HARLEY-DAVIDSON VR1000 (1994-1995) Specs, Performance & Photos

From 1915 through 1993, every Harley-Davidson racing machine was, in fact, a production motorcycle modified for racing purposes. In 1994, the American motorcycle manufacturer released the Harley-Davidson VR1000, their first machine built from the ground up, especially for racing.

The first machines had a Penske inverted fork on the front and six-piston Wilwood calipers, while the road model had an Ohlins fork with titanium-coated stanchions. The bike's bodywork was made of carbon fiber, and the production of the VR1000 was set at 50 units, each for $49,490.

In the appearance department, the Harley-Davidson VR1000 packed a front fairing with a mid-sized windscreen and a round headlight covered by its own windscreen, making the bike more aerodynamic.

The bike packed a single seat, five-spoke lightweight aluminum wheels, a dual exhaust system, a belly guard, an up-swept dual exhaust system, and a twin-spar aluminum frame. In addition, the bike's engine was fed by an electronic fuel injection system.

The 1994 Harley-Davidson VR1000 had its muscles from a 1,000cc four-stroke V-twin liquid-cooled engine that delivered an output power of 135 hp with a maximum peak force at 10,000 rpm and 136 Nm (100 lb-ft) torque at 9,000 rpm.

The engine power was controlled by a five-speed manual transmission and a final chain drive, the handling was operated by an inverted telescopic fork on the front with a single shock absorber on the rear, and the stopping power was achieved by two discs on the front and a single disc on the end.