HARLEY-DAVIDSON V-ROD (2001 - 2008) Review

non-tire popping coolness

Very comfortable...stop for gas every 100miles..only break you need

Very quick right from factory...it's quick enough for me...I spent the last 24 years on a softail fxst.

Very reliable...expect 100000 miles

When you need new tires add 500

Only change I'd consider is a couple small bags.

Suspension is ok most riders upgrade rears to better ones though stock shocks are ok.

Superb engine what you would expect from Porsche!

Very good build quality no corrosion anywhere but all that chrome best avoid winter road salt Any bike will suffer in that.

Really only oil and filter changes major service every 15k

Basic instruments lack of temp gauge seems odd for a water cooled bike.

Smooth engine ....Gear selection indication would have been a nice touch though ...

Excellent build quality .Mine has 5k on clock ..chose lower mileage as valve adjustment req with higher mileage ..Big job and not sure how many workshops would be familiar with the task

For me the ride is the best part. Anytime you want power give the throttle a twist and off you go...twist it further and you'll realise this has so much to give. Brakes are good, they will forgive most errors, but leaving it late and grabbing hard and there are no clever equipment to forgive you. I'll add that my bike has ape hangers, so I am not sure how this compares to the originally. But it is particularly horrible in high winds or if you are heading up past 70.

Engine is probably the best Harley have ever made.

Literally have had nothing to do. Changed the oil, checked the fluids. Other than than a quick wipe down. Keeping the solid wheels shiny is tricky. Never had any problems with it and it is now 18 years old.

So far I've changed the oil and filter, bought some chrome polish and one nut for the heat guard which came loose. Sold to me by HD with a half worn front tyre, after 3 or 4 years I needed a new back tyre and changed the pads at the same time. So over the years I have spent hardly anything on it and it still looks new.

If you are buying a second hand don't go for price. Go for the one that has all the looks and equipment you want in advance. There is very little choice to alter it and very few will stock or manufacture for V-Rods. When I had to replace a broken back indicator there were no alternatives, it had to be a second hand one. A local dealer has servicing prices, except V-Rods (POA). Harleys are known for being customised, this is a lot harder to get something different for. Even pillion seats are hard to come by. Add to that there's no plug & play storage so you will need to be inventive.

I've owned mine since new in 2002 have replaced about 5 battery and changed the oil every year about a 50 dollar per year maintenance on average. 12k miles and rides excellent with lots of power when needed very torque on top end and definitely no dog off the line I'm 52 years old and took my sons R1 Yamaha 1000 cc from light to light 😀 so all in all great cruiser low maintenance timeless design. This bike gets so many looks where ever I go people stare at it . Best purchase v rod

Comfortable ride, with a front screen to block out the wind, your bum is the first think to ache after 70 - 100 miles. Brakes work really well, the twin discs up front give lots of feed back.

Great engine, lots of smooth power right through the rev range.

All good, chrome is still good, alloy still okay with regular buffing, not let me down.

Original Parts can be very expensive, and the bike is not easy to work on, even simple service tasks are not straight forward.

The engine has to be the best feature of the V Rod

4 out of 5 (rated as a cruiser/tourer). I can go for 1 full tank of fuel (c.120 miles!) before I need to get off and stretch the legs. Choice of switching between mid and highway pegs helps on longer runs too.

Big flat torque curve, wonderful.

Some of the polished finishes need attention otherwise they will tarnish, but the overall build quality is good, and it has proved 100% reliable

Oil, filters and break pads annually - easy for any competent DiY'er

Comes fairly spartan in standard form, but has everything you need (imho). Fit a decent set of panniers and discover one of the best kept Harley secrets - the water-cooled 60 degree V is perhaps the best fast touring bike in the whole HD range.

Very little suspension travel, function follows form on this baby and with Brembo brakes you'd have thought they'd be better, but the rear weight distribution means you really need to use your right foot! The engine more than makes up for the brakes though and you really can control your speed off the throttle.

The early Vrods had a real top end rush. This version has been tuned more to the low end. I preferred the original, but it's all good:-)

Four years of use and no problems..it's always ready to run

Very easy to do it yourself... so I do

I regularly ride with a pillion. With the optional backrest fitted she is very secure and loves it. Fuel gauge is a problem, miles to empty doesn't help. Thank god they put a bigger tank on this version, but even so I end up filling up too early. It's not a big issue really