Since its founding, more than a hundred years ago, it has managed to produce some amazing models. Although some of the Harleys have practically faded from memory, others are impossible to forget. Harley Davidson's influence in the world of motorcycling is so great that it is simply called the "American motorcycle". It's important to note that the company has produced countless motorcycles over a hundred years, and choosing the top ten models is quite subjective.
The company was one of two major American motorcycle manufacturers that managed to survive the Great Depression. It survived changes in ownership, periods of poor product quality and economic decline, withstood intense global competition and became one of the world's five largest motorcycle manufacturers. Moreover, she was able to create a truly cult brand; everyone has heard of Harley, even if they are not at all interested in motorcycles. Harley Davidson is also known for customization: hand-assembling, modifying and painting motorcycles to the customer's taste, which led to the appearance of the chopper style.
The company promoted heavy air-cooled cruiser motorcycles with an engine displacement of more than 700 cc, then expanded its range of services to offer lighter and more modern bikes of the VSRC family.
Typically, Harley Davidson models are equipped with a V-shaped two-cylinder engine with a cylinder camber of 45 degrees. There is a single pin on the crankshaft; both pistons are connected to the pin by connecting rods. To reduce costs and simplify the engine, distributorless ignition is used, in other words, a dual ignition system.
The company's factories are located in India (Bavali); in Brazil (Manaus); in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; in Kansas City, Missouri and York, Pennsylvania. Harley Davidson motorcycles are sold everywhere, except perhaps Antarctica.
Here are the 10 best models ever.
F11 (1915)
The F11 motorcycle brought the motorcycle world to a whole new level. For the first time, a three-speed gearbox, an automatic oil filter and larger valves were used. As a result, the bike roared with an 11 horsepower engine! It was even made with a removable night light. Although obsolete today, the F11 played a very important role. It revolutionized motorcycle manufacturing and proved that comfort could be combined with style and performance.
Technical features of Harley Davidson V Rod
As for the technical part of this model, there is something to discuss. It’s probably worth starting with the engine, since it has become a kind of highlight in the new Harley. In addition to installing water cooling, the engine received a cylinder camber angle of 60 degrees, as well as an overhead camshaft. In the V-Rod model, engineers decided to make the engine exactly like this for the first time. The fact is that on old Harleys the cylinder angle was 45 degrees, and a lower valve timing mechanism was used. However, this time, Harley Davidson set the task of extracting more power from the engine. Then it was decided to borrow the idea from sports motorcycles, which even then had a cylinder angle of 60 degrees.
By the way, there is a myth among motorcyclists that this engine was developed jointly with, but in fact this is not entirely true. The fact is that the Porsche concern has a department that tests and tests new engines. After development, the engine from the new V Rod was sent there in order to receive proposals for its improvement and refinement.
If we talk specifically about numbers, the V-twin engine of the new Harley Davidson V Rod received two cylinders, which in total produce a volume of 1250 cm3. The motorcycle's power was 119 horsepower, and quite good torque - 113 N/m. The listed characteristics allow you to accelerate the motorcycle to 223 km/h. For a model with a dry weight of almost 300 kg, this is considered a fairly good result. By the way, we were also pleased with the consumption; as the manufacturer assures us, the V-Rod consumes 6.3 liters per 100 km in the combined cycle.
VRSCSE2 (2006)
VRSCSE2 boasts more than just performance. It combines excellent functionality with striking looks and comes in three color combinations: Charcoal Slate with Pearl Scarlet, Platinum Pear with Chrome and Yellow Pearl, and Black with Burnt Orange. In addition to excellent steering, the motorcycle has a Revolution engine, which makes it easy to maneuver in heavy traffic.
Disadvantages of the model
- High price.
- Stiff suspension.
- The rear view mirrors do not provide a very good view.
- Huge weight.
The V-Rod Muscle is an image bike, in the creation of which Harley-Davidson, however, as always, hit the target. Due to its appearance, it attracts the attention of both men and women. He is not a long-distance driver; this is due to the small tank and the lack of body kits and windproof glass. But there will always be a buyer for it, since everything in it is made with reverent feelings for the future owner, as befits a bike from Harley Davidson.
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CVO Softail Convertible (2012)
Although the CVO Softail Convertible went into production in 2010, it was the 2012 variant that stood out from the rest. The bike was perfect for both long trips and trips around the city. It was easy to modify: the backrest, rear passenger seat and windshield could be removed. The motorcycle was suitable for both men and women, with a saddle height of 66 cm and a light frame. The lightness of the frame made it easier for women to handle, and the high height made the bike look cool, which was ideal for guys.
Model range of Harley-Davidson motorcycles
Harley-Davidson has long become more than just a well-known brand of bikes. This is a whole philosophy, a way of life for millions of people united in entire groups (HarleyOwnersGroup). The brand traditionally owes its name to its creators, William S. Harley and his friend Arthur Davidson. The first prototype of the popular motorcycle was an ordinary bicycle equipped with a low-power engine. Since 1904, production has increased in arithmetic progression. Just 4 years later, the debutant took part in the race for the first time and, naturally, won. The victory served as an impetus for the creation of a fundamentally new V-shaped two-cylinder engine.
Thanks to military orders, Harley-Davidson Motor Company became the sales leader in its segment after World War I. From an engineering point of view, motorcycles have become more and more advanced. And a new feature has appeared in the design - the image of an eagle on the gas tank. During the crisis of the 30s of the twentieth century, the company suffered significant losses, but remained afloat. After World War II, development peaked. This is largely due to the departure of its principal competitor from the market - .
Until our times, Harley-Davidson improves its motorcycles, wins races, and creates branded equipment. In Russia, the official representative office opened only in 2005, but this does not interfere with the wild popularity of the brand. Bikes are produced in different directions depending on their purpose: Street, Sportster, Dyna Glide, Softail, V-Rod, Touring, Trike. The most popular among domestic fans are choppers, trikes and road motorcycles.
The Harley-Davidson Street 750 is perfect for riding on city streets. In Russia it is available only with a 750 cm3 engine with a liquid cooling system. Very maneuverable thanks to the narrow chassis. There are no chrome parts in the design. The designers gave preference to dark tones.
The lineup of cruisers or choppers, which is more common, is more diverse than ever. They are distinguished by an elongated frame and front fork. The CVO label features a hand-built motorcycle with custom graphics and accessories. A characteristic feature of such cars is an engine with a displacement of 1800 cm3.
Harley-Davidson Tri Glide Ultra is a three-wheeled trike with a powerful 1690 cm3 engine, specially designed for long journeys. A large tank, spacious trunk and comfortable seating make the journey comfortable.
Harley-Davidson is respected by everyone, even those who don't like it.
Dyna Wide Glide (2010)
The Dyna Wide Glide may not be the most practical motorcycle when compared to other Harleys, but it is a pleasure to ride! Main differences from other versions: Tommy Gun 2-1-2 exhaust pipes, a larger rear end and a chopped rear fender. Also, compared to its predecessors, it has a relatively low saddle, which is partly why it is so comfortable. Requires a little effort when turning. An excellent choice for those who love sliding.
Wheelbase
Separately, I would like to talk about the wheels of the V Rod model. From the factory, the motorcycle is sold with a 19-inch front disc and an 18-inch rear disc. Most likely, this was done more to give the appearance of the motorcycle a little brutality, since the rear tire is 240 millimeters wide. This size, by the way, allows you to feel the motorcycle better, and when riding the bike gets fairly good grip on the road. But here it’s immediately worth noting that factory tires are not suitable for racing, even at the entry level. It’s better to move around on it calmly, sometimes twisting the throttle, since it’s pointless to do this from the start - the wheel just spins and the tires wear off. This model has quite a lot of potential, but in order to fully realize it you will have to install quite expensive tires intended for racing.
XR-1000 (1983)
Efficient and powerful, the XR-1000 was a staggering $7,000 price tag. Not everyone could spend that much money on a motorcycle. The lucky few who could afford it enjoyed the mighty 998 cc engine, pushing the bike to 180 km/h. The XR-1000 may not have been particularly popular despite its fantastic performance for the time, but its racing version, called Lucifer's Hammer, helped Jay Springsteen win the Daytona race.
Reviews from Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle owners
Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle, 2009
I have long wanted to buy myself a Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle, but the price put me off. In the end, I still bought it, which was largely due to greed. At the beginning of March, I went to the states for Daytona Bike Week and went for a bit of a ride. Initially I wanted to rent it to get to know it better. But the rental cost was calculated at 160 per day, or slightly less than 4 thousand per month. So I decided to add and buy. I bought a motorbike from a dealer with less than 1000 miles on it, without registration and owners from the showroom. The motorcycle is excellent, just for my character, you can do it imposingly, but you can also shoot (it picks up 120 miles at a stroke), it becomes scary, it’s still a provocateur, it takes corners perfectly, I want more and more. The Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle brakes have nothing to compare them to, they are simply excellent. The seats are hard but comfortable, the seating position is normal, after 150 miles nothing falls off, it doesn’t get tired, and after that you have to think about refueling. At low speeds it is quite stable, despite the weight of 300 kg - this is, of course, a merit of the roller and the low center of gravity. There is no need to take out the keys, they just lie in your pocket, and when you stop and turn it off, it immediately goes into security mode and if the key is further than 5 meters, it will not start. I drove 7,000 miles in a month and never regretted the purchase. Now the shortcomings that I felt in Russia are the light is weak, I need to order xenons, the suspension is leaking, I will need to fill in thicker oil and install springs in the front and tighten the back. Naturally, gas mileage or am I just “lucky”, the tank according to the computer is 160 miles, but after 200 km you need to fill it up, on a wet road you will be dirty, for the sake of style there is no rear wing, of course there is a “kit” with the ability to install a number behind the wheel, but “show-off” is paramount, the sight of the 240th skating rink still fascinates. Regarding maintenance, I changed the oil and filter before shipping, I bought a new set on Ebay, I’m also going to buy something there to work on in the winter. The overall result is that the motorcycle is excellent and I don’t understand why many people criticize it (although I understand that few people are brought for sale in perfect condition, more and more whatever is cheaper). After the Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle, the Suzuki is like a bicycle.
FLHR Road King (2012)
In terms of performance and customization, the 2012 FLHR lives up to its name and is truly the king of the road. This was achieved thanks to the installation of a Twin Cam 103 engine with a displacement of 1690 cubic centimeters and a 6-speed gearbox. The model uses anti-lock brakes and electronic cruise control. In terms of customization, the bike comes with adjustable rear suspension and a removable windshield, all of which help in achieving a smooth ride. The King of the Road has a classic body design synonymous with bikers.
VRSCA V-Rod (2002)
The fast-paced VRSCA V-Rod is tailor-made for drag racing. This model evoked memories of Harley racing of yore, from the design to the 115 horsepower at 8,250 rpm, and developed such power that the rear wheel turned like a racing motorcycle. You could hit 225 km/h, which is pretty impressive for a 2002 bike.
Harley Davidson V Rod specifications and review
Harley Davidson is a motorcycle manufacturer that is known both to the biggest fans of two-wheeled vehicles and to people who have never sat on the seat of a real bike. This brand has existed for more than a hundred years, and during this time it has produced a large number of legendary motorcycle models. One of them is the Harley Davidson V Rod. It is this bike that will be discussed in our review.
FLHT Electra Glide Standard (2009)
This stripped-down tourer lacks many of the components that motorcycles are usually associated with, such as a powerful sound system, a ton of chrome and a bright, interesting paint job. However, it has a two-cylinder engine, air suspension, a six-speed transmission, cruise control and reliable performance. One of the most stable bikes.
FXSTB Night Train (2009)
Famous for its looks and incredible performance, the FXSTB Night Train was painted in various shades of black (a train without lights, flying through the night). Performance is determined by the Twin Cam 96B engine with a displacement of 1584 cc. It may not be perfect for racing, but it's great for daily driving.
