HARLEY-DAVIDSON V-Rod Muscle (2011-2012) Specs, Performance & Photos

In 1999, the American motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson released into the cruising world the V-twin Racing Street Custom (VRSC), a line of cruiser machines also known as the V-Rod.

The V-Rods were the first motorcycles manufactured by Harley-Davidson with a liquid-cooled engine and overhead camshafts. In addition, the V-Rods were often called muscle bikes due to their powerful engine.

The VRSC was the model base for many versions released over time, with different designations and characteristics, like the V-Rod Muscle that was presented in 2008 at the Harley-Davidson dealer show in Las Vegas and launched in 2009.

In 2011, the American motorcycle manufacturer launched the Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle, a cruiser machine in its third consecutive year of production that featured several similarities with its siblings and some unique designs.

The bike was built on a steel perimeter upper frame with hydro-formed main rails and bolt-on lower frame rails, fitted on the front with a 43 mm inverted telescopic fork and spring preload-adjustable shock absorbers on the rear for excellent suspension performance.

The triple-disc braking system takes care of the bike's stopping power, with a 300 mm disc and a four-piston caliper on the rear wheel and two 300 mm discs with four-piston calipers on the front wheel.

As for power, the 2011 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle was fitted with a 1 247cc liquid-cooled V-twin Revolution engine fed by an electronically controlled fuel injection system that delivered smooth engine response and fast acceleration.

A five-speed manual transmission and a high-performance carbon fiber final belt drive handled the 122 hp at 8,250 rpm and 117 Nm (86 lb-ft) torque at 6,500 rpm.