2012 Harley-Davidson VRSC™ Night Rod Special

Over the years, I've had a bunch of H-D machines - and they all looked to the past instead of the present. While now 10 years old (with design roots in the 1980s!!!!) the NRS is Harley-Davidson's only real 21st Century motorcycle.

The water-cooled twin revs eagerly. The brakes work. ... The revised suspension is good. Fit and finish is, as a rule, most excellent. Handling is good for a cruiser - and it tracks very well in a straight line.

In stock form, the NRS is fast ... for a Harley. It is not a monster bike - unless you are comparing it to Milwaukee's Big Twins, which are stuck in the middle of the last century.

However, with a tuner and some new 2-into-1 pipes (that shave 30 pounds from stock!!!!) the machine is transformed into FLAT OUT FAST regardless of the logo on the tank.

And the loss of weight makes it handle better, too. No more tipping in to slow right handers. A new exhaust changes it into sounding like a mean machine instead of an angry blender.

The riding position won't fit everyone - but you can tinker to get a customer fit (at a price, of course).

For me, this is the ultimate Harley - because it's the most modern and most powerful.

No need for downloads or ecm adjustments,,just add a sceamin eagle high flow air filter which is actually a k&n filter,a pair of NGK iridium plugs and a pair of supertrapp fatshot slipons and this bike literally flies,smooth power band all the way through the gears.Handles like a dream,hangs corners ... with the best of them, and the slipper clutch is awesome.Harley accomplished what it set out to do and that was to make a great sport cruiser with great handling and plenty of smooth power with liquid cooling to boot,,great job!!Love this bike!

I just bought my night rod off the showroom floor. The bike looks great and runs even better. On my first test run I had it over 100mph and it was still smooth and responsive. But it dosnt sound like a harley. That will change with the new pipes I have coming for it.

Love this bike. Just bought it today and went on a 100 miles ride. Its got mad torque and is so stylish. I get tons of attention and it drives great.