Harley-davidson Night Rod Special
The Harley-davidson Night Rod Special has a top speed of 210 km/h (estimated; Harley does not officially publish top speed), produces 122 hp and weighs 294 kg. Motoryk rates it 7.5/10.
La Harley-Davidson Night Rod Special a été introduite en 2007 en tant que variante noire et plus agressive de la famille VRSC (V-Rod), elle-même lancée en 2001 en tant que première moto de série à refroidissement liquide de Harley développée avec Porsche Engineering. Le Night Rod Special était équipé d'un moteur Revolution de 1250 cm3, de barres de style drag et d'une esthétique noire menaçante qui le distinguait de la gamme V-Rod standard. Il est resté en production jusqu'en 2017, date à laquelle Harley-Davidson a abandonné l'ensemble de la famille VRSC pour se concentrer sur les nouvelles plateformes.
122 hp
Pouvoir
116 Nm
Torque
294 kg
Poids
210 km/h (estimated; Harley does not officially publish top speed)
Vitesse maximale
7.5 L/100km (approx. 13.3 km/L, typical real-world average)
Carburant
Nue
Corps
Video Review
Ce que les acheteurs doivent savoir
Liquid-Cooled Revolution
Unlike most Harleys, the Night Rod Special uses a liquid-cooled V-Rod engine (VRSCDX), which runs cooler and tolerates heat better than air-cooled models. This generally means less thermal stress and longer engine life with proper maintenance.
Watch the Fuel Pump
Fuel pump failures are a known recurring issue on the V-Rod platform, particularly on higher-mileage bikes. Budget for inspection or replacement, as a new OEM pump can run $300–$500 plus labor.
Strong Resale Retention
The Night Rod Special was discontinued after 2017, making it a collector favorite with stable used market values. Its aggressive, unique styling keeps demand steady among buyers who want a Harley that stands out from traditional cruisers.
Générations et spécifications par année
Présentation du VRSCDX Night Rod Special avec moteur Revolution de 1 130 cm3, style noirci et pneu arrière large.
"La Harley qui mettait les cyclistes de sport dans l'embarras aux feux rouges."
Ce moteur Revolution est vraiment surprenant : 125 chevaux émis par un insigne Harley, c'est quand même une farce tant que vous n'atteignez pas 160 km/h sur une moto nue dotée de barres de frein et d'un sourire permanent. L'esthétique masquée de tout tient la route ; ce truc avait l'air plus méchant que tout ce que j'ai vu dans la gamme H-D et a vieilli plus de la moitié des coutumes que j'ai vues. Mais à 294 kg, vous pouvez sentir chaque kilo en dessous de 30 km/h. Les parkings et les demi-tours exigent une concentration maximale, et ce pneu arrière à 240 sections prend mal les virages au petit déjeuner. Je vous préviens également que l'ergonomie est un outil de punition à longue distance : ces barres basses et ces repose-pieds avant conviennent à une explosion de 90 minutes, pas à une excursion d'un week-end.
Pros
Les inconvénients
La cylindrée du moteur a été augmentée à un moteur Revolution de 1250 cm3, ce qui a amélioré le couple et la puissance de sortie.
Des mises à jour de style révisées, de nouvelles options de couleurs, une suspension raffinée et des améliorations ergonomiques mineures ont été introduites.
Évaluation d'un acheteur d'occasion
"The Harley that actually rides like it looks — buy smart."
$7,500-$12,000 usedThe Night Rod Special is Harley's rebellious black sheep, and honestly that's exactly why it's interesting. Powered by the Porsche-developed Revolution V-twin, this thing actually handles and pulls hard — a genuine departure from the usual Harley cruiser formula. Used examples from 2012-2017 are the sweet spot: post-teething issues, pre-depreciation cliff. Expect to pay around $8,000-$11,000 for a clean one, and they're worth it if you know what you're buying. Here's the reality check though: parts are pricier than your typical Harley because that engine is genuinely different, and your local HD dealer might scratch their head at it. The riding position is aggressively low and forward — fantastic at 30, questionable at 55. Heat management is the elephant in the room; summer city riding will cook your right leg. Always check the rear tire width clearance and look for belt wear. These bikes attract modders, so inspect carefully for hack jobs.
Top 10 Accessories
Curated picks for the Harley-davidson Night Rod Special — owned, ridden, recommended.
Problèmes courants
🔥 2 CRITICALTest voltage output at idle and revs
Listen for ticking on cold start
Check for hesitation or hard starting
Inspect lower legs for oil residue
✅Liste de contrôle préalable à l'achat
Solid but electrical issues bite neglected bikes
Full Specifications
Rivals & Alternatives
Bikes that buyers cross-shop with the Harley-davidson Night Rod Special
Harley-davidson Low Rider S
Harley-davidson V-rod
Harley-davidson Fxdr 114
Harley-davidson V-rod Muscle
Harley-davidson V-rod Night Rod
Compare Harley-davidson Night Rod Special Side-by-Side
compare_arrowsSpecs, power, weight & buyer verdict — head-to-head with the bikes most often cross-shopped.
Harley-davidson Night Rod Special vs Harley-davidson Low Rider S
Specs · Power · Buyer verdict
Harley-davidson Night Rod Special vs Harley-davidson V-rod
Specs · Power · Buyer verdict
Harley-davidson Night Rod Special vs Harley-davidson Fxdr 114
Specs · Power · Buyer verdict
Harley-davidson Night Rod Special vs Harley-davidson V-rod Muscle
Specs · Power · Buyer verdict
Harley-davidson Night Rod Special vs Harley-davidson V-rod Night Rod
Specs · Power · Buyer verdict
More Harley-davidson Night Rod Special Guides
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Discussion
Frequently Asked Questions
What are common problems with the Harley-davidson Night Rod Special? +
Regulator/rectifier failure, kills battery: Test voltage output at idle and revs (serious) | Cam chain tensioner wear and noise: Listen for ticking on cold start (moderate) | Fuel pump failure or weak pressure: Check for hesitation or hard starting (serious)
Is the Harley-davidson Night Rod Special a good motorcycle? +
The Harley that actually rides like it looks — buy smart. Rating: 7.5/10. Best for: Shorter riders wanting real performance cruiser presence. Avoid if: You prioritize touring comfort over aggressive styling.
What is the horsepower of the Harley-davidson Night Rod Special? +
The Harley-davidson Night Rod Special produces 122 hp @ 8,250 rpm, with 116 Nm @ 7,000 rpm of torque. Top speed: 210 km/h (estimated; Harley does not officially publish top speed).
Is the Harley-davidson Night Rod Special good for beginners? +
Yes — the Harley-davidson Night Rod Special is a reasonable choice for new riders (122 hp is manageable), weighing 294 kg. Shorter riders wanting real performance cruiser presence
Is the Harley-davidson Night Rod Special reliable? +
Owners report 2 critical issues to watch for on the Harley-davidson Night Rod Special, notably: Regulator/rectifier failure, kills battery (Test voltage output at idle and revs). Buy with a pre-purchase inspection.
Is the Harley-davidson Night Rod Special good for daily use? +
Shorter riders wanting real performance cruiser presence Fuel: 7.5 L/100km (approx. 13.3 km/L, typical real-world average).
How fast is the Harley-davidson Night Rod Special? +
The Harley-davidson Night Rod Special reaches a top speed of 210 km/h (estimated; Harley does not officially publish top speed), producing 122 hp at 294 kg curb weight. Real-world performance depends on rider weight, gearing, and road conditions.
What gear should I buy for a Harley-davidson Night Rod Special? +
Motoryk has curated a Top 10 gear list specifically for the Harley-davidson Night Rod Special, covering engine oil, tires, chain, battery, and brake pads — see motoryk.com/bikes/harley-davidson/night-rod-special/top10. Each pick is matched to this bike's spec.
