HARLEY-DAVIDSON V-ROD MUSCLE (2009 - on) Review
At a glance
| Owners' reliability rating: | |
|---|---|
| Annual servicing cost: | £1,500 |
| Power: | 109 bhp |
| Seat height: | Low (27.8 in / 705 mm) |
| Weight: | High (677 lbs / 307 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesHarley’s cruiser V-Rod has been about since 2001, and the new Muscle is… is just another styling exercise to bolster what is arguably a tired range. The Muscle is essentially a reworked V-Rod with design touches (muscular, flowing lines) to front it up as a serious boulevard traffic light blaster. Except it isn’t that muscular – 12.25sec standing quarters anyone?
Harley-Davidson V-Rod 10th Anniversary edition
Harley-Davidson’s V-Rod range was 10-years-old in 2012 and to celebrate this milestone Harley reintroduced the Brilliant Silver Pearl colour first seen on the orginal V-Rod in 2002. This limited edition bike also carried the ‘10’ year logo on its engine cases as per all 2012 models of V-Rod (Night- Rod Special and Muscle).
The price when new was £14,999.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineYou have to remember the bike is a straight line performer and corners get in the way of the footpegs and exhausts. Short-legged people will find the bar position and stretch to the footpegs a hip-straining effort. The length, weight and raked forks conspire to cause understeer through faster corners, but who cares when the sun is out, the roads are dry and you’re not in a hurry with denim cut off blowin’ in the wind…
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityA water-cooled V-twin with 120bhp and a house full of torque is not to be sniffed at. But when it’s anchored by 307kg of metals and plastics it is hard not to ask yourself where has all the go gone? Never mind. The engine is super smooth with a precise throttle delivery everywhere. And the gearbox isn’t too clunky. In all a muscle cruiser of the relaxed kind.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueAbsolutely no qualms here – part of the bike’s initial launch was a day at an American drag strip, where wooden-fingered journalists spent all day trying to kill tyres, clutches and other internal components to no avail. Every bike stayed the course without a problem.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentThe majority of Harley-Davidsons retain a high resale value and the V-Rod range is no different – mainly because they aren’t a big seller in the UK where the preference is classic air-cooled H-D machinery. If it’s a well presented, cool-looking Harley your after then £13,500 isn’t a lot of money. But, as the saying goes, alternatives are available eg Triumph’s Rocket III Roadster at £10,949. Find a Harley-Davidson V-Rod for sale.
Equipment
Chrome, sumptuous paint, polished bits and more chrome, wide profile rear tyre, big engine and more chrome – and all standard issue. The accessory catalogue has more of the same.
New VRSCF Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle features:
- Liquid-cooled, 1250cc Revolution V-Twin engine
- 122 hp at 8250 rpm/85 ft. lbs. torque at 7000 rpm
- Pewter powdercoated powertrain with polished covers
- Assist/Slipper Clutch with reduced lever effort
- New clutch cover with relocated dipstick
- New Satin chrome dual side exhaust with turn-out mufflers
- New Five-spoke cast aluminium 19-inch front wheel
- New Five-spoke cast aluminium 18-inch rear wheel
- New Triple clamps
- New 43 mm Inverted forks
- New stylized rear shocks with black springs
- New airbox cover and side covers
- New front fender with black-out section
- New smooth rear fender
- New LED stop/tail/turn light
- New LED front turn signals integrated in mirror stems
- New seat shape
- New Internally wired handlebar cast with riser
- New instrument graphics and housing
- New side-mount license plate
- Black frame
- 240mm wide rear tire
- Forward foot controls
- Brembo triple-disc brakes
- Teardrop reflector-optic headlight
- 25.6-inch seat height
- Optional ABS
- Optional Smart Security System
Specs |
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| Engine size | 1250cc |
|---|---|
| Engine type | Liquid-cooled, 60° V-twin four-stroke. Five gears |
| Frame type | Tubular steel, twin spine |
| Fuel capacity | 18.9 litres |
| Seat height | 705mm |
| Bike weight | 307kg |
| Front suspension | Non-adjustable |
| Rear suspension | Spring preload |
| Front brake | 2 x 320mm disc with 4-piston calipers |
| Rear brake | 316mm disc, 2-piston caliper |
| Front tyre size | 150/80 x 17 |
| Rear tyre size | 240/50 x 16 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
|
| Average fuel consumption | 30 mpg |
|---|---|
| Annual road tax | £93 |
| Annual service cost | £1,500 |
| New price | £13,845 |
| Used price | £10,000 - £13,000 |
| Insurance group |
16 of 17 How much to insure? |
| Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
|
| Max power | 109 bhp |
|---|---|
| Max torque | 77.19 ft-lb |
| Top speed | 145 mph |
| 1/4 mile acceleration | - |
| Tank range | 150 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2001-2007: VRSCA V-Rod
2003-2005: VRSCB V-Rod
2006-Current: VRSCAW V-Rod
Other versions
2005-2007: VRSCR Street Rod
2005-2007: VRSCD Night Rod
2005: VRSCSE2 Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod
2006-current: VRSCD Night Rod Special
2009-current: VRSCF V-Rod Muscle introduced
Owners' reviews for the HARLEY-DAVIDSON V-ROD (2009 - on)
4 owners have reviewed their HARLEY-DAVIDSON V-ROD (2009 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your HARLEY-DAVIDSON V-ROD (2009 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews |
|
| Overall rating: | |
|---|---|
| Ride quality & brakes: | |
| Engine: | |
| Reliability & build quality: | |
| Value vs rivals: | |
| Equipment: | |
| Annual servicing cost: | £1,500 |
Year: 2014
Annual servicing cost: £1,500
It's a mean looking machine. It is subtle about its growl and makes it statement more than expected. What a nice rear... when you see the crisp tail light passing by its free entertainment. The engine is perfectly balanced on the frame, and what a frame. The frame is not made like normal bikes, and neither was its engine. The compression ratio screams performance. The riding position is the main point to address when you ride. I am a normal build, 5ft11in and 200 pounds. I find the controls to be positioned nicely but the foot pegs need replacement. If your shorter you should get the shorter handle bars and foot controls option. I ride this bike as a commuter bike, 20 min ride one way on mostly freeways. I'm in CA so I must point out that I have engine guards and can split lanes on normal sized lanes.
The ABS system is fantastic. The front brakes are very affective.
Off the line I don't have to even try to pass everyone. Stock it does just under 3.6 seconds to 0-60. Since rider skill accounts for at least a solid second for 0-60 times, its a winner. Beautiful design that makes the engine stand out.
The engine will take a beating, and the frame. Many of the wires are inside metal tubes and well guarded. The fuel gauge is known to be faulty sometimes, but that factory warranty time (2 years) should have caught it by then and been replaced with a non faulty one. Solid road eating machine.
New tires, check ups and oil changes.
Rear tire and engine, say it all. Get the windshield option if you ride freeway. Get the backrest if you have a passenger you care about keeping on board.
Buying experience: Dealer, they offer great financing.
My 2010 V-Rod Muscle looks gorgeous and is fun but relaxing to ride. Never had any mechanical problems but the frame is bubbling/rusting underneath, the chrome is literally peeling up and the paint has fingerprints coming to the surface in places. I've had 3 other Harleys in the past, a Sportster 883, Dyna Wide Glide and Fatboy... Never had any bodywork issues with those bikes. I think Harley must be cutting costs with the V-Rod series. There are hardly any custom parts you can get for the Muscle in particular. Very disappointing in that regard. Fun ride but not worth the price.
great cruiser, surprisingly good, looks and sounds great on Vance and Hines pipes, a remap really livens it up love it :)
Ok so MCN hates harley's but you can't give the equiptment 3 stars. There's tons of equip for the v-rod. If it was British built it would get 5.
