Walking into any Harley dealership is an awesome experience. This brand has such a rich history that you know there is a story behind each and every motorcycle.
It must have been two or three years ago that I first spotted the Harley-Davidson V-Rod.
It stood out with its long, low and slender profile, silvery paint from tip to tail and an eye-catching aluminium solid front wheel. It was super masculine.
The tradition-busting V-Rod first rolled into the Harley lineup 10 years ago - a decade! So, in honour of this outstanding machine, Harley has created a 10th anniversary edition V-Rod as part of the company's 2012 model line-up. The edition joins the Night Rod Special and Muscle. Harley-Davidson has offered the 2012 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special with several updates.
These include a new tapered tail section, inverted forks (as introduced on the V-Rod Muscle), repositioned foot pegs (also moved closer to the seat) and new five-spoke cast aluminium wheels.There are new pullback handlebars (which are closer to the rider and, if you feel they aren't you can always have them adjusted to suit you) and improved ergonomics.
Riding it was a thrill, as I've always been a fan of this particular one.
It's a damn good looking bike and it's comfortable - the seat height provides a solid seating position and, because the handlebars and footpegs have been drawn closer, the overall sensation is of a more compact rider triangle.
The Harley V-Rod Night Rod Special is powered by the latest version of the Revolution engine, a 1250cc liquid-cooled V-Twin with dual overhead camshafts, four-valve cylinder heads and Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection.
The powertrain is equipped with an assist and slip clutch, five-speed transmission and high-performance carbon-fibre drive belt.
In addition, like all V-Rod models in the range, the 2012 Harley V-Rod Night Rod Special carries a V-Rod 10th anniversary badge.
Harley intends to manufacture this bike for only a year only, with a retail price of R189000.
The Specs:
Engine: 1250cc liquid-cooled
Power: 91kW at 8250rpm
Torque: 111Nm at 7250rpm
Fuel capacity: 18.9 litres
Price: R189000
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