The Vrods are about the highest performance bikes out there now. Only Japanese bike that would all be close to hit for power, handling, comfort etc. would be the VMAX. The VMAX and the Eliminator are about the only Japanese bikes I would even own.
I've put over 8000 on my stock '87 ZL 1000 Eliminator since April.
There's a Harley on every corner but only one or two Eliminators in town. I get more comments, admiration, 'thumbs ups', etc from the public than I could ever get on a stock hog.
And yeah, its fast.
V-Max has not changed since 1984. Granted in 1984 the V-Max was the king. But today a V-Max is slow compared to the rest of the liter plus sport bikes and most of the 600cc middle weights.
It is simple math that will tell you there is no contest.
The v-max has 116hp and weighs 631lbs
Yamaha GSXR750 has 127hp and weighs 430lbs
That is simple math and that is just an example. Dozens and dozens of japaneze and italian bikes have better numbers than that.
A Harley V-Rod has 109hp and weighs 620lbs. Thats no contest......and it costs $20,000.
V-Max days are over. Unless they totally redesign that bike, they are stuck in 1984 times. The V-Rod is a start in the right direction for Harley. But for the money......
"The Vrods are about the highest performance bikes out there now."
Give me a break. A stock V-Rod can't even get into the 10s at the drag strip, which every current litre-class superbike can. Its engine makes decent (only decent, a little over 100 HP at the rear wheel, compared to 150+ for the sport bikes I mentioned) power but the bike weighs over 600 lbs.