Harley-Davidson VRSC
This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2009) |
belt drive | |
Tires | Front: 120/70ZR-19 60W Rear: 240/40R-18 79V |
---|---|
Rake, trail | 34.0°, 5.6 in (140 mm) |
Wheelbase | 67 in (1,700 mm) |
Dimensions | L: 94.4 in (2,400 mm) |
Seat height | 27.1 in (690 mm) |
Weight | 619–677 lb (281–307 kg) (2001-2010)[2] (wet) |
Fuel capacity | 3.2 US gal (12 L; 2.7 imp gal) |
Fuel consumption | Highway: 40 mpg‑US (5.9 L/100 km; 48 mpg‑imp) City: 31 mpg‑US (7.6 L/100 km; 37 mpg‑imp)[5] |
The Harley-Davidson VRSC (V-twin racing street custom), or V-Rod, is a line of
Overview
The VRSC was introduced in 2001 in a single model called the V-Rod aiming to compete against Japanese and American muscle bikes. The V-Rod's Revolution engine was developed for road use by Porsche Engineering with the aid of a few Harley-Davidson engineers[6][7][8] from Harley-Davidson's VR1000 V-twin racing bike engine.[9]
A derivative of the Revolution engine called the Revolution X was later used on the entry-level Harley-Davidson Street, first released in 2014.
Unlike other Harley-Davidson production motorcycles, the VRSC's radiator and the
Public reception
Motorcycle Cruiser wrote "The V-Rod was intended to bring in more than the usual suspects, and it did. It became the company's best-selling bike in other countries. In America, V-Rod buyers often came from other brands, attracted by its modern engine, excellent performance and not-the-usual-cruiser style".[5]
Models
VRSCA V-Rod
Model years: 2002–2006. The original V-Rod had a 1,131 cc (69.0 cu in) Revolution Engine, producing a claimed 115 hp (86 kW) at the crank.[citation needed] The V-Rod had 49 mm forks and a 180 mm rear tire, with solid disc wheels. The VRSCAs were all factory equipped with 3.7 US gal (14 L; 3.1 imp gal) fuel tanks. In 2006 the VRSCA was equipped with Brembo brakes. The VRSCA was only offered with forward controls. 2003 models were included in the 100th anniversary edition.
VRSCB V-Rod
Model years: 2004–2005. The VRSCB V-Rod had a two-year run. It was mechanically identical to the VRSCA, with cosmetic differences including a black frame, polished aluminum and black powder-coated engine, and a slightly different clamshell, instrument housing and handlebars. The VRSCB was only offered with forward controls.
VRSCR Street Rod
Model years: 2006–2007. The Street Rod was marketed as the “roadster-inspired” member of the VRSC line. The Street Rod was the first VRSC to use inverted forks (made by
VRSCD Night Rod
Model years: 2006–2008. The Night Rod was introduced in 2006 as the “new hot rod-inspired motorcycle” built around the Revolution engine. The Night Rod has mid controls similar to the 2006 Street Rod. These are the only two V-Rod models with mid controls (Rear sets). Straight-shot mufflers helped the Revolution Engine to produce a claimed 120 hp (89 kW) at the crank. The Night Rod had a black frame, black and chrome engine, Brembo brakes, slotted aluminum disk wheels, and a color-matched fairing. In 2008 the VRSCD Night Rod's Revolution was increased from 1,131 to 1,247 cc (69.0 to 76.1 cu in), producing a claimed 85 lbf⋅ft (115 N⋅m) @ 7,000 rpm, and peak power of 125 hp (93 kW) at the crank,[citation needed] a slipper clutch was also added, as was an ABS option. For the 2008 model year, the VRSCD was the only remaining VRSC model to still have a 180 mm rear tire or mid-pegs. 2008 was also the final year of production for the VRSCD Night Rod.
VRSCAW V-Rod
Model years: 2007–2010. The VRSCAW V-Rod is the successor to the VRSCA. First Produced in 2007, it is essentially a VRSCA with a new frame to accommodate the 240 mm rear tire and five gallon gas tank that came standard. The aluminum bodywork of the VRSCA was used in a few early-production VRSCAW models, but was later dropped. With these changes the VRSCAW is a claimed 37 lb (17 kg) heavier than its predecessor. For the first production year the power-plant remained an unchanged 1,130 cc (69 cu in) Revolution engine. The VRSCAW was only offered with forward controls. The combination of increased weight, and a 240 mm rear tire with no power increase made the 2007 VRSCAW the slowest production VRSC produced
In 2008 the VRSCAW V-Rod's Revolution was increased from 1,131 cc to 1,247 cc (76.1 cu in), producing a claimed 84 lbf⋅ft (114 N⋅m) @ 7,000 rpm, and peak power of 123 hp (92 kW) at the crankshaft,[
VRSCDX Night Rod Special
Model years: 2007–2017.
The VRSCDX is marketed as the factory made custom version of the standard Night Rod and is also part of Harley-Davidson's "Dark Custom" series. In addition to a 240 mm wide rear tire, most of the chrome components of the VRSCD were replaced with black. The wheels were replaced by black slotted disk wheels, with dark orange pin striping. The Straight shot
VRSCF V-Rod Muscle
Model years: 2009–2017. The V-Rod Muscle was introduced in the summer of 2008 at the Harley-Davidson dealer show in
Claimed peak crank horsepower was slightly lower than the Night Rod Special, at 122 hp (91 kW) at 500 rpm lower engine speed.[citation needed]
VRSCSE Screamin' Eagle CVO V-Rod
Model years: 2005. In 2005 Harley-Davidson's Custom Vehicle Operations produced their first V-Rod. They did not make very many of these. The dimensions were identical to the VRSCA at the time, but the VRSCSE had extra chrome, custom paint, and not the typical "clamshell" found on other VRSC models. The VRSCSE had a 1,247 cc Revolution Engine, with CNC ported heads.
VRSCSE2 Screamin' Eagle CVO V-Rod
Model years: 2006. The VRSCSE2 was the first V-Rod or VRSC model with a 240 mm rear tire. It also used the Screamin' Eagle 1,247 cc Revolution Engine.
VRSCX V-Rod
Model years: 2007. Harley-Davidson put out the VRSCX as a Screamin' Eagle Tribute bike during the Harley-Davidson V-Rod's second consecutive NHRA Championship. The VRSCX had the same dimensions as the 2007 VRSCAW, featuring the 240 mm rear tire, 5 gallon gas tank, and forward controls. However, the VRSCX also had paintwork similar to the pro stock V-Rod, a smoked drag-visor windshield, as well as the 1,247 cc Screamin' Eagle Revolution Engine. 1400 were built.
VRXSE V-Rod "Destroyer"
In 2006 Harley-Davidson introduced a non-street legal eight-second drag bike nicknamed "the Destroyer". Its Revolution engine had a longer-stroke crankshaft and increased bore, high compression forged pistons, larger valves, larger throttle bodies, dyno tuned velocity stacks, and high lift cams. Race-only drivetrain changes included a lightened flywheel, multi-stage lock-up clutch, pneumatic shifter, and programmable shift light. A total of 646 vehicles were produced with 625 released to dealer showrooms. The Destroyer inspired the four-time world champion NHRA Pro Stock motorcycle Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines V-Rod. The Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines V-Rod ran 6.815 seconds and went nearly 200 mph in the quarter-mile.[4]
The Revolution engine
The Revolution engine was developed by
Harley-Davidson engineer Mark Miller created the VR-1000 engine with design input from
Harley-Davidson had collaborated with Porsche before, in the Nova project of the 1970s, which, like the V-Rod, was a radical departure from Harley-Davidson's traditional lineup. Nova was cancelled in 1981, in favor of the
The Revolution engine is a liquid-cooled, double overhead camshaft, four valve per cylinder, electronic fuel injected, internally counterbalanced 60 degree V-twin engine with a displacement of 1,131 cc (69.0 cu in), producing a claimed 115 horsepower (86 kW) at 8,250 rpm at the crankshaft, with a redline of 9,000 rpm.[15][16] It was introduced for the new V-Rod line in 2001 for the 2002 model year, starting with the single VRSCA (V-Twin Racing Street Custom) model.[17]
A 1,247 cc (76.1 cu in) Screamin' Eagle version of the Revolution engine was made available for 2005, and was present thereafter in a single production model from 2005 to 2007. In 2008, the 1,247 cc Revolution Engine became standard for the entire VRSC line. Harley-Davidson claims 123 horsepower (92 kW)[citation needed] at the crankshaft for the 2008 VRSCAW model. The VRXSE Destroyer is equipped with a stroker[clarification needed] (75 mm crank throw) Screamin' Eagle 1,300 cc (79 cu in) Revolution Engine, producing over 165 horsepower (123 kW).[citation needed]
The V-Rod engine was used in the Campagna V13R, and Campagna T-Rex from around 2008 to 2013.[18] There is an agreement to sell the engines to the company for use in the motorized trike. Then in 2013 the company changed the engine in the T-Rex to BMW's K1600 but still uses the V-Rod engine in the V13R.[18]
References
- ^ Smith, Jerry (May–June 2017), "SMART MONEY MUSCLE BIKES", Motorcyclist, pp. 106–107
- ^ a b c d "Performance Index Winter '12/'13 Edition" (PDF), Motorcycle Consumer News, Bowtie Magazines, January 2013, archived from the original (PDF) on December 29, 2016, retrieved November 30, 2016
- ^ a b "Harley-Davidson Street Rod (2005-2012) Review". Motor Cycle News. November 24, 2006. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
- ^ a b Lieback, Ron (July 7, 2012). "Harley-Davidson V-Rod Turns 10 - Overview". Ultimate Motorcycling. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Road Test: 2006 Harley-Davidson VRSCR Street Rod Motorcycle". Motorcycle Cruiser. February 24, 2009. Retrieved September 10, 2017.
- ^ a b "Harley-Davidson V-Rod". Porsche. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
- ^ AutoWeek
- ^ a b Anderson, Steve (April 14, 2018), "A Peek Inside The V-Rod; An American classic, with some help from Stuttgart", Cycle World
- ^ Branch, Ben. "The Rare Harley-Davidson VR1000". Silodrome. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
- Car & Driver. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
- ^ "Press Release: Harley-Davidson Launches New V-Rod Muscle Ad Campaign with Marisa Miller". 2008-10-08. Retrieved 2012-01-20.
- ^ Branch, Ben. "The Rare Harley-Davidson VR1000". Silodrome. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
- ^ Cormier, Jason (2016-03-21). "Harley-Davidson VR1000 - God's Own Voice". Odd Bike. Archived from the original on 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2023-03-06.
HD designer Mark Miller was tasked with developing the engine around Buell's blueprints. Engineering input was sought from Cosworth and Jerry Branch from Branch Flowmetrics
- ^ Moy, Jim (15 July 2011). "Harley-Davidson's Roads Not Taken". Motorcyclist. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
- ^ "First Ride: 2002 Harley-Davidson VRSCA V-Rod". motorcycle.com. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
- ^ "Harley-davidson v-rod - jeckyl or hyde!". Motorbikes Today. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
- ^ "Harley-Davidson Company History Timeline 2000". Harley-Davidson Motor Company Website. Archived from the original on 2007-12-24. Retrieved 2007-12-14.
- ^ a b Chung, Dennis (June 7, 2016). "Campagna T-Rex 16S and V13R First Impressions". Motorcycle.com. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
External links
- Media related to Harley-Davidson V-Rod at Wikimedia Commons