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had a 79 sporty 1100 with kick start. slow as hell. also ridden a diavel and a vrod{the big one} and i gotta say. the 79 sporty was a feel like no other. rode stiff and sloppy. shook like Parkinson's, and slow as all hell. still the best cruiser ive owned by far. only better ride i owned was a buell xb9r with s&s 1300 "race motor"
Yep the best bike Harley ever made the best bike they ever made and couldn’t sell this sportster is going to be the same damn thing nobody wants that piece of Feces
My only issue and I believe is the reason for it not selling well is the fake fuel tank cover design I really think if they designed it to have the teardrop design tank look it would of been a different story
As a V Rod owner I must say the Sportster is a great starting point for HD. Just need to give us back an actual V Rod version and I would part with the cash. Something that would take it up to the X Diavel would do fine thankyou.
wait a few years for a big block one haha. im just hoping they answer my emails to design a new buell line for them called the "harley Dz____{engine size}"
I think the V-Rod is the much more beautiful, expensive looking bike. The cooling fins are necessary. There's not point in showing off an engine, if it lacks cooling fins. Cooling fins are what make the Harley bike look like a Harley. Solid clumps of smooth metal are just not beautiful to look at. Air cooled bikes look better than liquid cooled bikes, without exception. But the V-Rod managed to save the look of an air cooled engine, by retaining the cooling fins! I find the Indian Scout engine particularly ugly. I think if I ever buy a Harley, I'll probably buy an older air cooled engine, just because they are so beautiful.
Loved the comparisons. I've always thought the V- Rod was Harley's best, & was disappointed to see it discontinued. Harley now seems to be making up for this with this new Revolution engine.
Sportsters have always been Harleys fastest bike , my first 1972 Sporty was a great bike and would out accelerate and out corner anything Harley made , even now a 72 Sportster would smoke there Harley big bikes no problem 0 to 60 4 seconds 12 second quarter , then if you put better pipes ,sifton cams and a better carb nothing back then could catch the venerable Sportster , everything Harley makes is just trash compared to it except for the V Rod !!!!
It was Harley's best engine, but they put it in a rubbish frame with absolute garbage handling and comfort. The VROD was a straight line bar hopper at best.
@@dickjohnson7845 exactly. The V-Rod was a kick-butt engine bolted on to... well, the same old H-D. The Sportster S is a tad bit improved technology wise and is lighter/faster. But simply going faster is an easy attribute for H-D to do. Just throw a powerful engine on to something that looks stylish, and basically forget about anything else other than putting a high price on to it. A motorcycle needs to do more than just go fast and look good to be considered something beyond a light to light dick racer. I have to perish that thought, as it's a concept I doubt H-D will ever grasp.
@@MarkPalmer1000 Have you ridden a sportster S, because almost all of that is wrong. 1: its one of the cheapest Harleys. 2: Its got way more tech (wheelie and stoppie control, traction control, power modes including custom power modes, LCD touchscreen you can connect to your phone for navigation, and everything else like ABS you'd expect). Also you say going fast is "easy" for HD to do, you ever hear of the dyna wobble? Yeah apparently its not easy for that stone-age company to figure out going faster than 70 without extreme danger even in a straight line.
Handles extremely well? Really? It is one of the worse handling and braking motorcycles that ive ever owned and ridden. But i love it, its terrible handling and braking with its extremely well made engine is what caught my heart
@@JL-wf2wp I don't know what year you you had, mine was a 2008. It handled fantastically, and performed beautifully. When I first purchased it, I changed the tires, that made all the difference in the world. And you are right, it is the best engine Harley ever made. Leak free and fast as Lightning.
I think my v rod handles great for a Harley. But I have an 06 with the 180 rear. I bet the later/bigger tire bikes don't handle as well as the earlier/smaller tire Vs. I also have done the rotor/pad upgrades and with the brembo calipers, it stops pretty good too. Although braking practice can help with this a lot.
@@87Lowbird was a 2008 with the brembos and the big tire and the bigger engine and the bike was fantastic. I do think you are right in that the V-Rod with the smaller Tire handles a little bit better, I test drove one and it was a little bit easier to get around. The biggest problem with the eat V-Rod is it is a heavy bike.
While drag racing last year with my BMW R9T against a vrod I made a few mistakes and got waxed badly. To be fair my best run on that bike was 11.7 seconds and he ran a 11.2 so I would got beat even without my mistakes. It is good to know about the new Harley Sportster because it looks to be even faster than the vrod, I probably should avoid it. Appreciate the heads-up. 👍
I had a 2005 vrod. Had to sell it. I miss that bike big time. I want another one. Alot of people didn't like them that had a regular Harley. But I loved mine. Fast,smooth and really good lines.
Thought I was the only one connecting these two bikes! I’ve been calling the Sportster S a “mini v-rod” just picked up a Night Rod Special and I’m loving it so far, this new one seems very promising!! Thanks for sharing!!
I think you nailed it with "mini Vrod". It's like the Indian scout bobber and the Vrod had a baby. I think this bike will feel small when sat on like Scout bobber.
I'd still love a V-rod but the weight difference between the Sportster S and V-rod is stunning. Old school Harley vs New. 150 pounds less with lots of tech added and what appears to be better power curves.
Your videos are so darn good, you had me watch a video on HD 😂. All my riding buddies are HD riders, I have an Indian, a CBR, Ducati, and a modified Rebel. I really dislike HD....but your videos are so well put together I was drawn to watch the whole thing. Another good job well done. Respect from 🇨🇦
Weird. You hate Harley Davidson, but you own a copy davidson. At least have some respect for yo daddy (and no it's not an Indian its a Polaris) . Cheers 🤘 🇺🇲🤘
2016 V-Rod Muscle owner and I’ll never sell it regardless of new production releases. I run it pretty hard through the mountains including the tail of the dragon a few times and I think it did well. You obviously cant zoom right through tight hairpin corners due to ground clearance and lean angle but it eats up sweeping and even some of the tighter corners. You might have to slow her down a tad for the sharp corners but she’s there when you pull that ear. I like the design, performance and cruising aspects. Thinking of adding the Yamaha FJR or the Harley Road Glide as a touring machine although I’ve made several 600 mile+ trips on the V-rod. Lastly I think the V-Rod will be a lot less shaky and way more stable on highway roads.
Great video and now this time I can speak from experience. I owned a 2016 Vrod Muscle for four years till I traded it in for the 2020 Yamaha Vmax last year. Yes the Sportster S should be quicker and faster than the all the street versions of Vrods..what frustrates me is why didn’t they use the very good twin rotor brembo brakes they put on the Vrod onto the Sportster S? That is one of its very few flaws. Another plus for the Sportster S is its got the additional 6th gear that the Vrods did not have.
I gotta say, with all the talk about the v rod and how fast it was (or is) in its different variants, I honestly didn’t expect the new sportster s to really keep up much less be right there with it? Certainly didn’t expect it to beat a v rod (even in a mock race). Color me impressed
I have a 2003 V-Rod and absolutely love it. I have been looking at this new Sportster S....but not sure it's enough faster to want to spend the money. It is a cool looking bike though. Might need to test ride one. For sheer looks, I like the Breakout. Even thought about buying one. But it's slower than the 'rod...
Such an interesting analysis! Always admired the V-Rod, but it’s becoming evident that the new Sportie must be taken seriously. It does so well pitted against so many competing makes and models. Thanks for this, Paul. How about the new Sportster vs. the Indian FTR? Cheers!
I used to own a v rod. I really didn’t find it all that fun to ride. It was absolutely horrible on gas… that thing didn’t skip a gas station lol. The thing was as long as a sheet of plywood with a massive rear tire. It looked badass… but that made cornering, umm, interesting lol. With your feet at forward position and a slight reach to the handlebars, your body position was in a “C” shape all the time. Not really a great riding position for the performance stuff. But where that bike really shined was in getting attention. Every time I stopped for gas or at a restaurant, it would get ppl to walk over to look at it. If it was parked in my driveway, motorcycle ppl driving by in their cars would stop to ask what it was. And I’d hear the same thing over and over: “That’s the only Harley I’ve ever liked. If I knew they made something like this, I’d have bought one.” But Harley really did keep it in the closet. The air-cooled Harley diehard fans called it a “Hardly”. It got no respect from fellow Harley riders, and I almost never sew it in advertising. I’d love to see them bring it back. It needs dual front rotors, minimum of 160hp, mid controls with factory highway pegs, and a 6th gear. It has to offer a solid response to the Diavel. And the new Sportster S is made for women.
@@asmodai2025 That’s a whole different subject. We are talking about the targeted market the design team had when building the bike. It’s not something they’ll advertise, but overall, women are shorter and smaller bikes will better fit them.
Ducatis are quite on another level. Harley can only win at its own game: heavy and comfy bikes for retired people who want to feel badass without actually riding too fast.
@@FedericoLucchi So true. When I had a Harley Street Bob, I’d go on rides with other Harley owners. Decent, normal ppl in their everyday life. But when it was time to ride, they’d get out their black tshirts covered in skulls and angry eagles. It was like attending a Sons of Anarchy cosplay event. And there I was… ruining the ambiance by wearing full gear and polo shirts lol. The slow, comfy ride through the countryside on a 700 lb cruiser does have a certain appeal. I get it. But I just don’t fit in with the ppl who gravitate to that scene. There’s a lot of unwritten playground rules in the motorcycle world on both sides of the Harley vs everything else discussion. Not fitting in kinda pushed me to look for something else. And I couldn’t be happier with my Streetfighter V4S. 😉 Ducati truly is on another level.
You have earned a fan since I got my first bike in august and then I found your channel. Really interesting and well done, so I subscribed. I enjoy the videos very much.
"The Destroyer" - ROFL! I own a 2019 Harley Fat Boy 114 and a 2018 VMax. I use the Harley when I want to go out with my wife and my VMax when I want to have fun.
I test rode the new Sportster S a few weeks back and absolutely loved it. That engine is so much fun. It's too bad Harley scrapped the Bronx, it it weren't for the scraping footpegs and forward controls, I might have become a Harley guy that day.
The Sportster S sure SOUNDS a lot like a V-Rod, which was a sweet bike. I think the dealers had a lot to do with it's death. Stuffing it in the back of the showroom and steering customers to the Softails in the front because they made more money.
Another great video. It's crazy the amount of people underestimating the new sportster because it's a Harley or a smaller cruiser. I've heard people say that it's going to run mid 12's and say it's a slow Harley etc etc etc. I can only shake my head and laugh at them. The numbers speak for themselves as you so expertly demonstrated.
The numbers for the sportster s are a guesstimate. I find it hard to believe that a motorcycle that weighs more and has about the same power as my sportster will run eleven seconds flat with even a very good rider. The best runs I have recorded so far is 11.62 in the quarter and 7.29 in the eighth. Looking forward to seeing one at the track.
@@davidleonard8369 Considering the Indian FTR has less power and torque to weight (and much less torque below the curve) and runs 11.2-11.4. I'd say you're in for a surprise.
Great video I have 03 Anniversary, got it new a great Bike, good cruiser, still looks new, got 50 K on it still runs great, pepped it up with some programing, 2 dyno tests, one valve adj. been running great Reliable love my, V ROD
Thanks Tim! I am wondering if people in your fortunate position might be wise to hang on to their V-Rods, could become a great investment over time. ;)
That last model Night rod special is beautiful and powerfull, i like them customized with t bar and so. HD should keep producing them. I had many dynas,realy fed up with them.
Assuming that they ever run the TT again. Between Covid and growing resistance from the Island residents there's a real chance that the event may vanish.
I owned a V-Rod for ten years and loved it. I haven't had a chance to ride the new Sportster S (I have test-ridden a Pan America with the Revolution Max engine) but I agree with you that the Sportster S is very V-Rod-like, albeit with more torque than the V-Rod. More and more, Harley riders are looking back at the V-Rod and realizing HD was ahead of its time with that great motorcycle. The new Revolution Max engine will be even better with no valve adjustments needed! Great video!
if all goes well, we'll see a bunch of aftermarket support for these sportsters too. who knows~ maybe the true figures are far higher after some garage tuning ;D
I know I’m two years late to the table, but you did a great job of comparing the bikes. I own a Night Rod and people detest me and the bike wherever I go. I don’t understand it, nor do I care. The purists or haters if offered a Vrod would probably walk over their own mothers to get the bike. I think there’s a jealousy factor, or people think I’m just a rich guy poser. People who have that mindset should just stay at home instead of ruining someone’s day. They should also be very careful when putting someone’s bike down. The owner could be their worst nightmare come true. But the haters always have and always will speak and do without thinking. Again, thank you, sir for a very informative video.
its basically a higher quality version of vrod according to a local shop that builds custom harleys. already have one at the shop they got just to tear apart and inspect then rebuild
so they told me that they basically took the ducati v4 design and tried to make it more harley but with really high quality control which has been lacking in recent years.
Amazing video. I bought a 2022 Sportster S and didn't realize that the V-Rod engine shared a similar name until one of my friends with a V-Rod pointed it out. I've been wondering how they stack up against each other.
You're on to something. The older Revolution was the 'starting' point of inspiration... and the hint is the new name of the newer Revolution MAX engine. The Max engine took the inspiration to a whole new level, particularly with dynamic valve timing, dual plugs, and reworked heads. marcus PS I love my Sportster S; this baby rips! Did I say its fast... holy cow FAST
@@stavencapp well my 2010 I cayenne that I had for 8yrs since new, never had any issues. It was my daily and I absolutely loved it so I went and got a gen 3 cayenne. Porsche is very reliable
@@scottymc4435 individual experiences do not make a brand or model deemed reliable. In the same way, toyota and honda are accepted as reliable brands, plenty of people have had duds or problems, doesnt mean the brand is unreliable. Ill say it again, PORSCHE are not known for their reliability.
@@stavencapp As stated above from development Knowledge the V ROD motor is the only motorcycle engine to pass Porsche designs in house durability test. V Rod are known for durability as many originals have more than 200k and still going without any major repair. New Harley engines again as stated above have been released with serious design faults with EVERY NEW HARLEY engineered DESIGN. Never buy a new Harley in the first year is well worth waiting !!
Porsche is a very reliable brand, especially for a German brand. Yes it’s not a Honda or a Toyota but those brands don’t have a 155 gentleman’s agreement either.
The liquid-cooled Harley V-Rod motor, developed by Harley-Davidson (made street legal by Porsche) was originally an Erik Buell project. Erik wanted to develope a superbike Buell. But Harley decided the engine should also be used in a sport-cruiser, and took over development. In the end, making it "too big, too heavy, too expensive and too late" for use in a superbike Buell. IF Harley had let Erik go on with the developement, Harley could have used that technologie for a flattracker bike with that lighter Buell engine. They probably would have had a FTR1200 killer in 2007, when the Sportster XR1200X was produced. 12 years befor Indian build the FTR :) Erik Buell was a visionair and exceptional engineer/designer.
Thanks for the info Grizzly! I did find another Harley engine project in the archives that I think I might make a video on. I think that would've had an even greater impact on the brand and motorcycling in general. Might do that this week.
@@BikesILike Porsche did far more than make it street legal. I worked with an engineer that did the V Rod motor project with "a development" manufacturer. If you examine a V Rod Motor HD did not spec all those GERMAN made parts! It was a design cleaned up and made proper by Porsche! It is also the only Motorcycle engine to pass Porsche design in house durablity standards. The V ROD motor will always be the best sold by HD. Harley hasn't had a new engine design in the last 20 years that didn't have a serious FAULT in the first years of production. Twinn cams had bearing and tensioner issues. The new M8 engine cooling and venting issues. Even the later Big bore twin cams had to have "parade mode" to avoid overheating. The V Rod came out of the gate a great durable engine! All because it was Porsche engineered. The VR1000 engine "supposed" first V Rod engine leaked so much oil they had to top off before doing laps. And other than the same "configuration" as a V Rod motor, they are entirely different!
Such a step up from the older Sportster. Maybe compare the new Sportster S to a say 2008 Sportster 1200 as well as the Vrod. Should blow some folks minds.
My street bob, with the 128 bb kit and a torque cam, makes 124hp and 146 lbs of torque, at about 650 lbs. Ive never been to the strip but im pretty confident i hit 60 in under 3 seconds myself. My biggest issue is sticking to the road when i take off. Im working towards a wider rim right now. Hopefully that and a softer tire will do the trick
Spec sheet numbers are completely meaningless. They completely disappear when you get on the bike. The riding experience is what it's all about. Power and speed and weight are meaningless if the bike is not fun to ride. I have ridden crotch rockets and did not enjoy them at all. I enjoy my 2006 Sportster 1200L 10 times more, and at least twice as much as any other bike I've ever had, out of around 50. It has the right feel, the right sound, and it is very comfortable. It has plenty of power for me. It cruises on the highway at 80+ mph easily.
I am a Roadster 2019 owner and it has a good balance, power to weight ratio. The Ergos were for a short person so I had to put forward controls on it. Funny! Mine has the High RSD/V&H Scrambler pipes on it so it looks like a precursor Sporty S.
The problem I see with all motorcycles, are the horrible short gear ratios, and high cruising RPM's. I can't figure out why, but most motorcycles don't have a super, super, super, super, super tall overdrive gear. Tall gears are what reduce vibration, reduce engine cruising RPM's, double your engine life, double the maintenance intervals, and is quieter. For the life of me, I can't understand how almost all motorcycles on the road are turning 4,000 rpms at 70mph. That is absolutely horrendous. Instead of more emissions controls, wouldn't an overdrive gear reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions?
@@Ritalie If emissions were the goal of the rider they would go for a smaller CC bike. If a rider wanted a MC to ride like a car they'd buy a Gold Wing.
As a 2012 10 year anniversary edition owner. The v- Rod still looks better All you did was compare the bikes in the quarter mile I guarantee you that V-Rod will out corner the sportster and the V-Rod has a 240 back tire compared to the smaller one on the sportster
I believe there was a V-Rod that came with a 1250cc engine also, some kind of special "Midnight" edition. It does seem like no mere coincidence that the engine on the V-Rod & new Sportster S share many similarities. It's almost as if Harley Davidson is saying " we made a mistake in discontinuing the V- Rod, so here is another iteration of it, the Sportster S."
Harley started from scratch ... and ended with scratch. 2 new 114's here, both have a speed related loud grinding noise at the front wheel. HD's reaction: let's check your belt tension!
Your wrong! Porsche had nothing to do with the VR1000 engine. Eric Buell designed it and Porsche was contacted after Willy G put the race VR in the prototype Vrod. Porsche detuned and made it emission compliant and street worthy.
I was always impressed with the Vrod range, in particular the Muscle. Cash in hand to buy a muscle, all my test rides gave me hip cramps...never bought. so sad.
Cant wait to see real 1/4 mile times for the S. I have owned a couple liter sport bikes but I still find launching the night rod far more exhilarating. Because of the rake you load up on tons of throttle and hook ridiculous power off the line while keeping the front wheel on the ground and like no other production bike Ive ridden. The first 60ft are insane.
''Nice show cobber, That Vrod is a classic and under valued bike....for now..'' Many thanks for the video.. those seppos' knockup a good motor, got to get back down to me Billabong now...''
I think the sportster will be significantly quicker, 160lbs lighter and its a 6 speed vs the 5 speed vrod. I went from a vrod muscle to a pan America and think it'd still be pretty close but only because its hard to keep the front end down on the pan am.
the sportster finally makes enough power to have a 6th gear 🏋♂️ I keep trying to shift up past 5th on mine. if it still keeps the rumble with vance & hines it couldn't be more welcome.
Hello, love the channel, it's super cool. If I provide you updated weight and horsepower/ torque rating on my sportster S, can you do a comparison with it vs the stock sportster s. Thanks so much.
Excellent commentary. Thank you so much. I'm a die-hard Harley classic stroker fan but it's time for a sportster rework. But somehow we can't lose the stroker motors. I'm using the word 'stroker' loosley. For my purposes I'm looking at any Harley as a stroker motor. Undersquare vs oversquare.
Good evening from France 🇨🇵, I have a V rod 1130 model from 2002, I'm very hesitant to sell it, it's a great model for me, too bad not to have continued this model 🥺
I Honestly think they should go Balls to the wall and just bring back the Vrod, using the Rev Max, with the same setup, with the Airbox at the time, and the Gas Tank underneath the seat, and just crank the output up
Sportster S doesn’t seem to be too popular, could it be the new Vrod where people hunt it down after it’s discontinued? I only put a 1000 miles on mine so far, love the Sportster S. Gas mileage is horrible though.
I remember someone blowing up a Destroyer engine on the dyno at a dealership I worked at. I never found out the cause , but I suspect these “experts” tuning it messed up. They were not dealership employees, but friends of the owner. No names will be told to protect the innocent. LOL
The Sportster S has been dynoing above spec in some cases. Then with a tune and better exhaust It's been dynoing at ~122 HP and ~125 ft/lbs torque. A very cheap mod bringing up the torque a lot.
🤣🤣🤣🤣 there is absolutely NO WAY POSSSIBLE that engine makes 125ft lbs. U clearly don't understand engine design. 1250cc can't even make that with the bore and stroke it has.
Ive had 3 vrod muscles..Loved all 3...2 were 2013 and my last was a 2014..Harley needs to bring Vrods back..Give them more Hp and id def spend the cash..
I’ll have mine on the track this summer. Got mid controls on last night. Waiting for Vance and Hines to come out with a system. I’ve had a v rod muscle and this Sportster s. And let me tell you. The S eats the v rods lunch for sure
I had a 06 Night rod. With a few mods like Suoertrapp exhaust, chip, hi Flo airfilter. Dyno at 135 HP. The engine was bulletproof. The bike OK to ride. But the brakes sucked. Big time. After I almost crashed into a truck that turned in front of me. I sold it. I never felt safe on that bike again.
The V-rod is hampered by its excessive weight- 160+ lbs more than Sportstrr S. Sportstrr S did lose weight poured to late model XL1200 EVOLUTIONs (@ around 570# wet). IMO the VRSCDX Night Rod Spl in Jade Metallic is one of the most beautiful H-Ds sold.
Sorry, but after having owned a 2007 VRSCR Street Rod, which I kept for five years, I will never own another H-D. As much as I loved the handling for a heavy bike, the sportier ergonomics compared to the V-Rod, and its good looks, it was the most unsafe motorcycle I have ever ridden. It literally had the worst traction of any motorcycle I've ever owned, which includes 1987 and 1989 FZR1000s, a 1989 Honda Hawk GT NT650, a 1993 CBR900RR, a 1994 CB1000A, a 2004 R1, a 2009 FZ-1, a 2011 CBR1000RR, and my current 2014 FZ-09, all of which would pull the back wheel off the ground before locking up the front wheel. Not only did my Street Rod lock up the front wheel, which sported a Dunlop 207 Sport Max radial tire, but both wheels would slide simultaneously while in the twisties at less than a seven-tenths pace. My last ride to Glendora Mountain was my last ride, my last scary ride, on that bike.
I think these details will change once people start to re-tune the Sportster S since it's a re-tuned Pan American engine as far as I know. Could be different cams or some parts though.
@@karlhockenberry9130 I don't think it's gonna get that high with a screaming eagle anything. They are notoriously under-powered with caution upgrades. But yeah maybe 200hp with some Woods cams or some other S&S mods.
@@infini1970 Unfortunately it’s not just a different tune from the P-A , the S has different heads, cams & pistons for more torque. Also the P-A has 13:1 compression the S has 12:1. Beats me why you need more power on a dirt or stone road ? Having grown up dirt riding and now street riding for the last 38 years I can only say it’s a Huge mistake by Harley
watch some of the sport bike riders reviews. they hate the forward controls but say once that is switched to mid control and grippier tires that they feel like a diavel but lighter weight with heavier steering{way too big front tire}
Vance & Hines developed a Dohc pro stock motor, but it beat the brakes off the rest of the class so bad the NHRA basically outlawed it. After it was discontinued, it took almost five years for the the class to catch up to where the Dohc v-twin was at performance wise. Only real commonalities between the revolution and the pro stock motor were a 60° V, Dohc heads, and firing order. Other than that, no relation between the two.
That NHRA motor was a rule bender. It used little pushrods driven by the cams to allow it to get the displacent advantage pushrod motirs got. Mercedes did something similar a few years earlier in Indycar.
@@eddieriddle3623 they campaigned a 160” Dohc motor for a couples years, that was later outlawed. Took PSM almost six years to match those performance numbers after that motor went away.
Yes i like the the classic Harley Style, and i like like the vrod, but it was time that Harley bring's a new style in a decent classic way, with modern technic to the sportster series.
Just a couple of things. The Revolution Max engine is not the second engine to have Revolution in the name it is the third. The second was the Revaluation X engine used in the Street 750 and 500. Also, a significant difference between the V-Rod and Sportster S engines is The Crank in the V-Rod engine has a single connecting rod journal and the Sportster S engine has two connecting rod journals located at an angle of thirty dares giving the two engines a different firing order.
I'm new riders i got the sportster s 22 on the 9/26 /22. For the 4 days I wass happy. After the only problem we the motorcycle I was a owner of a rebel 1100. I I switch to the Harley I think Decision I make I got the engine light on 2 times the motorcycle dies on me on the highway And I engein starting making sparks Everytime I turn it on It's already 2 weeks that my motorcycle is in a dealership
the Sportster S is technically a better handling bike. drag race comparison is good to get the acceleration across, but the Sportser S is designed more like a road bike, ( better street-able handling, and more confident in the twisties )
The V-rod is also a better looking bike than the new sportster. I don't know what Harley was thinking putting those goofy looking massive sidewall tires on it.
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I had a V-rod. Great Bike. A very reliable bike, no problem. Engine for a lifetime, a war tank.
Out of all the different stock model Harleys made , the V-Rod was by far the most fun to ride.
Mine still is I just did a little riding on it yesterday 2007 1130cc fast machine
@@deannalevens8291 I have a Pan Am and a Vrod, the Vrod is my mostly used bike , it is fun.
I say it now and I'll say it again. Vrods we're way ahead of their time
V Rod is still the best bike Harley ever made in my opinion.
had a 79 sporty 1100 with kick start. slow as hell. also ridden a diavel and a vrod{the big one} and i gotta say. the 79 sporty was a feel like no other. rode stiff and sloppy. shook like Parkinson's, and slow as all hell. still the best cruiser ive owned by far. only better ride i owned was a buell xb9r with s&s 1300 "race motor"
Until you try to turn a sharp corner with it.
Yep the best bike Harley ever made the best bike they ever made and couldn’t sell this sportster is going to be the same damn thing nobody wants that piece of Feces
My only issue and I believe is the reason for it not selling well is the fake fuel tank cover design I really think if they designed it to have the teardrop design tank look it would of been a different story
An old (pre 85) Sportster is fast enough to scare the shit out of you. What more do you need? (Exept some clean underwears....)
As a V Rod owner I must say the Sportster is a great starting point for HD. Just need to give us back an actual V Rod version and I would part with the cash. Something that would take it up to the X Diavel would do fine thankyou.
wait a few years for a big block one haha. im just hoping they answer my emails to design a new buell line for them called the "harley Dz____{engine size}"
I think the V-Rod is the much more beautiful, expensive looking bike. The cooling fins are necessary. There's not point in showing off an engine, if it lacks cooling fins. Cooling fins are what make the Harley bike look like a Harley. Solid clumps of smooth metal are just not beautiful to look at. Air cooled bikes look better than liquid cooled bikes, without exception. But the V-Rod managed to save the look of an air cooled engine, by retaining the cooling fins! I find the Indian Scout engine particularly ugly. I think if I ever buy a Harley, I'll probably buy an older air cooled engine, just because they are so beautiful.
@@Ritalie You are spot on about the fins!
If they bring out a Street Rod version I'm all in.
Yep I would add another to stable
I absolutely love the original V- rod
Loved the comparisons.
I've always thought the V- Rod was Harley's best, & was disappointed to see it discontinued.
Harley now seems to be making up for this with this new Revolution engine.
Nah the new revolution max is just a cheap bad copy of the porsche engineered vrod engine
Sportsters have always been Harleys fastest bike , my first 1972 Sporty was a great bike and would out accelerate and out corner anything Harley made , even now a 72 Sportster would smoke there Harley big bikes no problem 0 to 60 4 seconds 12 second quarter , then if you put better pipes ,sifton cams and a better carb nothing back then could catch the venerable Sportster , everything Harley makes is just trash compared to it except for the V Rod !!!!
It was Harley's best engine, but they put it in a rubbish frame with absolute garbage handling and comfort. The VROD was a straight line bar hopper at best.
@@dickjohnson7845 exactly. The V-Rod was a kick-butt engine bolted on to... well, the same old H-D. The Sportster S is a tad bit improved technology wise and is lighter/faster. But simply going faster is an easy attribute for H-D to do. Just throw a powerful engine on to something that looks stylish, and basically forget about anything else other than putting a high price on to it. A motorcycle needs to do more than just go fast and look good to be considered something beyond a light to light dick racer. I have to perish that thought, as it's a concept I doubt H-D will ever grasp.
@@MarkPalmer1000 Have you ridden a sportster S, because almost all of that is wrong. 1: its one of the cheapest Harleys. 2: Its got way more tech (wheelie and stoppie control, traction control, power modes including custom power modes, LCD touchscreen you can connect to your phone for navigation, and everything else like ABS you'd expect). Also you say going fast is "easy" for HD to do, you ever hear of the dyna wobble? Yeah apparently its not easy for that stone-age company to figure out going faster than 70 without extreme danger even in a straight line.
The V-Rod kicks ass! It is an awesome bike that handles extremely well and is extremely well-made.
Handles extremely well? Really? It is one of the worse handling and braking motorcycles that ive ever owned and ridden. But i love it, its terrible handling and braking with its extremely well made engine is what caught my heart
@@JL-wf2wp I don't know what year you you had, mine was a 2008. It handled fantastically, and performed beautifully. When I first purchased it, I changed the tires, that made all the difference in the world. And you are right, it is the best engine Harley ever made. Leak free and fast as Lightning.
@@TheHomeExpert5 a 2002 and a muscle
I think my v rod handles great for a Harley. But I have an 06 with the 180 rear. I bet the later/bigger tire bikes don't handle as well as the earlier/smaller tire Vs.
I also have done the rotor/pad upgrades and with the brembo calipers, it stops pretty good too. Although braking practice can help with this a lot.
@@87Lowbird was a 2008 with the brembos and the big tire and the bigger engine and the bike was fantastic. I do think you are right in that the V-Rod with the smaller Tire handles a little bit better, I test drove one and it was a little bit easier to get around. The biggest problem with the eat V-Rod is it is a heavy bike.
While drag racing last year with my BMW R9T against a vrod I made a few mistakes and got waxed badly. To be fair my best run on that bike was 11.7 seconds and he ran a 11.2 so I would got beat even without my mistakes.
It is good to know about the new Harley Sportster because it looks to be even faster than the vrod, I probably should avoid it. Appreciate the heads-up. 👍
That's pretty good bro for real that's awesome 💪😎💯 I love bmw bikes especially them S1000RR💯
I had a 2005 vrod. Had to sell it. I miss that bike big time. I want another one. Alot of people didn't like them that had a regular Harley. But I loved mine. Fast,smooth and really good lines.
Thought I was the only one connecting these two bikes! I’ve been calling the Sportster S a “mini v-rod” just picked up a Night Rod Special and I’m loving it so far, this new one seems very promising!! Thanks for sharing!!
I think you nailed it with "mini Vrod". It's like the Indian scout bobber and the Vrod had a baby. I think this bike will feel small when sat on like Scout bobber.
Still a Skirtster 😉
When the 2007 Night Rod Special came out, my wait was over...still have it and will always have. Thanks for the comparison.
I'd still love a V-rod but the weight difference between the Sportster S and V-rod is stunning. Old school Harley vs New. 150 pounds less with lots of tech added and what appears to be better power curves.
I own a 2012 anniversary V-Rod and you don’t even notice the weight
Enjoyable video, thanks for putting it together! It also shows what a fine bike the VRod was for its time. I’ll never sell my 2016 Muscle
Your videos are so darn good, you had me watch a video on HD 😂. All my riding buddies are HD riders, I have an Indian, a CBR, Ducati, and a modified Rebel. I really dislike HD....but your videos are so well put together I was drawn to watch the whole thing. Another good job well done. Respect from 🇨🇦
Hahaha Thanks Rocky! 👍
@@BikesILike 😁👍🏼
Weird. You hate Harley Davidson, but you own a copy davidson. At least have some respect for yo daddy (and no it's not an Indian its a Polaris) . Cheers 🤘 🇺🇲🤘
@@ez7541 out of respect for the owner of this channel I won’t reply 😁
@@rockylion4382 phew! Im safe aye 👍
2016 V-Rod Muscle owner and I’ll never sell it regardless of new production releases. I run it pretty hard through the mountains including the tail of the dragon a few times and I think it did well. You obviously cant zoom right through tight hairpin corners due to ground clearance and lean angle but it eats up sweeping and even some of the tighter corners. You might have to slow her down a tad for the sharp corners but she’s there when you pull that ear. I like the design, performance and cruising aspects. Thinking of adding the Yamaha FJR or the Harley Road Glide as a touring machine although I’ve made several 600 mile+ trips on the V-rod.
Lastly I think the V-Rod will be a lot less shaky and way more stable on highway roads.
Take a look at the Pan Am. It's a great tourer.
@@SuperSnallygaster that is what I heard! I’ll check it out
Awesome video and comparison. Don't think I'll ever get rid of my night rod. Still get excited everytime I look at it!!
Thanks Steve! 👍
Great video and now this time I can speak from experience. I owned a 2016 Vrod Muscle for four years till I traded it in for the 2020 Yamaha Vmax last year. Yes the Sportster S should be quicker and faster than the all the street versions of Vrods..what frustrates me is why didn’t they use the very good twin rotor brembo brakes they put on the Vrod onto the Sportster S? That is one of its very few flaws. Another plus for the Sportster S is its got the additional 6th gear that the Vrods did not have.
I gotta say, with all the talk about the v rod and how fast it was (or is) in its different variants, I honestly didn’t expect the new sportster s to really keep up much less be right there with it? Certainly didn’t expect it to beat a v rod (even in a mock race). Color me impressed
remember PINKS a junk kawi took the V-rod home...
150 pounds lighter with close to the same power…. He’ll the new sportster makes better power than a damn ultra glide 117
I took a 2024 Sporty S out the other day. What a beast ! Thinking of picking one up myself fun bike . 🎉
I have a 2003 V-Rod and absolutely love it. I have been looking at this new Sportster S....but not sure it's enough faster to want to spend the money. It is a cool looking bike though. Might need to test ride one. For sheer looks, I like the Breakout. Even thought about buying one. But it's slower than the 'rod...
Put a blower on your vrod and keep that bad boy
I have the 03, my bike is mind blowing fast.
Such an interesting analysis! Always admired the V-Rod, but it’s becoming evident that the new Sportie must be taken seriously. It does so well pitted against so many competing makes and models. Thanks for this, Paul. How about the new Sportster vs. the Indian FTR? Cheers!
Thanks Guy! I have already covered the FTR in this group comparison video. Have you seen this one? ruclips.net/video/9gcJcT7_VeE/видео.html
@@BikesILike Yes. I had seen it, but forgot. Such are the ravages of been 70. 😩😢
@@guyfuller1369 70! You're doing well Guy. 👍
I used to own a v rod.
I really didn’t find it all that fun to ride. It was absolutely horrible on gas… that thing didn’t skip a gas station lol. The thing was as long as a sheet of plywood with a massive rear tire. It looked badass… but that made cornering, umm, interesting lol. With your feet at forward position and a slight reach to the handlebars, your body position was in a “C” shape all the time. Not really a great riding position for the performance stuff.
But where that bike really shined was in getting attention. Every time I stopped for gas or at a restaurant, it would get ppl to walk over to look at it. If it was parked in my driveway, motorcycle ppl driving by in their cars would stop to ask what it was. And I’d hear the same thing over and over:
“That’s the only Harley I’ve ever liked. If I knew they made something like this, I’d have bought one.”
But Harley really did keep it in the closet. The air-cooled Harley diehard fans called it a “Hardly”. It got no respect from fellow Harley riders, and I almost never sew it in advertising.
I’d love to see them bring it back. It needs dual front rotors, minimum of 160hp, mid controls with factory highway pegs, and a 6th gear. It has to offer a solid response to the Diavel.
And the new Sportster S is made for women.
Any bike can become a woman’s bike if it is being ridden by a women.
@@asmodai2025
That’s a whole different subject.
We are talking about the targeted market the design team had when building the bike. It’s not something they’ll advertise, but overall, women are shorter and smaller bikes will better fit them.
@@vwr32jeep Then I misunderstood what you were saying. I apologize and have a good rest of your day :D.
Ducatis are quite on another level. Harley can only win at its own game: heavy and comfy bikes for retired people who want to feel badass without actually riding too fast.
@@FedericoLucchi
So true.
When I had a Harley Street Bob, I’d go on rides with other Harley owners. Decent, normal ppl in their everyday life. But when it was time to ride, they’d get out their black tshirts covered in skulls and angry eagles. It was like attending a Sons of Anarchy cosplay event. And there I was… ruining the ambiance by wearing full gear and polo shirts lol.
The slow, comfy ride through the countryside on a 700 lb cruiser does have a certain appeal. I get it. But I just don’t fit in with the ppl who gravitate to that scene. There’s a lot of unwritten playground rules in the motorcycle world on both sides of the Harley vs everything else discussion.
Not fitting in kinda pushed me to look for something else. And I couldn’t be happier with my Streetfighter V4S. 😉 Ducati truly is on another level.
You have earned a fan since I got my first bike in august and then I found your channel. Really interesting and well done, so I subscribed. I enjoy the videos very much.
Thanks Jason! 👍
"The Destroyer" - ROFL! I own a 2019 Harley Fat Boy 114 and a 2018 VMax. I use the Harley when I want to go out with my wife and my VMax when I want to have fun.
I test rode the new Sportster S a few weeks back and absolutely loved it. That engine is so much fun. It's too bad Harley scrapped the Bronx, it it weren't for the scraping footpegs and forward controls, I might have become a Harley guy that day.
The Sportster S sure SOUNDS a lot like a V-Rod, which was a sweet bike. I think the dealers had a lot to do with it's death. Stuffing it in the back of the showroom and steering customers to the Softails in the front because they made more money.
Another great video. It's crazy the amount of people underestimating the new sportster because it's a Harley or a smaller cruiser. I've heard people say that it's going to run mid 12's and say it's a slow Harley etc etc etc. I can only shake my head and laugh at them. The numbers speak for themselves as you so expertly demonstrated.
The numbers for the sportster s are a guesstimate. I find it hard to believe that a motorcycle that weighs more and has about the same power as my sportster will run eleven seconds flat with even a very good rider. The best runs I have recorded so far is 11.62 in the quarter and 7.29 in the eighth. Looking forward to seeing one at the track.
@@davidleonard8369
Considering the Indian FTR has less power and torque to weight (and much less torque below the curve) and runs 11.2-11.4. I'd say you're in for a surprise.
Great video I have 03 Anniversary, got it new a great Bike, good cruiser, still looks new, got 50 K on it still runs great, pepped it up with some programing, 2 dyno tests, one valve adj. been running great Reliable love my, V ROD
Thanks Tim! I am wondering if people in your fortunate position might be wise to hang on to their V-Rods, could become a great investment over time. ;)
Interesting to see comparing to my V-Rod. Got to have both. Sportster S in white is a styling masterpiece.
I still have my 02. Im 127 at the crank. 117 at the rear wheel. Of course she's not stock. Gearing and tuning.
That last model Night rod special is beautiful and powerfull, i like them customized with t bar and so. HD should keep producing them. I had many dynas,realy fed up with them.
Own V Rod Muscle previously. I'm willing to get rid of Rocket 3 and buy another V Rod if HD start making again.
Great video, im old and will stick with my 2021 M8 Road king all 825 pounds😱🤣
Have a 2002 V-Rod, best bike I ever had, & I've had quite a few
Wow! Both these bikes are such excellent pieces of machinery! Top of the line! Can't wait to see how they do in the TT!
Sarcasm noted. 😁
Assuming that they ever run the TT again. Between Covid and growing resistance from the Island residents there's a real chance that the event may vanish.
I owned a V-Rod for ten years and loved it. I haven't had a chance to ride the new Sportster S (I have test-ridden a Pan America with the Revolution Max engine) but I agree with you that the Sportster S is very V-Rod-like, albeit with more torque than the V-Rod. More and more, Harley riders are looking back at the V-Rod and realizing HD was ahead of its time with that great motorcycle. The new Revolution Max engine will be even better with no valve adjustments needed! Great video!
Thanks Toby!
if all goes well, we'll see a bunch of aftermarket support for these sportsters too.
who knows~ maybe the true figures are far higher after some garage tuning ;D
I know I’m two years late to the table, but you did a great job of comparing the bikes. I own a Night Rod and people detest me and the bike wherever I go. I don’t understand it, nor do I care. The purists or haters if offered a Vrod would probably walk over their own mothers to get the bike. I think there’s a jealousy factor, or people think I’m just a rich guy poser. People who have that mindset should just stay at home instead of ruining someone’s day. They should also be very careful when putting someone’s bike down. The owner could be their worst nightmare come true.
But the haters always have and always will speak and do without thinking. Again, thank you, sir for a very informative video.
Cheers Ironink!
its basically a higher quality version of vrod according to a local shop that builds custom harleys. already have one at the shop they got just to tear apart and inspect then rebuild
so they told me that they basically took the ducati v4 design and tried to make it more harley but with really high quality control which has been lacking in recent years.
Amazing video. I bought a 2022 Sportster S and didn't realize that the V-Rod engine shared a similar name until one of my friends with a V-Rod pointed it out. I've been wondering how they stack up against each other.
You're on to something. The older Revolution was the 'starting' point of inspiration... and the hint is the new name of the newer Revolution MAX engine. The Max engine took the inspiration to a whole new level, particularly with dynamic valve timing, dual plugs, and reworked heads.
marcus
PS I love my Sportster S; this baby rips! Did I say its fast... holy cow FAST
One thing different is that with the vrod, Porsche had a great input for the motor. It will be hard to beat that in my opinion
Why. Porche arnt exactly known for their reliability.
@@stavencapp well my 2010 I cayenne that I had for 8yrs since new, never had any issues. It was my daily and I absolutely loved it so I went and got a gen 3 cayenne. Porsche is very reliable
@@scottymc4435 individual experiences do not make a brand or model deemed reliable. In the same way, toyota and honda are accepted as reliable brands, plenty of people have had duds or problems, doesnt mean the brand is unreliable. Ill say it again, PORSCHE are not known for their reliability.
@@stavencapp As stated above from development Knowledge the V ROD motor is the only motorcycle engine to pass Porsche designs in house durability test. V Rod are known for durability as many originals have more than 200k and still going without any major repair.
New Harley engines again as stated above have been released with serious design faults with EVERY NEW HARLEY engineered DESIGN. Never buy a new Harley in the first year is well worth waiting !!
Porsche is a very reliable brand, especially for a German brand. Yes it’s not a Honda or a Toyota but those brands don’t have a 155 gentleman’s agreement either.
The liquid-cooled Harley V-Rod motor, developed by Harley-Davidson (made street legal by Porsche) was originally an Erik Buell project. Erik wanted to develope a superbike Buell.
But Harley decided the engine should also be used in a sport-cruiser, and took over development.
In the end, making it "too big, too heavy, too expensive and too late" for use in a superbike Buell.
IF Harley had let Erik go on with the developement, Harley could have used that technologie for a flattracker bike with that lighter Buell engine.
They probably would have had a FTR1200 killer in 2007, when the Sportster XR1200X was produced. 12 years befor Indian build the FTR :)
Erik Buell was a visionair and exceptional engineer/designer.
Thanks for the info Grizzly! I did find another Harley engine project in the archives that I think I might make a video on. I think that would've had an even greater impact on the brand and motorcycling in general. Might do that this week.
@@BikesILike are you talking about the nova project with the 4cyl vtwin
@@jeepstertj556 😉👍
@@BikesILike Porsche did far more than make it street legal. I worked with an engineer that did the V Rod motor project with "a development" manufacturer. If you examine a V Rod Motor HD did not spec all those GERMAN made parts! It was a design cleaned up and made proper by Porsche! It is also the only Motorcycle engine to pass Porsche design in house durablity standards. The V ROD motor will always be the best sold by HD. Harley hasn't had a new engine design in the last 20 years that didn't have a serious FAULT in the first years of production.
Twinn cams had bearing and tensioner issues. The new M8 engine cooling and venting issues.
Even the later Big bore twin cams had to have "parade mode" to avoid overheating.
The V Rod came out of the gate a great durable engine! All because it was Porsche engineered.
The VR1000 engine "supposed" first V Rod engine leaked so much oil they had to top off before doing laps. And other than the same "configuration" as a V Rod motor, they are entirely different!
Such a step up from the older Sportster. Maybe compare the new Sportster S to a say 2008 Sportster 1200 as well as the Vrod. Should blow some folks minds.
My street bob, with the 128 bb kit and a torque cam, makes 124hp and 146 lbs of torque, at about 650 lbs. Ive never been to the strip but im pretty confident i hit 60 in under 3 seconds myself. My biggest issue is sticking to the road when i take off. Im working towards a wider rim right now. Hopefully that and a softer tire will do the trick
Thank you so much for the video! It was really good! Would you consider doing the same comparison with the Nightster? I would love to see that!
Thank you! The Nightster against the Sportster S or V-Rod?
Spec sheet numbers are completely meaningless. They completely disappear when you get on the bike. The riding experience is what it's all about. Power and speed and weight are meaningless if the bike is not fun to ride. I have ridden crotch rockets and did not enjoy them at all. I enjoy my 2006 Sportster 1200L 10 times more, and at least twice as much as any other bike I've ever had, out of around 50. It has the right feel, the right sound, and it is very comfortable. It has plenty of power for me. It cruises on the highway at 80+ mph easily.
I am a Roadster 2019 owner and it has a good balance, power to weight ratio. The Ergos were for a short person so I had to put forward controls on it. Funny! Mine has the High RSD/V&H Scrambler pipes on it so it looks like a precursor Sporty S.
I’m agree with you, in my case I ride a Road king 2007, +211.000 km, it is my first and the one bike , I am very happy.
I hear ya. I had R6 and R1,fast bikes but uncomfortable and unnecessary. I found a 2016 Vrod muscle this year and sold my yamaha a week later🤣
The problem I see with all motorcycles, are the horrible short gear ratios, and high cruising RPM's. I can't figure out why, but most motorcycles don't have a super, super, super, super, super tall overdrive gear. Tall gears are what reduce vibration, reduce engine cruising RPM's, double your engine life, double the maintenance intervals, and is quieter. For the life of me, I can't understand how almost all motorcycles on the road are turning 4,000 rpms at 70mph. That is absolutely horrendous. Instead of more emissions controls, wouldn't an overdrive gear reduce fuel consumption and exhaust emissions?
@@Ritalie If emissions were the goal of the rider they would go for a smaller CC bike. If a rider wanted a MC to ride like a car they'd buy a Gold Wing.
As a 2012 10 year anniversary edition owner. The v- Rod still looks better
All you did was compare the bikes in the quarter mile I guarantee you that V-Rod will out corner the sportster and the V-Rod has a 240 back tire compared to the smaller one on the sportster
I believe there was a V-Rod that came with a 1250cc engine also, some kind of special "Midnight" edition. It does seem like no mere coincidence that the engine on the V-Rod & new Sportster S share many similarities.
It's almost as if Harley Davidson is saying " we made a mistake in discontinuing the V- Rod, so here is another iteration of it, the Sportster S."
I have an FXDR 114, best bike so far and I have had a few.
Now this is a very informative video. Great job!
Thank you! 👍
The sportster S is the only bike that's had me considering parting with my Street Rod.
A modernised vrod would be great to see
The new sportster s seems like a hybrid between the sportster 1200 and vrod
Harley started from scratch ... and ended with scratch. 2 new 114's here, both have a speed related loud grinding noise at the front wheel. HD's reaction: let's check your belt tension!
You went from shovel head to evo. Iron head was between shovel head and evo. I think that's correct
Your wrong! Porsche had nothing to do with the VR1000 engine. Eric Buell designed it and Porsche was contacted after Willy G put the race VR in the prototype Vrod. Porsche detuned and made it emission compliant and street worthy.
I was always impressed with the Vrod range, in particular the Muscle. Cash in hand to buy a muscle, all my test rides gave me hip cramps...never bought. so sad.
Cant wait to see real 1/4 mile times for the S. I have owned a couple liter sport bikes but I still find launching the night rod far more exhilarating. Because of the rake you load up on tons of throttle and hook ridiculous power off the line while keeping the front wheel on the ground and like no other production bike Ive ridden. The first 60ft are insane.
Me either! I'm surprised we haven't seen a run yet.
''Nice show cobber, That Vrod is a classic and under valued bike....for now..'' Many thanks for the video.. those seppos' knockup a good motor, got to get back down to me Billabong now...''
😁
I think the sportster will be significantly quicker, 160lbs lighter and its a 6 speed vs the 5 speed vrod. I went from a vrod muscle to a pan America and think it'd still be pretty close but only because its hard to keep the front end down on the pan am.
the sportster finally makes enough power to have a 6th gear 🏋♂️
I keep trying to shift up past 5th on mine. if it still keeps the rumble with vance & hines it couldn't be more welcome.
Hello, love the channel, it's super cool.
If I provide you updated weight and horsepower/ torque rating on my sportster S, can you do a comparison with it vs the stock sportster s.
Thanks so much.
Excellent commentary. Thank you so much.
I'm a die-hard Harley classic stroker fan but it's time for a sportster rework. But somehow we can't lose the stroker motors. I'm using the word 'stroker' loosley. For my purposes I'm looking at any Harley as a stroker motor. Undersquare vs oversquare.
Thank you! 👍
Good evening from France 🇨🇵, I have a V rod 1130 model from 2002, I'm very hesitant to sell it, it's a great model for me, too bad not to have continued this model 🥺
I Honestly think they should go Balls to the wall and just bring back the Vrod, using the Rev Max, with the same setup, with the Airbox at the time, and the Gas Tank underneath the seat, and just crank the output up
Sportster S doesn’t seem to be too popular, could it be the new Vrod where people hunt it down after it’s discontinued?
I only put a 1000 miles on mine so far, love the Sportster S. Gas mileage is horrible though.
I'm a big fan of the Sportster S. You may be right; it might be a bit of a sleeper. I think it has the bones to be an exceptional cafe racer.
I remember someone blowing up a Destroyer engine on the dyno at a dealership I worked at. I never found out the cause , but I suspect these “experts” tuning it messed up. They were not dealership employees, but friends of the owner. No names will be told to protect the innocent. LOL
😁
I got the 2015 muscle love the bike wouldn't trade it for anything
The Sportster S has been dynoing above spec in some cases. Then with a tune and better exhaust It's been dynoing at ~122 HP and ~125 ft/lbs torque. A very cheap mod bringing up the torque a lot.
Interesting, thanks for the info 👍
🤣🤣🤣🤣 there is absolutely NO WAY POSSSIBLE that engine makes 125ft lbs. U clearly don't understand engine design. 1250cc can't even make that with the bore and stroke it has.
Ive had 3 vrod muscles..Loved all 3...2 were 2013 and my last was a 2014..Harley needs to bring Vrods back..Give them more Hp and id def spend the cash..
And fix the handling.
flash forward almost a year , and your 1/4 times for the S are spot on from what ive seen
Awesome! Thanks for the heads up!
I’ll have mine on the track this summer. Got mid controls on last night. Waiting for Vance and Hines to come out with a system. I’ve had a v rod muscle and this Sportster s. And let me tell you. The S eats the v rods lunch for sure
@@mr_turbos2572 Nice! Let me know your times.
My mom bought me a Harley with a sick exhaust. Now I'm a bad ass.
You are very fortunate... and a bad ass!
I recently saw a timeslip for the Sportster. 10.9s.
My Harley my Harley,you are my number one...
shovel, pan , & knuckle heads were branded those names buy the riders of the day and later adopted by Harley :)
Interesting. Thanks for the info. 👍
I had a 06 Night rod. With a few mods like Suoertrapp exhaust, chip, hi Flo airfilter. Dyno at 135 HP. The engine was bulletproof. The bike OK to ride. But the brakes sucked. Big time. After I almost crashed into a truck that turned in front of me. I sold it. I never felt safe on that bike again.
I found an '06 Street Rod w/ 6500 mi for $6900. Seems like alot of $. How is parts availability? ty
Breakout with the 5gal tank #1, Vrod #2 best bikes Harley ever produced
If they would make a Street Rod based on this platform it would kick butt.
The V-rod is hampered by its excessive weight- 160+ lbs more than Sportstrr S. Sportstrr S did lose weight poured to late model XL1200 EVOLUTIONs (@ around 570# wet).
IMO the VRSCDX Night Rod Spl in Jade Metallic is one of the most beautiful H-Ds sold.
Sorry, but after having owned a 2007 VRSCR Street Rod, which I kept for five years, I will never own another H-D. As much as I loved the handling for a heavy bike, the sportier ergonomics compared to the V-Rod, and its good looks, it was the most unsafe motorcycle I have ever ridden. It literally had the worst traction of any motorcycle I've ever owned, which includes 1987 and 1989 FZR1000s, a 1989 Honda Hawk GT NT650, a 1993 CBR900RR, a 1994 CB1000A, a 2004 R1, a 2009 FZ-1, a 2011 CBR1000RR, and my current 2014 FZ-09, all of which would pull the back wheel off the ground before locking up the front wheel. Not only did my Street Rod lock up the front wheel, which sported a Dunlop 207 Sport Max radial tire, but both wheels would slide simultaneously while in the twisties at less than a seven-tenths pace. My last ride to Glendora Mountain was my last ride, my last scary ride, on that bike.
American bikes and cars seldom shine for traction or handling... it's all about the looks and the "powah"
I agree, the motor was brilliant, but the frame and suspension was all wrong.
I think these details will change once people start to re-tune the Sportster S since it's a re-tuned Pan American engine as far as I know. Could be different cams or some parts though.
It will be a beast after all the after market comes out and the Screaming Eagle package. I'm thinking 200 plus hp and a shit load of torque.
@@karlhockenberry9130 I don't think it's gonna get that high with a screaming eagle anything. They are notoriously under-powered with caution upgrades. But yeah maybe 200hp with some Woods cams or some other S&S mods.
@@infini1970
Unfortunately it’s not just a different tune from the P-A , the S has different heads, cams & pistons for more torque. Also the P-A has 13:1 compression the S has 12:1. Beats me why you need more power on a dirt or stone road ? Having grown up dirt riding and now street riding for the last 38 years I can only say it’s a
Huge mistake by Harley
My v rod is bored and bigger cam with custom exhaust. Good luck, all you see is my flames from exhaust and my taillight.
OK, that's engine power and straight line performance well covered. How about handling?
watch some of the sport bike riders reviews. they hate the forward controls but say once that is switched to mid control and grippier tires that they feel like a diavel but lighter weight with heavier steering{way too big front tire}
Thanks for the vid. and, as usual, very interesting.
Thanks for making this interesting and informative comparison video 👍🏻
You're welcome, thank you! 👍
I want a 103 revmax motor in a V-rod style cruiser with some cornering capability...
Vance & Hines developed a Dohc pro stock motor, but it beat the brakes off the rest of the class so bad the NHRA basically outlawed it. After it was discontinued, it took almost five years for the the class to catch up to where the Dohc v-twin was at performance wise. Only real commonalities between the revolution and the pro stock motor were a 60° V, Dohc heads, and firing order. Other than that, no relation between the two.
That NHRA motor was a rule bender. It used little pushrods driven by the cams to allow it to get the displacent advantage pushrod motirs got. Mercedes did something similar a few years earlier in Indycar.
@@eddieriddle3623 they campaigned a 160” Dohc motor for a couples years, that was later outlawed. Took PSM almost six years to match those performance numbers after that motor went away.
I’ve a Harley Davidson Street Rod 750 that I love. It’s always left out of every review. It’s a liquid cooled engine. Why is it forgotten about??
Yes i like the the classic Harley Style, and i like like the vrod, but it was time that Harley bring's a new style in a decent classic way, with modern technic to the sportster series.
Just a couple of things. The Revolution Max engine is not the second engine to have Revolution in the name it is the third. The second was the Revaluation X engine used in the Street 750 and 500. Also, a significant difference between the V-Rod and Sportster S engines is The Crank in the V-Rod engine has a single connecting rod journal and the Sportster S engine has two connecting rod journals located at an angle of thirty dares giving the two engines a different firing order.
Which is why the Revo sounds great and the Max sounds terrible.
Original VMAX would kick the shit out of both of these bikes…. Let alone the new VMAX
And that's using 35 year old technology.
I'm new riders i got the sportster s 22 on the 9/26 /22. For the 4 days I wass happy. After the only problem we the motorcycle I was a owner of a rebel 1100. I I switch to the Harley I think Decision I make I got the engine light on 2 times the motorcycle dies on me on the highway And I engein starting making sparks Everytime I turn it on It's already 2 weeks that my motorcycle is in a dealership
as an indian scout owner. i like the new Sportster but still prefer an FTR.
You can find old clips of Willie G himself saying... We need Evolution, not Revolution.... and yet, here we are..
the Sportster S is technically a better handling bike.
drag race comparison is good to get the acceleration across, but the Sportser S is designed more like a road bike, ( better street-able handling, and more confident in the twisties )
The V-rod is also a better looking bike than the new sportster. I don't know what Harley was thinking putting those goofy looking massive sidewall tires on it.
Theoretically, if you increased your performance by 20% on the Sportster S you would be looking at Horsepower: 145 Torque: 111
You missed an entire middle bike that used the same Generation Type Engines. The Street 500 and 750.
Maybe do a comparison of all new sportsters!
What about bore v stroke? What about Vee angle? Those two comparisons will tell you if they’re related.