Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128367
2006 HarleYI-Davidson VRSCR Street Rod Street Rod. More time riding and less time at the filling station. The introduction took place in San Diego County, which offers an awesome selection of twisty roads. A cruiser intro on some of the best sportbike roads in Southern California? Are they crazy? Once in the twisties, all the hype disappeared, because the bike did the talking for itself. At first, I was a little apprehensive to ride the bike aggressively, but the further I prodded into its capabilities, the more I realized how well the bike handled. The first 20-mile stretch of curvy asphalt proved that the bike was perfectly comfortable being ridden like a sportbike and not a cruiser. Sure, in the grand scheme of things it would have been nice to be able to make some suspension adjustments to the fork, but then I remembered I was on a cruiser. I honestly couldn't believe how well this bike handled. One of the most surprising aspects of the bike's ability to corner was just how much lean angle could be achieved without dragging anything. Harley claims that the bike is capable of 40 degrees of lean angle. I'm not so sure about that. It might be even more. The V-Rod's long 67.5-inch wheelbase has been reduced to 66.8 inches, which, combined with the new fork angle, has improved handling tenfold. I have never liked the solid wheels on the V-Rod. They react to even the slightest side breeze, which disrupts the bike. No such problem on the Street Rod with its offset 10-spoke cast aluminum wheels. They are still the same sizes as the VRod's, as are the tire sizes, but the Dunlop front tire uses a new construction to enhance handling. The Street Rod's more sport-oriented handling means that the bike is capable of getting down the road and into the corners quicker, so new brakes were in order. The bike is now equipped with four-piston Brembo calipers chomping down on a pair of 300mm Brembo rotors. The brakes have been stylized to fit the image of the bike and have perforated pad covers for enhanced visual appeal. The brakes do their job hauling the 650-pound bike down from speed in a hurry, and they offer excellent feel at the lever. Speaking of the levers, not only are they well placed, but also the new handlebars (with lower risers) make riding the bike aggressively very comfortable. Additionally, the grips are now smaller in diameter, which makes riding this bike much more comfortable and gives the rider a better grip on the bars. In between all of this is a new instrument cluster, which actually provides a bit of wind protection. The V-Rod motor has always been a performer, and now in Street Rod form, it is even better. The Street Rod has a new exhaust system that not only provides 44 MARCH 2, 2005 • more ground clearance but also a claimed 5-more horsepower and 6-more ftJlbs. of torque than the V-Rod. Other than that, the I 130cc Revolution 60-degree V-twin is largely unchanged. Performance from the Street Rod is excellent. Not only does the bike have more torque than bikes such as the Suzuki GSX-R I000 and Yamaha RI, but it can also be launched much harder from a stoplight than most sportbikes. On the Street Rod, you can easily wreck a few egos on the way to your favorite hangout. Straight-line performance is one thing, but how does it perform in the canyons? Riding the Street Rod up the tight side of Mt. Palomar (an infamous sportbike road), I was actually very impressed with the bike's handling and brakes. My only complaint was with the gearing - an area where the Street Rod has to compromise a bit. The gearing is the same as on the V-Rod, which is perfect for cruising, but once in the tight stuff, it's a bit compromised. First gear is too short for most tight corners, while second is a bit too tall, forcing some patience on the rider's part. Then again, I was riding the bike like a sportbike, so maybe it's okay after all. It just depends on how you plan to ride it. The bottom line is that I can't think of a single "cruiser" that handles anywhere near as well as the Street Rod. But wait, there's more. Last summer, I had the chance to ride Harley's Screamin' Eagle V-Rod, which puts out around 125 horsepower with the stock exhaust pipes. That bike was seriously quick, with a 7.53second, 94-mph run to the lights at Irwindale Speedway's eighth-mile drag strip with stock tire pressures (see Cycle News issue #30, August 4, 2004). The motor on the Screamin' Eagle bike's bore is increased from 100 to 105mm, increasing displacement from I 130 to 1250cc, in addition to various other hot rod goodies. Although there isn't officially a Screamin' Eagle kit for the Street Rod yet, I'm sure the kit will make its way onto more than a few of these bikes soon. Beyond the mechanical changes to create the Street Rod, there are some important cosmetic changes that make the bike stand apart - primarily the paint options. The Street Rod is available in five color options, including vivid black with black flame or black cherry, Rich Sunglow blue, Mirage orange and yellow pearl, all with a silver-leaf colored frame. All versions have silver and black engines with polished covers. The Street Rod is a very early release 2006 model and is available in dealerships now. So, if you are looking for a cruiser that can walk the waik or you just want an excellent all-around bike that can do about anything the street has to offer, the Street Rod is your bike. eN CYCLE NEWS The liquid-cooled 6O-degree V-twin remains largely unchanged. The front brakes are four-piston Bremba units designed specifically for the Street Rod. The new exhaust system is good for an additional 5 horsepower and 6 ft./lbs. of torque. There is an additianal inch of travel both front and rear.