Harley-Davidson VRSC

Harley-Davidson VRSC

Manufacturer	Harley-Davidson
Also called	V-Rod
Production	2002–Present
Engine	76.3 cu in (1250 cc) water-cooled V-Twin
Torque	Template:Auto lbft @ 7000 rpm
Wheelbase	Template:In to mm
Dimensions	L: Template:In to mm
Fuel capacity	5.0 gal US (18.9 L)

The VRSC (V-Twin Racing Street Custom) family was introduced in 2001 in a single model called the V-Rod. The V-Rod was developed as Harley-Davidson first "Power Cruiser", designed to compete against Japanese and American muscle bikes. The "V-Rod" made use of the Revolution engine, developed jointly with Porsche that, for the first time in Harley history, incorporates fuel injection, overhead cams, and liquid cooling. The V-Rod is visually distinctive, easily identified by the 60-degree V-Twin engine, the radiator and the hydroformed frame members that support the round-topped air cleaner cover. Loosely based on the VR-1000 superbike, it continues to be a platform around which Harley-Davidson builds drag-racing competition machines. The V-Rod has gathered an enthusiastic following in the U.S., Europe and Australia, and an annual Rally at the Kansas City production facility has been organized by Max Millender and the members of a 21,000+ member strong internet discussion forum www.1130cc.com. Bill Davidson has presented Mr Millender with a signed airbox cover to recognize the contribution the forum has made to the VRSC platform which continues to evolve with models like the Night Rod Special (VRSCDX).

In 2008, Harley added anti-lock braking systems as a factory installed option on all VRSC models. Harley also increased the displacement of the stock engine from 1130cc (69ci) to 1250cc (76.3ci), which had only been previously available from Screamin' Eagle, and added a slipper clutch as standard equipment.

VRSC Models

VRSCA V-Rod

2002-2006 This was the original V-Rod. For the first two years of production it was only available anodized aluminum, paint became available for the 2004 year model. The First V-Rod was equipped the 69.0 in.³ Revolution Engine, producing a claimed 115 hp (86 kW) at the crank. The V-Rod featured 49 mm forks and a 180 mm rear tire, with solid disc wheels. The VRSCAs were all factory equipped with 3.7 gallon gas tanks. In 2006 the VRSCA was equipped with Brembo Brakes. The VRSCA was only offered with forward controls.

VRSCAW V-Rod

2007-2008: The VRSCAW V-Rod is the successor to the VRSCA. Produced in 2007, it is a VRSCA with a new frame, to accommodate a 240 mm rear tire and five gallon gas tank. The aluminum bodywork of the VRSCA never made it onto the AW. With these changes the VRSCAW is an additional 37pounds heavier than its predecessor. For the production year the power-plant remained unchanged. The VRSCAW is only offered with forward controls.

In 2008 the VRSCAW V-Rod's Revolution was boosted from 1130cc (69ci) to 1250cc (76ci), producing a claimed 84 ft⋅lbf (114 N⋅m). @ 7000 rpm, and peak horsepower of 123 at the crank, a slipper-clutch was also added, as was an ABS option.

VRSCB V-Rod

2004-2005: The VRSCB V-Rod had limited two year run. It was mechanically identical to the VRSCA, the cosmetic differences included a black frame, chrome and black powder-coated engine, and a slightly different clamshell, instrument housing and handlebars. The VRSCB was only offered with forward controls.

VRSCD Night Rod

2006-2008: The Night Rod was introduced in 2006 as the “new hot rod-inspired motorcycle” built around the Revolution engine. The Night Rod featured Mid-mount controls, supplemented by highway-pegs. Straight-shot mufflers, helping the Revolution Engine to produce a claimed 120 hp (89 kW) at the crank. The Night Rod featured a black frame, black and chrome engine, Brembo Brakes, slotted aluminum disk wheels, and a color matched fairing.

In 2008 the VRSCD Night Rod's Revolution was boosted from 1130cc (69ci) to 1250cc (76ci), producing a claimed 85 ft⋅lbf (115 N⋅m). @ 7000 rpm, and peak horsepower of 125 at the crank, a slipper-clutch was also added, as was an ABS option. For the 2008 model year, the VRSCD was the only ramaining VRSC model to still feature a 180 mm rear tire or mid-pegs.

VRSCDX Night Rod Special

2007-2008: The VRSCDX is marketed as the factory made custom version of the standard Night Rod. In addition to a 240 mm rear wheel, most of the chrome components of the VRSCD were replaced with black. The wheels were replaced by black slotted disk wheels, with red pin stripping. The Straight shot dual exhaust produced a claimed 120 hp (89 kW) at the crank. A 5 gallon tank was standard. The DX also features prominent racing strips.

In 2008 the VRSCDX Night Rod Special's Revolution was boosted from 1130cc (69ci) to 1250cc (76ci), producing a claimed 85 ft⋅lbf (115 N⋅m). @ 7000 rpm, and peak horsepower of 125 at the crank, a slipper-clutch was also added, as was an ABS option.

VRSCSE: Screamin' Eagle CVO V-Rod

2005: In 2005 Harley Davidson's Custom Vehicle Operations produced their first V-Rod. The dimensions were identical to the VRSCA at the time, but the VRSCSE featured extra chrome, custom paint, and not the typical "clamshell" found on other VRSC models. Mechanically the VRSCSE was boosted by a 1250 cc Revolution Engine, with CNC ported heads.

VRSCSE2: Screamin' Eagle CVO V-Rod

2006: The VRSCSE2 was the first V-Rod or VRSC model to feature a 240 mm rear tire. It also featured the Screamin' Eagle 1250 cc Revolution Engine.

VRSCR: Street Rod

2006-2007: The Street Rod was marketed as the “roadster-inspired” member of the VRSC line. The Street Rod was the only VRSC to ever feature inverted forks and a steep rake. It also featured the highest seat height at 30” of any VRSC model. The Street Rod also claimed the greatest lean angle at 40°, over the 32° lean of the other VRSC models. The Street Rod came equipped solely with mid-mounted controls. The Street Rod would be the first to feature the 5 gallon tank in the 2006 year model, that would become standard for the line in 2007.

VRSCX: V-Rod

2007: Harley Davidson but out the VRSCX as a Screamin' Eagle Tribute bike in honor of the Harley V-Rod's second consecutive NHRA Championship. The VRSCX had the same dimensions as the 2007 VRSCA, featuring the 240 mm rear tire, 5 gallon gas tank, and forward controls. Hoever, the VRSCX also featured a tribute paint job reminiscent of the pro stock V-Rod, a smoked drag-visor windshield, as well as the 1250 cc Screamin' Eagle Revolution Engine.

The Revolution engine

The Revolution engine is based on the VR-1000 Superbike race program, developed by Harley-Davidson's Powertrain Engineering team and Porsche Engineering in Stuttgart, Germany. It is a liquid cooled, dual overhead cam, internally counterbalanced 60 degree V-twin engine with a displacement of 69 cubic inches (1130 cc), producing 115 horsepower (86 kW) at 8250 rpm at the crank, with a redline of 9000 rpm. It was introduced for the new V-Rod line in 2001 for the 2002 model year, starting with the single VRSCA (V-twin V-Twin Racing Street Custom) model.

A 1250 cc Screamin' Eagle version of the Revolution engine was made available for 2005, and was present thereafter in a single production model from 2005-2007. In 2008, the 1250 cc Revolution Engine became standard for the entire VRSC line. Harley-Davidson claims 123 horsepower (92 kW) at the crank for the 2008 VRSCAW model. The VRXSE Destroyer is equipped with a stroker (75mm crank) Screamin’ Eagle 1,300 cubic centimetres (79 cu in) Revolution Engine, producing over 165 horsepower (123 kW). VRSC (V-Twin Racing Street Custom) models. At first it was used in a single model called V-Rod. By 2006, the line had been expanded to five consumer model V-Rods, including the standard V-Rod, the "roadster-styled" Street Rod, the long and low Night Rod, and the VRSCSE² Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod with 1,250 cc big bore kit. 2007 saw the addition of further models like the VRSCDX "Night Rod Special" and the VRSCA being replaced by the VRSCAW with a 240 wide rear tire (up from the 180 rear tire on the "A")