Cycle News - Archive Issues - 2000's

SPECIFICATIONS 2006 HARLEY-DAVIDSON STREET ROD LIST PRICE The Street Rod sits noticeably higher than its lowrider sibling, the V-Rod. As one of the early originators of the new powercruiser market segment, Harley has the straight-line performance thing down to a science. even winning the NHRA Pro Stock Bike Championship with its Vance & Hines team in 2004 using a facsimile of the V-Rod. But what if the bike could go around corners as well? That is a question that many of us have asked over the past few years. The motor that powers the V-Rod owes it lineage to the VR 1000 superbike of the '90s - a bike that never won a Superbike race but could definitely go around corners like no Harley before it. With the rest of the powercruiser market currently in a major displacement war. trying to outdo one another with increasingly supersized powerplants. Harley has opted to take another route. They've finally answered the question about handling. Straight-line performance may be a big deal for you Floridians. but the rest of us need something for the twisties. "The new chassis allows you to ride it with more finesse yet more aggressively at the same time." Davidson pointed out at the introduction of the new bike in San Diego. California. recently. To date, Harley-Davidson has sold 50,000 V-Rods, disproving early rumors that the bike wasn't selling well. The V-Rod is unique to Harley because not only is it aimed at a younger demographic. but Harley's data also tells them that SO percent of V-Rod owners were former owners of competitors' products. And that doesn't necessarily mean just cruisers - many are coming off sportbikes as well. One glance at the Street Rod conveys that something is different. For starters. the bike doesn't look as long and low as the standard V-Rod. This one has better posture and looks like it's sitting up instead of slouching. which is exactly what the seating position is like as well - but more on that later. Most notable is the change in the fork angle (now 32 degrees instead of the 38 degrees on the V-Rod). which is pulled back for improved steering response. The Street Rod's actual steering head angle is steeper (30 degrees) than the fork angle, due to different offset in the aero-cut forged-aluminum triple clamps. The fork is a brand-new 43mm inverted cartridge unit, but it doesn't have any provisions for adjustability. Looking at the rear end of the bike, it's obvious that there is more suspension trav- el than with the standard model, and the specs show 5 inches both front and rear instead of 4. The rear frame section has been altered because of the increase in rear travel. but also to accommodate the larger-capacity fuel cell. The combination has given the bike substantially more ground clearance. If you are already the owner a V-Rod, I can't blame you, because the bike is a fantastic motorcycle. But the fact of the matter is that the Street Rod is a million times better. at least in my opinion. My biggest complaint on the V-Rod is the fact that I can only ride it for about 45 minutes before my back is completely wasted - and I'm only 36-years-old' The second I pulled away on the Street Rod. I knew it was going to be a great day. The seating position is absolutely neutral. meaning that with my near-6-foot frame. the relationship between the handlebars and the angle of my back and the seat itself is perfect. However. the primary reason that the seating position works so well is Black - $16,495 ($16,595 in California) Pearl colors - $16.740 ($16.840 in California) OPTIONS: .. Security system. add $275 DISPLACEMENT 1130cc ENGINE TYPE Liquid-cooled. DOHC, 60-degeree V-twin BORE x STROKE .......... 100 x 72mm COMPRESSION RATIO ........ 11.3: I CARBUR£TION .. Electronic sequential port fuel injection IGNITION Electronic TRANSMISSION Five-speed STARTING SYSTEM Electric FUEL CAPACITY 5.0 gal. WHEELBASE 66.8 in. RAKE/TRAIL 30·/109.2mm SEAT HEIGHT 30 in. FRONT TIRE 120/70-19 REAR TIRE 180/55-18 FRONT-WHEEL TRAVEL 5.0 in. REAR-WHEEL TRAVEL 5.0 in. FRONT BRAKE ... .Dual 300mm discs w/four piston Brembo calipers REAR BRAKE Single 300mm disc FINAL DRIVE Belt CLAIMED DRY WEIGHT 617 Ibs. due to the midmounted footpeg location. The seating position is reminiscent of an HD 5portster. 1200 Roadster, Triumph Bonneville. Ducati Monster. Moto Guzzi. BMW or any standard you can think of just totally comfortable and neutral. The seat height on the Street Rod is 30 inches, instead of the low 26 inches on the V-Rod. I spent an entire day on the Street Rod and can honestly say I was as comfortable at the end as I was at the beginning. The seating position is key to extended saddle time. as is the additional 1.3 gallons of fuel in the

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