Oh, Daddy! Mama WANTS a V-ROD!
Written: Feb 05 '04 (Updated Feb 08 '04)
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Pros: Beautiful, elegant bike, easy to ride
Cons: Pipes are a pain. But they can be swapped.
The Bottom Line: Excellent machine. I'm in love, and if I had the money, would have title to one today!
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| hularider's Full Review: 2002 Harley Davidson VRSCA V-Rod |
When I first saw the V-Rod, I was unimpressed. The styling seemed like a wannabe Yamaha. But the more I looked, the more I liked. Beautiful sweeping curves, grace and elegance in motion. I gradually fell in love. Finally, on Christmas Eve, my Sweetie rented me a 2004 V-Rod. We put about 300 miles on it, swapping off as we rode around the Island of Hawai`i. You can see a few photos at www.Wrench-Wench.com in the Reviews section.
The beautiful, brand-spanking-new machine we lucked into had actually been shipped over just for us - the 2003 bike we had been scheduled for had been crashed by the previous renter. Both the Sweetie and I had a hard time imagining how a person could crash that bike without having been hit by a raging cage. It just WANTS to stay up and RUN!
Riding "him," I felt like one of the ancient goddesses who used a shark for a steed - the tank looking like the curve of a shark's back, and the headlamp "snout" thrusting ahead. . . the bike reminded me of Kamohoali`i, Pele's brother, a shark deity. Hitting a couple of mossy patches, he flicked his tail just a bit and then surged forward.
Handling was different from what I am used to - a bit more "floppy," in the curves. But I quickly got used to that. It has a nice smooth powerband, with no surprises. In fact, it handles so smoothly, and the center of gravity is so low, it is a very easy ride. If felt almost impossible to drop. I'd call it a perfect bike for the smaller, and woman, rider. . . . EXCEPT . . .
The stock pipes, while beautiful to look at, are really a pain for the inseam-challenged. I could barely reach the ground with my right tippy toe, which made backing the bike into parking spaces, and other such manouvers, kind of difficult. YO! Manufacturers! Not EVERYONE who rides has a 32+" inseam!!!!!!!! I have a 29" inseam with my BOOTS ON!
In addition to holding my leg out, the pipes also toasted it up pretty well. I had to ride with my right leg actually resting on the pipe, which got pretty warm, especially when the bike was under load, like pulling up a hill, or when I was downshifting a lot in the twisties.I was SOOO glad I had on leggings, jeans, knee-high boots, and chaps. I think I would have suffered some real burns with anything less. First mod would have to be the pipes.
Acceleration was so smooth, I didn't realize I'd topped 80 until my helmet started lifting and tugging at the chin strap. The suspension smoothed out the patches in the Saddle Road, but retained firm handling characteristics. I never got a chance to run through all the gears because even in 2nd, the 69 cubic inch Revolution engine moves that 600-plus pound bike faster than I'm competant to ride. The RPMs were hanging around 6K, and suddenly I realized my grip had tightened, not so much in the emotional rush of speed, but simply because without a windshield, there is a definate sensation of being blown off the bike by my own wind.
If you are looking for the feel of raw power - that sense of "gathering" the large cruisers tend to exhibit before the horses overcome inertia, you'll need to look somewhere else. It's not at all a V-Rod thing. The bike simply increases rpms smoothly - no fuss, no muss - with a sound reministent of a jet spinning up.
While the Sweetie did not at all like the sound, I loved it. A bit "Yammish," I really liked the quiet hum, and sudden "whoosh" as my Honey passed me while he was taking his turn on the bike. I didn't even hear him coming up, then there was a faint whine, then suddenly, like a sudden gust of wind, he was by me and gone! And I loved the sound while I was riding it. Sort of a "Stealth Harley."
Controls are a bit forward for my taste, but they were too close for the 6' Sweetie. However, straight stock, the bike is perfectly rideable by either of us.
Fit and finish were excellent. The welds were smooth an unobtrusive. It took a while for me to even FIND some of the welds and connections!
Oh, yeah, that little semi-padded thing on the back fender. Even WITH a sissy bar, don't bother climbing on it. It's purely decorative.
If I ever actually buy a Harley, the V-Rod is certainly at the top of the list!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 150/day
Condition: Used
Model Year: 2004
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Epinions.com ID:
hularider
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Member: Leilehua Yuen
Location: Hilo, Hawaii, USA
Reviews written: 70
Trusted by: 8 members
About Me:
HulaRider is an author, artist, and educator who specializes in Hawaiian culture and arts.
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