Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special

[Viper007Bond]

How the hell did we not have a thread on this?

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/19/i...t-rod-special/

[Crazyjeeper]

I'm not a big H-D fan, but That looks EPIC.

[thedguy]

Can I get that with a Suzuki or Yamaha engine?

[avanti]

The v-rod line of Harley is great, no need for a jap engine!

[DTMracer]

That's my dream bike!!!

Needs a shotgun down the side to be complete though.

[BlaRo]

It's one of the only two Harleys I would ever consider getting. (3 including the ultra-rare XLCR "cafe special" that failed miserably, but I'm not a big fan of that one.)

The other is a Sportster, and the two would be pretty good complements to each other: old-school Harley and new-school, Porsche-designed-engine Harley. And both would look equally bitchin'.

After all, if I wanted to go around corners then I have my 32-year old rice burner.

[Zuhaib]

*waits for Spectre to show up in this thread to start making his Harley jokes*

I actually got in to liking Harley's because of the V-Rod. I always planed to get my Sportster and ride her for a while and move up to a V-Rod. But after getting on that air cooled V-Twin, it just got under my skin and when I had the chance to move up I stuck with the traditional motor. Also at that time harley had been kind of mistreating the V-Rod and not giving it the proper upgrades it needed, I guess because of the crazy Chopper movement they thought that is what people wanted. Its nice to see they are giving the V-Rod the proper treatment now.

[jetsetter]

At the moment I'm liking the XR1200. Apparently Harley just registered/reserved the name in the U.S. so it seems that it may be coming soon.




2008 Specifications1 Harley-Davidson® XR 1200™

Dimensions

Length (mm).............................................. .................................................. .2195
Seat Height (mm)2............................................. .............................................. 742
Ground Clearance (mm) .................................................. ................................ 147
Rake at steering head (°) / Trail (mm).............................................. .......29.3/ 130
Fork Angle .................................................. .................................................. 27.8°
Wheelbase (mm).............................................. ............................................. 1515
Fuel Capacity (litres) .................................................. .................................... 13.3
Oil Capacity w/filter (litres).......................................... .....................................2.8
Dry Weight (kg).............................................. .................................................2 50


Powertrain

Engine3........................................... ....................................Air-cooled, Evolution®
Displacement (cu.cm) .................................................. ................................. 1202
Bore x Stroke (mm).............................................. ......................... 88.9 x 96.8mm
Fuel System................................. Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Compression Ratio............................................. ......................................... 10.0:1
Exhaust System................................... Upswept, high-volume 2-1-2 straight shot
.................................................. ............. exhaust system finished in satin chrome


Wheels/Tyres

Tyres:
Front .................................................. ................................D209F 120/70ZR18
Rear.............................................. ...................................... D209 180/55ZR17

Wheels4:
Front............................................. .............18” Black, 3-spoke cast aluminium
Rear.............................................. .............17” Black, 3-spoke cast aluminium

Drivetrain

Primary Drive............................................. ............................... Chain, 57/34 ratio
Final Drive .................................................. ................................. Belt, 68/28 ratio
Clutch............................................ .................................................. ...8-plate, wet
Transmission .................................................. ......................................... 5-speed
Gear Ratios:


1st .................................................. .................................................. ........ 2.65
2nd .................................................. .................................................. ....... 1.89
3rd............................................... .................................................. ........... 1.41
4th .................................................. .................................................. ........ 1.17
5th .................................................. .................................................. ............. 1


Chassis

Brakes, Dia (Front/Rear, mm) .................................................. ....... 292 dual / 260
Caliper Type...........................Dual 4-piston, fixed front, single-piston floating rear
Front Fork.............................................. .......................................43 mm inverted
Rear Shocks............................................ .........Coil-over; preload dual-adjustable
Suspension Travel:


Front (mm) .................................................. ............................................... 125


Rear (mm).............................................. .................................................. ....89


Frame............................Mild steel tubular frame; circular sections; cast junctions


Swingarm.......................................... ...........................................Alumini um cast


Footnotes

1. Harley-Davidson reserves the right to discontinue models or change specifications at any time
without incurring any obligations. Vehicle specifications may vary by country and region
depending on local laws. Some models are not available in certain countries.
2. Measurement reflects 81.7 kg operator weight.
3. Recommended 95 octane or higher fuel (R+M)/2. Standard and optional fuel systems may
vary by country and region.
4. Standard and optional wheels may vary by country and region.
5. Values shown are nominal. Performance may vary by country and region.
6. Security system includes immobiliser and siren.
7. Availability of colours may vary from dealer to dealer and is subject to change without further
notice.
8. See motorcycle owner’s manual for complete details.
9. Inspections of certain systems and components are required at 1,000 mile (1,600 km) intervals.
VS_H3D_C031_SpecSheet.indd 1

Performance

Engine Torque (EU Standard EC95/1)5 ..................74 ft. lbs / 100 NM @ 3700 rpm
Lean Angle per SAE J1168 (Degrees Left/Right).........................................40 / 39


Electrical

Charging.......................................... .......................Single-phase, 30-amp system
........................................(357W @ 13.5V, 2000 rpm, 405W max power @ 13.5V)
Starting....................1.2 kW electric with solenoid shift starter motor engagement
Lights (as per country regulation):

Headlamp.................... Quartz Halogen, 55-watt low beam, 60-watt high beam


Tail/Stop Lights............................................ ........................................5W/21W


Turn Signal Lights............................................ ................... 21W self-canceling
Instruments ......................................Unique compact instruments with prominent
......................... white faced tachometer, digital speedo, dual trip meter and clock
Indicator Lamps................Hazard warning lights operated by turn signal controls;
.................................................H igh beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals,
..................... engine diagnostics, low fuel warnings, low battery, security system6


Colour Options7

Vivid Black; Mirage Orange Pearl; Pewter Denim

Model Features

Styling and Ergonomics

• Styling and livery inspired by the legendary XR 750™ flat track racer
• Wide, black handlebars for dirt track looks and superb control
• Rear-set footrests for excellent cornering clearance
• Ergonomics designed around average height European male rider
• Standard passenger footrests
Powertrain, Intake and Exhaust

• Isolation-mounted high torque 1200cc Evolution® V-Twin engine finished in
silver powdercoat
• 5-speed transmission
• Downdraft Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) and electronically
controlled active intake system
Wheels, Brakes and Tyres

• Unique, lightweight cast wheels with flat track inspired 3-spoke design, finished
in black
• Powerful Nissin® dual front brakes with 4 piston calipers and 292mm patented
uniform expansion rotors
• Dunlop® Qualifier D209 tyres developed specifically for the XR 1200. 180mm
rear tyre.
• Sport-tuned Showa® suspension featuring 43mm inverted front forks
and pre-load adjustable twin rear shock absorbers
Other Features

• Aircraft style aluminium alloy fuel filler
• Harley-Davidson® hands free Smart Security System
Warranty

Warranty8......................................... ...................... 24 months (unlimited mileage)
Service Interval9......................................... .............. First 1,000 miles (1,600 km),
.................................................. ..............every 5,000 miles (8,000 km) thereafter

[starfox07]

I love that XR1200! The V-Rod is pretty trick too. Just expensive. I've heard they'll run with a 600cc sports bike in the 1/4 mile.

[Spectre]

Originally Posted by starfox07

I love that XR1200! The V-Rod is pretty trick too. Just expensive. I've heard they'll run with a 600cc sports bike in the 1/4 mile.

So, HD needs twice the displacement to go as fast? What?

The Night Rod is typical Harley cynical product design. If something isn't selling well, they'll take the chrome off, lower it a bit, paint it black, put "night" in front of the name and sell it for MORE than the original product. Despite the fact that it costs them less to make.

Nice, huh?

[Zuhaib]

Originally Posted by jetsetter

At the moment I'm liking the XR1200. Apparently Harley just registered/reserved the name in the U.S. so it seems that it may be coming soon.

*Specs and pics*

Yeah, but who would have thought that Harley would put out a bike in the EU market first before the US...
But that bike is going to be nice once it hits the US Market, and since its a 1200CC it might have some good MPGs.

[Blind_Io]

I've ridden with VRODs before and they are not that great. They are a bit more nimble than a typical Harley, but they are by no means fast. My 8 year old Magna dusts it in acceleration even though it's only about 3/4 the displacement. I like the traditional Harleys because they aren't trying to be something else. They are big and heavy and covered in chrome and I love them for it. The VROD is trying to compete with Japanese cruisers, but it costs more and delivers less. Harley should stick with what they are good at, those are the bikes I love.

Harley Davidson: Turning fuel into noise without the side effect of horsepower.

[thedguy]

Originally Posted by avanti

The v-rod line of Harley is great, no need for a jap engine!

If you want to actually make it to your destination and back home again it will

[nist7]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

I've ridden with VRODs before and they are not that great. They are a bit more nimble than a typical Harley, but they are by no means fast. My 8 year old Magna dusts it in acceleration even though it's only about 3/4 the displacement. I like the traditional Harleys because they aren't trying to be something else. They are big and heavy and covered in chrome and I love them for it. The VROD is trying to compete with Japanese cruisers, but it costs more and delivers less. Harley should stick with what they are good at, those are the bikes I love.

Harley Davidson: Turning fuel into noise without the side effect of horsepower.

aha!

So THAT'S why I've been sensing a certain disdain towards the these new VRSC bikes on a few other motor vehicle forums that I visit. It seems that this is either a love it or hate it thing. Some people love it but some hate it.

Interestingly, all VRSCs are made right here in the Kansas City plant, but I haven't seen that many cruisin' around here.

[fbc]

I can't say I'm really a fan of Harleys - but that looks stunning.

[smib]

My buddy has this bike, an '07. It's awesome, fast as hell, looks more badass than any bike I've seen. It has the same hp as my car, which makes me a bit sad for me but very happy for him. It sounds quite nice too, good note and loud without being deafening. He's already done a few thousand miles on it and says it's very comfortable, although with that huge rear tire turning takes some work. Apparently he gets about 40-50 mpg, but I would bet it's bit lower than that.

[Redliner]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

I've ridden with VRODs before and they are not that great. They are a bit more nimble than a typical Harley, but they are by no means fast. My 8 year old Magna dusts it in acceleration even though it's only about 3/4 the displacement. I like the traditional Harleys because they aren't trying to be something else. They are big and heavy and covered in chrome and I love them for it. The VROD is trying to compete with Japanese cruisers, but it costs more and delivers less. Harley should stick with what they are good at, those are the bikes I love.

Harley Davidson: Turning fuel into noise without the side effect of horsepower.

Very well put. I don't like Harleys, but I don't hate them either. I just hate when some people say to me "How on earth can you NOT like/want a Harley!?!". It is like you HAVE to LOOOOVE Harleys if you like motorcycles.