H-D's Night Rod Special - Rode Test
Maverick - Sep 9, 2011

Intro and First Impressions:

The Night Rod Special is great to look at and the ‘ride’ draws you into miles of highway. Power to weight ratio and low center of gravity makes this bike unbelievably easy to manage on any roadway designed for cruisers. 

The Night Rod Special used for this review was provided by Sun Harley Davidson. 

Appearance: 

This blacked-out and portentous power cruiser comes in three colors: Vivid Black, Black Denim (as in the bike we reviewed) and Sedona Orange. The Black Denim is highlighted with very tasteful orange pinstriping on the 5-spoke cast aluminum wheels and racing stripe on the airbox and tail section. The frame, handlebar, front fork, triple clamps and covers are blacked out and the engine is black powder-coated with black covers.

Graphics include a V-R 10^th anniversary emblem.  

The Speed screen, Headlight, and Slotted Brace Sport Fender are integrated with instrumentation console creating a streamlined profile.

The rear of the bike is accentuated with a tapered tail section with a subtle flush mount LED taillight and 240 mm wide rear tire. The allure of the Night Rod Special in enhanced by the nearly nonexistence of silver or chrome. If it were up to me, black exhausts would finish the look.

The Night Rod Special is put together so that electronics are hidden from eyesight. The aesthetics of the fuel tank, engine, hydro-formed frame, and composite of the entire motorcycle portrays a work of art. 

Instrumentation/gauges/controls:

While not unique to this Harley-Davidson model, the instrumentation, gauges and controls are convenient and intuitively designed and placed on the motorcycle. Somewhere in the design process an engineer must have been saying over and over: “keep it simple.” Harley-Davidson motorcycles’ controls have been and continue to be the same for years and the same from model to model. One exception to this is the ignition, which may be on either side at the front of the motorcycle, in the consol or attached on the top of the triple tree. Otherwise, if you have ridden and/or grown accustomed to one H-D model, you can easily move to another model and know exactly where to locate switches, buttons, toggles, etc. And, you know precisely how they operate. 

A new rider will catch on quickly and with minimal instruction from your dealer’s personnel.

Similarly, you know where to find engine and motorcycle information; e.g. speed, heat, oil pressure, remaining fuel capacity, etc. It’s all front and center and easy to read without losing touch with the reason you are on the motorcycle: i.e., to ride it!

• Electronic speedometer with odometer
• Time-of-day clock on odometer
• Dual tripmeter
• Fuel gauge with low fuel warning light and countdown feature
• Low oil pressure indicator light
• Engine diagnostics readout
• LED indicator lights
• Tachometer

The Revolution V-Twin engine in the Night Rod is water-cooled and produces 125 hp at 8,250 rpms and 85 ft. lbs of torque at 7,000 rpms. Combined with the suspension set up, you get a ride that provides substantial feedback to the operator while providing an excellent combination of agile handling and responsiveness.

In a straight line, the Night Rod Special is quick to go and quick to stop. Undifferentiated from other V-Rods, this line of motorcycles moves quickly down the highway. It is sporty, but it is not a sport bike in that it does not corner as quickly as a sport bike and it is substantially heavier. The Night Rod Special has a reduced (from earlier models) rake angle making it a bit more responsive when leaning into a curve or turning.

Weighing in at 637 lbs. or about 200 lbs lighter that H-Ds heaviest bike (FLHTCU Ultra Classic Electra Glide) and less than 75 lbs heaver than H-Ds lightest bike (Sportster), combined with approximately 40% more horsepower than any of H-D’s stock motorcycles, makes for a very quick ride. 

While most of the Night Rod Special’s braking capacity (70% plus) is in the front brake system, the wide rear tire provides a large contact patch for maneuvering and stability. The “Slipper Clutch” provides less friction and smoother down shifting.

• Rubber-mounted liquid cool 1250cc Revolution V-Twin engine
• Electornic sequential port fuel injection
• Race bred clutch slipper action eases drive train effort during downshifting
• 5-speed transmission
• Slipper Clutch provides less friction when down shifting provides a smooth ride
• Lighter-weight wheels
• Inverted front forks
• Retuned rear suspension
• Brembo brakes
• Rear tire: 240/40R-18 79V
• Front Tire 120/70ZR-19 60W

The Night Rod Special is designed to position the rider in a more upright position with easy reach to handlebars and foot controls. The stock seat is comfortable and with laden seat height at 25.6 inches, riders can easily reach the ground. If set up is not quite right, changes to seat and handlebars can be made in consultation with a fit expert at your local dealer.

• Pull-back handlebar places controls three inches closer to the rider. 
• The foot pegs have been moved closer to the rider
• Two up seat with custom stitching increase rider comfort in a more upright position
• Deep rider bucket 

The V-Rod line-up is about power, ease of operation and fun!  The V-Rods provide a quiet ride and are equipped with H-D’s most powerful engine. The Night Rod Special has a low center of gravity and rider has a feeling of being in control. Men and/or women can feel at home on this bike and the do.

You can pick one up for $15,299 before installing the Security Package option, which bundles Anti-lock Braking System with H-F Smart Security System including proximity-based, hands-free security fob. The package adds $1,195 to your ticket price. But, it is highly recommended as it provides riders with an added measure of safety when on the bike and increased security when off of it.