charge, simply regurgitating the same old thing with different paint on it..Kinda' like they do now in fact...

I figure with a "non-motorcyclist" running The Motor Company, the V-Rod engine would have its chance better than with a "Willie G."-type at the helm.

Of course, if an engine-change DID happen The Faithful would immediately drive to the outskirts of Milwaukee in their toy-haulers, unload their bikes, roll-around in the dirt alongside the freeway, Roar into town to the nearest Dealership/Boutique/"Biker"-Bar; drink the place dry, Roar out to the H-D compound, burn-down the Motor Factory, hang the BOD, high-five one-another, buy a commemorative Do-Rag and T-shirt to remember the occasion, Roar out of town back to the haulers, then drive back, arriving in time to open the Dentist's or Accountant's Office @ 9:00am Monday morning......

Something has got to be in the works. The air cooled motor isn't going to meet EPA forever.
I remember reading somewhere that the V Rod sells better overseas than here in the states. Could be mistaken though.

It's a shame this bike never really caught on with the H-D masses. This is actually one of the few H-D products (Buell excluded) that caught my eye. To paraphrase a previous poster (I think it was Ken), I must be a reverse-focus group for H-D.

AMF/HD had a completely developed water cooled bike ready to build at the end of the 70's. It was a 100+ hp V-4 that would have run with the best of the Japanese bikes of the day. The project was called "Nova," and they had completed final designs for several variations including sport and touring models. For whatever reason, AMF pulled the plug on it and decided to update the V-Twin mill (Evo). Here's a link with some photos:
Harley Davidson V4 Nova

HD also had a completely developed, ready to build 3-wheeler they shelved. It looked very similar to the Can Am Spyder, but their trike leaned into the corners.

The NOVA was a V4 but it was air-cooled I think.

Talk about HOT!

Pete mentions silver paint in the article but the original didn't have any paint. It was polished and clear coated.

Nova was a liquid cooled V4 developed in conjunction with Porche. Once the company was reaquired from AMF they had a huge decision to make, go with the brand new motor and in a new direction or go with the Evolution. I'd say they made the right decision.
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