There have been numerous quotes from magazine road tests posted here on the forum and everyone of them show the V rod with a better top speed. My personal experience with M109 is they lack big end power and top speed compared to the V rod.
I own a 109 and my Dad owns a v-rod which I have ridden several times. As far as top speed goes, Suzuki limits the top end and you can buy a fifty dollar part that can take the limiter off. I have had mine up to 150. I would say that is plenty top end.
Here is an article popular mechanics posted about the two bikes. They actually compared a lot more bikes, but these are the two in question. Looks like the 109 by .4 seconds and this was all done by a professional test rider at 2800 ft. above sea level. I am sure you can find other articles that give different times. This is just what I found. I do commend HD for doing it with a smaller engine, no doubt a lot of engineering went into the V. It is a great bike.
Suzuki Boulevard M109
Price: $12,599 Engine: 1783cc, liquid-cooled, 54-degree V-twin Compression ratio: 10.5:1 Valvetrain: DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder Fuel System: EFI Transmission: 5M Final Drive: Shaft Suspension F/R: 46mm inverted forks/single shock, preload adjustable Suspension Travel F/R: 5.12 in./4.66 in. Brakes F/R
ual 310mm discs/275mm disc Tires F/R: 130/70-R18/240/40-R18 Wheelbase: 67.3 in. Seat Height: 27.8 in. Dry Weight: 703 lb.
The M109R is the newest member of this club. And Suzuki has done its homework: The M109R was the second quickest bike at the track, pounding out a blistering 12.08-second quarter-mile at 110.53 mph, or nearly a half-second quicker than the next quickest bike. And more important, the Suzuki had the quickest 0-to-30-mph time of all the bikes here. The accolades belong to Suzuki’s engine designers. The all-new engine is an animal. It thrusts the bike forward with so much power, we needed to gather our thoughts before deciding to crack that throttle wide open. And it’s not a bad idea to practice First-to-Second shifts: The Suzuki’s otherwise smooth gearbox is notchy in the lower gears. Though the Suzuki feels large, this bad boy likes to corner. Blessed with big brakes and an inverted front fork, the M109R can be throttled up to hyperspeed and brought down below the legal limit in a very short distance. It’s incredible to ride hard on twisty roads—just point, shoot and reel in that sportbike rider. In fact, the more we rode this bike, the more we wanted one in our own garage. The only thing holding us back is the fussy, “Jetsons” styling and inexpensive-looking plastic bodywork. We’d like actual metal—and better-quality chrome, too. Still, the M109R exemplifies the modern power cruiser.
Track Times
0-30 mph 0-60 mph 40-70 mph 1/4-mile
1.53 sec. 3.89 sec. 2.52 sec. 12.08 sec. @ 110.53mph
07Night Rod
Price: $16,495 Engine: 1130cc, liquid-cooled, 60-degree V-twin Compression ratio: 11.3:1 Valvetrain: SOHC, 4 valves per cylinder Fuel System: EFI Transmission: 5M Final Drive: Belt Suspension F/R: 49mm forks/dual shocks, preload adjustable Suspension Travel F/R: 4.0 in./2.9 in. Brakes F/R: Dual 300mm discs/300mm disc Tires F/R: 120/70-ZR19/240/40-R18 Wheelbase: 67.2 Seat Height: 26.3 in Dry Weight: 643 lb.
The Night Rod is the rock star of this group. It’s mean and menacing and it made us feel cool just standing next to it. Its intoxicatingly techy baritone V-twin growl and seamless acceleration curve come courtesy of engine design help from Porsche. The Night Rod was the third quickest bike at the dragstrip. Even though Harley is known for low-tech, comfy cruisers, the Night Rod has a sophisticated powerplant bolted to a rather uncomfortable chassis. The riding position requires arms stretched forward, a bit like doing a lat-pull exercise at the gym. That makes the Night Rod the most difficult bike to corner at slow speeds, so this is not our favorite bike for a long-distance cruise or a trip through the canyons. But more than one buyer is willing to make the compromise. Because, wherever the Night Rod shows up, people just stare. This Harley is the second most expensive bike here. That money brings near custom- quality construction, the inimitable Harley-Davidson cachet and a bike that’s as much fun to look at as it is to ride.
Track Times
0-30 mph 0-60 mph 40-70 mph 1/4-mile
1.86 sec. 4.26 sec. 2.78 sec. 12.47 sec. @ 108.86 mph
