Ziggy Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 I sold my '94 Heritage Softail this week, and set to look at a 2002 V-Rod tomorrow. I know the early ones had small 3+ gallon tanks, and I've read that the fuel gauges can be kinda wonky. If anyone has owned, or currently owns a V-Rod, I'd love to hear about any issues I should be looking out for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Forget the fuel gauge and just know you need gas every 85 miles Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkow97 Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 One of the Magistrates i practice in front of has a V-Rod, but I'm not sure which year. Let me know if you don't get enough responses and want me to ask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 PM "Likwid".also this. He will tell you just about anything you want to know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkow97 Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 alright, i pulled quarter mile times for the V-Rod, and I need a new bike. I can't own something slower than a stock Harley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxus Christ! Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 alright, i pulled quarter mile times for the V-Rod, and I need a new bike. I can't own something slower than a stock Harley It's pretty much only good for that tho....they're a blast in a straight line but they still turn like a Harley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 (edited) It's pretty much only good for that tho....they're a blast in a straight line but they still turn like a Harley. Silly boy. You never rode with Likwid have you? yes i'm aware it takes a skilled rider to do what he does on a V-rod and its rare Edited October 30, 2015 by Bad324 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scruit Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 That's one of the reasons I traded from the Volusia to the Wee. I tank it up once a week, not every other day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbot Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 can confirm. bike doesn't handle bad other than the dragging hard parts limiting lean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxus Christ! Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Maybe the stock suspension on my dad's is the problem. I just never felt good forcing it into fast turns and it felt way too heavy when changing direction...then again at the time I rode a 600cc supersport... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkow97 Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 the XR1200 guys were dragging hard parts all day long at Mid-Ohio. I'm not surprised a V-Rod would... That said, the XR1200 guys were also pulling lap times that I would have been happy to hit on my 600. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkow97 Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 yes i'm aware it takes a skilled rider to do what he does on a V-rod and its rare I see this kind of statement made frequently, and I often wonder how subjectively we throw that term around. I have only ridden with (maybe) 10 members of this site, and always on a race track. Even those guys have certainly progressed since the last time I was on the track with them. It makes me wonder how an objective 3rd party would evaluate everyone's (and every bike's) abilities. That would actually be a fun article for a motorcycle publication: "We test EVERYTHING." And then they (preferably 1 rider, or multiple riders getting seat time on ALL the bikes) get to turn laps on a race track with stock bikes of all styles. I wouldn't bother literally testing everything, because I think it's fair to assume that a stock R6 and a stock ZX6 are comparably capable. What I'd really like to see in numeric proof is how a Honda Shadow stacks up against a Goldwing against a 1000RR against a VFR1200, etc. To me that would really demonstrate how much of a compromise is being made in the name of comfort and practicality. but maybe I'm the only one who wonders about that kind of thing. Plus I think it would be hard to get a manufacturer to supply that many bikes... I can dream though, can't I? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jschaf Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 Maximim lean angle on 02 to 06 Vrods is 32 degrees. You'd have to be exempt from the laws of physics to run a brisk street pace on one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 can confirm. bike doesn't handle bad other than the dragging hard parts limiting lean. to this day one of my favorite sights on a Gap trip was following Jinu piloting the V-rod in a 1pc leather literally hanging off the sides of it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 (edited) I don't think I could own one, but Id be interested to ride the 2006-07 Street Rod. IIRC, it has a shorter wheelbase, better suspension, and more ground clearance than the standard V Rod. Edited October 30, 2015 by Tpoppa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted October 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 I don't think I could own one, but Id be interested to ride the 2006-07 Street Rod. IIRC, it has a shorter wheelbase, better suspension, and more ground clearance than the standard V Rod. Better suspension, slightly higher seat height, mid mounted controls, Showa inverted fork... Likwid, it would seem your PM box is full... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jschaf Posted October 30, 2015 Report Share Posted October 30, 2015 I'll see your physics and raise you blatant disregard for self-preservation. Matt is no slouch on his Harley. You can ask Uncle Punk because I was chasing him that day.Some of the Harley riders are much better than most others. What I was trying to say is that when pushed to it's limit that a V-rod, due to lean angle limitations, will only allow about 75 to 80% of the corner speed of a proper bike (even if the rider is hanging off like a madman). I think the majority of all riders start to leave their comfort zone around 75 to 80%, thus the faster Harley riders, in comparison with the usual Harley riders,seem really fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jschaf Posted October 31, 2015 Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 You're not slow Pauly. I know you could bump it up if you wanted. You just have better sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted October 31, 2015 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 (edited) Well, I bought it. 2002 VRSCA 17k miles. Filthy dirty. Not posting pics until I have a chance to clean it up a little bit. Looking at the market here in Cincinnati, I couldn't pass it up for the money. Hopefully, we'll still have a few nice riding days before it gets silly cold again. Edited October 31, 2015 by Ziggy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonik Posted October 31, 2015 Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 Congrats!. You got three or four days next week for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted October 31, 2015 Report Share Posted October 31, 2015 I actually really like the V-rods and that engine is a total gem, just hate that stupid ass and worthless small gas tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ziggy Posted November 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 Had a chance to wash it this weekend. Really needs a full detailing, but just washing the storage crust off of it did wonders... Early impressions: Riding position isn't terribly different from my Heritage Softail. Bars are a little lower, but the controls are easily located without hunting around for them. The 1130 cc vtwin is, as mentioned by Pokey, a real gem. 9k RPM redline, and it pulls pretty hard all the way there. It's really smooth, too! Totally unlike any Harley I've ridden before. The bike is really long, I think it might be longer than my Heritage was. It carries the center of gravity really low, so handling is confidence inspiring as compared to most cruiser type bikes, but being so long, cornering is going to take some getting used to. The gas tank is stupid small. Even with my Heritage, I was looking for gas after about a hundred miles, but good grief! And honestly, I don't think it would be so apparent how small the gas tank is, if the fuel level guage didn't work, or wasn't there at all. Obviously it is there, and in my case, it actually works. Knowing the tank is only 3.5 gallons helps, but seeing the fuel level drop from full to 3/4 over the course of my 22 mile commute is depressing. Speaking of commuting, I rode it to work this morning on I75. I never would have guessed that the solid disk wheels would have so much of an impact on how stable the bike feels, and didn't notice it at all while riding back roads yesterday, but sustained 70+ on the highway around the high and low pressure zones on the trucks did not instill confidence. The transmission is fun. Seems to be optimized to put you in the power, no matter what gear you're in. That said, the ratios are very close together, and sometimes actually leave you wondering if you actually changed gear! 70 on the higway is had at about 4200 RPM, and does seem to be a little buzzy, but passing on the highway does not require a downshift, which is nice. The guy I bought it from was the second owner. The original owner drilled the exhaust and pulled the baffles. It sounds throaty and pleasant, but it doesn't appear he added any kind of programmer to it, so I'm sure it's down on power compared to a totally stock one. Otherwise, it doesn't appear to have suffered any negative affects. I'll be making some ergonomic adjustments to the bars and such to better suit my long arms and legs, but overall, I'm pretty happy with it. At least happy enough to keep it in the garage over the winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tonik Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 Dunno if it works or what it costs. http://www.ricks-motorcycles.com/english/V-RodSite/Tank.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scruit Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 Just think: I get about the same range after my fuel light comes on that you get from a full tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad324 Posted November 2, 2015 Report Share Posted November 2, 2015 I bugged Likwid many times that he should get an upgraded tank like that but he always complained it cost too much to do so Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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