Hi all,

I am looking to get my first Harley Davidson. I have previously owned 250cc and 600cc sports bikes before but never owned a cruiser. I have looked at most of the brands and narrowed it down to Indian or Harley Davidson.

I am 6'2" and I live in Melbourne. I want something that looks great and sounds great. I am not intersted in going fast or going for a ride in the hills. I just wanna go for couple of hour ride on the weekend and maybe take wife as a pillion sometimes. She is 5'7".

I really like the look of V-Rod night rod special but was not impressed with the stock exhaust. Do all stock Harleys sound like that?

Here are a few questions I have:

1. Is this a good first cruiser for someone who has never ridden a crusier before? I have had owned sports bikes for over 7 years.

2. what's the difference between this and V-Rod Muscle? They are almost same price.

3. What sort of after market exhaust do you guys recommend? and would a custom exhaust void the warranty? I won't be installing it myself.

4. A 2014 goes for around $25k and a new one is $28k drive away. Seems like they hold their value really well. Will I be able to find better price second hand or should I just go for a new one?

I am sure I will have plenty more questions and hoping to get some genuine advice from the owners. Thanks

The Vrod is the closest Harley you'll get to a sports bike. I have the F and love it. I'm glad I never bought a 'Leb Sled' (Nightrod) as they're bloody everywhere and seem to attract the dickhead factor. No 'real' difference in the later vrods. Body parts are interchangeable....and motor is the same capacity. Muscle obviously has the 'one each side' exhaust. Nightrod has the motor and front and rear ends blacked out. Most go for Vance & Hines 2-1 comp or Indy exhaust. they're LOUD!!!!!
If you shop around you ought to get a good second hand rod with air ride, exhaust, tune etc....for less than a new one.

As hdquick stated the Muscles are great bikes, not really a fan of the Night rods, they don't look as balanced as the Muscle (my opinion).

On my Muscle I run the TAB exhausts with 1 3/4" baffles, gives a nice tone but not to loud to attact attention from Mr Plod.

 

Also run a stage 1 kit with the TAB Auto Tuner, which I'm very happy with.

i run V&H Black widow slip ons on my 09 NRS - nice note and no need for earplugs (which u will need if considering V&H Comp 2 into 1). Also note the later model NRS (2012 on?) have a different forward control placement (same as the Muscle) which can be a little more uncomfortable than the set up on earlier pre 2012 Night Rods.

If you are considering late model NRS v Muscle it will all get down to comfort and looks (and price...). Both great bikes and will give you the thrill you need if you are transitioning from a ful sports bike. 

Thanks for the replies guys. Most of you love the muscle however I still like the look of night rod. I will decide after taking both of them for a ride.

How do Harleys perform in regards to vibration? My 250 was really bad once I hit 100 but 600 was really good.

Thanks

Mate get the Nightrod Special... Rides like a dream has great power and sound sthe best with the V&H 2-1.. Nothing like spinning the wheels in second! 

All Black,
Im riding my first harley (NRS) after 48 years of riding just about everything there is to ride my last being an MV Brutale. Take it for a test ride! Theyre a free reving engine that doesnt like to be lugged around.
Pretty much vibration free. At your height you will probably like the forward controls but after so many years riding otherwise i couldnt and went for the mids (and my height...)as for exhaust there is only one
the akoprovic is by far the neatest lightest and sweet sounding exhaust available......