Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special 2011 — Specifications

Does a Harley-Davidson have to be limited to the pavement of boulevards? With the 2011 VRSCDX Night Rod Special, Milwaukee answered with a deafening V-Twin. This is far from the cliché of a sluggish custom. Here, the 1250 cm3 Revolution engine, a double overhead cam V2, delivers 123 horsepower at 8500 rpm and a square torque of 115 Nm. These figures, combined with a weight of 307 kg in running order, seriously encroach on the territory of Japanese or European power cruisers. It displays a top speed of 210 km/h, a promise of fury that is nothing like an urban legend.

The philosophy is clear: everything must serve the aesthetics of brute force and the sensation of power. The blacked-out hydroformed steel perimeter frame serves as a setting for a completely black engine, while the 34-degree inclined fork and the monumental 240 mm wide rear tire draw an aggressive, almost reptilian profile. The 690 mm seat installs you in a dragster position, with advanced controls, a wide and low handlebar. It is a theatrical posture, demanding on the back over long distances, but which transforms you into a tank driver once underway. The finish is a stylistic exercise in shades of black, from matte Black Denim to glossy Vivid Black, enhanced with racing stripes. A fascinating detail? The 18.9 liter tank is located under the seat, freeing up the traditional upper tank for an even more streamlined and tapered line.

On the road, the beast confirms its temperament. The free-revving engine is nothing like the traditional Harley locomotive; it cheerfully climbs in the rev range and propels the mass with a dull determination. The braking, entrusted to Brembo four-piston calipers on the three discs, is up to the fury, offering a rare bite in the category. On the other hand, with a wheelbase of 1715 mm and a ground clearance of 140 mm, it devours straight lines much better than it sculpts tight corners. The suspension, rather firm, prioritizes stability at high speeds over soft comfort. This is the price to pay to tame this kind of animal.

Who is it for? Certainly not for novices or touring riders seeking gentleness. The Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special is a desire object for the enthusiast who wants a custom with superbike looks, an unequivocal mechanical statement. Its new price, hovering around 18,000 euros at the time, made it an exclusive offering. Today, searching for a used Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special can be a masterstroke to acquire a unique piece, a UFO in the Harley galaxy, which has managed to combine the shadow of its style with flashes of authentic performance. It is a motorcycle that does not ask to be loved, but to be respected.