Suzuki - Vrod - What The

**scumdog** · 16th November 2006, 22:49

Originally Posted by Phoenix

any jappa has all that crap amongst people who like japanese bikes. Harley is a label just like Dolce Gabbana, gullible buy into labels or ones with little dicks

Nice troll dude but you forgot one thing:

There are two types of riders, those that ride a Harley and those that want to ride a Harley.

**Ixion** · 16th November 2006, 23:19

Incidentally, GM still produce an extensive range of OHV engines, from 2.2L 4 cylinders to a 6.2L V8 to be used in the 2007 Cadillac. Perhaps someone needs to tell them that cars havent had pushrods in since the 70's.

**limbimtimwim** · 17th November 2006, 05:08

Originally Posted by Big Dave

Indeed mr ixion - my pushrod motor with hydraulic valve adjustment has 8,000km service intervals with no adjustments between.

You are saying that you need to adjust the valves every 8000k? That's a lot. My and RVF and GSXR should have their valve shim adjustments every 24,000km. Or are you saying you change the oil every 8000km?

I read an article in the break room in some motorcycle rag about the next HD revision. I liked how they don't have a key, just the fob. Get near the bike, hey presto! The bike now works. Hate to think what happens when the battery goes flat in the fob though...

**limbimtimwim** · 17th November 2006, 05:14

Originally Posted by Ixion

Incidentally, GM still produce an extensive range of OHV engines, from 2.2L 4 cylinders to a 6.2L V8 to be used in the 2007 Cadillac. Perhaps someone needs to tell them that cars havent had pushrods in since the 70's.

Perhaps he ment 'no new engine' has had pushrods since the 70's?

But then, that would still be incorrect: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_LS_engine

**Big Dave** · 17th November 2006, 07:30

You are saying that you need to adjust the valves every 8000k?

No - they adjust themselves all the time.

That's a lot. My and RVF and GSXR should have their valve shim adjustments every 24,000km. Or are you saying you change the oil every 8000km?

Yes - the service intervals are 8,000km.

I read an article in the break room in some motorcycle rag about the next HD revision. I liked how they don't have a key, just the fob. Get near the bike, hey presto! The bike now works. Hate to think what happens when the battery goes flat in the fob though

They still have a key too - but it's a great system. Been on the last two test bikes I've had.

**Ixion** · 17th November 2006, 07:40

Originally Posted by limbimtimwim

Perhaps he ment 'no new engine' has had pushrods since the 70's?

But then, that would still be incorrect: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_LS_engine

Fark. 2.2 inch inlet valves, a 7000rpm redline and 7 litres displacement! Anyone still reckon y'have to have OHC. There's life in the pushrod yet.

And the noble spoke, too. The latter especially for Mr Hitcher.

**scumdog** · 17th November 2006, 09:05

Originally Posted by limbimtimwim

Hate to think what happens when the battery goes flat in the fob though...

Same thing that happens when your average Commodore/Falcon/Toyota fob has a flat battery...

**Cookie** · 17th November 2006, 09:23

I sat on an M109 at Big Boys Toys.

I was very supprised at how low the weight is and I can imagine adapting to something as sweet as that quite quickly.

All in the eye of the beholder of course but for someone who wants serious bling for less than the price of a v-rod, they offer a very nice option in my opinion.

**limbimtimwim** · 17th November 2006, 09:27

Originally Posted by scumdog

Same thing that happens when your average Commodore/Falcon/Toyota fob has a flat battery...

What's that? I have no idea.

What's a Commodore/Falcon/Toyota? I've never owned one.

**Big Dave** · 17th November 2006, 09:47

Originally Posted by limbimtimwim

What's that? I have no idea.

What's a Commodore/Falcon/Toyota? I've never owned one.

It doesn't work.

You just have to be smarter than the battery.

**s8306** · 17th November 2006, 09:58

Originally Posted by Phoenix

any jappa has all that crap amongst people who like japanese bikes. Harley is a label just like Dolce Gabbana, gullible buy into labels or ones with little dicks

You,re not the guy that goes on the triumph owners rides are you?

**limbimtimwim** · 17th November 2006, 10:00

[QUOTE=Cookie;827800]I sat on an M109 at Big Boys Toys.

I was very supprised at how low the weight is and I can imagine adapting to something as sweet as that quite quickly.[/QUPTE]They are very easy to ride. And they do actually go around corners. Much to my suprise.

All in the eye of the beholder of course but for someone who wants serious bling for less than the price of a v-rod, they offer a very nice option in my opinion.

'Cept the footpegs are in the wrong place.

Now.. A street rod.. That could be interesting. But the RRP is 8K more than a M109R.

**Big Dave** · 17th November 2006, 10:19

Originally Posted by Cookie

Now.. A street rod.. That could be interesting. But the RRP is 8K more than a M109R.

Value for money is a personal judgement call. You sure it's only 8 - whatever - $8k isn't a lot to some people - and 3 motorcycles or a years race budget to others.

The Street rod deserves to sell more than they do. (note to self - Never predict how a bike will sell in NZ again.)

Had this in Kiwi Rider when they were released April 05:

With Confidence: The Street Rod

You could tell that Robert L. Dennert (Platform Director for VRSC Motorcycles) and his team had real confidence in the ability of the new Harley-Davidson Street Rod, as evidenced by their choice of venues for its press release.

The team had assembled representatives of the region's motorcycle publications at Albury NSW, for a guided test-tour through the Australian Alps and high country.

They had planned a two-day run over Alpine roads and terrain remarkably similar to the best NZ conditions. (Only much shorter.)

The tight, twisty, magnificent riding in the high country over Mt Beauty and down to Bright would remind a Kiwi of the South Island’s finest, at least until the altitude where stands of Pine trees give way to the strong, pleasant smell of the Alpine Eucalypts and the various signs warning of crossing ‘Roos and Wombats become common.

They had chosen a route to bring out the best in bike and rider. An Aussie route that would yield results with relevance on this side of the Tasman. An international ‘mag-a-rattzi’ event, with difficult, winding mountain roads. For a new Harley! Real confidence indeed.

I was taken with the look of the bike from the moment we walked into the hanger at Albury Airport and saw 10 of them in a pristine row. From its nifty parallel-to-the-ground triple clamps to the look of the power plant and bobbed looking guard, I liked its muscular line.

We sat adjacent the multicoloured display for a quick presentation on the evolution of Street Rod from V-Rod. Mid-mount foot controls, 40 degree lean angle (V-rod 32deg), inverted forks with reduced rake, Brembo brakes, 5 more horsepower and 6ft lbs extra torque, larger fuel capacity, ‘two shot’ exhaust with improved ground clearance, new sports wheels, 100mm saddle height increase, flatter bars, increased mudguard clearance and several cosmetic variations were listed as changes from the older, cruiser version.

‘Mine’ was the orange one. When The Ed rang and told me I was off to the release in his stead, he also gave me the number to phone through my height and weight, so the bike’s suspension and ergos could be set for my arrival. The type of professionalism the Motor Co showed throughout the event – their careful planning gave me every opportunity to enjoy the bike – and I sure did.

Across the plains and into the foothills for the first photo stop gave an opportunity to get a feel for the mount. The flat bars and location of the foot pegs produce an upright, balanced riding position with neutral pressure on arms and a seat that produced no ache from 2 full days in the saddle. (Mainly on very twisty roads – no real long, straight bum killers)

The long wheel base, 1,697mm, and a dry weight of 280kgs mean that flicking the Street Rod around a pot hole or squished possum on the racing line is not simply a matter of wiggling a hip to change trajectories, it needs firm input, but the inherent stability as the bike tracks through corners, coupled with its very good ground clearance make it a delight to punt through the sweepers. Yes ‘Virginia’, good ground clearance. I touched hero pegs on tarmac only twice in 400 hard-out-Km. Possibly attributable to the way the Brembos so effectively wash off speed, or perhaps the solid frame that showed no sign of flex, maybe the modern upside down front forks, but more likely the fact that all these components combine to produce a well sorted, sweet handling, large motorcycle.

With 120 very usable ‘ponies’ and excellent torque from the fuel injected 1130cc Vee twin, plus the sweetest sounding exhaust note I’ve heard from a stock system, the Street Rod brings a big smile when you wind it on. The second generation ‘Revolution’ engine is a delight. It has a huge ‘sweet spot’ and the hum as it pulls effortlessly and smoothly from low revs is a joy. At 5-7,000rpm I was thinking ‘prillia’ as the Street Rod hammered and ‘torqued’ its way out of the tighter sections near the winter’s snowline.

The gearbox is also the best I’ve used on any Harley – smooth and direct with no sign of false neutral, yet with the ability to select true neutral even when stationary - with ease.

Final drive is by H-D’s now familiar belt system and the design of the VRSC range means that belts can be changed with minimum effort and ratios can be varied by altering the front pulley. H-D claim the belt provides smooth delivery, long life and virtually no noise. When pressed on the life expectancy ‘The Director’ would only offer that he had seen one last for ‘450,000 miles’, and some had been snapped by an errant rock not to far from the dealers on their first ride. The Street Rod has a significant enclosure to discourage the latter, and this fits well within the sexy swing-arm and overall style of the bike.

For a modern, liquid cooled motorcycle, the Street Rod has some lovely angles. It’s an attractive, stylish bike, well finished with top-notch H-D paint and chrome, as you would expect from a unit commanding a recommended retail price of $NZ35,200.

An overnight stay at the ‘Blue Duck’ near the slopes of Mt Kosciusco kindled thoughts of the Kiwi ‘Cardrona’ and the road that passes by. That southern man image led me to ponder how the Street Rod will suit NZ. Next day, riding back down the mountain – through thick fog and cold which could have been Arthur’s Pass on a bad day, I decided: Fabulously well suited to NZ - good onya mate.

The Street Rod is a rewarding sports motorcycle. It’s not for winning races, but none the less delivers a great sense of satisfaction from being ridden spiritedly through demanding situations – real satisfaction without the need to go to hyper speed. And in this age of increasing penalty, demerit points and chances of detection, I like that concept more and more each day.

The Street Rod is indeed a capable motorcycle for Kiwi conditions and will redefine most peoples concept of the way a Harley-Davidson performs.

With that in mind I pressed ‘The Director’ regarding what was next in the VRSC range when we returned to base. ‘Euro 6’ and the ‘Californication’ of emissions means that inefficient air-cooled, push-rod motors will not achieve compliance in many markets. He wouldn’t say what was to come next – other than there ‘Will definitely be more models based on the platform.’

The Cruiser is a few years old; this Sports model will be popular and is well suited to New Zealand; my guess is a Tourer. With hard luggage and big fairing.
Although ‘the Director’ steadfastly wouldn’t comment – I’m pretty confident…this time.