Author |
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Snackbar64
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 01:41 pm: |
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This past weekend I took a drive up to Round Rock HD and when I saw the 1125R and other Buells parked outside for sale, I just had to stop. Apparently This particular 1125 was the owners bike and had some time of race pipe and had some dyno time on it. Still they wanted 9 grand for it. I was allowed to test ride the bike and I was a little fearful at first hearing of all the power these things pack as compared to the Firebolt. As I followed him inside to give him my ID and sign waivers i noticed a White 2011 V-Rod Muscle. I was impressed by the overall design of this motorcycle and then the salesman insisted that I test ride it as well and pulled it outside. I was even more intimidated by the V-Rod. I rode the Buell first and was impressed by the power. i was scared to really get down on it because I felt the front tire begging to leave the ground. The bike had this raw and unrefined yet visceral feel to it. I loved every minute of it. As happy as I was on the 1125 I was completely blown away immediately afterwards by the V-Rod. It is buttery smooth and it's heft dissipates easily once the bike is under way. I felt like it was just as fast as the 1125R, but that may be due to the fact that the bike was so quiet and smooth that I could appreciate it more. I can't say which one I would pick even after leaning towards the V-Rod for many reasons. I know that these bikes are two different animals by comparison, but thought I'd like to share my experience. |
Duphuckincati
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 02:07 pm: |
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All depends on how you feel about curvy roads. |
Sportster_mann
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 03:04 pm: |
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Try them both in the wet - there will be no doubt in which one you prefer - the V Rod is not a wet weather bike, the front end is just too twitchy. |
Fresnobuell
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 03:13 pm: |
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No way the V-rod is as fast and no matter how you cut it--It still a Harley! |
Duphuckincati
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 03:18 pm: |
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As I understand the VRods are sitting on the floor. Wonder if they put the "Porsche" name on them (since I believe they were very involved in the motor) and in Porsche showrooms if sales would increase? New decals would be a cheap move. (I just realized how brilliant I am!) |
Jules
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 03:38 pm: |
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I had a V-Rod muscle as a loaner last time the 1125R was in for some warranty work. It was definately smooth, the fuelling was 100% spot on, but it did have aftermarket pipes/filter and a re-programmed ECM. It was lovely around town, more comfy than the 1125R (as you'd expect at slow speed) but after a few hours on it I'd scraped the exhausts (quite badly), sraped the front footpegs (again quite badly) and burnt my bloody leg on the pipes! It's a lovely bike - for what it is.. Oh and that keyless ignition is stupid. I had the fob in my pocket sat in my lounge and a mate started the VRod up and rode off on it - without the key! |
Hootowl
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 03:40 pm: |
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Where would Buell be right now if that engine hadn't been cruiserified? That bike represents everything that is wrong with HD. |
Hybridmomentspass
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 03:44 pm: |
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'and no matter how you cut it--It still a Harley!' so? Duph - yes, Porsche was involved and I think youre right. A Porsche fanatic will buy about anything with the shield on it. Put it on a VRod and watch em go out the door! I've yet to ride a VRod, I really want to try it out. I've sat on a Destroyer and LUST after having one. Would love to have a VRod and make it a fun little bike. Got a friend who put a different tail section on one and I absolutely love the way it looks. Will try to get a picture posted later on of it |
Steeleagle
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 03:46 pm: |
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I have one of each. My assessment: The 1125R provides significantly more grins/mile and gets ridden more. I'm not sure why, but the V-Rod Muscle gets more attention and comments from passers-by, hands down. |
Snackbar64
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 03:49 pm: |
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Just in straight ahead cruising and ham fisted acceleration it felt quite good on the V-Rod. The turning part was not as easy as on the 1125R. Is that engine in smaller form as potent as the 1125? After all they are drag racing the thing and from what I hear they are hard to beat. |
Snackbar64
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 03:54 pm: |
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I guess my only true disappointment with the V-Rod was the mundane exhaust. Nearly silent. I have no real complaints on the 1125 because I accept the bike for what it is. |
Hootowl
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 03:55 pm: |
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If you're referring to the NHRA "vrod" drag bikes, they're not vrods. They are violently fast, but they are not vrods. Fixed racing organization...Thanks Hybridmomentspass! (Message edited by hootowl on February 14, 2011) |
Hybridmomentspass
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 04:00 pm: |
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hootowl - I think you are mistaken I race with the AHDRA and the 'vrods' are actually VRods. Now the NHRA....yes, those arent real harleys. But in AHDRA there are street VRods VRods with wheelie bars, extended arms, turbos, nitrous, whatever. They are all real VRods. ANd then there is also the Destroyer. Again, real VRod with street stuff taken off and some tweaks here and there to get em down low in the 9s I know of at least two Destroyers that are having a massive overhaul done and should go a bit quicker, waiting to see when they'll be completed |
Hootowl
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 04:04 pm: |
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You're right, I meant NHRA. |
99buellx1
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 04:14 pm: |
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1125
quote: i was scared to really get down on it
V-rod
quote: I felt like it was just as fast as the 1125R
So, this should clear everything up easily, correct? Basically you said the V-Rod is just as fast as an 1125 being ridden slowly. Not to say a V-rod is slooooow, but I would assume that you were riding the V-Rod at more of it's capacity than the 1125, merely for it's weight and straight-line stability. |
Usanigel
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 04:21 pm: |
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Know the feeling too well as I have a Night rod and Buell 1125 in my garage. The Vrod engine just purrs, the Buell clatters, but they are machines a world apart one a quick cruiser the other a rocket! |
Duphuckincati
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 04:24 pm: |
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Another thought on the Porsche-Rod, they could just put "Porsche Design" on it quite honestly, and MOST Porsche owners have no idea how to really drive, so a motorcycle that does not really handle would be of no notice to them.If I was a dealer with some V-Rods sitting eating up flooring financing I'd do this on my own. |
Duphuckincati
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 04:26 pm: |
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And I'd bet that a trained Porsche mechanic with V-Rod manual would have an easier time working on them than a lot of guys working at HD dealerships. |
Duphuckincati
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 04:35 pm: |
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Sorry, did not mean to turn this into a V-Rod site, I guess I just feel they are our bastard cousins from HD, like us. |
Steeleagle
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 04:50 pm: |
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quote:they are our bastard cousins from HD, like us
Spot on. I show up at a HOG meeting and just can't get it right regardless of what I ride! |
Sportster_mann
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 05:26 pm: |
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So, how many on this site own an R or CR and a V Rod ? Count me as 1 ... 2007 VRSCDX, 2008 1125R and 2010 1125CR (Message edited by sportster_mann on February 14, 2011) (Message edited by sportster_mann on February 14, 2011) |
Steeleagle
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 05:53 pm: |
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Dual owner chiming in. My water-cooled rides are a 2009 VSRCF and a 2008 1125R. |
Buell1125
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 07:32 pm: |
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I have two v rods. I love them. Awesome bikes. I just last week bought a buell 1125r I go to tail of the dragon about 5 times a year and tearing the v rods up so I got the buell. One v rod 50 hp shot of nos the other engine has been removed and built. Yes I think my v rods will hang with the 1125 till about 100 mph but I have a lot of $$ in them. |
Georgehitch17
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 07:37 pm: |
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I have ran my Vrod against a kaw 636 and I can hang with him until about 110. I have had the Vrod up to about 138 and its topped out!!!! But when my dad rides the Vrod and I'm on the Buell theres no comparison!!!!!! regardless of straight line or twisties!!!! |
Rodrob
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 08:08 pm: |
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2004 V-Rod with hard bags, 2008 1125R. Love em both. But I must admit, the V-Rod's been sittin' for a spell. |
Forerunner
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 08:21 pm: |
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Yeah, most Porsche owners have no idea what their cars have or are capable of. They also buy everything with a Porsche crest. Definitely slap a Porsche crest on the V-Rod and move them into the Porsche dealerships. Mark 'em up $5k while your at and they'll sell out in days. Nels |
Daniii
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 08:34 pm: |
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I have one of both. The V-Rod is a 2003, set up as a touring bike with a batwing, saddlebags and a tourpak. I have 83,000 miles on it. I have 3700 on the CR. They are just two completely different bikes. For a long ride, I'll take the V-rod any time. For riding around town, I take the CR. The CR is much faster, but I limit my rides to 100 miles. I took the V-rod from Ft Lauderdale to Dallas in one shot a couple years ago. I do have Porsche emblems on the V-Rod. (Message edited by Daniii on February 14, 2011) |
Rkc00
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 08:40 pm: |
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I have a 06 VRSCR. Love it for what it is. A hot rod. Also have an 09 1125CR and a 09 1125R. |
Ratbuell
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 09:20 pm: |
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06 VRSCR Best VRSC ever built. Period. The Revolution motor is one helluva powertrain. Power is smooth, it's EVERYwhere in the rev band, and there's lots of it (imagine if the bike lost a couple hundred pounds!). The Street Rod also had: Short rake Inverted front end Taller suspension for more ground clearance and lean angle (and higher mounted mufflers for the same reason) Mid-controls - damn near rearsets - and almost-clipon-bars The first 5 gallon V-Rod fuel tank a *normal* width rear tire, not that 240 cruiser crap. I still remember '06. Went to a Product Information trifecta in Vegas. Day 1 - the new Dyna chassis. Day 2 - VRSC. Day 3 - Buell. Damn Street Rod lapped just as fast as the XB's, with no drama. Very impressive bike; if I found one now I'd have a hard time NOT buying it. No way the V-rod is as fast and no matter how you cut it--It still a Harley! Maybe you should go ride one sometime. Just because it has a Bar-n-Shield on it doesn't make it slow. It's a totally different animal - and a very healthy one, at that. Probably why HD can't figure out how to market the damned thing |
Steeleagle
| Posted on Monday, February 14, 2011 - 09:31 pm: |
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When I bought my '09 VRSCF I was torn between an '07 Street Rod, '08 Night Rod and the '09 Muscle. The Muscle won out, but the mid controls on the Street Rod were hard to walk away from, and there's no retro-fit kit for the dual exhaust Muscle. I'm still very happy with my choice, but mids would have made the choice easier. |