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WHEN HARLEY DAVIDSON decided to embark on a venture to build their new Revolution engine with sportscar maker Porsche, the collaboration resulted in a totally new watercooled engine design that not only retained the characteristic Harley-Davidson identity, but gained a whole new following as well.
The collaboration didn't stop at the engine either, the Porsche element gave itself away from subtle styling cues such as the colours and increased use of aluminium, down to more obvious influences such as the Porsche-designed headlight used on the V-Rod and Street Rod models.
Following the introduction of the new V-Rod in 2001, public reaction transformed from initial skepticism to a runaway success, generating a long wait list for V-Rod customers even today. Harley-Davidson further capitalised on the V-Rod with the introduction of the Street Rod and Night Rod variants. The Street Rod features a more upright upside down fork and stiffer front end for better agility and the foot controls have been shifted into the mid-mounted position back to below the rider. Its maker also added a larger 19-litre fuel tank for a longer range.
The Street Rod is more than a V-Rod with muscled-up looks. The hunkier and chunkier Rod has revised steering geometry to go with the beefier forks, along with the revised rider ergonomics to bring out a much sportier handling. This motorcycle is also capable of 40-degree lean angles, eight degrees more than the lean angles of its other Rod stablemates, making it possible to carve tighter roads without risking grinding the footpegs to the road surface.
The Revolution engine has been designed to retain the familiar Harley idle and the resulting trademark roar when the throttle was opened. The key differences in performance are a seemingly continuous delivery of torque and endless surge of power. Thanks to the watercooled system, this engine produces less heat, which is definitely welcome relief for riders in this part of the world and has made all the difference especially in a traffic jam.
On the move, the engine surpassed all previous expectations as it had all the grunt any rider could possibly want. It accelerates cleanly with smooth and positive gearchanges to match, making the whole riding experience velvety smooth and yet invigoratingly fresh. The awkward throttle on-off transitions, troublesome little flat spots in the rev range and the lumpy, irregular idle are all things of the past on a modern Harley.
The Street Rod chassis with its oversized tube frame is strong enough to accommodate the new engine power, and stiff enough to deliver a predictable handling motorcycle. The upside down front forks and massive triple trees also enhanced the front end stiffness and stability.
The good news is that the overall extra stiffness does not translate into any harshness or discomfort. In fact, it allows the suspension geometry to blend and work together, resulting in a very assured feel both in straight line speed or adventurous lean angles and made everything else in between quite seamless. Add in the large 180-section rear tire coupled to the 120-section front tyre (a combination yielding the widest selection for high-performance tires), there is no shortage of traction or confidence either.
The Street Rod positions the rider a bit higher and more upright than the V-Rod with the seat height of 762mm, together with the mid-mount foot controls this gives the rider a more authoritative feel over the whole motorcycle. Handling and braking are crisp and accurate, while the four-piston Brembo brakes are impressive considering that this is an almost 300kg motorcycle. Clutch effort is very much reduced and the throw is small enough to suit most Asian owners. The mirrors are actually very useable even at highway speeds though they are more applicable in city traffic.
The Street Rod comes with paint options for up to seven colour schemes, making it easy to differentiate it from your neighbour's Harley. Other optional items include a security system, and then there is the whole range of dress-up and tune up Screamin? Eagle accessories to bring the Street Rod beyond standard catalogue specification.
The Street Rod has not only managed to couple the Revolution power unit with increased agility, but it has done so with increased range and flexibility. While this engine has reduced the burning pain of the equatorial urban traffic jam, the Street Rod has generated quite a few newfound pleasures in carving canyons and cruising highways. Although built with a purpose and ability that is quite different from the other Rods, the Street Rod has managed to achieve this without detracting from the feel and familiarity of a Harley Davidson.
Harley Davidson VRSCR Street Rod
Engine Revolution twin-cylinder fuel injected 1130cc
Torque 109Nm@7000 RPM
Fuel Consumption 6.4 litres/100km/city
Tires/Wheel 120/70 ZR19 Front, 180/55 ZR18 Rear
Fuel Capacity 18.9 litres
Weight 297kg
Price S$38,200 with COE
Contact Harley-Davidson of Singapore
Telephone 6475-0123
The collaboration didn't stop at the engine either, the Porsche element gave itself away from subtle styling cues such as the colours and increased use of aluminium, down to more obvious influences such as the Porsche-designed headlight used on the V-Rod and Street Rod models.
Following the introduction of the new V-Rod in 2001, public reaction transformed from initial skepticism to a runaway success, generating a long wait list for V-Rod customers even today. Harley-Davidson further capitalised on the V-Rod with the introduction of the Street Rod and Night Rod variants. The Street Rod features a more upright upside down fork and stiffer front end for better agility and the foot controls have been shifted into the mid-mounted position back to below the rider. Its maker also added a larger 19-litre fuel tank for a longer range.
The Street Rod is more than a V-Rod with muscled-up looks. The hunkier and chunkier Rod has revised steering geometry to go with the beefier forks, along with the revised rider ergonomics to bring out a much sportier handling. This motorcycle is also capable of 40-degree lean angles, eight degrees more than the lean angles of its other Rod stablemates, making it possible to carve tighter roads without risking grinding the footpegs to the road surface.
The Revolution engine has been designed to retain the familiar Harley idle and the resulting trademark roar when the throttle was opened. The key differences in performance are a seemingly continuous delivery of torque and endless surge of power. Thanks to the watercooled system, this engine produces less heat, which is definitely welcome relief for riders in this part of the world and has made all the difference especially in a traffic jam.
On the move, the engine surpassed all previous expectations as it had all the grunt any rider could possibly want. It accelerates cleanly with smooth and positive gearchanges to match, making the whole riding experience velvety smooth and yet invigoratingly fresh. The awkward throttle on-off transitions, troublesome little flat spots in the rev range and the lumpy, irregular idle are all things of the past on a modern Harley.
The Street Rod chassis with its oversized tube frame is strong enough to accommodate the new engine power, and stiff enough to deliver a predictable handling motorcycle. The upside down front forks and massive triple trees also enhanced the front end stiffness and stability.
The good news is that the overall extra stiffness does not translate into any harshness or discomfort. In fact, it allows the suspension geometry to blend and work together, resulting in a very assured feel both in straight line speed or adventurous lean angles and made everything else in between quite seamless. Add in the large 180-section rear tire coupled to the 120-section front tyre (a combination yielding the widest selection for high-performance tires), there is no shortage of traction or confidence either.
The Street Rod positions the rider a bit higher and more upright than the V-Rod with the seat height of 762mm, together with the mid-mount foot controls this gives the rider a more authoritative feel over the whole motorcycle. Handling and braking are crisp and accurate, while the four-piston Brembo brakes are impressive considering that this is an almost 300kg motorcycle. Clutch effort is very much reduced and the throw is small enough to suit most Asian owners. The mirrors are actually very useable even at highway speeds though they are more applicable in city traffic.
The Street Rod comes with paint options for up to seven colour schemes, making it easy to differentiate it from your neighbour's Harley. Other optional items include a security system, and then there is the whole range of dress-up and tune up Screamin? Eagle accessories to bring the Street Rod beyond standard catalogue specification.
The Street Rod has not only managed to couple the Revolution power unit with increased agility, but it has done so with increased range and flexibility. While this engine has reduced the burning pain of the equatorial urban traffic jam, the Street Rod has generated quite a few newfound pleasures in carving canyons and cruising highways. Although built with a purpose and ability that is quite different from the other Rods, the Street Rod has managed to achieve this without detracting from the feel and familiarity of a Harley Davidson.
Harley Davidson VRSCR Street Rod
Engine Revolution twin-cylinder fuel injected 1130ccTorque 109Nm@7000 RPM
Fuel Consumption 6.4 litres/100km/city
Tires/Wheel 120/70 ZR19 Front, 180/55 ZR18 Rear
Fuel Capacity 18.9 litres
Weight 297kg
Price S$38,200 with COE
Contact Harley-Davidson of Singapore
Telephone 6475-0123