Story by Uwe Wachtendorf

2012 Harley-Davidson V-Rod 10th Anniversary Edition

All dressed up with nowhere to go, Editor Glenn Roberts grabbed the key for the Harley-Davidson’s 10th Anniversary V-Rod and decided to reacquaint himself with the machine. The gloriously warm fall day was a perfect excuse to go for a ride – in full formal wear – but as I watched him through the window of our photography vehicle, I was surprised by what I saw.

Riding a Harley while wearing a tuxedo was supposed to have been an irreverent stunt, an opportunity to poke a little fun at the 10th anniversary celebrations. And even though the sight of tuxedo tails flapping in the V-Rod’s wake was not a common one, it wasn’t the outlandish display that I’d hoped for. On the contrary, it looked disappointingly appropriate that someone would be riding the V-Rod wearing a tuxedo, which can’t be said of too many motorcycles.

That Motorcycle Mojo was first published around the same time the V-Rod first appeared on the motorcycling landscape is fantastic providence. Both magazine and motorcycle were revolutionary in their day; Mojo by virtue of challenging established Canadian motorcycle publications, and the V-Rod because of its Revolution engine, the first liquid-cooled V-Twin with overhead cams that had ever been used to power a consumer-level Harley-Davidson.

Revolutions, even the successful ones, have to survive a precarious phase during which the outcome hangs in the balance. During itsinaugural year, it seemed that Harley-Davidson’s hardcore fans would never accept such a radically different machine as the V-Rod, especially not since it was powered by the engineering efforts of a German sports car company. Harley-Davidson’s collaboration with Porsche to build an entirely new engine was an odd marriage of manufacturers, but as Erik Buell explained to me during an interview years ago, the Revolution engine was initially slated for use in a Buell. In the end, the Revolution’s size and weight made it an inappropriate choice for a sportbike, and as a result, Harley-Davidson’s first true power cruiser was unveiled.

The initial success of the V-Rod was measured by the riders it drew to the brand who otherwise wouldn’t have entertained the idea of owning a Harley-Davidson. The years that followed saw many V-Rod variants and a steadily growing acceptance of the unorthodox cruiser by the Harley faithful. Without question, the V-Rod has become an iconic motorcycle for the Milwaukee manufacturer and adds exciting diversity to its model range.

To celebrate the V-Rod’s longevity, Harley-Davidson is offering a 10th Anniversary Edition of the motorcycle. Fitting for a motorcycle with a character that is both brash and complex, the Anniversary Edition was designed as a tribute to the original 2002 V-Rod. Its Silver Pearl bodywork and colour-matched frame mimics the anodized aluminum used in the construction of the original model. Adding arrogance to its already bold looks and strong curbside appeal, the Anniversary Edition’s engine, exhaust system – even its miniature flyscreen – have been fitted with an overabundance of chrome and polished finishes. New five-spoke, cast-aluminum wheels have also been fitted, which Harley-Davidson claims are three pounds lighter than previous V-Rod wheels.

A new tapered tail section with a flush-mounted LED taillight adds to the bike’s long and low profile – a profile visually punctuated by a monstrous V-Twin that appears to have been shoehorned into the bike’s hydroformed frame. There’s little arguing that the V-Rod’s slammed and purposeful stance makes an unmistakable addition to Harley-Davidson’s model range.

Despite the many changes that have been made to the V-Rod’s exterior over the years, the core of the motorcycle has fundamentally remained the same. Although it had been two years since I last rode a V-Rod, the Anniversary Edition immediately felt . . .(read more)

2012 V-Rod 10th Anniversary Edition Spec Chart

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