Went out to visit a mate of mine yesterday and we decided to meet half way between our homes (we are about 50 miles apart) and then ride back to his place..

He has a 4 or 5 year old Yamaha R1..

Anyway, I was leading us through the back roads and we were moving along at a comfortable but swift pace through some nice twisty roads..

Then we hit a dual lane section of road and I decided to give it some, probably showing off a little.. :angeldev:

I hadn't even fully got onto the gas and he was flying by me, I was so shocked I slammed into the rev limiter :mad: but I thought to myself he had probably anticipated what I was going to do or had seen the open road and gave it a blast..

A little later on I was following him as we got closer to his place, there is a long straight road and we started to speed up.. There were a few cars around so when we hit 100 I backed off to about 80 (speed limit is 60).. A way up ahead he slowed down to about 60 to wait for me to catch up and we had now moved past the traffic so I thought I would blast by him, I didn't kick down a gear, which I probably should have done, but rolled on the gas and came past him at about 115 (the wind blast get huge after 110), he obviously saw me closing in very quickly and opened up but as I passed him (doing +-120 ) and looked in my mirror he was right on my tail.. I moved over and he flew by, at probably 135-140+.. I gave up and settled back to 80..

Now I know he has about 40hp on me and nearly half the weight but I was totally "smoked".. Wasn't expecting to be wipped that badly.. :whack:

So anyone who sees a 1000cc superbike and thinks they are going to have a go my advise is keep your dignity and let him go because unless you have some major mods he WILL wip your ass if he even sort of knows how to ride..

I better start saving for the big bore kit.. :diablo:

I'd be more comfortable taking on a 600, however like you said, stay clear of the litre sport bikes! If you're really looking to feel good about yourself and your bike, and want to "race" someone with a larger displacement engine, stick to the cruisers! We (V-Rods) fair much better in this category! :D

that's all fine and good WipeOut, but just wait till you go gas up with him, and see which bike has to give out numbers so everybody gets a chance to look at it :)

Thats why the R1 is a "super sport" bike...racing replica..does not have near the soul as your R has, just has more speed.

Shawn, I fully agree.. Even if just for the V-Twin sound, you just can't beat it, but IMO the trump card is that the R1 will never be a Harley.. I don't just mean that from the bike itself but the whole social side of owning one, I have met more people and made more friends in the time I have owned a Harley (about a year now) then ever before in my life..

What I will say is that if we had to do a 150+ mile ride I think he would be a little sore and certainly have back ache.. :)

Never take a superBike on in a roll on. They have way too much top-end for those games. Now from a dead stop, and for a relative short distance, you can smoke him. There is now way he can run the RPM's high and dump the clutch like we can. :diablo:

Just know that most other cruisers will come even close to hanging with him as well as yours does.

Also - it seems like you laid off of it a bit, kicking down a gear would have gotten you past him faster and depending on your comfort level you could have gotten your speed up a bit higher. I usually get to see how fast I can go too and then lay off... (Big Wussbag here...)

Never try to take on a sportbike.If you think your gonna keep up you are in for a BIG LET DOWN...........It was said up further in the post your bike has more soul than any of them.The sportbikes are a hole different animal and I can say being that I have one I like my V-rod better.

You need to ride a sportbike.
Once you do, you'll never brag about how fast your harley is again, not even to the 600s. You will only humiliate yourself if you do.

They are in a whole different performance class.

The VRSC bikes are fast for a Harley, but in the real world of performance they are still the slow dog.


And before Kaz gets in here and starts bragging about how many sportbikes he's waxxed,...
I'm talking machine to machine, not super-experience rider riding against a novice.
Comparable riders, the sportbike will hand you your hat every time.

You need to ride a sportbike.
Once you do, you'll never brag about how fast your harley is again, not even to the 600s. You will only humiliate yourself if you do.

They are in a whole different performance class.

The VRSC bikes are fast for a Harley, but in the real world of performance they are still the slow dog.


And before Kaz gets in here and starts bragging about how many sportbikes he's waxxed,...
I'm talking machine to machine, not super-experience rider riding against a novice.
Comparable riders, the sportbike will hand you your hat every time.Well put.But I still love my V-Rod

i read here a few days ago about some member taking on a new bmw k1200s and staying with him. I dont think sooo! the k1200s is a bad mammer jammer! 167hp and a lot less weight. in the curves, it wouldnt even be in the same ball park.
i really suprised some of my buds in the smokies last weekend with my R. for a cruiser, its as agile as it gets. the v-rod is a bike that you can ride and modify for years and never run out of things to do to it and still sell it when you are tired of it. that R-1 will rest in peace at the local land fill!
dont get me wrong, im not condoning streetracing. if the other guy crashes and dies you go to prison, hardly worth it.

What would you rather be rolling on? A chromed out Harley, or a Plasticy Crotch Rocket? There's no comparison there.

Never take a superBike on in a roll on. They have way too much top-end for those games. Now from a dead stop, and for a relative short distance, you can smoke him. There is now way he can run the RPM's high and dump the clutch like we can. :diablo:


..... I agree the 'best bet' going against the R1 is off the line....

A couple weeks back I rode to a swap meet with several guys, one is on his newly bought but used R1..... he smoked me for the most part as far as roll ons go, but I crushed him from a red light (he was busy doing wheelies and then trying to set it back down to get some speed and then wheeliing again) he couldn't even catch up to me because I got such a good jump off the line...at the next red all the guys were razzin him saying "I thought your bike was fast?" I turned around and said "It is, it is" I gave him his due because it is a sweet bike! I have tons of respect for the Sport Bikes.... but 0-60, 0-70 I'll take my VRSC over alot of other bikes!

Since I own and ride a litre bike as well I can tell you first hand that your only chance to take a litre bike is at the line. Run him to 60mph and then back off like you were done. Over 80mph the litre bikes are just plain evil.

im not wild about the J bikes, even though i had a hayabusa and it was a good machine.
i like the brit bikes, but i really like the beemers. even though many of them have plastic, so does the Rs rear fender. as soon as the bugs are worked out of the k1200s, i will have one. its nice to be able to throw the bike up on the center stand and change the rear tire as fast as a car and go!

Tim said it Wipeout.....

I have never, repeat never been out on any reasonable distance ride without some reaction to the Rod, always positive I would add. Whether it be kids waving from the back of cars, old boys telling me how it reminds them of their Vincents, or and this is the best bit girls/women telling me how much they like it .... steady, they mean the bike! Even had a car full of them ask to take a picture while I was filling up at the local BP station. Mum was quite nice in a certain light!

Never happened on any of my sportbikes but I did enjoy riding em just as long as my wrists held out. There are not too many Harley riders with Carpal Tunnel issues methinks, but Ducati could keep the Docs waiting room full.

Just enjoy those 'off the lights' moments when you know you have suprised em but my advice is turn down the first side road before they get chance to snick it up a gear and show you why the MoCo has never cut it in a GP!

Ok Dudes. I got it.. Play off the line then sit back and relax as the sports bikes come blasting past.. Maybe pretend like I could have gone more but just didn't feel like it.. :)

Although I think I would have a hard time taking my mate off the line too, he is an insane rider.. Often has the front up in the air off the line and always telling me stories about hitting 180+.. I keep telling him that he is going to kill himself and to slow down but I guess thats the nature of the beast..

Maybe my original post made it sound like I was unhappy with the R's performance, far from it, I love the ride, the look, the handling and the performance..

i read here a few days ago about some member taking on a new bmw k1200s and staying with him. I dont think sooo! the k1200s is a bad mammer jammer! 167hp and a lot less weight. in the curves, it wouldnt even be in the same ball park.

I agree, that's :bs: A buddy of mine took one out on Thursday and was quite impressed with the power. He's got a VFR, which will blow the doors off my V-Rod, and the K1200S he said would kill his VFR. Whoever said that wasn't in touch with reality.

It's all about picking your spots and making the most of them. For the V-Rods (and Street Rods) it's off the line. For the repliracers and full fairing sport bikes it's top end and for the street fighters it's the tight twisties. The biggest problem with the Street Rod is it's weight. If it could lose 150 lbs it would be in the ballpark with the world class street fighters. As it stands it's a comfortable bike with very good handling,a great motor and a clear pedigree. If you're into riding what more could you ask for. If you have to have the fastest then you need to look elsewhere.

From a street fighter standpoint it's hard to beat 128 hp, 78 lb.ft torque, 425 lbs and a pedigree almost as long as H-D :D

(see this thread: http://www.v-rodforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18950)

maybe im drawing a blank here, but what in the way of hipo cruisers do we have to choose from? not many! most are really sleds! in the motorcycle magazine shootouts, its down to the v-rod, v-max and a road warrior. sometimes the rod comes out on top and sometimes its the max. my ex-girlfriend had a bmw r1200c. it was a neat bike, but a slug in performance, not to mention dragging in every corner.

It's still mostly about the rider. My main riding companion is on a Hayabusa, and even though I know he could blow me off the road if he didn't always lug his engine, I'm not about to tell him that! He has no idea that my V-rod shouldn't be able to keep up with him on the highways! :twisted:

It's still mostly about the rider. My main riding companion is on a Hayabusa, and even though I know he could blow me off the road if he didn't always lug his engine, I'm not about to tell him that! He has no idea that my V-rod shouldn't be able to keep up with him on the highways! :twisted:
This guy knows this little about bikes (doesn't know his busa would KILL a V-Rod, and lugs the engine) and he bought a busa??? :confused:

This guy knows this little about bikes (doesn't know his busa would KILL a V-Rod, and lugs the engine) and he bought a busa??? :confused:
Traded in a Road King for it... I think that's called a midlife crisis :laugh:

maybe im drawing a blank here, but what in the way of hipo cruisers do we have to choose from? not many! most are really sleds! in the motorcycle magazine shootouts, its down to the v-rod, v-max and a road warrior. sometimes the rod comes out on top and sometimes its the max. my ex-girlfriend had a bmw r1200c. it was a neat bike, but a slug in performance, not to mention dragging in every corner.

As far as cruisers go there's no comparison, the V-Rod is the ticket. This thread is about the Street-Rod and in it's class (naked street fighter) it's an also ran (sorry).

This thread is about the Street-Rod and in it's class (naked street fighter) it's an also ran (sorry).The Street Rod is not a sportbike and it will never compete with one on the track or the street. One of the magazines said the VRSCR was a motorcycle for an aging sportbike rider and as one, I am very impressed with it. I think the Street Rod is a performance cruiser and the first and only bike in its class. There have been power cruisers that go fast but nothing in the genre that can handle the corners or bumps like the Street Rod. The Street Rod may be Harley’s version of the Ducati Monster but they really aren’t in the same class. At least I don’t think so and I used to ride a Monster S4.

Alan

He had a 200 pound advantage over you, and a tucked in riding position that gave him a lot better advantage in terms of the least wind resistance at speed.

The strategy would be to start off against a bike like his around 2nd or 3rd gear at lower speed, as you both are already riding down a country road, and suddenly use the VROD's torque advantage to quickly move out ahead of him. He will have to shift and rev through his 6 gears to get his hp up to a superior advantage. By that time, your road race will encounter another tight turn or traffic ahead, and you'll both have to slow down so, thus momentarily killing his advantage. Then the road will open up again for a brief spell, and you try and do it all over again. I used to run my 635 lbs. Screamin' Eagle FXDX against a buddy and his Honda VFR this way, and beat him most every time (until the road got too twisty and he left me).

Yes, you kept up, though still lost in the end. But your VROD was a lot more shiney than his bike.

I have an R1 that I will most likely get rid of it after pounding on it for a while

I will NEVER get rid of my V-ROD

Hope that made you feel better

Traded in a Road King for it... I think that's called a midlife crisis :laugh:

Ah, that explains it! :D

I have an R1 that I will most likely get rid of it after pounding on it for a while

I will NEVER get rid of my V-ROD

Hope that made you feel better

And I bought a Speed Triple and NEVER entertained the thought of selling the V-Rod.

Don't take my comments the wrong way, the Street-Rod is a great bike in it's own right and yes, perhaps it falls into a category between a true naked Street Fighter (Monster, Buell, Triumph, Aprilia, KTM) and a power cruiser like the V-Rod. I really see it as the platform for a sport touring bike considering it's size, power and ergonomics.

He had a 200 pound advantage over you, and a tucked in riding position that gave him a lot better advantage in terms of the least wind resistance at speed.

The strategy would be to start off against a bike like his around 2nd or 3rd gear at lower speed, as you both are already riding down a country road, and suddenly use the VROD's torque advantage to quickly move out ahead of him. He will have to shift and rev through his 6 gears to get his hp up to a superior advantage. By that time, your road race will encounter another tight turn or traffic ahead, and you'll both have to slow down so, thus momentarily killing his advantage. Then the road will open up again for a brief spell, and you try and do it all over again. I used to run my 635 lbs. Screamin' Eagle FXDX against a buddy and his Honda VFR this way, and beat him most every time (until the road got too twisty and he left me).

Yes, you kept up, though still lost in the end. But your VROD was a lot more shiney than his bike.


Exactly which torque advantage are you talking about? The Busa makes 80 lb -ft from 3500 RPM and weighs at least 100 lbs less than the Street Rod. There isn't any situation where it won't simply walk away from you.

http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/dyno-2001-suz-gsx1300r.gif

Now liter bikes, on the other hand, are a different story so you should be able to pull them if they let down their guard.

http://www.sportrider.com/features/146-0406-r1-dyno-3a-zoom.gif

And this might explain why you didn't have a lot of trouble with a VFR

http://www.sportrider.com/bikes/dyno-2002-hon-vfr800.gif

I know I'll be smoked by sportbikes. I look at it this way, a sport bike makes your heart thump and takes your breath away at 160 mph+. My V-rod can make your heart thump and take your breath away standing still (especially if it is in a garage or enclosed space, that engine growl really makes your heart skip a beat). Sportbikes are cookie cutter, mine is one of a kind. My bike has its own personality, a unique look. Sport bikes are nice, but they begin to all look alike after a while (save the BMWs and Ducs). Every time I ride it puts a big ole grin on my face, that's enough for me.

Went out to visit a mate of mine yesterday and we decided to meet half way between our homes (we are about 50 miles apart) and then ride back to his place..

He has a 4 or 5 year old Yamaha R1..

Anyway, I was leading us through the back roads and we were moving along at a comfortable but swift pace through some nice twisty roads..

Then we hit a dual lane section of road and I decided to give it some, probably showing off a little.. :angeldev:

I hadn't even fully got onto the gas and he was flying by me, I was so shocked I slammed into the rev limiter :mad: but I thought to myself he had probably anticipated what I was going to do or had seen the open road and gave it a blast..

A little later on I was following him as we got closer to his place, there is a long straight road and we started to speed up.. There were a few cars around so when we hit 100 I backed off to about 80 (speed limit is 60).. A way up ahead he slowed down to about 60 to wait for me to catch up and we had now moved past the traffic so I thought I would blast by him, I didn't kick down a gear, which I probably should have done, but rolled on the gas and came past him at about 115 (the wind blast get huge after 110), he obviously saw me closing in very quickly and opened up but as I passed him (doing +-120 ) and looked in my mirror he was right on my tail.. I moved over and he flew by, at probably 135-140+.. I gave up and settled back to 80..

Now I know he has about 40hp on me and nearly half the weight but I was totally "smoked".. Wasn't expecting to be wipped that badly.. :whack:

So anyone who sees a 1000cc superbike and thinks they are going to have a go my advise is keep your dignity and let him go because unless you have some major mods he WILL wip your ass if he even sort of knows how to ride..

I better start saving for the big bore kit.. :diablo:
HD BABY= Hardly Done!! Now you gotta get a turbo, some Nitro, big bore kit, etc. Just ask Kaz

I really see it as the platform for a sport touring bike considering it's size, power and ergonomics.While it lacks a fairing and hard saddlebags, I agree that the ergonomics, power and handling say sport touring. In retrospect, that might have been one of the reasons I was so taken with it from the first ride. I thought my boy-racer days were over and I was quite happy with my Sportster and Road Glide when the Street Rod hit just the right balance of performance and V-Twin character for me.

The Japanese sportbikes are awesome machines but I preferred the character and feel of Ducati even though they weren't as fast. I never felt any shame in my choice and I certainly won't feel any on the Street Rod. I ride because it is fun and makes me feel good. When they pay me to win races, I will probably pick another motorcycle.

Alan

I agree, I am very happy with the Streetrod and I don't really want to go superbike quick anyway cos I would like to keep my license and my life.. Also once I have done some custom work to it I am sure it will pull more of a crowd when we stop and biked hang outs than a super bike will.. :)

HD BABY= Hardly Done!! Now you gotta get a turbo, some Nitro, big bore kit, etc. Just ask Kaz
:hidesbeh: ;) :kaz:

Seems Kaz does that to everything he has.I just saw a pick of the engine that he is puttung in his car.No more calling it Modification now it will be known as Kazification :broke:

While it lacks a fairing and hard saddlebags, I agree that the ergonomics, power and handling say sport touring. In retrospect, that might have been one of the reasons I was so taken with it from the first ride. I thought my boy-racer days were over and I was quite happy with my Sportster and Road Glide when the Street Rod hit just the right balance of performance and V-Twin character for me.

The Japanese sportbikes are awesome machines but I preferred the character and feel of Ducati even though they weren't as fast. I never felt any shame in my choice and I certainly won't feel any on the Street Rod. I ride because it is fun and makes me feel good. When they pay me to win races, I will probably pick another motorcycle.

Alan

Very well put.

I don't want anyone to think I'm bad mouthing the Street Rod, that couldn't be farther from the truth. I love what they've done with the bike and think it speaks volumes about the flexibility of the VRSC platform. I just wanted to inject a dose of reality. Being a great bike doesn't always mean it's the fastest or best handling, it's the complete package that makes it great.

I just wanted to inject a dose of reality. Being a great bike doesn't always mean it's the fastest or best handling, it's the complete package that makes it great.Reality is good and those thinking they will hang with cutting edge sportbikes ridden by equally skilled riders should heed your advice. While Harley has made a bike that will appeal to many different types of riders, it involves compromises and the Street Rod won't be as pretty as a cruiser, as comfortable as a standard, as practical as a sport-tourer, or as fast as a sportbike. For pure hooligan fun, your Speed Triple or new 996 powered Monster will leave every Harley in the dust. The Street Rod is more of a Gentleman's Express that pushes all the right buttons for me.

I used to have widely divergent bikes in the garage and found that it created as many problems as it solved. I was always trying to figure out which bike I liked best or which one I should ride on any given day. The Street Rod appealed to me because it felt like a Harley and struck a better balance for me in the garage with the Road Glide than some screaming four-cylinder superbike would.

Alan

Seems Kaz does that to everything he has.I just saw a pick of the engine that he is puttung in his car.No more calling it Modification now it will be known as Kazification :broke:
I have "The Sickness" Nothing I have is Stock OR Small! :angeldev:
Go Big or Go Home!!!!
Thats what the Tat with the Big $ says!:kaz:

Alan and mjw930, you guys speak a lot of sence.. :)
For me the Streetrod pushes all the buttons I was looking for, which is the reason I bought it..

No, offense guys my '03 zx6r could smoke the living crap out of my "R". But after riding my zx6r 500 miles and riding my "R" 500 miles i prefer the "R".

The ninja was nice but how many times can you pull the front end up before it becomes blah... just another sporty rider



Jason

Sportsbikes.... been there, done that and bought the T-Shirt.
I have had my fare share of sportsbikes SV1000, GSX-R1000, GSX1400 etc.
They are great bikes, but about as much character as riding a dishwasher! very forgettable......

There has always been something missing when I was riding them.
Now I have the Streetrod I know I have found it! :)

:cheers:

Andy

Sportsbikes.... been there, done that and bought the T-Shirt.
I have had my fare share of sportsbikes SV1000, GSX-R1000, GSX1400 etc.
They are great bikes, but about as much character as riding a dishwasher! very forgettable......

There has always been something missing when I was riding them.
Now I have the Streetrod I know I have found it! :)

:cheers:

Andy

I think that my hooligan Speed Triple has loads of evil character! :)

Hide the women and children.

I smoked a guy just the other day on a 85' Interceptor 500 that wanted some!!! Man, he'll think twice next time!! :spit:

Can get a nice used one of these for about 3 grand. Semi upright riding position, 180 rear, 6 piston brakes, 100+ hp, some 80+ fp torque. Its the old ZX11 mill with a five speed.

Between this and the V-rod I got the best of both worlds.

Can get a nice used one of these for about 3 grand. Semi upright riding position, 180 rear, 6 piston brakes, 100+ hp, some 80+ fp torque. Its the old ZX11 mill with a five speed.

Between this and the V-rod I got the best of both worlds.
Yep, I had the GSX1400, not available in the USA, 102bhp, 93 lb torque, great fun!
I just need to win the Lottery, so I can have a bike for every day of the week! :D

Andy

Can get a nice used one of these for about 3 grand. Semi upright riding position, 180 rear, 6 piston brakes, 100+ hp, some 80+ fp torque. Its the old ZX11 mill with a five speed.

Between this and the V-rod I got the best of both worlds.

A guy here at work has the exact bike. Pretty cool, I always dug the 80's style, naked bikes.

I think that my hooligan Speed Triple has loads of evil character! :)

Hide the women and children.

Ha, a kindred spirit :cheers:

I absolutely love my '05 triple and the looks just shout, "Hide the women and children"

http://www.hermys.com/downloads/2005/SPEEDTRIPLE_07.jpg

I have a Honda 919. I think it would leave my Street Rod for dead out of the hole and it feels like it would be at least 1 second quicker in the quarter mile. It weighs 450lbs and has 100 rear wheel h.p. For me it's a good 1 hour bike. After that my left shoulder hurts like hell and my hands have lost all feeling. My wife refuse's to ride on it and just plain hates it. I think she has even trained one of the dogs to piss on it if it's outside.
I didn't buy the Street Rod thinking it was a sport bike. I knew it had a lot of potential to become a good power cruiser/sport touring bike and so far it has really worked out well. The wife is happy and rides with me every weekend. I have had more comments on this bike in the short time I've owned it than all of the rest of my bikes put together. I am really most impressed with the engine. To bad they won't let Buell have it so he can build a real sportbike.

Smoked a Fj1200 yamaha this morning. Sitting at the lights guy pulls up ,lights change he goes off flying sitting on his tail then see I water on the round about leaning over a bit so back off when i get to the next set of lights he has a jackass smile on his face and tapping his watch and saying what took me. I said i don't speak french just to piss him off a bit then i said you want to play with the Harley. Lights change i go on the opposite side of the road open her up and I am at the next set of lights first funny he had nothing say this time. I collect my new StreetGlide in the morning. Will miss wiping the smile of jap bike owners face.

Even with a turbo...
I think a good rider on a 600 will give me a good run but he will see tail lights. A 750 is about even. But a newer 1000 and you can just stay at the starting line. Actually I think I'll lead for the first 200ft. (While he's putting the tire back on the ground) then it's all over.

Having had both, the cruiser is way more fun for your $$ and the chicks prefer shiny stuff (CHROME) to cheaply colored plasic any day. I never drew a crowd with my sprtbike unless I was acting stupid. All I have to do is cruise in on the V-rod and people walk over to it.

I bought the V-Rod because it is just a great motorcycle! It does not do one thing great, but everything well! I don't care about other bikes being faster...I just pick on Harley's with the thing!

with a turbo, you should be able to smoke 90 percent of the bikes out there. out of the 10 percent left, you would be able to take 66 percet of those just due to the fact most of the sportbike riders lack experience lauching of the line. with 160hp and 100ft torque even with the weight differences, the ROD will hurt them............. :chair: