Why shouldn't my friend buy a NIGHT ROD?

[HoopleHead]

OK, I'll pose this question to you, same as he did to me.

"Know anything BAD or GOOD about the Harley Night Rod?"

He plans to order a new '09 next week when he gets his bonus... I looked through their forums, but it's so cluttered and confusing I can't find much but pictures. They're certainly pretty, but I don't think they're as pretty as my little 900 Custom... so other than that, and the double the price matter, and the fact that the 900 will get 15 MPG better mileage... what can I say? I don't want to talk him out of it if it's a great bike, of course, but anybody here have an honest and unbiased opinion?

[HoopleHead]

One thing I do see as an aftermarket accessory is a fork stabilizer... haven't seen one of those in a long time... says it's to get rid of high speed wobble.... yikes!

[gdhugh]

It's a beautiful and fine machine. Even water cooled. What kind of riding will your friend do? It's not very comfortable for an all day ride. Not comfotable for more then a couple hundred mile ride day with several stops. If he's just running up the street or down the blvd, then it will be a nice way to blow $20.k

[Ryguy]

He should buy whatever gives him the biggest smile!!! I don't know a thing about the knight rod so I can't help you out there. It sounds like he knows what he wants though.

[900classic]

If he has the money and desire than I say go for it. What made you want to buy a 900 custom?

There are a lot of factors that come into buying a bike, price, style, dependablilty, performance, etc, etc. I chose the 900classic because it was the right price, right, style, kawi make good machines, etc. It was the best bike for what I wanted.

Hopefully before he drop 20k on a bike he will do a little research and will be aware of what kind of bikes are out there so that he will be making the right choice.

[CycleDude]

The Night Rod is a beautiful bike. If he's comfortable on it, then he should go for it.

[Vulcan900]

I was admiring one Friday night... all blacked out, lowered, tons of extras for 150+hp. Awsome machine, wish I could afford one.

[jac4xt]

Gorgeous bike. If it is what he wants I say go for it.

[demon_668]

Why shouldn't he?


Cause he probably won't let you take it for a spin

[internet_bully]

If he's a shorter rider 5-9 or less it's going to much of a stretch to comfortably reach the forward controls. I had problems with burning my leg on the pipe. Otherwise power is great and it handles nice but for shorter guys like myself it just doesn't fit.

[skewterdewd]

I'm just curious why somone would order a new one. I was at a HD dealership yesterday and they were elbow deep in vrods/nightrods from 06/07/08, going for pretty good discounts.

None of the new "muscle" versions of it though.

I say if the guy wants a 'rod, who's to tell him other wise?

[RichLockyer]

The only negatives to the V-Rod series are attitudes.
Metric drivers will give you 'tude because it's a Harley... and some Harley drivers will give you 'tude because it's got a radiator and it's really a Porsche engine.

So screw the 'tudes and tell him to get what he wants! Tires are standard OTC, so you're not paying through the nose like you do for some specialty shoes (cough M109 cough). It's a solid and reliable engine, and the new models have a larger fuel tank (1st year or two only carried 3 gallons).

[CowboyBob]

Can't see why you would want to talk him out of it..they are great bikes, not the HD purists bike, but really cool just the same.

Only reason I could see throwin sand on his fire is jealousy, or worries he will have more HP than you! LOL

[pb641]

He MUST buy the bike that he believes is the one. If he buys anything else, he will do the buyer's remorse meltdown. I would just ask and make sure that he has ridden one more than just around the block. That is critical. If he believes it is still the bike, then just support the decision as buddy should. I think that's a man rule, codified in the 30's somewhere.

[Surftechuser]

I rode one and it's a great bike that I think your friend will love.

[rldowns3]

Buy it, ride it, enjoy it. Just make sure you're comfortable on it.

[Trashman900C]

Originally Posted by CycleDude

The Night Rod is a beautiful bike. If he's comfortable on it, then he should go for it.

+1
i love the Night Rod....

[jimboy61]

Originally Posted by HoopleHead

OK, I'll pose this question to you, same as he did to me.

"Know anything BAD or GOOD about the Harley Night Rod?"

He plans to order a new '09 next week when he gets his bonus... I looked through their forums, but it's so cluttered and confusing I can't find much but pictures. They're certainly pretty, but I don't think they're as pretty as my little 900 Custom... so other than that, and the double the price matter, and the fact that the 900 will get 15 MPG better mileage... what can I say? I don't want to talk him out of it if it's a great bike, of course, but anybody here have an honest and unbiased opinion?

The riding position sucks to me, just like it felt when i read a review that said your hands are in a pull back position and your feet are way out in front, just like the old swingset you used to have to pull the handles and push the feet to make it move...very awkward.

[Badmedicine]

I think only your friend knows the good or bad about a Night Rod. If when he looks at one, he can walk away and not look back- thats bad. If when he looks at one, he can walk away and HAS to look back- thats good. The Rods are sweet looking bikes, a little too new age looking for my taste, but I can see why people like them, a lot of different manufactures use the Porsche software to have engines designed, they make some sweet engines, when I worked on Volvo's for a living, they used Porsche designed engines and were really good, kind of weird but we actually had less trouble out of the Volvo's, than out of the Porsche's, go figure. If he puts a deposit down on one, it will be pure torture waiting, I put a deposit down a couple of weeks ago on a FXSTC, and it is about to drive me crazy, short drive too I might add.

[BOURBON BOY]

Why talk him out of one? Kaw keeps trying to copy Harleys more and more, why not just get the real thing? At least you can get thousands of add-on's,something our maker can't figure out how to do. If H-D made a bike for my long legged frame, I think I WOULD buy it now, I never used to think this way-kinda scary!!! BB