Are V-Rods a pariah?

[brownford]

I'd still go for this over the V ROD

That doesn't look too bad, what is it?

[Frank Z.]

That doesn't look too bad, what is it?

HD XLCR. Very desirable for some collectors.
Me, i'd like to have an XR750

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

Here's a handful I've restored in the past 5 years, yep, they're ALL ugly!

[rustybronco]

Vmax > Vrod

Vmax... rear fender has no style, wheels suk, exhaust looks like crap, the core of the bike looks bloated and whats up with those air scoops??? or, are those just really big horns made to appear as scoops.

I guess styling was some sort of an after thought huh?

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

I guess styling was some sort of an after thought huh?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, for as many people that hate them, I gaurantee there are just as many that love them! Personal preference, that's all.

[Tim Tom]

The stock Vmax doesn't really do much for me, something about the rear end just looks dated, like it doesn't match the performance from that motor.

A little while ago though Yamaha gave one to three high profile custom builders to give a make over on. They made them into some pretty bitchin bikes!


This one came from the workshop of German builder Marcus Waltz



American moto-icon Roland Sands gave the Vmax his custom touch



And the French Ludovic Lazareth created this monster




Plenty of pictures and videos of these three bikes on the interwebs. Search VMAX Hyper Modified if you want to see more of them

Personally I'm torn between RSD's slimmed down bike and the brutal batman-esque Lazareth custom....

[Tim Tom]

As a comparison the the custom V-Max's I found a fantastic looking custom V-Rod. Those who wanted to put that motor into a sporting chassis and geometry may appreciate this effort.



No idea who did the work, but it looks great to my eye!

[Octain]

The first time you get on a VMAX and the V-boost kicks in a 6K and almost rips your arms out of the socket, you'll change your mind. Only top heavy in parking lots and standing still, once you get em' going they're just like any other big 80's UJM, and you can upgrade the suspension front and rear with Progressives to make for a very comfortable ride. Try it, you'll like it!

Try it? LMAO. If I cant get past the looks I cant get on the bike.
Dude, seriously they have got to be one of the ugliest bikes ever made.

[Octain]

it's like the grateful dead - some people just don't "get it".

Or kinda like Harley, some people just dont get it

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

Try it? LMAO. If I cant get past the looks I cant get on the bike.
Dude, seriously they have got to be one of the ugliest bikes ever made.

Said the man with 3 of the ugliest bikes ever made in his signature.

[Octain]

Said the man with 3 of the ugliest bikes ever made in his signature.

Where? Who?

Not everyone can appreciate the simple beauties in life with closed eyes, err, I mean mind..

[brownford]

HD XLCR. Very desirable for some collectors.
Me, i'd like to have an XR750

I can't believe I compimented the looks of a cafe racer. At least it doesn't have the cheesy ironing-board-with-a-lump-in-the-back seat on it.

[Allie]

The V-Rod is generally not considered a 'real' Harley by the masses, but I like it okay. The styling is fine, but for me even though the motor isn't a world beater by modern standards it IS a good strong well designed modern power plant with plenty of untapped potential. If they would put that motor in a more sporty chassis I'd REALLY be interested. Maybe not interested enough to buy one, but I'd really like to see them go beyond their traditional customer base, I don't see why they can't. At very least I'd like to see SOME American company do it but we're a bit funny about such things here apparently.

[Toasty]

I'd still go for this over the V ROD

My Dad rode Harleys for years and had one of those brand new, he said it wasn't very good.

Now this is a v-twin Buell I want

[83GS1100E_Tornado]

Now THIS is a real Harley!

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/mcy/3255379124.html