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IMHO, the Nights Rod, VRSCD,is the most rideable and best all around bike. Low seat height, good ground clearance, mid controls with highway pegs, comfortable bar position. It's just a great all around cruiser that is just as at home in the twisties as it is on the interstate. Ours is a daily cammuter and a weekend long runner. Our usual questions on the weekends are "Which way do you want to go now?" and "Have we been down that road?" Our D gets around. We tried all of them, including the DX (not to mention every freakin' cruiser and sport tourer made,over a 3 1/2 year period).When we got to the lowly VRSCD, the cheapest V-rod, our search was over. Our bike had finally found us.
The earlier years 06 and back had a 3.7 gal tank that made you tour most of the gas stations along any route. 07 on up have 5 gal tanks that improves the range of the bike. Otherwise there has been essentially nothing wrong with the bikes. 08s have slipper clutches and optional ABS with a 1250cc engine. Earlier years are 1130cc except for the SE which was 1250. D is the only model that has mid controls. R was discontinued in 07 had mid controls but a 31.5 inch seat height. Currently 08 Ds are hard to get, DX is popular.
I am currently looking at a 2002 model, does anyone know what the seat height is on these models. Wife is 5'8" was wondering if she would have any issues placing her feet on the ground.
I'm probably wrong but I think the A and the D both have 26" seat height and 5" ground clearance. My wife is 5'4" and can flat foot our D even with the Sundowner seat. An 02 is a narrow frame bike compared to the 07 and 08. She should have no problem. I stongly suggest she try it first before buying. That kind of goes for any bike. Might as well try all the models you can find. They all have different characteristics. The least handling/seating differences between models is the A and the B. I think paint and handle barsare the only real differences. I'm not real familiar with either. I know the D, DX and R better.
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