My brother has his since 2 years now, and couldn't be happier. It's a Harley, it's fast AND it's reliable. What else could one ask for? The looks aren't really my cup of tea, but to each his own.

 

Riding position can be a problem for some riders. I am fine with it, but have heard several complaints about it.

 

V-Rod Muscle

 

There is an VRSC section here on this forum. Have you thought to ask them?https://www.hdforums.com/forum/vrsc-models-8/
Or maybe these guys?
http://www.1130cc.com/
Or these guys?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke4uD...1&feature=fvwp
But? Can it outrun my UltraRat?

 

Not sure why there are few complaints, but I think putting forward controls on a sport bike shows how clueless Harley designers are.

 

My thoughts are "if they sold more of them, there would be more complaints".

 

The XR 1200 doesn't have forward controls....unless you are thinking it's a cruiser and the V Rod is the sport bike. I agree somewhat with the styling remark, I'm not sure why they needed those hokey "vortex generators" to get the air to flow through the over sized radiator, wouldn't a small fan PULL the air through the radiator?!

When I did the HD demo rides last year I rode some new Harleys that were a lot less impressive than the V Rod. The V Rod is different but not a bad bike, and it's fun to ride too. It would be nice to see a different handlebar on the V Rod Muscle. It's funny to see how Harley guys get all uncomfortable around new technology. ABS...OK, water cooling that maintains consistent engine temperature that makes more consistent/precise fuel/air metering possible & prolongs engine life...NO WAY. not me...besides it doesn't go potato, potato, potato. Wait a minute...neither did any of the other new bikes I rode.

Tech23

 

They had a version with mid controls but that was 3-5 years ago. I guess the parts are out there to switch them to kids if you wanted to. I think they are a good ride and I like the styling too.

 

They are designed toward a different market, and (at least around here) you just don't see that many on the road.

 

it's really because it's just more stuff to break. your base carb'd harley is very simple to troubleshoot and fix yourself with a basic tool kit. it's one reason why i prefer a carb over efi, and air cooled over liquid cooled etc... we all know the advantages of efi over a carb, and liquid cooled over air cooled. but when it comes time to fix efi and liquid cooled engines it's adding a complexity i don't want to deal with. i'm busy and i don't have time to re-learn new technologies to repair my bike, i don't do it for a living.