Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special Overview
The top of street performance from H-D.
Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special 2015 is one of the steepest and most powerful cruisers in the standard equipment from the manufacturer to date. It has 111 newton-meters of torque and 107.6 horsepower on the rear wheel, and the motorcycle engine is a four-valve V-shaped two-cylinder engine with two overhead camshafts, liquid cooling and 60-degree angle of the collapse of the block of cylinders. Almost any other cruiser can "beat" in a straight line, regardless of engine volume. Not surprisingly, the Rod is related to the H-D Screamin' Eagle Vance & Hines Pro Stock racing car. The resemblance is only external, but Night Rod definitely looks cool outside. In the end, such two-cylinder V-shaped engine from Porsche and Harley-Davidson cannot but amaze with capacity.
Night Rod looks elegant and impressive, starting with the narrow front end, standard front tire 120-series and up to the tightly assembled engine compartment, gas tank under the seat and rear tire 240-series. With a 1792-millimeter wheelbase, the bike is quite long, but there are also longer cruisers. However, it is necessary to get used to driving the Night Rod because of the large wheelbase in combination with a wide rear tire.
At first, it was difficult to make maneuvers on a motorcycle in a parking lot and to pass sharply turns on a city because of the width of a back tire and its contact area with the ground. But it doesn't take a lot of time to get used to it and then the driver doesn't remember about this feature of Night Rod Special.
The liquid-cooled Night Rod engine is an amazing machine. The motorcycle transmission is equipped with a racing clutch. The liquid-cooled Night Rod engine is an amazing machine. The motorcycle transmission is equipped with a racing slip clutch.
The saddle height is 675 millimeters - not the lowest seat in the Harley-Davidson range, but thanks to 19 liters of gasoline in the tank under the seat, the Night Rod is definitely the best center of gravity in comparison with other Harleys with the traditional location of the tank. The low center of gravity partially compensates for the motorcycle sluggishness due to the wide rear tire.
With all fluids Night Rod weighs 302 kilograms, which is a lot and can not but burden the small stroke of the rear shock absorbers. It is 73 millimeters - it is more than some other Harleys, but still not enough for sufficient comfort while driving. Again, a wheel with a wide tire adds unsprung weight, which negatively affects the quality of the ride.
Cornering is not the strongest part of Night Rod, but the bike says :
"Hey, I have a drag-racing bike in my family!
Driver's Landing is another problematic aspect of Rod. The forward steps and drag racing steering wheel are a ridiculous combination. Yes, the motorcycle undoubtedly has a steep engine, great reception and speed characteristics, which sometimes do not allow you to smile off your face, but the thought that you will have to sit for a long time while driving with such a landing already hurts your lower back. Still, the cruiser should be more comfortable and versatile.
However, the position of the steering wheel and steps can be changed, so that perhaps many can adjust the position of the steering wheel for themselves, and it will not be such a big problem.
In general, if you manage to accept the driver's seat, the small stroke of shock-absorbers and peculiarities of management because of the very wide rear tire, the Night Rod Special is an incredibly steep, fast and beautiful bike, which is inferior in performance only to V-Rod Muscle.
Double disc front brakes with Brembo and ABS calipers provide excellent braking. Notice the matte black engine, exhaust, frame, and fork in a very beautiful way. However, the rear cylinder and exhaust system will warm the driver's right leg very well. Double disc front brakes with Brembo and ABS calipers provide excellent braking. Pay attention to the matte black engine, exhaust pipe, frame, and fork - very nice. However, the rear cylinder and exhaust system will warm the driver's right leg very well.