I understand the vrod line sells better in Europe than here in America. Why haven't they become more popular here?

 

Its hard to pin point any one reason, just a couple of observations. The V Rods cost thousands more than metric cruisers. To someone just looking for a cruiser, this makes a big difference.
Hard core Harley riders shy away from them for the most part, some like them but will not buy one over more traditional Harleys. The metric cruisers offer the same if not more performance.
And last, alot of buyers tend to shy away from Harley dealerships while out shopping for bikes.

 

Really? Show me one.

Your going to have to rephrase that one, I'm sure what you meant is that with an additional 700 to 1000 cc's that metric cruisers can compete. You cannot compare the two and say they offer the same

 

Look at any test, the top speeds are even the 1/4 mile times are even. Maybe the V Rod wins here then the metric wins somewhere else. Im not saying they are better, just that when someone is looking for a cruiser, they dont care who wins by 1 or 2 MPH, at speeds they will probably never see. They only care that they are saving 3-4 thousand dollars and getting a bike that will do the same thing. If you look at the 109, VTX, and the star I will admit I like the V Rod much better.
But I will also say that there are areas of each bike that I do like and dislike.

 

Harley has been known for generations in the US - it has a certain look, a certain feel and a distinct sound. The V-Rod doesn't look, feel or sound like the traditional Harley. I can't tell you how many times I've heard from the other riders - "Oh, that's not a real Harley anyway" I love the power of the bike and last time I checked my gas tank had a "Harley Davidson" on it. Wait, it's not a gas tank - it's an airbox cover...

Lisa

 

I've got mine sounding like a Harley... when idleing (a little fast) or putsing around at low rpms... once you let it rip though, it's more like NASCAR...

 

Well, obviously you're an idiot and you missed that the V-Rod, with it's mere 1130cc is being compared to the M109, VTX and V-Star---all of which need about 700 cc's to be considered LIKE I SAID IN MY FIRST POST. You can't compare performance between the two sides so blindly. It's like comparing a F-16 and the Concorde, both are supersonic but one needs a hell of a lot more to get it there. You cannot compare the performance on the same scale.

 

For whatever its worth my husband was considering a Street Rod but found a Triumph Speed Triple Se Edition for the same price. I can't argue with his decision since the Triple is an all around superior bike. The 1050cc Triple is just as fast as a rod and the SE Edition comes with certain accesories like the Arrow exhaust. It is way more flickable than a rod and at least as fast.
I love the Night Rod myself but i also love my Nightster and Vulcan Mean Streak (modified) and dont have the money to spare for a third bike right now.

 

Speaking of idiots, you missed the point. The question concerned V Rod sales and why they are not better. I simply answered the question by a fact. I never compared motor size. I compared cruisers and thats it. I fully understand that point, but most of the buyers dont care, they only care that they are getting something they like that has fair performance and cost thousands less. If they cared about performance, they would be buying a crotch rocket.
Dont take this so seriously, im only answerering the question, im not knocking the V Rod at all.
I think they are one of the best out there.

 

I just came back from Bike Week in Daytona and there werebad azzV-Rods all over the place! I was blown away by some of the custom Rods. Like any Harley, throw a set of aftermarket pipes on them and listen to em roar!

You should log onto the V-Rod forum sometime. There are just as many active members there as their are here but it's only for V-Rods.

Here at the local bike night we have a few V-Rods that always have a crowd around them.

People either like them or they dont. That's why the MoCo makes a wide variety of bikes. There's one out there for everybody!
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