V-Rod finished last

Well, I have been shopping for a twin for touring for some years now. Problem is that the Goldwing is the best bike I have test ridden so far in terms of doing the most things for long distance riding (as in across the U.S.). I still like the twins, however. If Kawasaki would offer the Vulcan 2000 in a hard bagger and faired version, I'd buy it tomorrow. So as of right now my interest is in the Vulcan Nomad and the no longer produced Valkyrie Interstate (not a twin but a heck of a bike for cruising). I can buy a 2000 or 2001 Valkyrie Interstate for about ten grand with low miles.

I really like the softtail deuce but it doesn't do enough for me to buy it. It is not a tourer. You can buy factory hard bags but it just can't ride two up that comfortably compared to a Road King or a Road Glide. Still, of all the Harleys, the Deuce is the best looking in my opinion. The other one I like is the '71 Superglide. That was Willie G.'s first "custom" fashion statement. I'd love to own one.

Fuster,

Thought of your v-twin touring search last night when I was reading an article in Motorcycle Cruising about an annual wintertime run by a motrocycle club. Lasts all night. The author was aboard a Moto Guzzi California EV Touring bike. $13,500. Had never considered a Guzzi for this but it was well reviewed, looked nice set-up for touring, and it offers one of the most soulful twins. Easily overlooked. Could look into if you have a Guzzi dealer in the region.

Yeah, I know Gold Wings live for for the long haul, but they're just a little too clinical for me, along with the BMW K1200LT. It was a reason I traded the Valk Tourer for a Duc 900ss. How about that for a change .

Nomads/Vulcans are sweet. Saw a dark green one once that was outstanding. The Yamaha Touring rigs are expensive. Speaking of cost and since your affection for H-D's run deep , many say a great v-twin touring bargain out there is the base and unadorned Harley Electra Glide Standard. Has everything you need, but without some chrome doo-dads, and fancy accessories. A good bike to start something with. And for a Harley, only $14,500. Many are surprised by this and the Electra Glides review well.

Yes, a Deuce wouldn't be great for touring, and they look lame with bags. Same as a V-Rod with bags .

Well, that is why they make Road Glides and Road Kings. I am with you about the clinical nature of the fully dressed tourers including the Electra Glide (I have a friend who just bought one).

I test rode a Guzzi. It is fast. It has some quirks that I do not like, such as the wierd brake pedal set up and the heel toe shifter is too small for my size 12.5 foot. If you ever try it, and you got a big foot, you'll know why I don't like it. You can, however, actually buy them for under MSRP for last year or previous year models. I do like the engine. I just wish they would address those ergonomics. The seating position is almost perfect but the heel toe shifter has to be changed for me to buy one.

I had a '87 Yamaha Venture Royale (first gen. Venture). See picture in my Photo Gallery. I loved it. The V Four is one of my favorite, maybe my favorite, motors. I could spin the rear tire at 60 mph on the freeway by just opening the throttle in top gear all the way. That, my friend, is POWER. The bad part is they are topheavy at slow speeds and the top end is very difficult to service due to clearance with the frame. Very difficult. Sold it. But I want another one with hard bags and at least the capacity for intercom and on board stereo system. So far the Vulcan Nomad is my first choice.

Please send a note down to hell. Weather is going to be abit cold. I'm out to defend a harley.

No, really, follow me on this one. Ignore the original v-rod. The one that was selling for double MSRP. Hey, I cant really blame the dealers for that one, people were buying them. If someone came up to me and offered me $20k for my bike, I'd sell it too.
So lets look at MSRP 17k. Thats abit high, but not too bad in comparison to 13k cruisers. After all the HD name carries some weight to some people, and that could be worth extra. I mean, people buy dicati's right?
But the first V-rod had its flaws. Sails for wheels, and no ground clearance, and way too much rake. Next year, enter the street rod. Now there is an impressive machine. This one does go (sort of) fast, Turns well, stops well. For a cruiser. Please dont compare that to a sportbike, of course it doesnt stand a chance. Compare it to the power cruisers of the other 4. The numbers start looking better, only at a higher price. Assuming reliability is up to par, this is not a bad bike. I wouldnt say its the best, but it is the best step HD has taken. Cmon guys, they are on the right track, give them some encouragment.

Ok dealers will try to make money, and It doesnt matter what they are selling. Still, I wonder if maybe the differences arent geographical. A good friend of mine used to work at a hd dealership, the biggest in texas. I'd frequent the place regulalry (imagine the looks I got walking around in full leathers LOL)
Bikes selling at MSRP+2k were completely expected. MSRP+4k was common. On V-rods, or other special editions (anything rare) MSRP+10k was seen regulalry. That dealership sold several $37k vrods the first year they had them. Well, just goes to show ya that there is one born everyminute.

Depreciation on a 4 year old bike seemed to run in the 50% range. And thats not counting the initial increased price, and the extensive modifications, that everyone just has to do to their HD (chrome everything right? Makes ya faster)

Perhaps its a local phenomena. After all bikes are sold in texas like crazy. And HD name carries a whole lot of weight around here. So if people are buying them, who can blame the dealers for selling?

Nailer45 said:

It is rumored that harley didnt even design the vrod engine but they paid an italian company to do so...rumor or truth the vrod sucks in my book ..over priced harley junk...
By the way my brother owns a 1998 harley and has spent more hours working on it than riding it.. I just cruise by and smile riding my HONDA VFR800 1999 model...

Click to expand...

Actually, It's well known that the V-rod motor was a work between Porshe and HD. The V-rod never really caught on over here. From what I understand the Europen market really likes them.

I always scratch my head with all the HD's break down all the time talk. I've been around HD's almost all my life. The only bike I ever remember seeing problems with was an old 76 Shovel Head. Than again I think most of the problems was due to age. Since I wrecked my scoot, I've been riding around on an Electra Glide Classic to get my two wheeled fix. It's not fast, nor does it handle anything like a sport bike. On the other hand it does one thing very well, It cruises. If I was going to do any real long distance riding , two up or alone I would look at buying one in a heart beat. It will cruise 75/90 all day long. The more I ride it the more I get used to throwing it around. Already scraped the floor boards on it. Plus attempting figure 8's on somethig that big is always fun. Some bikes are over priced. Then again, some of the touring bikes are prettty close in price to their foreign counterparts. I dunno what it is...A bike is a bike is a bike to me. If it has two wheels I'll ride it.