Harley-Davidson VRSCF V-Rod Muscle 2015 — Specifications

Imagine a V-Rod that had spent the winter lifting scrap metal and swallowing steroids. That’s exactly what Harley-Davidson did when it released the VRSCF V-Rod Muscle. This is far from a refined custom; everything here is about volume and raw attitude. The engine, a 60° V developed with Porsche, has its displacement pushed to 1246 cm3 to deliver 123 horsepower at 8000 rpm. A figure that makes purists of the twin cruiser wince, but which places this Harley in a radically different power curve. Torque, however, is present but less overwhelming than a Big Twin, with 114.7 Nm arriving high in the rev range. You have to make it sing to extract its substantial marrow, a more sporty philosophy than usual from the Milwaukee giant.

Visually, this Harley-Davidson VRSCF V-Rod Muscle asserts its arguments without nuance. The 240 mm wide rear tire seems to have swallowed half the road, and the massive intake vents on the tank give it the look of a dragster ready to launch. The picture is completed by an inverted 43 mm fork and a dual 300 mm disc braking system at the front, serious equipment that confirms the dynamic intention. But all this muscle comes at a price on the scale: 307 kg fully fueled. A weight that is felt when stationary and in slow maneuvers, and which seriously tempers the agility promised by its race beast look.

On the road, the experience is unique, straddling the line between custom and muscle bike. The position is committed, the handlebars are close, and the engine delivers its power with a linear vehemence that firmly pushes it to its limit. The five-speed gearbox and belt drive ensure smooth propulsion. However, compared to a Japanese competitor like a Suzuki M109R, which is more powerful and more torquey at low rpm, the V-Rod Muscle requires more effort on the gear lever and proves less instinctive in sudden bursts of acceleration. It’s also not a friend of long journeys, with an 18.9-liter tank and a 705 mm seat that can become uncomfortable after a few hours.

So, who is this machine for? Certainly not for the beginner, intimidated by its weight and nervous power. It targets the experienced rider seeking an extreme personality, one who wants a custom without compromise on pure performance and who embraces its Mad Max look. At nearly 18,500 euros new, it represented a significant investment for a very specialized motorcycle, as radical in its qualities as in its defects. It was the Harley that dared to shake up the codes, a bold proposition that marked the V-Rod range with its untamable character and unforgettable silhouette.