HARLEY-DAVIDSON VRSCA V-Rod (2003-2004) Specs, Performance & Photos

In 2003, the American manufacturer released the Harley-Davidson V-Rod, a custom bike that debuted in 2001 to compete against Japanese and American muscle machines. The V-Rod was often called a muscle bike due to its high power output.

The fuel tank was placed under the seat on the V-Rod rather than in the usual location. The visible fuel tank was actually a cover for the air box and coolant filling port. Also, the V-Rod was the first motorcycle made by Harley-Davidson that featured overhead camshafts and a liquid-cooled power generator.

In the appearance department, the 2003 Harley-Davidson V-Rod featured a raked-out chromed fork with a pulled-back handlebar on top, custom-made mirrors, a stylish air box cover placed in the usual fuel tank location, a low seat, disc wheels, and a slash-cut chromed dual exhaust system.

At its heart, the Harley-Davidson VRSCA V-Rod had a 1,130cc four-stroke V-twin liquid-cooled engine fed by an electronically controlled fuel injection system. As for the power figures, the bike boasted 115 hp at 8,250 rpm and 100 Nm (74 lb-ft) torque at 7,300 rpm.

On the front end, the V-Rod packed a 49 mm telescopic fork with 100 mm wheel travel handling the front suspension and a disc wheel fitted with two 300 mm discs and four-piston calipers for stopping power.

On the rear, it packed two adjustable shock absorbers and a 300 mm disc with a four-piston caliper, handling suspension, and braking.