Yamaha V-max 1200 vs Harley-davidson V-rod
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Yamaha V-max 1200
Harley-davidson V-rod
Horsepower (hp)
143 hp
122 hp
Torque (Nm)
150 Nm
116 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
220 km/h
225 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
262 kg
295 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
143 hp @ 9,000 rpm
122 hp @ 8,250 rpm (2012+ V-Rod Muscle; original 2002 model produced ~115 hp)
Torque
150 Nm @ 7,500 rpm
116 Nm @ 7,000 rpm
Top Speed
220 km/h
225 km/h
Weight
262 kg (wet/curb weight)
295 kg (wet/curb weight — V-Rod Muscle variant)
Fuel
7.5 L/100km (typical real-world average, varies significantly with riding style)
7.5 L/100km (approximately 13.3 km/L) — estimated 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 V-rod
7.5/10
"A genuinely capable cruiser that rewards riders who do their homework."
Pros
+Porsche-developed engine is exceptional
+Genuinely strong top-end power
+Handles better than expected
Cons
−Parts increasingly hard to find
−Heavy and awkward parking lot
−Specialist servicing costs hurt