Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle 2017 — Specifications

When Harley-Davidson decides to paint a motorcycle in the colors of the Patrouille de France, one might expect an easy communication exercise, a blue-white-red paint job on a tank and a few stickers. That's not what happened here. The Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle chosen to bear the insignias of the 60th anniversary of the famous aerial patrol is not just any model in the Milwaukee manufacturer's lineup. It is precisely the machine that, among all the models in the catalog, could claim this rapprochement without seeming ridiculous.

Because the V-Rod Muscle has never been a Harley like the others. Developed in collaboration with Porsche Engineering, it features a 1250 cm³ liquid-cooled V-twin engine, a heresy for purists of the brand, a revelation for those seeking something other than a lazy custom. The Revolution engine develops 125 horsepower at 8250 rpm and 118 Nm of torque at 6750 rpm. These figures speak for themselves: we are very far from the dormant mechanics that some associate with the American myth. The six-speed gearbox and belt drive contribute to a crisp, almost sporty, revving range that fully justifies the comparison with a fighter jet.

The rest of the technical specifications of the Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle confirm this positioning. 49 mm diameter telescopic fork, 102 mm of travel at both ends, disc brakes with a four-piston caliper at the front. The machine weighs 307 kg fully fueled, which doesn't make it light, but the 650 mm high seat and the 1702 mm wheelbase give it high-speed stability that its 210 km/h top speed doesn't make theoretical. Faced with a Ducati Diavel or a Yamaha VMAX, it defends itself on the terrain of muscle and visual presence, less on that of agility in curves. This is the compromise that the Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle chose to embrace from its inception.

This edition, produced in a single example, toured France during the celebrations of the brand's 110th anniversary before completing its journey with a concrete gesture. The side of the tank bears a paint job depicting an Alpha Jet alongside the commemorative logo, on a blue background reminiscent of the sky over Salon-de-Provence. The rapprochement between the two machines is not only about aesthetics: crisp acceleration, concentrated power, a silhouette that breaks with conventions. The Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle has always had this concept-bike feel, light-years away from the Fat Boy or Softail.

Auctioned off to benefit the Solidarité Défense and Tout le monde chante contre le cancer associations, this motorcycle goes beyond a simple collector's item. The Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle's standard price is around 25,500 euros for the 2013 version; the value of this unique example now depends on the generosity of the bidders as much as on the market price. For fans of Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle custom motorcycles, production models remain accessible and offer correct reliability, provided you accept a consumption of 6.4 liters per 100 km. This is not the motorcycle for a beginner, nor for a touring rider in search of comfort. It is a machine for those who want character, available torque, and a silhouette that turns heads without borrowing the same codes as the rest of the range.