| Author | Message | ||
     Cataract2 |
I rode a Harley and a Buell and what fun they were!!! Now, before you all go bashing Harley and Buell (I don't want to hear it) I want to say, have you rode one? Today at Space Coast Harley they were doing demo rides where you could take on out and run it around the block and back. I went with my parents a bit reluctantly but in the end I had one hell of a smile on my face. First, the Buell. I got to test ride the XB9R, wanted to test the 12R but it wasn't setup for the demo at the time. When I first got on it I found that, yes, there is a slight shake, no it's not that bad. It's a mild vibration but not bothersome at all. Contrary to the review mags it does not rattle you arond at idle and it smooths out once you get moving. We got onto US 1 and when to Pineda cswy. towards A1A. I was a bit reluctant to open it up one on Pineda but decided to anyways and WOW. The tq. that thing has it way to much fun. No need to downshift much at all or rev. the engine to get power. Just twist and go. Handling is also amazing on that bike. I didn't have to work much to make that sucker turn. Just lean a bit and it goes where I want it to go. Mind you the suspension was not set to my ride height and weight so I had to fight it just a bit to keep it in a smooth turn it was none the less the best I've felt. The brakes on the bike and very good also. Stops on a dime IMHO. Next, the Harley V-ROD. When I got on this bike I found that it sits low to the ground. It's balance is nice and the seat is much more confortable than my bike or the Buell's. I found the pegs to be a bit foward on it which took some getting use to. Handle bar would also have to be adjusted for me. Though, once I got on the road I found this bike to have some serious power. When we pulled onto Pineda I just let loose and was having to hang on for deal life on that bike because it wanted to throw me off due to it pulling so hard. WOW!!!! I had one hell of a smile on my face from that. Handling is that of a standard crusior. You won't be cutting any corners up in that but it would make a great bike for around town cruising, which is what it's meant for. For the straights the bike it just to much fun and confortable. These are just short reviews, questions just ask. These are two bikes I've also been eyeing for a long time and got to test ride. My thoughts, I want them both. | ||
| M1combat |
Yeah, I'd like to take a V-Rod for a spin... | ||
| Outrider |
Golly Gee...I do believe we have a convert on our hands. Ryan, Welcome to the herd that loves Torque! | ||
| Newfie_buell |
GOT TORQUE | ||
| Brucelee |
I would so love to see Erik jam a VROD motor into something that handled. THAT I would buy in a minute, AND keep the XB of course! | ||
| Cataract2 |
I was thinking the same thing after I got off the VROD. I didn't get to test the 12 and I feel it would be close to the VROD, but with how well the VROD engine pulls that heavy bike, it would have been insane in the Buell. | ||
| Brucelee |
I believe MC mag shows the VROD runs the qtr in about 11.3 sec. SO, if we chop off 200 lbs from that bad boy, what type of numbers are we looking at? ( I think the VROD is north of 600lbs???) We can dream, can't we! | ||
| Kevyn |
That VRSC motor is going to be one hell of a nice cruiser on the highway! Bye bye TC. | ||
| Cataract2 |
How does the XB12 do in the 1/4? | ||
| Brucelee |
MC says about 11.4 I believe. | ||
| Cataract2 |
Hmmm, I think a Buell XB12 and HD VROD would look good in the garage next to each other... | ||
| Brucelee |
"Hmmm, I think a Buell XB12 and HD VROD would look good in the garage next to each other" Absolutely, I love the looks of the VROD, not the weight though! | ||
| Socoken |
Cataract2 i did the same thing you did, 9R then VROD, and my impressions were almost identical. that VROD has pull from hell. the only thing i didnt like about it was the solid wheels, when in a crosswind, it was almost as if on ice, and the wind could knock the wheels out from under you. otherwise LOVED it. when i was on the 9R, i raced a guy on a new springer softtail, that had a 103" in it with CNC ported heads on it. left it for dead. Ken | ||
| Cowboy |
I own a X1 lighting and a V-Rod after ride both machines for a lot of miles my point of view is this. V-rod is a very impresive machine, and will pull away from the buell very easy in the Hi numbers. I do not like the forward controls, and I thank you lose some control of the bike by having your feet that far forward. it is realy good for rideing 2 up as that I use it for both the wife and I. The buell is still by far the most fun to ride and I use it daily for my personal ride. the only problem is after rideing each of them, it is a must to owen one of each. on a scale of 1-10. I give the buell a 10......I give the rod a 8.... enjoy | ||
| José_quiñones |
Hey Cowboy, have you seen some of the custom mid controls that the AHDRA Drag Racing Vrods are using? Here's the Baltimore MD HD/B VROD Drag Bike:   Kosman is also selling a Mid Control Kit for the VROD $445, check it out HERE edited by josé_quiñones on June 21, 2004 | ||
| José_quiñones |
From the Kosman website:  | ||
| Coolice |
VERY NICE! Too bad the Mothership won't listen, the bike should have those stock. Now add a fairing, detachable bags, and....... Oh thats right Willie G. doesn't think thats the way it should look. Guess I'm to practical. Battletrax anyone? | ||
| Outrider |
Nice!!! Then again, it is just a start in the direction the mothership should be taking the V-Rod. | ||
| Socoken |
those controls look like fun, but i had no problem with the forward controls on the factory bike i rode. moving the pegs like that would kinda take the "cruiser" out of "power cruiser" i just cant get over how big a VROD looks until you get on it, then it sort of disappears, feels very small and flickable. | ||
| Sfarson |
Have a V-Rod parked next to the Cyclone in the geeerage. They're both a blast. I particularly like simple cruising on the V-Rod, on a nice country road. Blissful. Very nice growling exhaust note. And FWIW, I ride in very windy Colorado conditions without any handling issues from the solid disk wheels... not much unlike fairing slabbed, high profile, short wheelbased, and light/numble sportbikes. It is all what one is used to. Oh, and the Cyclone. It's a keeper  | ||
| Fullpower |
cowboy: your wife goes on the back of the v rod? what saddle do you have on it? | ||
| Cowboy |
Att Fullpower I dont know the name I told my dealer she is pretty wide in the seat so he put it on for free it is very wide and thick and pretty comfortable for her ( after the X1 any thing would be nice) she is happy with it so I m too. I assume it is easy to get as it came from H-D dealership. wish I could help more. |
