HARLEY-DAVIDSON Night Rod Special (2011-2012) Specs, Performance & Photos

In 1999, the American manufacturer brought into the cruising world the Harley-Davidson VRSC, short form (V-twin Racing Street Custom), also known as the V-Rod. The V-Rods were a series of cruiser motorcycles, often called muscle bikes due to their powerful engine.

In addition, the V-Rods were the first motorcycles manufactured by the US maker that featured liquid-cooled engines and overhead camshafts. The first V-Rod was introduced in 2001 to compete against other Japanese and American muscle bikes.

Over the years, many models with different designations and appearances were derived from the original model, including the Night Rod, the base for the Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special.

The Night Rod Special was a custom-made version of the standard machine with a 240 mm wide rear tire, and most chromed accents were replaced with black paint. In 2008, the Night Rod Special received a displacement increase from 1,130cc to 1,247cc, delivering slightly more power and torque.

In 2011, the maker launched the Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special, with slotted black-finished disc wheels, a black powder-coated engine with black covers and polished cooling fins, and a black exhaust system with polished mufflers and black caps.

At its core, the bike featured a 1,247cc liquid-cooled V-twin Revolution engine, boasting 125 hp at 8,250 rpm and 115 Nm (85 lb-ft) torque at 7,000 rpm.

The bike had an MSRP of $15,099 when it was released in 2011, while in 2023, it was for sale for an average price of $7,990.