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Muscle Bikes

42 posts Started 27 Jan 2015 Last recovered post 5 May 2015 Wayback Machine snapshot 24 May 2015
#1 RogueWave Thread starter

I took this picture at a HD dealer the other day (The pic attached). The guy was nice enough to let me sit on it. It's very stable, and does not feel heavy at all. I imagine there are some pretty cool mods for this bike.

 I also have a special liking for the original V-Max. I heard when it came out in 85' there where so many crashes Yamaha had to detune it because it was a widow maker. Not sure if that is true, but it does add to it's legend.

VMax

[image: Spring%2005,%20vmax%20004.jpg]

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  • [image: hdvrod.jpg]

#2 OutlawsJustice

I still ride the Vmax, On my fourth one (It is not the only bike I have of course) but since I am out here on the west coast and the bike is how I am traveling as we work all over the state to get the new motorcycle program up and running. I have put almost three thousand miles on the bike in the last 30 days. They did not de-tune the Vmax, but it does make a good story. They did change the wheel design starting in 1988, then in 1993 the Vmax gor bigger dia. forks and better brakes.


#3 otmaximus

I had an 85 Vmax for several years, sold it then bought a 2000 last year.  I absolutely love that bike, I like staring at it in the garage as much as riding it.

Not so great for my 70mile commute to work, but great for bombing around town.  My 85 was modded a bit, but I'm keeping the '00 basically stock.

I think the carbs were reduced by a mm or something after 85 but there were power gains in other places to make up for it.  But not sure that's accurate either.

Paul in SoCal

94, 95, 97, 97 VFR

00 Vmax


#4 2FAST4U

I've got nothing against the current generation V-Max, but when Cruiser magazine tested it, the average range they got on it was something like 85 miles. No thanks. Also, I forget which major magazine did a comparison between it and the B-King, but the B-King beat it in every major category (acceleration, handling, braking, etc.).


And does anybody remember the BMW K1300R?

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  • [image: BMW K1300R.jpg]
  • [image: 2009-Star-Vmax.jpg]
  • [image: B-KING.jpg]

#5 VFR4Lee

Don't recognize that beemer. The Suzi looks like a caricature of the VMax. A cartoon.


#6 DriverDave
What about Honda's own V4 muscle bike. This was my 1988 Super Magna.
[image: Nice night shot.jpg]
#9 TimC

V-Max is a cool bike, but has a pretty limited range, which unfortunately limits its versatility, too.

Of the HD V-Rods, the only one I ever wanted was the Street Rod, made only in 2007, that featured a USD fork, spoke wheels instead of solid discs, and mid-mount pegs.  It was the sportiest V-Rod they ever made, and of course it died a quick death because that's not what most HD buyers want.

I still check ebay for the BMW K1200R.  Many times I think I'd rather have that bike than the fully-faired "S" version.  Also, the K1300R never made it to the US.  :sad:

As for the B-King, it always looked very cartoonish to me.  Though it had terrific performance numbers I'm not surprised it didn't last here.


#10 2FAST4U

The Street Rod was manufactured in 2006-07. I once test rode a yellow one and really liked it. The Night Rod was manufactured from 2006-08 and, although it also had mid-mount controls from the factory, it wasn't as sporty as the Street Rod (the rake/trail was different and so was the seat height). I don't think the Street Rod was ever marketed to the traditional HD buyer because, like you said, it's not the type of bike they're interested in. It was geared more towards people like us that are into sport or sporty motorcycles (HD was hoping to attract new customers with it but didn't succeed).

You're right about the K1300R. It was never sold here in the States (but it was in Canada). I didn't know that.

Here's another muscle bike (but one I wouldn't want):

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  • [image: Drag Bike.jpg]

#11 luvtoleanit
I hate cruisers but I would rock the last Vmax made a few years ago in a heartbeat
#12 JayJay
Rented a 2013 vRod in Arizona. Was extremely underwhelmed by the power. The riding position was not great either.
#13 TimC

The Street Rod was manufactured in 2006-07. I once test rode a yellow one and really liked it.

Thanks for the correction!  The one I coveted was black and orange, which I saw at the annual motorcycle show in 2007.  I've never seen another one like it.  The Street Rod is the only V-Rod that really appeals to me.

Though I like the V-Rods, and I've yet to actually ride one, they feel very top-heavy when getting them up off the kickstand.  IIRC, the clutch pull is also quite heavy.  Still, this is one of those bikes that I think about often.  I could see buying a low-mileage (which most of them are) Street Rod at a steal years from now.  :wink:


#14 2FAST4U

Curiosity got the best of me and so I had to check out the specs for the '07's. It's painfully obvious which is the sportier of the two.


I prefer black or orange but not black & orange. It looks like a special Halloween edition.

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  • [image: 2007-Harley-Davidson-VRSC-VRSCRStreetRodf.jpg]
  • [image: 2007 HD.png]

#15 VFR4Lee
It looks like a special Halloween edition.

Perfect. Just BYO skeletons and witches and such. :goofy:


#16 2FAST4U

@JayJay

V-Rods typically run a mid to high 11 in the quarter. The best 1/4 mile e.t. I've ever seen for my bike is an 11.2 (@120). Say a V-Rod runs an 11.7 in the quarter (1/2 a second slower than my bike). I admit 1/2 a second is a lot of time, but the V-Rod is a cruiser. An 11.7 is fast for a cruiser.

Imagine what the owner of a ZX-14R or Busa thinks of our bike. They're running mid to high 9's, bone stock. The S1000RR does, too.


#19 Duc2V4

[image: Yamahamt01.jpg]

Yamaha MT-01, not sure if it made it to the states, but was a good thing by all accounts.

Unfortunately it doesn't look like the US gets this one. Good looking ride too.


#20 pyrofitr1368

You guys are also forgetting the Honda Magna 1100 and Kawasaki Eliminator. The first Eliminator was the 85'-86' ZL900...Ninja 900 engine and "cruiser" frame, quite fast light to light ( fillup every 85mi.). I have the 87'ZL1000. It was made one year. It has better range, but with the Connie engine using different gearing. It isn't as fast as the ZL900, but more comfortable and better range(120-150mi). Don't forget the ill fated Suzuki Madura 1200. I am still not a fan of Suzuki cruisers.

In the end the V-MAX out lasted them all.

I belong to the forum, ZL-OA.com. As with every bike, there is a cult following and the Eliminators are no different. Those guys are crazy about  Eliminators. Don't get me wrong, I love my ZL, but there comes a point......I for one love the idea of a "cruiser" with inline four or v-four engines. Though I am biased, I love the sound and feel Honda has made with our Viffers. I admit I'd like to try an Aprilia.

BTW, the BMW K1300R did come to the states, just select states...don't know why. I looked at one for sale. Those things are monsters! Fill up every 100-120mlies tops.


#21 pyrofitr1368

in case you haven't sen one...87' ZL1000...the exhaust is a polarizing issue. I like it because it is not the norm. That said, Holeshot makes cans  just for the ZL's. Inline four performance, cruiseresque style and comfort. This is not to say the V-Max isn't incredible, I just prefer the ZL. Someday, a V-MAX....

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  • [image: zl1000.jpg]

#22 Ashok

The BMW K1300R does it for me. As does the previous gen VMax. Also the Yamaha XJR1300.

Also, the B King looks dumb.


#23 LEGEND
The BMW looks like it was crashed into a wall and dropped off a cliff. The King is a proper Japanese bike with muscle and handling.

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  • [image: suzuki_2008_b-king_13-895x569.jpg]

#24 VFR4Lee

That double VFR sounds wicked. Awful wide though.

Aprilia, Bike Me!

Tuonos are pretty muscular, in a Viva Italia sort of way. Ciao. :beer:

Gen 2 bike. [image: 100_5276.JPG]

Gen 1 bike. [image: 100_5282.JPG]


#25 2FAST4U

Something a lot of people don't know about the MT-01 is its 1,700 cc Twin is the same power plant Yamaha used in the Warrior. Something else a lot of people don't know is Yamaha made a three stage kit available for the Warrior (you could buy the parts at the dealership and have them install the parts). I forget exactly what each kit included, but I remember Stage 3 included pistons, cams, velocity stacks, etc. Now that would have been a real muscle bike.


#26 HoganLongfellow

Something a lot of people don't know about the MT-01 is its 1,700 cc Twin is the same power plant Yamaha used in the Warrior. Something else a lot of people don't know is Yamaha made a three stage kit available for the Warrior (you could buy the parts at the dealership and have them install the parts). I forget exactly what each kit included, but I remember Stage 3 included pistons, cams, velocity stacks, etc. Now that would have been a real muscle bike.

yep!  the MT has about 20 more HP (if i recall correctly) and weighed less than the Warrior.  I had a Warrior and loved every minute of it, I'd KILL for an MT
 

My Warrior just had pipes, otherwise she was bone stock.  Those stage IV Warriors were pretty stout, they would easily get into the 11's


[image: 318595 440574489331313 955616038 N]
318595 440574489331313 955616038 N


#27 2FAST4U

^^ That's a sharp-looking bike.

Patrick Racing (out in California) would even port and polish heads for you. Their Warrior (below) ran mid 9's in the quarter. I actually saw this bike in person at I forget which drag racing event. They let me touch it but not sit on it.

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  • [image: patrick01.jpg]

#28 HoganLongfellow

thank you!   yeah i miss the ol' girl.....wish i would have kept her lol


#30 pyrofitr1368

Yeah the Diavel is a naughty girl in her own right. She represents the next gen of "muscle cruisers".


#31 TimC

The performance of the B-king was terrific.  The looks, however, are just awful IMO.  Weird headlight, very wide side pieces, and the cartoonish exhaust covers.  I bet it was popular with people who loved The Transformers as kids, because to me that's what it looks like.


#32 Dutchy

 very wide side pieces, and the cartoonish exhaust covers. 

At least these cartoonists got away with it.............


#35 VFR4Lee
they are just a proper naked bikes like CB1000R:

Cool rear wheel! :beer:


#38 keef
drysdale v8 for the win so far.
#40 VFR4Lee

A lot of these "muscle" bikes look fat to me. :wacko:


#41 RogueWave Thread starter

How about this? Can Am is making a muscle-like motorcycle.

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  • [image: Can-Am-Spyder-F3-First-Official-Photo.png]

#42 2FAST4U

Anybody remember this VTX1800 concept from '05? It was a working model that never made it to production because Honda didn't think there was a market for it. Had it been up to me, I would have built this instead of the Rune.

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  • [image: 2005 Honda VTX1800 concept.jpg]

End of thread · 42 posts recovered Wayback Machine snapshot 24 May 2015