Harley Davidson VRSCF V-Rod Muscle

The Harley-Davidson V-Rod  Muscle

The wide, angular air-box cover and chopped tail section look as solid and smooth as billet and give the new V-Rod Muscle lines that are clean and powerful.

The size of the massive 240 mm rear tire is accentuated by the new broad, clipped and clean rear fender.

The combination stop/tail/turn LED light is tucked under the edge of the rear fender, and the side-mount license plate leaves the fender surface smooth and uncluttered.

Front-end styling balances the rear, with a trimmed fender that’s blacked out behind satin-finished inverted forks and LED turn signals integrated into the mirror stems.

The radiator shrouds are restyled and colour-matched to the rest of the bodywork, while the new airbox side covers incorporate air scoop inlets covered with woven wire mesh.

The silver five-spoke cast aluminium front and rear wheels are a new design for the V-Rod line.

A new deep seat holds the rider firmly in place against the thrust of the Revolution V-Twin engine.

The Muscle features forward foot controls, and a new handlebar with internal wiring. The handlebar is 1.5-inch cast aluminium with tubular steel ends and integrated risers.

Bold polished forged aluminium triple clamps secure the inverted forks and frame the distinctive V-Rod teardrop reflector optic headlamp, housed in a satin black bucket.

The long profile of a 34-degree fork rake is stretched visually by new “sidepipe” dual exhausts in satin chrome with fat, turn-out mufflers exiting behind the rear axle.

The V-Rod Muscle is available in Vivid Black, Brilliant Silver, Dark Blue Denim and Red Hot Sunglo.

Liquid-cooled, 1250cc Revolution V-Twin engine
122 hp at 8250 rpm/85 ft. lbs. torque at 7000 rpm
Pewter powdercoated powertrain with polished covers
Assist/Slipper Clutch with reduced lever effort
New clutch cover with relocated dipstick
New Satin chrome dual side exhaust with turn-out mufflers
New Five-spoke cast aluminium 19-inch front wheel
New Five-spoke cast aluminium 18-inch rear wheel
New Triple clamps
New 43 mm Inverted forks
New stylized rear shocks with black springs
New airbox cover and side covers
New front fender with black-out section
New smooth rear fender
New LED stop/tail/turn light
New LED front turn signals integrated in mirror stems
New seat shape
New Internally wired handlebar cast with riser
New instrument graphics and housing
New side-mount license plate
Black frame
240mm wide rear tire
Forward foot controls
Brembo triple-disc brakes
Teardrop reflector-optic headlight
25.6-inch seat height
Optional ABS
Optional Smart Security System

Solomoto riding impression

They used a Harley-Davidson Fat Boy in the second Terminator movie, where that bike was used for all kinds of stunts. However, if the Terminator were to ride a Harley today, it would have to be the VRSCF V-Rod Muscle. The V-Rod has seen several versions being launched over the last few years and the engine capacity has been bumped up from the original 1200cc to 1254cc, but really, the Muscle is the first major ‘new’ model in the series.

Without detracting in any way from the traditional V-Rod styling ethic, the Muscle is now the most attractive and contemporary looking bike in the V-Rod series. With its huge 240mm rear tyre and side-mounted exhaust pipes, the bike looks an intimidating dragster… yes, people will be turning their heads to look at your machine and be prepared for the questions from passers-by when you finally stop to park the bike!

The Muscle’s instrumentation is more comprehensive than most other Harleys – in addition to the usual fuel gauge, you also get a speedometer and tachometer, which is useful. Around town, the Muscle can be less than ideal because of its weight, length and shape of it handlebars. Still, for a dragster-like bike with a 240mm rear tyre, the bike is at least reasonably agile. And then, without any doubt, you’ll be the King of traffic lights, which should be great fun. Indeed, the engine provides strong acceleration from above 2,000rpm and unlike most other slow-revving Harley engines, this one revs up pretty quickly.

The V-Rpd Muscle's riding position makes you stretch your arms far ahead and air protection is nil, which isn’t very comfortable on the long haul. Fortunately, 60-degree V-twin doesn’t vibrate and the rider’s seat is wide and comfortable, which helps matters. On the flip side, the pillion seat is small and thin, the footpegs are not insulated with rubber and there are no grab handles, which, depending on who’s riding with you, may not be such a bad thing…

On the move, you have to muscle the Muscle into corners – with its long wheelbase and massive rear tyre, you need to plan for corners well in advance and use full body English to get the bike to turn. Do this, however, and it’s possible to corner quite hard on the bike. However, the suspension is a bit soft – especially the rear shocks – which can compromise the handling somewhat. Also, the low-ish footpegs can grind out on the tarmac pretty quickly, if you get too ambitious with your cornering speeds.

To sum up, this is a ‘different’ Harley, one that’s not aimed at the Sportster, Fat Boy or Road King buyer. No, the Muscle is for those who want a Harley but who will not sacrifice performance for spectacle. Yes indeed, the Harley-Davidson VRSCF V-Rod Muscle would be the ideal bike for the new Terminator...