V-Rod Review from Cali

[Half Squid]

My friend and I follwed a group I met on-Line from out here in California, they gave us a great ride today on Malholland road, and Angeles Crest Highway (RT2) Great roads!

My review of the VRODS... Although it was our best rental option, I would never buy or recommend anyone to purchase this heavy piece of aluminum.. It is a pretty bike, and does attract a lot of attention!

There obviously is no compairison with any sport bike, but here is how I felt on it..
Corners horribly, all corners must be taken slow/wide trying to keep the bike as verticle as possibly or your going to drag parts, like the exhuast (twice) & the exhaust clamp bolts (3 times), and both pegs at least 5 times, three times I scraped the left pegs, & twice on the right. The dealer said nothing about it when I returned it! Unfortunately we were in such a hurry to get the bikes back I never got a chance to get pics of the damage..

Anyways back to the review, throttle responce is poor under 5000rpm slow reaction time. Good Throttle responce between 5K & 8K, the bike had lots of torque and responded fast to a twist of the throttle. Highway driving is horrible... Especially with an open face helmet.. ( It was all that was available)
On the highway at speeds over 65 the front end was all over the place and vibrating, by the end of the day both V-Rods were chattering, I think all the bolts needed re-torquing. Thats a Harley for ya..
All in all I was extremely happy with the ride today except the fact we had to rush To get the Hardleys back.

Thanks guys, you made this day a very memorable one!
Mike (The Boston Dude)

[PinHead]

So jellous. Sun shinning, t-shirts. And I look out the window to a 1/4" think layer of frost and what looks like a little S on the van too. How long till summer?

[benVFR]

Wow... and that is the sportiest harley out there?

I still wouldn't mind renting one of those if I got to ride it around California though.

Good to hear a review from someone you know as opposed to a magazine reviewer who got a big fat kickback.

Ben

[Stoneman]

Typical Harley crap then, eh Mike? It absolutely amazes me with these guys. It blows my mind how much money people pay for this crap. I've ridden a few in my time, and I was floored at what big, heavy, vibrating piles of rolling crap they are. And I've ridden some with some serious money into 'em. Just astounding...

[beet]

Originally posted by Stoneman
Typical Harley crap then, eh Mike? It absolutely amazes me with these guys. It blows my mind how much money people pay for this crap. I've ridden a few in my time, and I was floored at what big, heavy, vibrating piles of rolling crap they are. And I've ridden some with some serious money into 'em. Just astounding...

man oh man jay you got that right
i been on some big buck harleys that sux big time riding
good bikes 2 stand next 2 posing
no good for riding

[bemused]

Originally posted by Mystery Squid
"...and upon the 8th day, the Lord created Kawasaki..."

...after (s)he ran outta good ideas...

[Rice-rocket1]

Originally posted by Mystery Squid
"...and upon the 8th day, the Lord created Yamaha..."

Glad to see that you noticed........

[Rice-rocket1]

Will be riding a Kawi any time I like.

The wife (Double"D") has a 2004 ZX10 on order.
Just waiting for the call saying that it is in.

I will have the new R1 prob for 2005

[mycirus]

So mike,

You forgot to mention how it does with wheelies and Burnouts. You did do a burnout on the tire that you don't have to replace...Right?

Bruce

[Half Squid]

Originally posted by mycirus
So mike,

You forgot to mention how it does with wheelies and Burnouts. You did do a burnout on the tire that you don't have to replace...Right?

Bruce

No burns outs. Wuss bike! I tryed it but the tire would not break free with 650 lbs on it! I didn't really try too hard seeing I had a $1000 security deposit on it, and replacement value of it is $20K.. Dont feel like loosing that much for a cheap thrill. & No it will not wheely, again way too heavy with not enough balls (The Bike that is). All the mass weight of the bike is over the front of the bike, there is very little weight over the rear tire. Very poor design. Not to mention belt driven, I didn't want to snap that!
Hows your cruize going??

[Rye]

HELLOOOO..........and your impression of Angeles Crest?!?!?!

[Half Squid]

Originally posted by Rye
HELLOOOO..........and your impression of Angeles Crest?!?!?!

Awesome ! Incredible scenery and fantastic twisty road! I do have to say all the roads in and around Deals gap are far better as far as being technical... The scenery is equally as impressive.

Malholland road was pretty sweet too!

Rye, are you ready to move back out here to ride ALL year long. Lets start our own business in bike parts and accesories out here and take Mondays and Tuesdays off to ride those roads while there empty!

[Rye]

In a heartbeat, Mike! California has it all. No one will tell me otherwise. I've been to 75% of the states in this country and have yet to find 1 to compare. If you like your recreation...life/work balance...it's the place. Your career idea would find some stiff competition in that market but I have seen 2 startups succeed out there already. A guy I use to ride with started socalriders.com. Sean, he's a San Diego guy I used to ride the canyons with. I also saw a custom shop start up and do well. I would seriously consider that job offer. If they are gonna move you out there and set you up then I'd think about it ...as long as the company is financially sound of course.

[Nikon]

I concur... Altough I didn't get it to highway speeds cause mine was on an island (sorry for the not so good pic - it's a digital of a photo)

[jsven007]

"...and upon the 8th day, the Lord created Kawasaki..."

Amen!! Not sure what I would do without my Kawasaki.

[jsven007]

It blows my mind how much money people pay for this crap. I've ridden a few in my time, and I was floored at what big, heavy, vibrating piles of rolling crap they are. And I've ridden some with some serious money into 'em. Just astounding...

My brother tried a sportster 883, and he said the same thing:

Anemic motor
Horrid suspension
Piss-poor handling
Appalling wind protection
Vibrates like a mofo

Said it was just an anemic, horrid, piss-poor, appalling mother-focker of a motorcycle.

Me, I have never ridden a Harley, but I will take his word on it


Justin

[jsven007]

Anyways back to the review, throttle responce is poor under 5000rpm slow reaction time. Good Throttle responce between 5K & 8K, the bike had lots of torque and responded fast to a twist of the throttle.

In Nova Scotia, a VROD owner bragged that the VROD would do 90MPH+ in second gear. I looked at the Busa in our group and I laughed. I was not impressed by his VROD.

Nice try though Harley...or should I say PORSCHE. The day a stock Harley is faster than my motorcycle, I will sell my bike. I couldn't live with the shame.....

Justin

[bigred875]

Originally posted by Mystery Squid
"...and upon the 8th day, the Lord created Kawasaki..."

....and the 9th the z1000

[Half Squid]

Originally posted by Mystery Squid
"...and upon the 8th day, the Lord created Kawasaki..."

Of coarse this makes you realize even god made mistakes !

[bigred875]

dem's fighten words

[Half Squid]

Originally posted by bigred875
dem's fighten words

I dont want to mess W/U you look like a big boy!
Lets settle this at the Drag strip!!! (Next season) Winner buys the

[bigred875]

lol...you're on

[Half Squid]

Originally posted by bigred875
lol...you're on

Nice I hope you dont drink crap beer like Butt wiper!
Hows about some Sammy's! Or New Castle, even Pete's..

[bigred875]

well you'll be buying so I'll let you decide j/k

[Half Squid]

Originally posted by bigred875
well you'll be buying so I'll let you decide j/k

Oh this is soooo on next year! Me & you bud!

While your choking on my smoke I'll order up the beers. Dont lag too far behind, you dont want a warm beer!