Thinking about buying a Harley-Davison V-Rod Muscle

[sportsmedjosh]

So I've been really debating buying a motorcycle since I moved to Texas since the weather is nicer compared to Rhode Island. I'm not a big fan on crotch rockets due to the riding style and really only have to go to my Lab which is 5 miles from where I live.

I'm not pretty ignorant when it comes to bikes but I do have two questions about having a motorcycle that is water cooled and has ABS brakes.

From my understanding Porsche helped design the V-Rod as well.

 

[hdroadglide]

and your questions are????

 

[sportsmedjosh]

How practical is having a water-cooled bike and a bike with ABS brakes. From my understanding this is not standard equipment.

 

[hdroadglide]

water cooled will be the norm very soon. harley is kind of the last to jump on the bandwagon. but you can do more with a watercooled engine with lower emissions.
abs is the only way to go. had mine for a year now and wouldn't buy another bike without them for street riding. you don't get the pulsation like you can in a car, and the ability to not lock up the brakes is a godsend.
and yes, porche did help with the early designs

 

[sportsmedjosh]

Bob any pictures of your bike?

 

[hdroadglide]

couple in my album. it's a touring bike however.

 

[sportsmedjosh]

Next question, how easy is it to smoke a cigar while riding a bike?

 

[lafayettelauren]

Next question, how easy is it to smoke a cigar while riding a bike?

Without a windshield you can forget about it at highway speeds but it's not bad putting around town.

 

[reliefdvm]

In the Texas summer you want watercooled. get stuck in traffic on a 100 degree day and you will be amazed how fast the air cooled motor overheats (you can tell by the pinging).

As far as ABS they have been standard on BMW motorcycles since 1994. The only complaint I have heard is on the multipurpose bikes when on the dirt.

I Graduated from A&M and have driven BMW motorcycles since the late 80's. my present ride is a 97 with 125K miles on it. As far as the cigar - I don't know, it will depend on how good your windshield is at blocking out he wind. It's probably about as easy as using the cell phone - the police can tell a cell phone user crash because the front tire makes a j shaped skid mark because of one hand on the bars.

Have you had a "deathburger" at the chicken oil company yet?

 

[hdroadglide]

gotta have a tall windshield and a thick wrapper. forget fuentes!!!

 

[sportsmedjosh]

In the Texas summer you want watercooled. get stuck in traffic on a 100 degree day and you will be amazed how fast the air cooled motor overheats (you can tell by the pinging).

As far as ABS they have been standard on BMW motorcycles since 1994. The only complaint I have heard is on the multipurpose bikes when on the dirt.

I Graduated from A&M and have driven BMW motorcycles since the late 80's. my present ride is a 97 with 125K miles on it. As far as the cigar - I don't know, it will depend on how good your windshield is at blocking out he wind. It's probably about as easy as using the cell phone - the police can tell a cell phone user crash because the front tire makes a j shaped skid mark because of one hand on the bars.

Have you had a "deathburger" at the chicken oil company yet?

I haven't looked into BMW bikes that much even though I'm a avid bmw car enthusiast. I'm thinking of fixing my BMW E36 325i and buying a bike or going to try getting into an E46 M3 and foregoing the bike.

I have had a death burger and I love it. I also enjoy a nice koppe bridge burger as well.

 

[dartfrog]

I test rode a V-rod and I find the ergos well a little peculiar to say the least. There will be a nice weekend where you may want to take a longer ride.
The water cooling and the panniers, std on a RIII Touring will be handy for the commute. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0J7SxEHkOw8"]YouTube- 2008 Triumph Rocket III Touring onboard 1[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCEksoPHSkA"]YouTube- Triumph Rocket III Touring[/ame]
When it's time for this 50yr old to take to a cruiser I will opt for a Triumph Rocket III. In the meantime I will enjoy my Ducati MTS

Ride safe and Merry Christmas.

 

[sportsmedjosh]

Tons of good info guys!

 

[dpmrpa]

If I am going somewhere that is hot or known for traffic jams, I ride my water cooled bike. The HD road King that I have is for open road riding. I rode the HD in a parade twice. I didn't learn the first time or I must love my crotch on fire. V rod is a great bike for getting around town. Think about what you will be doing with the bike. I am not sure that it is so comfortable for long distance. I test road one several years ago at the americade. Man that bike is powerful!! Enjoy whatever u pick.

 

[threebean]

Water cooled is the way to go, especially if you're riding in Texas in the summer.

A friend bought a brand new NightRod, which is a blacked out V-Rod. Very sharp. One the negative side he had some annoying warranty issues with the stock exhaust system, something inside the muffler kept failing and rattling, dealership replaced it twice. He also said it is not a bike you'd want to routinely ride for more than an hour or two a day.

On the plus side, gobs of power, and a chick magnet. He's single, so that's important to him. I would probably look a little desperate on one.:nodlaugh:

 

[Smokey550i]

Here's my commuter ... Suk C109R (VLR1800). The Corbin bags were EXTRA.

 

[rabbgp]

Is this your first bike? If so, probably don't want to start with a bike as powerful as the V-Rod. If you have experience on bikes and you don't think you will be doing a lot of touring, then the V-rod is a great choice.

And Smokey that is a great looking bike. The Corbin bags are very classy!

 

[sportsmedjosh]

Yeah it would be my first bike.

 

[Jfire]

Yep vrod prob not so good as a first bike. Go to a dealer and ride slot of models to see what fits you.

 

[sportsmedjosh]

Would you guys suggest staying away from Harley as a first bike?