Yamaha V-max 1200 vs Harley-davidson Night Rod Special
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Yamaha V-max 1200 vs Harley-davidson Night Rod Special. Yamaha V-max 1200: 143 hp @ 9,000 rpm hp, 262 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 220 km/h, Motoryk rating 7.8/10. Harley-davidson Night Rod Special: 122 hp @ 8,250 rpm hp, 294 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 210 km/h (estimated; Harley does not officially publish top speed), Motoryk rating 7.5/10.
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Yamaha V-max 1200
Harley-davidson Night Rod Special
Horsepower (hp)
143 hp
122 hp
Torque (Nm)
150 Nm
116 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
220 km/h
210 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
262 kg
294 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
143 hp @ 9,000 rpm
122 hp @ 8,250 rpm
Torque
150 Nm @ 7,500 rpm
116 Nm @ 7,000 rpm
Top Speed
220 km/h
210 km/h (estimated; Harley does not officially publish top speed)
Weight
262 kg (wet/curb weight)
294 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
7.5 L/100km (typical real-world average, varies significantly with riding style)
7.5 L/100km (approx. 13.3 km/L, typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Yamaha V-max 1200
7.8/10
"Pure muscle-bike theater that genuinely delivers the performance goods."
Pros
+Savage V4 thrust delivery
+Iconic unmistakable visual presence
+Bulletproof engine when maintained
Cons
−Four carbs are maintenance-intensive
−Handles like a barge
−Terrible fuel economy
Harley-davidson Night Rod Special
7.5/10
"The Harley that actually rides like it looks — buy smart."
Pros
+Genuinely fast V-twin
+Handles surprisingly well
+Striking aggressive styling
Cons
−Serious heat from engine
−Aggressive ergonomics punish long rides
−Parts sourcing more difficult
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.
