VRSCR in American Rider
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They complained that the steering took too much effort and the suspension wasn't great.
There was also an article on a group ride road trip where the R was one of 4 bikes they took turns riding. It was rated as the worst selection of the 4; one of the other 3 bikes was a dyna, don't recall the other 2.
I only glanced through the review, and did not buy the mag...
There was also an article on a group ride road trip where the R was one of 4 bikes they took turns riding. It was rated as the worst selection of the 4; one of the other 3 bikes was a dyna, don't recall the other 2.
I only glanced through the review, and did not buy the mag...
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Some like it, some don't!!
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Yeah, I haven't experienced this either. When I read that part my thought was "maybe he needs to spend more time in the gym".
It just kind of bummed me because I keep hoping more people will buy the R and the moco will bring it back. Finding accessories was hard enough when the bike was in production...
It just kind of bummed me because I keep hoping more people will buy the R and the moco will bring it back. Finding accessories was hard enough when the bike was in production...
I haven't read the article yet. I have a recollection of more than one writer complaining that the low speed turning and parking lot running is not great. Even the heavy steering or lacking turn tightness. I would say there is a little fault there but I haven't experienced the problem because I go fast in parking lots. It is defensive as cars don't stop for each other much less a bike. :moped:
Edit: I went down and bought the magazine. I don't usually read it. I was surprised to see the sub head 'Harley-Davidson riding at its best'. The author of the article on the R made several references that made me think he hated Harley-Davidsons. The heavy steering was a general complaint thread that I saw in that article and the other with the four bike ride. I will give you that the R in stock format takes a definite effort to make it change directions. I didn't really ever think it was heavy or slow. When I was about changing things to customize the handling, a little change in tire pressure would help some in the front tire. When I lowered the front end 1/2-3/4 inch the difference was noticeable. Turn in was almost a thought, it was very light. A push on the bar would make a big change in direction.
Changing wheels, tires, shocks and fork springs has made big differences in the feel of the suspension. So, in retrospect, the stock steering was not sport bike flickable. I wasn't really looking for that. That can be purchased in many flavors.
I think that the vague feeling isn't about the weight, chassis, tires or shocks. I think the target of HD with the introduction of the VRSCR is vague. Writers and riders walk into the store or press meeting and are give a look. It looks sort of more sporting, inverted forks, lean angles, and more travel in the suspension. I never get over all the ink devoted to the foot peg's position. It is so un-HD. So people ride it looking for whatever is inspired in their mind. I think what a rider walks away with has to do more with how close they got their expectations to match VRSCR reality. Since nobody knows what the intention is, they use their own experience and make one up. It is how the mind works.
So if you think HD is big slow bikes with running boards ( nobody on this forum thinks that, right?) that are chrome penises then the VRSCR won't match very well. If you ride sport bikes and look at the R, you may think, hey HD is making a sport bike like thing. I don't think that is what the R is either but many do, because of the pegs and bars(?!). When your expectations don't match your experience of the reality, it can go two ways. For the devoted, the R forum guys and gals, it was a hit. For most of the rest of the universe, not so much.
I think it is sad that the vague marketing has contributed to what should have been a fairly successful product line's failure. I am glad I pulled the trigger on this thing but I have been a wild card about things all my life. I don't regret doing things and moving on to something else. To me that is how life works. I think it is about growth. I probably won't buy another Vrod. Been there done that. I enjoy my R and respect what it is. I have grown from it. The VRSCR in my garage doesn't define me. I can leave it and not feel as though I have to drink someother cool-aid to buy something else. It is a great machine, but nothing more than that.
Edit: I went down and bought the magazine. I don't usually read it. I was surprised to see the sub head 'Harley-Davidson riding at its best'. The author of the article on the R made several references that made me think he hated Harley-Davidsons. The heavy steering was a general complaint thread that I saw in that article and the other with the four bike ride. I will give you that the R in stock format takes a definite effort to make it change directions. I didn't really ever think it was heavy or slow. When I was about changing things to customize the handling, a little change in tire pressure would help some in the front tire. When I lowered the front end 1/2-3/4 inch the difference was noticeable. Turn in was almost a thought, it was very light. A push on the bar would make a big change in direction.
Changing wheels, tires, shocks and fork springs has made big differences in the feel of the suspension. So, in retrospect, the stock steering was not sport bike flickable. I wasn't really looking for that. That can be purchased in many flavors.
I think that the vague feeling isn't about the weight, chassis, tires or shocks. I think the target of HD with the introduction of the VRSCR is vague. Writers and riders walk into the store or press meeting and are give a look. It looks sort of more sporting, inverted forks, lean angles, and more travel in the suspension. I never get over all the ink devoted to the foot peg's position. It is so un-HD. So people ride it looking for whatever is inspired in their mind. I think what a rider walks away with has to do more with how close they got their expectations to match VRSCR reality. Since nobody knows what the intention is, they use their own experience and make one up. It is how the mind works.
So if you think HD is big slow bikes with running boards ( nobody on this forum thinks that, right?) that are chrome penises then the VRSCR won't match very well. If you ride sport bikes and look at the R, you may think, hey HD is making a sport bike like thing. I don't think that is what the R is either but many do, because of the pegs and bars(?!). When your expectations don't match your experience of the reality, it can go two ways. For the devoted, the R forum guys and gals, it was a hit. For most of the rest of the universe, not so much.
I think it is sad that the vague marketing has contributed to what should have been a fairly successful product line's failure. I am glad I pulled the trigger on this thing but I have been a wild card about things all my life. I don't regret doing things and moving on to something else. To me that is how life works. I think it is about growth. I probably won't buy another Vrod. Been there done that. I enjoy my R and respect what it is. I have grown from it. The VRSCR in my garage doesn't define me. I can leave it and not feel as though I have to drink someother cool-aid to buy something else. It is a great machine, but nothing more than that.
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316 Posts
Very well said.
If I want flickable with snotty power I'll get on my Duck. There's no comparison.
However, simply put, I wanted a reliable, factory-built Harley with balls that I could use daily (sometimes riding 2-up) without dragging pegs around every corner. I've had several airheads in the past (some custom) and they could be downright scary at times when pushed hard. I'm too big for a Sporty and they're way too underpowered in stock form anyway. It's silly that the Harley crowd in general shuns mid controls, I guess the fact that you can use your feet along with your body to help bias the bike in cornering (you know, like a dirt bike) is just too horrifying to contemplate. Everybody wants a damned chrome-slathered La-Z-Boy apparently.
My only gripes about the R are the weight (hard not to with a Ducati sharing the stall) and the crappy stock seat, but these aren't deal breakers. Otherwise I think it's a very competent machine for more of a cruiser type of bike.
If I want flickable with snotty power I'll get on my Duck. There's no comparison.
However, simply put, I wanted a reliable, factory-built Harley with balls that I could use daily (sometimes riding 2-up) without dragging pegs around every corner. I've had several airheads in the past (some custom) and they could be downright scary at times when pushed hard. I'm too big for a Sporty and they're way too underpowered in stock form anyway. It's silly that the Harley crowd in general shuns mid controls, I guess the fact that you can use your feet along with your body to help bias the bike in cornering (you know, like a dirt bike) is just too horrifying to contemplate. Everybody wants a damned chrome-slathered La-Z-Boy apparently.
My only gripes about the R are the weight (hard not to with a Ducati sharing the stall) and the crappy stock seat, but these aren't deal breakers. Otherwise I think it's a very competent machine for more of a cruiser type of bike.
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