V-Rod GS

[Missouri Bob]

I've been riding for a few years. Forty, to be exact. The bikes have mostly been Japanese, but with a few BMWs thrown in. Unfortunately, my knees have suffered more than their share of abuse over the years. The legs need to be stretched out. To that end, I bought a used V-Rod "Muscle."

 

Ever checked out the accessories for a V-Rod? Unless you like little chrome skulls, not much is available. Certainly, nothing functional. Which brings me to my posting.

 

To get a luggage rack that would support more than eleven pounds, I designed my own. Had to farm out the welding and powdercoating. The result is big, strong, and ugly enough to be on a GS-series BMW. Just what I want.

 

I added a pair of Wolfman saddle bags and a big dry bag. The tank bag (bet you've never seen a tank bag on a Harley) is an old Chase Harper model.

 

Although the "faithful" may not approve, I am ready to put some miles on it. Just about ready for Torrey.

 

Bob

[David]

I think it's awesome. Good work!

[Albert]

Nice Bob. In searching for a compliment for your utilitarian creation yet still appealling to your Harley side, all I could come up with was . . . nice rack.

[Spike]

I *luv* when people give conventional wisdom / societal norms the bird. Good on ya.

[Marty Hill]

It looks great! Enjoy it.

[FlyingFinn]

Interesting V-Rod you have there.

I've never heard of or seen this "Muscle" model. Does it come stock with the dual-side exhaust and that rear fender with integrated turn signals?

 

How about the gas tank, is it "normal size" or the larger one they used in the Street Rod?

 

--

Mikko

[Missouri Bob]

Interesting V-Rod you have there.

I've never heard of or seen this "Muscle" model. Does it come stock with the dual-side exhaust and that rear fender with integrated turn signals?

 

How about the gas tank, is it "normal size" or the larger one they used in the Street Rod?

 

--

Mikko

 

The exhaust and integrated lights are standard on the VRSCF (I absolutely hate the "Muscle" name). The license plate mount is for the European models because those unreasonable bureaucrats in Europe will not permit the chopper-look side-mount.

 

The VRSCF has a five-gallon tank. However, at 35 mpg, I'll strap on a two-gallon gas can.

 

Bob

[jmseattle]

Great bike. I rented a V-Rod a while back for a change of pace for a day ride with some buddies who were riding Ducatis. Although I didn't try to keep up with them in the twisties, the V-Rod was a blast to ride

 

[Finitw0]

Let me know how that goes. I hear the seat is a pain! But they do ride smooth (as a Harley).

 

Maybe you can help me set-up my new Dyna for touring, lol.

[ShovelStrokeEd]

Nice!

I've ridden one and they are more bike than the visuals would indicate.

[sardineone]

Looks pretty good to me Bob. Glad you have a comfortable ride. BTW I liked the 'Muscle' name so at least not everyone is throwing stones at Harley's marketing & you! My son is having a great time on his of late as he finally has a minimum of run in miles now.

[Missouri Bob]

Let me know how that goes. I hear the seat is a pain! But they do ride smooth (as a Harley).

 

Maybe you can help me set-up my new Dyna for touring, lol.

 

The seat is just fine, thank you. I rode the V-Rod 500 miles the day I bought it, and was as fresh as a daisy afterward.

 

Bob

[russell_bynum]

I *luv* when people give conventional wisdom / societal norms the bird. Good on ya.

 

What he said.

 

But what do I know...I tour on a naked sportbike.

 

 

[Spike]

But what do I know...I tour naked on a sportbike.

 

I sooo don't want to know

[mbelectric]

Bob, you do realize that the engine sports some German engineering...

 

Lookie here:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harley-Davidson_VRSC

 

Looks like a fun ride.

 

MB>

[Finitw0]

I hear the seat is a pain.

 

 

The seat is just fine, thank you. I rode the V-Rod 500 miles the day I bought it, and was as fresh as a daisy afterward.

 

Ride what you like and Like what you ride. Congrats on the new steed all the same. Those V-Rods are sexy, even when loaded like a touring bike.

[Joel]

Nice. Brings to mind this quote: “The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man.” -- George Bernard Shaw

[Matts_12GS]

Kick booty, I like it.

 

I was toying with the idea of building custom bikes for a while and had laid out some of the business pieces behind it. I always thought there was a market for a bike with a lot of style that could be toured upon.

 

 

[artig]

Ever checked out the accessories for a V-Rod? Unless you like little chrome skulls, not much is available. Certainly, nothing functional. Which brings me to my posting.

 

To get a luggage rack that would support more than eleven pounds, I designed my own. Had to farm out the welding and powdercoating. The result is big, strong, and ugly enough to be on a GS-series BMW. Just what I want.

 

Ventura do a luggage rack for some versions of the V-Rod, but I don't know what the maximum load would be. Although I have seen some heavily loaded ones on the road.

 

Not quite the same as doing it yourself, though. Well done.

 

[Whip]

Nice!!!

[motoguy128]

I rented a V-rod on FLorida years ago. It was a lot of fun to ride. The horrible seat that caused lower back and tailbone pain (which I heard was corrected later) and hte small fuel tank were the only problem. That and lack of wind protection at the triple digit speed he engine was happy to provide.

 

I thought that motor had a sweet blend of character, smoothness and performance across the whole pwoerband.

 

Very creative luggage solution. Function over form. I don't have a problem with that.

[Missouri Bob]

The first photo shows the rack before powder-coating.

 

 

The second is of the support brackets that tie into the subframe. These remain on the bike when the rack is removed.

 

[BULLman]

nice

[Bullett]

Looking forward to seeing you and the V-rod in Torrey!

[cali_beemer]

How often you need to refuel? whats your fuel economy like? I have always considered one. The small tank is a big issue for me.

[Missouri Bob]

How often you need to refuel? whats your fuel economy like? I have always considered one. The small tank is a big issue for me.

 

The VRSCF has a five-gallon tank. However, at 35 mpg, I'll strap on a two-gallon gas can.

 

Bob

[FlyingFinn]

The VRSCF has a five-gallon tank. However, at 35 mpg, I'll strap on a two-gallon gas can.

 

Five gallons is not bad at all, essentially same the usable volume of 1200GS gas tank. And 35MPG is not much worse than you get from a GS when riding at a spirited pace. Not bad.

 

I didn't even know they increased the tank size, it used to be just ~3.5gal or so and that was bit small. But I like how the bike rides, a friend of mine has one and once we swapped bikes for a while when touring Arizona. I kind of liked the feel of that bike.

 

Only thing I didn't care for was the feet-forward riding position, so when HD released the "Street-Rod" I actually visited a HD dealership to "test sit" one.

Without the staff there making me feel totally unwelcome I might have considered to buy one of those.

 

--

Mikko

[cali_beemer]

 

 

Only thing I didn't care for was the feet-forward riding position, so when HD released the "Street-Rod" I actually visited a HD dealership to "test sit" one.

Without the staff there making me feel totally unwelcome I might have considered to buy one of those.

 

--

Mikko

 

If I had the money I would buy a street rod in a hearbeat. Thats one sweet bike.

[russell_bynum]

 

 

Only thing I didn't care for was the feet-forward riding position, so when HD released the "Street-Rod" I actually visited a HD dealership to "test sit" one.

Without the staff there making me feel totally unwelcome I might have considered to buy one of those.

 

--

Mikko

 

If I had the money I would buy a street rod in a hearbeat. Thats one sweet bike.

 

+1

[Boone60]

Th Road Rod conversion has many parts available to change the ergos on the V-Rod. I really like the complete conversion.

 

http://www.cyclevisions.com/road-rod-conversion-kit/road-rod/

 

 

[FlyingFinn]

Damn I had to start thinking about that bike again.....

 

 

 

--

Mikko

[russell_bynum]

Th Road Rod conversion has many parts available to change the ergos on the V-Rod. I really like the complete conversion.

 

http://www.cyclevisions.com/road-rod-conversion-kit/road-rod/

 

 

Now that's interesting...a touring V-Rod. I like it!

[Missouri Bob]

I think the Street Rod is out of production. Considering V-Rods' miserable resale value, you should be able to pick a S/R for far less than $10K.

 

Regarding Cycle Visions, have you priced their hardware? Wow.

 

Bob

[russell_bynum]

Regarding Cycle Visions, have you priced their hardware? Wow.

 

Bob

 

Obviously they're a division of TourTech.

 

[Boone60]

I think the Street Rod is out of production. Considering V-Rods' miserable resale value, you should be able to pick a S/R for far less than $10K.

 

Regarding Cycle Visions, have you priced their hardware? Wow.

 

Bob

 

The terrific used prices of the V-Rod tremendously help offset the price of the conversion and the total package should come in at a favorable cost compared to the air cooled bikes.

[cali_beemer]

Th Road Rod conversion has many parts available to change the ergos on the V-Rod. I really like the complete conversion.

 

http://www.cyclevisions.com/road-rod-conversion-kit/road-rod/

 

 

OMG, thats awesome. Thats exactly what I would love to have. THe road glide is my dream bike but funds dont allow it. This may be my solutution..............hmmmmm

[Rphoto]

The VRod Street Rod was killed by HD after only running as a 2006 and 2007 model. The best handling and fastest HD ever built (40 degree lean angles) and the most European. That's why it wasn't popular with the HD faithful. Here is my 2006 Street Rod, decked out with soft bags next to my old R1100RT

 

 

http://gallery.me.com/remphoto#101184

[hopz]

Great job Bob... I can see a lot of thinking and engineering went into that... bet you could sell a bunch...

[outpost22]

The V-Rod is the only Harley that turns my head. That's probably why it was a sales "failure" for Harley.

[Joel]

Regarding Cycle Visions, have you priced their hardware? Wow.

 

Bob

 

Obviously they're a division of TourTech.

 

 

Great, so not only is it spendy, but most of what you'd want will be on backorder too?