The 2009 VRSCF V-Rod Muscle

Harley flexes it’s muscle. The long, low and clean look of the latest offering from the Harley-Davidson VRSC family member strikes a similar pose to that of  it‘s two older siblings; the intimidating, blacked-out Night Rod and the classic-looking original V-Rod.

The 2009 Muscle is primarily a styling exercise. Rather than the more rounded shapes of the other ‘Rods, this new guy adopts slightly more angular shapes, especially in the faux fuel tank/air-box cover, wide side air-intake covers and squared-off low and cushy saddle with a rear support designed to hold the rider in place during powerful bursts of acceleration on tap from the same super-smooth 60-degree liquid-cooled DOHC, eight-valve, Revolution 1250cc V-Twin that powers all Harley's V-Rods. allowing the Muscle to growl with 121 horse-power.

Also new is the radiator shroud and the simpler rear fender with a sharp and smartly-integrated, powerfully-bright LED stop/turn/taillight. In another stroke of design genius, front LED turn indicators are blended to near invisibleness in the mirror stalks. The front fender also got a make-over with its rear half wearing a matte-black finish in order to disappear visually, leaving the first impression that only a simple, chopped fender covers the 5-spoke cast-aluminum 19-inch front wheel. Add some meaty, angular bars, internally-wired cast bar risers and simple triple gauges with sport bike inspired looks all add to the improved appearance of this new V-Rod.

Finally, the most obvious item setting the V-Rod Muscle apart from its brothers is the wide, long and low dual-exhaust. Harley went with a single exhaust pipe per side instead of the dual over-under set-up on both the Night Rod and V-Rod. The satiny finish of the exhaust works especially well on the brilliant silver color scheme.


Reports are that riders are very surprised how nimble the V-Rod Muscle feels and how the bike easily transitions left to right, back and forth, despite the big 240mm rear tire which is now standard on all Harley-Davidson VRSC models. Whatever your turning prowess, one thing we can all enjoy is the power-plant inside the new V-Rod Muscle.  Acceleration is a monster. From roughly 6,000 rpm all the way to redline. Generally, the engine pulls in a very confident and straight manner in any gear and at almost any speed. Pulling back the reins on this horse is the potent dual Brembos breaks, made all the more effective when coupled with the optional ABS.

All in all, the new 2009 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle easily imposes it’s will with an incredibly smooth and powerful engine, excellent brakes and smooth tranny. The new V-Rod Muscle has a starting suggested MSRP of $17,199 and comes in Vivid Black, Brilliant Silver, Dark Blue Denim and Red Hot Sunglo.