Harley-Davidson VRSC

Harley-Davidson VRSC

Manufacturer	Harley-Davidson
Also called	V-Rod, Night-Rod, Street-Rod, V-Rod Muscle
Production	since 2001
Class	cruiser
Engine	1,250 cc (76 cu in) water-cooled V-Twin
Torque	84.0 ft⋅lbf (113.9 J) @ 7,000 rpm
Transmission	5-speed, belt drive
Wheelbase	67.2 inches (1,710 mm)
Dimensions	L: 94.4 inches (2,400 mm)
Fuel capacity	5.0 US gal (19 L; 4.2 imp gal)
Fuel consumption	Highway: 42 mpg‑US (5.6 L/100 km; 50 mpg‑imp) City: 34 mpg‑US (6.9 L/100 km; 41 mpg‑imp)

The Harley-Davidson VRSC (V-Twin Racing Street Custom) family of cruiser motorcycles was introduced in 2001 in a single model called the V-Rod. The V-Rod was developed by Harley-Davidson to compete against Japanese and American muscle bikes. The "V-Rod" made use of the Revolution engine, developed jointly with Porsche(See Jim was wrong Sasa was right) that, for the first time in Harley history, incorporates fuel injection, overhead cams, and liquid cooling. The V-Rod is visually distinct from other Harley-Davidson motorcycles. It can be easily identified by the 60-degree V-twin engine, the radiator and the hydroformed frame members that support the round-topped air cleaner cover. A distinct difference between the V-Rod and all other Harley production motorcycles, is the location of the fuel tank. The fuel tank on the V-Rod is located underneath the seat, placing the driver on top of it, rather than the usual frontal placement, the "tank" in this place is simple dressing, hiding the frame. Loosely based on the VR-1000 superbike, it continues to be a platform around which Harley-Davidson builds drag-racing competition machines. All VRSC models are produced at Harley-Davidson's Vehicle and Powertrain Operations facility in Blue Springs- Kansas City, Missouri.

VRSC Models

VRSCA V-Rod

Model years: 2002–2006. This was the original V-Rod. The first V-Rod was equipped with the 1,130 cc (69 cu in) 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 US gallons (14 L) fuel tanks. In 2006 the VRSCA was equipped with Brembo Brakes. The VRSCA was only offered with forward controls.

VRSCAW V-Rod

File:VRSCAW.jpg

2008 105th Anniversary Edition VRSCAW V-Rod.

Model years: 2007–2010. The VRSCAW V-Rod is the successor to the VRSCA. First Produced in 2007, it is essentially a VRSCA with a new frame to accommodate the 240 mm rear tire and five gallon gas tank that came standard. The aluminum bodywork of the VRSCA only made it onto a few early-production VRSCAW models, but was quickly dropped. With these changes the VRSCAW a claimed 37 lb (17 kg) heavier than its predecessor. For the first production year the power-plant remained an unchanged 1,130 cc (69 cu in) Revolution engine. The VRSCAW is only offered with forward controls. The combination of increased weight, and a 240 mm rear tire with no power increase made the 2007 VRSCAW the slowest production VSRC produced

In 2008 the VRSCAW V-Rod's Revolution was boosted from 1,130 cc to 1,250 cc (76 cu in), producing a claimed 84 ft⋅lbf (114 N⋅m) @ 7,000 rpm, and peak power of 123 hp (92 kW) at the crank, a slipper-clutch was also added, as was an ABS option. For the 2009 model year the VRSCAW replaced the VRSCD, which was dropped from the line, as the "base model" for the VRSC family, as such the MSRP was dropped almost US$2,000 to $14,999.

File:VRSCB.jpg

VRSCB V-Rod.

VRSCB V-Rod

Model years: 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, polished aluminum and black powder-coated engine, and a slightly different clamshell, instrument housing and handlebars. The VRSCB was only offered with forward controls.

File:VRSCD.jpg

VRSCD Night Rod.

VRSCD Night Rod

Model years: 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 1,130 cc (69 cu in) to 1,250 cc (76 cu in), producing a claimed 85 ft⋅lbf (115 N⋅m) @ 7,000 rpm, and peak power of 125 hp (93 kW) at the crank, a slipper-clutch was also added, as was an ABS option. For the 2008 model year, the VRSCD was the only remaining VRSC model to still feature a 180 mm rear tire or mid-pegs. 2008 would also be the final year of production for the VRSCD Night Rod.

Night Rod Special

VRSCDX Night Rod Special

Model years: 2007–Present. The VRSCDX is marketed as the factory made custom version of the standard Night Rod and is also part of Harley-Davidson's "Dark Custom" series. In addition to a 240 mm wide rear tire, most of the chrome components of the VRSCD were replaced with black. The wheels were replaced by black slotted disk wheels, with dark orange pin striping. 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 stripes. In 2008 the VRSCDX Night Rod Special's Revolution was boosted from 1,130 cc (69 cu in) to 1,250 cc (76 cu in), producing claimed torque of 85 ft⋅lbf (115 N⋅m) @ 7,000 rpm, and peak power of 125 hp (93 kW) at the crank, a slipper-clutch was also added, as was an ABS option.

VRSCF V-Rod Muscle

Model years: 2009–Present. The V-Rod Muscle was introduced in the summer of 2008 at the Harley-Davidson dealer show in Las Vegas for the 2009 production model year. In promoting the Muscle, Harley partnered with American fashion model Marisa Miller for an advertising campaign aimed at younger, urbane riders. It would be one of only three VRSC models for 2009. Like the other two models, the Muscle features the 1,250 cc (76 cu in) Revolution Engine, a 240 mm wide rear tire, 5 US gallons (19 L; 4.2 imp gal) fuel tank, slipper clutch and forward controls. Departing from the other models in the VRSC lineup, the Muscle features straight shot dual exhausts, with a crossover, one on each side of the bike. This is a significant stylistic departure from the 2>1>2 exhaust found on all other VRSC models. Additionally, the Muscle features a unique air-box with mock-up air-rams like those found on many American pony and muscle cars. Early rumors around the VRSCF speculated that the F might stand for Forced Induction, however, in the production version of the bike the air-rams are purely cosmetic. There is no official word from Harley-Davidson as to what, if anything, the F in the VRSCF designation stands stands for. The VRSCF also features a chopped rear fender with integrated turn signals, and a side mounted license plate. As well as turn signals integrated into the rear-view mirrors; a first as a stock feature on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The VRSCF puts out at the crank a claimed 86 ft⋅lbf (117 J) of torque at 6,500 rpm, which is slightly more torque than the other VRSC models, at a slightly lower engine speeds. Claimed peak crank horsepower is down slightly from the Night Rod Special, at 122 hp (91 kW) at 500 rpm lower engine speed.

VRSCSE: Screamin' Eagle CVO V-Rod

Model years: 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 1,250 cc Revolution Engine, with CNC ported heads.

VRSCSE2: Screamin' Eagle CVO V-Rod

Model years: 2006. The VRSCSE2 was the first V-Rod or VRSC model to feature a 240 mm rear tire. It also featured the Screamin' Eagle 1,250 cc Revolution Engine.

VRSCR: Street Rod

Model years: 2006–2007. The Street Rod was marketed as the “roadster-inspired” member of the VRSC line. The Street Rod was the first VRSC to ever feature inverted forks and a steep rake. It also featured the highest seat height at 30 inches (76 cm) 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

Model years: 2007. Harley Davidson put 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 VRSCAW, featuring the 240 mm rear tire, 5 gallon gas tank, and forward controls. However, the VRSCX also featured a tribute paint job reminiscent of the pro stock V-Rod, a smoked drag-visor windshield, as well as the 1,250 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 (1,130 cc), producing 115 horsepower (86 kW) at 8,250 rpm at the crank, with a redline of 9,000 rpm. It was introduced for the new V-Rod line in 2001 for the 2002 model year, starting with the single VRSCA (V-Twin Racing Street Custom) model.

A 1,250 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 1,250 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 (75 mm crank) Screamin’ Eagle 1,300 cc (79 cu in) Revolution Engine, producing over 165 horsepower (123 kW).