Motorcycle specifications Harley-Davidson1130 STREET-ROD VRSCR 2005 Very hot rod

the Harley you're looking at is of a different dimension. A machine that will sweep away the clichés typical of the American manufacturer. Who hasn't heard "A Harley doesn't move, you look like crap on it and you rub the frame at the slightest traffic circle..."? These stereotypes no longer apply. The V-rod had already begun to shake things up - the Street-rod is about to spice up the biker route.

in this new roadster, the Revolution engine grabs 5 hp to send 120 horses through the drive belt. But that's peccadillo compared to the Street-rod's pretensions. The clues are clear: aggressive exhausts, a serious braking system and... ouhla, . An inverted fork, footrests positioned vertically on the rider, it's now clear - the Street-rod is Harley's version of a sports roadster, with a lot of thrust and angle. The manufacturer claims 40° angles.
The engine already caused quite a stir when it first appeared. This liquid-cooled twin, designed in collaboration with Porsche, delivers big watts. It should smoke well on the road, not to mention the fact that the brakes have been entrusted to Brembo, with 300 mm front and rear discs squeezed by 4-piston calipers. This will undoubtedly be the best braking ever offered on a Harley.
Now you can attack. No more misaligned feet next to the front wheel. The rider's position on the VRSCR will be much more conventional than usual, and more suited to hard riding. In fact, the clip on the Harley France website is quite explicit. There's nothing bucolic about this ride; it's rockin', it's fast, and it almost smells like an arsouille!
This adaptation of the V-rod to a more "street-bike" riding style has necessitated a number of transformations. The wheels are no longer solid but spoked, the forks have been raised by 4°, the fuel tank has gained almost 5 L and the weight has gone up by 10 kg. But the most surprising aspect of all is yet to come: the ride.

there's no doubt that the Street-rod will astonish many, many people. Have you ever tasted an American motorcycle with a Mexican twist? Come spring and discover much more than a new Harley.

Not quite custom, but not quite roadster, the VRSCR retains from its origins a finish and chrome carousel typical of fine Milwaukee production. The riding position is much more than a transition between the 2 worlds - Harley purists will be shocked, even scandalized, at no longer having their feet well forward; fans of muscular roadsters won't find the attack position of Japanese or Italian machines. In fact, we're pretty cool, but you have to realize that the Rod family(VRSCA, B and VRSCR) has turned the world upside down.
In the space of 3 years, the H-D world has entered a new dimension. This manufacturer, which swore by authenticity and its traditional customs with a big air-cooled twin, offers the world a very modern engine (water-cooled, 4 valves per cylinder, designed in collaboration with Porsche) built into a machine ready for attack. Had we been told this in the year 2000, we'd have cried "undrinkable hallucination".

long, low and shiny, the Street Rod openly flirts with you. This helps to make up for the bike's heavy weight. It's not an Electra Glide, but at over 300 kg, you can feel it. It fades as you ride, and then you enjoy the suppleness of the engine/transmission pairing. If you can manage to cope with the dreadful turning radius, virile controls and a dashboard that's out of the rider's line of sight, the VRSCR isn't unbearable in the city.
That's not the point. Cruising at the comfort speed imposed by the non-existent protection, you can savour the character of the twin 1130. At low revs, it churns away with a heavy hum as it stretches its muscle. Although the power is there, the liveliness of the connecting rods is not that of a GSX-R; a bit like asking a boxer who's just woken up to throw an uppercut. But once the needle reaches the middle of the rev counter, the athlete opens his eyes and releases the adrenalin. His true strength comes to the fore, taking you well over 200 km/h. Surprisingly, at these forbidden speeds, the Street Rod doesn't budge - great stability.
Now it's time to put this "cornering" Harley to the test. One turn, two turns, a strong rhythm... And the VRSCR silences all the American brand's detractors. It enters the virolo (with a little effort on the handlebars) with confidence, and leans in very sharply. Cornering speed is light years ahead of a Road King or Fat Boy. The bike isn't as lively and agile as a Japanese bike, but you can go for it. Just don't forget that it's neither a sports bike nor a lightweight.
When the going gets too rough, the machine doesn't hesitate to pull away from the rope. Fortunately, the chassis and suspension quality allow you to enjoy a roadster ride that borders on sporty. Just as a fridge crosses the road, the other surprise is a treat: the brakes. Brembo brakes live up to their reputation and restore Harley's reputation. Power, bite and feel like never before on an H-D.

now, when you walk up to your Harley-Davidson dealer, you can ask: "I'm looking for a classy bike that pushes hard, corners at leisure and brakes hard! Something unlikely in the 20th century, but available today: the VRSCR.

M.B
(Test text inspired by L. Cochet's article
Moto-Journal n° 1 652 - manufacturer's photos)