Easy, maybe you can help me out. Ridden nothing but a Ducati 996..need I say more? But as I'm a little older now, I'm looking for something a little more..you know..Harley. I've never ridden the Streed Rod, but I've read it handles and moves like a champ. Now I don't expect in to flatten the curves like a 996, but I wonder if, combined with it badass aesthetic design, the performance will still put a smile on the face of a former Ducatista. Thanks for the info...I've actually sort of made up my mind to get one, I'm just looking for a little confirmation.

 

or anyone with good info on the Street Rod?

 

Well, I can provide your confirmation along with most every other V-Rod owner. The VRSC line performs far and above any other Harley-Davidson, and the StreetRod is the closest thing you're going to find to your Ducati that has ever been made by Harley. For a 600+ pound bike it actually performs quite well in the curves. You are right however, it will not do as well as your last bike. It's a different, and I think better, ride. The Revolution engine is one that you're not going to be dissatisfied with. There are a number of us here, if not the majority of us here, that have come from a sportsbike background. I have and I haven't looked back. I think you will be more than pleased with the VRSCR.

Besides, it's a Harley.

 

try a Buell Ulysses XB12X great all arounder with a comfortable seat that can still cut an apex . It's a little closer to an HD !

 

wow,triple buzz I'm on this forum to learn more before I take the plunge and snag my own VRSCDX. Buell closer to harley than a bike that says harley on the tank???

 

I think he means a Buell is more of a harley than a ducati

 

Lol..I know Buell's a great bike, but if I went from a Ducati 996 to a Buell Ulysses, I think I'd hang myself.

 

Hi -

I owned a Ducati 916 and rode it until my arms gave out. Five surgeries later, including both rotator cuffs being repaired along with significant other problems, the 916/999 are not an option - no ability to bend or take the wrist weight.

So like you I wanted to try what Harley had to offer. I love the V-Rod, but there are some things to consider. To compare the two, I'd call the Ducati a Porsche Cayman - light weight, focused with almost perfect balance, but not the most powerful engine made. The V-Rod is more like the 911, a bit heavier, "more mature" ride, steeped in technology and history.

While I love the V-Rod I wish Harley would get some better focus groups together before building it. The Night Rod is all blacked out, a bit lower and combines a drag racer look with a high speed sporting ride. Why? What demographic does that fit? I love Harley's chrome, give it to me. The initial V-Rod was all chrome, even the color. Now they dumb it down with black look engines and transmissions. It's a less expensive finish, but more importantly it makes it look like a bike for a 30-35 year old, and a group that I no longer can claim membership to. Does Harley really expect that group to buy Harley V-Rods instead of the BMW K1200R or other more "In you face" designs?

The V-Rod is a big seller in Europe, a place where high revving engines excel. For the good old USA the top end rush may be more useful if geared to a 70 MPH de facto speed limit. Give me more low end grunt, and I don't need the 140+ MPH top end. Dress it in chrome, put the center mount pegs right where they are, but provide a low/medium/high seat option. Give me adjustable foot peg locations, like Ducati, Aprilia and others. Let me customize it so my 5'7" frame will work as well as a 6'1" guy. Harley overly segments this bike, and to me, they've missed each group. The "younger look" is a lowered bike, not very well targeted. The chrome look has forward pegs, not good for the vertically challenged. The lowered version loses too much lean angle, taking the sport out of it. Do try it on 140 degree turns, the only weakness of the bike, and not one you'll run into often.

Buy one and you'll love it, but be prepared to spend a few dollars (maybe not a few) to get the combination of look/peg placement and ride that you want. Unfortunately I've not been able to do that, and decided that until Harley makes a bike targeted for me, I'll continue to admire it and drool, but I'm not putting my dollars on the table until I can get it built the way I want it.

Rant over, it's a great ride - in my opinion the perfect replacement for the Duc, if you fit and can find the style you like.

 

Lencap..nice assesment, and thanks for all the info. I will, however, dispute your comparison of the 996/9 to the Cayman. The 999, and especially the new 1098, is among the most powerful and "torquiest" engines on the road. Not much can beat it in the straightaway, and what can can't do it in the curves, but I guess that goes to the balance you mentioned. From the sounds of it, though, yea, I think it'll be a great replacement. Thanks for the reply.

 

thanks Ironhead ,I was not so clear on that.