Revisiting the V-Rod Muscle

About The Author
Bob contributed a report after his brief, 5-mile test drive of the 2009 Harley Davidson V-Rod Muscle. The bottom line was ... not worth the hefty price tag. But while on vacation in Vermont, he had a chance to put the bike through its paces on some fantastic roads. You'll see by the following trip report -- he changed his tune....

Yesterday I took one hell of a Harley test drive. I called the Harley shop over in Barre, VT to inquire about renting a VRod muscle for a few days. They didn't have any on the rental program, but would be glad to let me take one out for a few hours for free.



Beauty. So I drove 44 miles down to the shop and picked up a brand new, shiny V-Rod Muscle. I rode it up I-89 to the Stowe exit - highway 100. I took highway 100 up past the Ben & Jerry's factory and some other landmarks to Stowe, VT. From Stowe I rode up 108 through "Smuggler's Notch", stopping along the way to take some pictures. 108 is a curvy, hilly piece of road; a royal pain in the ass in a minivan, but amazing on the V-Rod.

Over the notch and around 50 miles later, I showed the bike to my wife and her parents. Initially the plan was for me to take her for a quick, scenic spin through the notch, drop her off, and head back to the dealership. Well, my wife loved the bike and ended up riding all the way back to Barre with me. This is the longest trip we've ever taken together and it was a blast!

All in all I rode the bike around 100 miles on some of the most scenic roads you can imagine.

I am a certified V-Rod Muscle fan and a Harley convert. I plan to buy one within the next 5 years. I may even sell the Magnaceptor.