WELL, it's been a while now since my Easter exploits on the Heritage Softail Classic, and this week I find myself back on another Harley. This time it's the voluptuous V-Rod -- and for anyone who thinks a Harley is a Harley is a Harley, this almighty beast is a somewhat different kettle of fish.

Strictly for the unhinged, the V-Rod represents a major departure from the Milwaukee norm. At the risk of alienating Harley purists, the factory has dared to produce a high-revving, refined street bike with some real muscle. And it’s an unusual concept to say the least. As long as a narrow boat, and with a rear tyre fatter than Tyson’s neck, the V-Rod has an enormous appetite for straights, paired with a mild disdain for corners. On looks alone though, this bike is a winner, with acres of thick chrome and a beautiful tubular frame that’s a work of art in itself.

The 240-section tyre, however, does make for interesting cornering. You have to really haul the V-Rod into bends and round roundabouts, and from then on it’s a bit like a Weeble, constantly yearning to return to the upright position; fine when you get the hang of it, but it still means going out for a ride can be quite an effort. Engaging rather than relaxing, shall we say? Foul weather for the majority of the time I spent with the Harley prevented as much chest-beating misbehaviour as I would have liked, but on the one sunny day the V-Rod and I shared it didn’t take long to discover that your boot heel is the first thing to touch down on the left. Not too much to worry about there. On the right, however, it’s a different story. The underside of those beautiful chrome pipes is the first thing to make contact, and that’s not something you’re going to want to do too often with your £12,000 pride and joy.

To get acquainted with the V-Rod’s straight-line geometry, I took an initial jaunt down to Portishead to see the new marina. The bike sat comfortably at high speeds on the short blast down the motorway but was also a delight at low pace. Cruising round the fashionable development in what is a very tall first gear, with blue skies above me and astride one of the world’s most sought-after bikes, I dreamt for a moment I was riding along Miami’s Ocean Drive. Sadly an unexpected cloudburst soon put paid to that illusion and I headed back out of town and off to find some country roads. I was pleased to note, however, that the rain travelled up my leg and off to the side rather than running into my boot and leaving me with Glastonbury-style socks.

To sit on, the V-Rod is very comfy. The seat height is low, the bars are a pleasant distance away, and the mirrors are great. The pegs are a long way forward though and the overall feel is rather akin to sitting in a go kart. With a fork angle of 38 degrees, you can just imagine reaching forward to a small steering wheel instead of the wide-set grips.

It’s the engine though that really makes this bike special. After decades of grimly clinging on to air-cooled engines, Harley-Davidson (with a little help from some friends at Porsche) finally ventured into the liquid-cooled arena five short years ago with their aptly-named Revolution engine - the intention being to get ‘Harley’ and ‘performance’ in the same sentence. This they have achieved, and then some. Its unusually-sized 1,130cc motor boasts 105Nm of torque at 6,600rpm, and has a redline stretching all the way to 9,000. Acceleration is out of this world, and it feels it too. The huge belt of torque propels you forward at an immense rate as you hold on for dear life, the windblast butting you like an angry Glaswegian. But what a feeling as the V-twin sends huge thumping noises through the pipes! Head out of a built-up area in second, pin the throttle and, as the Americans say, it‘s show time! The V-Rod will go from 40 to 80 in well under two seconds before it’s quickly back on the brakes as the next corner looms large. Engine braking is far less than you would expect for a big V-twin, and the four-piston front brakes are called into play inordinately often, but all the while the heavily sculpted seat prevents you from sliding around as your speed oscillates wildly. Hard work it may be, but stupidly rewarding.

With features such as self-cancelling indicators, key-in-your-pocket starting and a full alarm system, you start to see where your initial outlay has gone. Harleys hold a strong residual value though, and provided you look after it your depreciation will still be much less than on cheaper Japanese imitations.

So to sum up, the V-Rod is a very powerful, very beautiful, very expensive machine, and another milestone in Harley history. Its overall lack of control and the associated fear of damage means you might not travel any faster than you would on a much smaller machine, but dammit it’s an infinitely pleasurable experience!

Article written: June 18, 2007

The Harley V-Rod was kindly loaned through Riders of Bath Road, Brislington. For more information about test rides, call Riders on 0117 958 8777. Or see the website at www.ridersofbristol.co.uk.

OUR STEER ON THE HARLEY V-ROD VRSCAW

Price: £12,425 (@ Jan 09)

Engine: 1,130cc, 8-valve V-twin

Length: 2,455 mm

Power: 115 bhp

Torque: 105 Nm / 77 ft lb

Transmission: five-speed

Weight: 292 kg

Fuel capacity: 18.9 litres

Top speed: 140 mph (est)

Seat height: 660 mm

by Jon Bennett