Harley-Davidson VRSCAW V-Rod 2010 — Specifications

Is it really reasonable to entrust the soul of a Harley to German engineers? Yet, that’s the crazy gamble Milwaukee took in the early 2000s with the V-Rod, a machine that shook the sacred tradition like never before. In 2010, this AW version almost closes a decade of existence for this revolutionary custom, in the truest sense. Its engine, a 1250 cm3 V2 called "Revolution," is a co-signed work by Porsche. Liquid-cooled, with dual ACT and 4 valves, it delivers 121 horsepower at 8500 rpm and a torque of 115 Nm. Figures that make the good old Softail pushrod twin pale, and that propel this dragster on asphalt to over 210 km/h. The mechanics scream where its sisters rumble, a foreign but diabolically effective sound.

Visually, the V-Rod AW fully embraces its status as a UFO. It is long, low, with an aggressive posture that evokes more the Pomona drag strip than the roads of the Dakota. The brushed aluminum faux tank, the massive engine as a centerpiece, and this monstrous rear wheel shod with a 240-width tire give it an incomparable stage presence. At a standstill, it fascinates. In motion, with its perimeter frame and wheelbase of 1715 mm, it imposes a very particular geometry. The announced weight of 304 kg fully fueled is felt at low speed, but once launched, the beast disciplines itself.

On the road, the magic works, but with concessions. The suspension, a 49 mm fork and a adjustable preload mono-shock, is firm, designed for stability at high speed more than for comfort on cobblestones. The ground clearance of 160 mm seriously limits the rake, recalling that this custom is made for straight lines and widely drawn curves. The brakes, two 300 mm discs at the front, have good bite, but must manage a significant mass. The 18.9-liter tank, hidden under the seat, offers modest range for such a sensation-hungry machine.

Who is made for this Harley-Davidson V-Rod? Certainly not the traditional touring rider or the beginner intimidated by its size. It is a motorcycle for the aesthete who assumes the provocation, for the one who wants a custom with exotic mechanics and real performance, far from the standards of the brand. At over 18,000 euros at the time, it was an expensive statement. Faced with a Yamaha V-Max of the era or a Ducati Diavel that will point its nose shortly after, the V-Rod defends its territory with an unmatched visual identity and this unique engine, the result of an unlikely alliance. It remains, in the history of Harley-Davidson, proof that even institutions can have a moment of madness. A beautiful, roaring, and chrome madness.