2012 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special

2012 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special

2012 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special

2012 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special

2012 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special

2012 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special

2012 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special

- 2012 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special

2012 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special Review

Massive power meets cutting-edge technology for a nimble ride that takes dark to pitch black
The restyled Night Rod Special features a new tapered tail section, lighter-weight wheels, and improved ergonomics with reduced reach to both the rider footpegs and handlebar. Inverted front forks and retuned rear suspension enhance ride and handling. This is a blacked-out, dark and sinister power cruiser that's at home in a back alley.
In just 10 years, the Harley-Davidson V-Rod family grew to include a number of new models. V-Rod took to the track as the basis for the 2007 Custom Vehicle Operations V-Rod Destroyer, an eight-second factory drag racer. It was also the inspiration for the Harley-Davidson Screamin' Eagle/Vance & Hines V-Rod, a four-time world champion in Pro Stock Motorcycle professional drag racing. For 2012, Harley-Davidson V-Rod models continue to serve up explosive performance and urban-cool styling for riders seeking a singular power-cruiser experience.
All 2012 V-Rod models are powered by the latest version of the Revolution engine, a 1250cc liquid-cooled V-Twin with dual overhead camshafts, four-valve cylinder heads and Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI). The powertrain is equipped with an Assist and Slip clutch, five-speed transmission and high-performance carbon-fiber drive belt. Tires are Michelin Scorcher radials, including a 240mm rear. Brembo® triple-disc performance brakes are available with optional factory-installed anti-lock braking system (ABS). ABS is part of the optional Security Package that also includes the Smart Security System with proximity-based, hands-free security fob.
Night Rod Special
Dark and sinister, the restyled Night Rod Special features a new tapered tail section, lighter-weight wheels, and improved ergonomics with reduced reach to both the rider footpegs and handlebar. Inverted front forks and retuned rear suspension enhance ride and handling. This is a blacked-out, dead-on power cruiser that's at home in a back alley.

BLACKED-OUT LOOK
Pitch black and sinister as hell, the Night Rod® Special model is aggressively styled from the front end to the back. Engine, wheels, forks, triple clamps, swingarm—they're all blacked out and thick with uncompromising, drag strip attitude.

DOUBLE-BARREL EXHAUST The Night Rod® Special motorcycle proves that a performance exhaust can still be a beautiful set of pipes. The double-barrel exhaust features brushed finish dual mufflers, black end caps and exhaust shields. Performance and bold style erupt with every crack of the throttle.

FAT REAR TIRE Behold an ultra-fat, 240mm rear tire for a powerful, no-nonsense look and added grip. Harnessing explosive, off-the-line power, the rear tire on the Night Rod® Special motorcycle enhances the pure dragster look with the sticky, high-performance tread you need for staying glued to the pavement.

PREMIUM PAINT Up to two times thicker than the competition, custom quality paint comes standard on all Harley-Davidson® motorcycles. Clearcoat layering up to five mils deep. Bigger metal flakes. Unique effects in the denim and pearl colors. Skimping simply is not in our vocabulary.

10TH ANNIVERSARY BADGE It's been ten years since we launched our V-Rod® family of high performance, drag-inspired Harley-Davidson® motorcycles, and to celebrate, all 2012 V-Rod motorcycles are sporting a commemorative 10th Anniversary badge.

STREAMLINED FRONT END The Night Rod Special comes on strong, with a redesigned color-matched speedscreen that's been pared down to bare performance minimum, wrapped around a sleek, newly-restyled headlamp, riding over a slotted-bracket sport fender—all for a wickedly aggressive race-inspired profile that embodies its power-first ride.

NEW FASTBACK TAIL SECTION We've totally redesigned the Night Rod Special's tail to deliver even more drag-strip performance and attitude. We chopped down and aggressively tapered the fender to show off that fat rear tire, slimmed down the center plate mount, and flush-mounted the low-maintenance LED tail-lamp, creating a streamlined impression that lasts.

NEW CAST ALUMINUM PERFORMANCE WHEELS When the rubber meets the road, it’s your wheels that make the difference. Inspired by performance sports car design, these color-matched split 5-spoke wheels flash heavy-weight attitude, but do it at a full 3 pounds lighter than earlier generation V-Rod® motorcycle wheels, which means you roll with tighter handling and smoother suspension response.

LOW-RISE HANDLEBAR Grab the slammed stainless steel, drag-style handlebar for an aggressive riding position—it's a comfortable, slightly forward position reminiscent of tearing up the racetrack. And for 2012, we moved them back, reducing your reach for more comfort and more attitude.

RADIATOR DESIGN Every inch of a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle is created to sync up with the bike's overall look and performance. The Night Rod Special is no exception. As our very first liquid-cooled rides, we turned to styling to make sure the radiator on the V-Rod®models became part of the design instead of an interruption to the flow of the eye.

REVOLUTION® ENGINE HERITAGE From the Strip to the Street. Harley-Davidson has a passion for performance that is rooted in decades of racing and winning championships. So when The Motor Company set out to produce a high-powered, liquid-cooled engine, it began with the VR1000 superbike engine. Its performance is inspired by American-style, big, powerful torque coupled with high-end horsepower. The Revolution® engine is the heart of a machine that attracts a breed of riders who are fascinated by the heritage and mystique of Harley-Davidson and the power of a high-end street performance motorcycle.

REVOLUTION® ENGINE INNOVATION Through a partnership with legendary automaker, Porsche, and their world-renowned team of engineers, Harley-Davidson created a revolutionary engine. The final result was something uniquely Harley-Davidson, the industry's most perfect blend of torque and horsepower in the high revving V-Twin Revolution® engine. Fuel injection. Dual overhead cams. Liquid cooled. 125 horses. Massive, brute power behind pure Harley-Davidson innovation and style.

PURE HARLEY-DAVIDSON STYLING Feast your eyes on the Revolution® engine and there's no mistaking its roots. This is authentic Harley-Davidson® style through and through with an attention to detail you won't find from any other motorcycle company. Deep black cylinders and rocker covers complete the dark look, while the machined cooling fin tips on the cylinder heads give it a stripped down, raw metal finish. It's a jewel machined out of metal. Pure. Dripping with power.

From the classic edge of the cooling fins to the clean lines of cases and covers—the Revolution® engine makes an ironclad statement to holding on to what's right and staying true to what satisfies the rider.

HIGH MARKS FOR DURABILITY The Harley-Davidson Revolution® engine is an extremely durable motorcycle engine. It survived the most brutal and aggressive durability test in the industry: the Dusseldorf Test. Simulating a grueling trip along Germany's notorious Autobahn, the engine endured a wide range of performance tests. From idle states to city speeds, to wide-open throttle and mountain climbing torque, the Revolution® engine surpassed the goal of 500 hours of non-stop punishing performance.

CUSTOM POWER AND PERFORMANCE Tuned to produce 125 horsepower the 1250cc Revolution® engine is Harley-Davidson's highest horsepower engine to this day. With dual overhead cams and four valves per cylinder, it provides 84 ft. lbs. of torque at 7000 rpm, while feeling refined and velvety smooth all the way up to the redline.

HYDROFORMED FRAME Harley-Davidson's Chief Styling Officer, Willie G. Davidson, asked for a frame so beautiful it could sit in a museum. And that's exactly what the Harley-Davidson team of engineers created. Using an innovative process called hydroforming, they were able to form unconventional angles and apply fewer welds by bending and shaping metal pipes with high-pressure water. The result: a sturdy chassis with improved rigidity. To date, The Motor Company is the only major motorcycle manufacturer to use hydroforming to construct frames.

H-D® SMART SECURITY SYSTEM (OPTIONAL) The factory installed next-generation security system features a hands-free fob that automatically arms and disarms the vehicle electronic security functions as you approach and walk away from the bike. Stick the fob on your ignition key ring and let it do all the work. It's this attention to details and security that make Harley-Davidson® motorcycles unique. Offered as a part of the 'Security Package' (which includes Anti-Lock Brakes).

ARTFULLY HIDDEN TECHNOLOGY Harley-Davidson leverages the latest in technology without compromising style and function. That means we hide electronics. The whole wiring harness is skillfully routed behind the jewels of the bike—the tank, engine and all the other eye-popping features you want to see. It's just another way The Motor Company goes the extra mile to give its bikes that premium, top-of-the-line fit and finish.

INTUITIVE CONTROLS Hand controls on a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle are incredibly intuitive. The turn signals are self-canceling and, based on the speed and angle of the motorcycle, they know how long to stay on. Engaging the controls quickly becomes second nature so you can focus less on turning off your signal and more on basking in the freedom of the ride.

BREMBO® BRAKES WITH OPTIONAL ABS Increased confidence and control. High-performance Brembo® dual-disk brakes offer consistent stopping power on every leg of your journey. Plus, the optional Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) helps reduce the chance of wheel lock-up if you need to brake suddenly. And since we hid the speed sensor, the bike maintains its clean, slick look. Performance without sacrificing style. That's what The Motor Company is all about.
The Anti-Lock Brakes are offered as a part of the 'Security Package' (which includes the H-D® Smart Security System).

'SLIPPER' CLUTCH Taken from the racetrack to the world of custom. The Night Rod® Special motorcycle features a 'slipper,' (or 'slip and assist') clutch that provides smoother, high-power handling in turns or whenever you downshift. By reducing clutch friction, the slipper clutch helps keep your rear wheel at a controlled clip.

MICHELIN® SCORCHER™ TIRES The Michelin® Scorcher™ tires provide the superior performance, sensational grip, impressive durability and excellent handling expected on a race-bred bike. The exclusive deep-cut tread design improves grip and water evacuation capability. Grip performance and durability is also enhanced by the tire's rubber compounds, which use the latest generation of Michelin synthetic polymers. Under the rear rubber, aramid belts are used to stabilize your ride, which helps inspire confidence in handling.

TUNED TO BE RIDDEN Harley-Davidson® motorcycles are different from any other bike out on the road. There's a balance to them. The steering, the maneuverability—it's all in concert. And each Harley-Davidson® model is tuned differently to create a unique riding experience for each individual no matter which bike they swing their leg over. Let's face it, we didn't get to where we are by being like everyone else.

INVERTED FORKS Grab on and feel the total command delivered by this re-engineered front end assembly. Redesigned for 2012, the performance-tuned front end assembly now features inverted forks and a lower-angle rake that keep its unsprung mass low and its turning tight, for a nimble and responsive ride at every speed.

SEAT ENGINEERING AND DESIGN The seat is home for Harley-Davidson® motorcycle riders. They want a seat that has unique style without sacrificing comfort. Because of that, Harley-Davidson invests a lot of time in researching, designing and testing seats so that every bike has just the right saddle.

NEW ENHANCED ERGONOMIC CONTROLS Comfort and confidence are critical when you're performance riding. That's why we redesigned the Night Rod Special's control placement for 2012 without compromising its aggressive stance. We moved the handlebars and the rider foot pegs back so you're still riding low and mean, but with the controls closer and more comfortably in reach.

NEW TWO-UP BUCKET SADDLE Settle in and experience the confident connection you get from the this deep rider bucket. We redesigned it to improve how it holds you close, low (25.6 inches) and in control, even when you throttle up fast. Just like all Harley-Davidson® seats, it's built with the premium material, custom stitching and attention to detail that mark the work of motorcycle makers who’ve been putting their own seats in the saddle for over a hundred years.






2012 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special Model Highlights
NEW Black Split 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum wheels with orange pinstripe are three pounds lighter than previous wheels
NEW Tapered tail section with flush-mount LED taillight
NEW Pullback handlebar places controls three inches closer to the rider and optimizes overall feel with a low, wide position.
NEW Reduced reach, forward-mounted rider footpegs
NEW Inverted front forks
NEW Two-up seat with custom stitching
NEW Stylized black speed screen visor
NEW Slim design, center-mount license plate
NEW Graphics options include Sedona Orange or Vivid Black with perforated graphics on the side of the air box and tail section, and Denim Black with orange racing stripes including V-Rod® 10th anniversary emblem
- Straight-shot exhaust with brushed finish dual mufflers; black end caps and exhaust shield
- Black powder-coated engine with black covers
- Blacked-out frame, handlebar, front fork, triple clamps and covers
- Racing stripe on airbox and tail section
- Sport front fender with painted brace supports
- 240 mm wide rear tire

2012 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special Features and Benefits
- Rubber-mounted, liquid-cooled 1250cc Revolution® V-Twin engine with dual overhead camshafts, four-valve cylinder heads and
Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI); 125 hp @ 8,250 rpm; 85 ft. lbs. torque @ 7,000 rpm
- Race-bred clutch with “slipper” action helps ease drive train effort during downshifting
- 5-speed transmission
- High-performance carbon-fiber drive belt.
- Brembo® triple-disc performance brakes
- Michelin® Scorcher® radial tires
- Round reflector-optic headlight
- Electric power accessory connector under seat
- Security Package Option bundles Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Harley-Davidson® Smart Security System with proximity-based, hands-free security fob

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2012 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special - USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: Vivid Black $15,299, Solids $15,609 USD
Dimensions
Length 93.1 in. (2366 mm)
Overall Width 35.4 in. (900 mm)
Overall Height 46 in. (1168 mm)
Seat Height:
- Laden2 25.6 in. (650 mm)
- Unladen 26.7 in. (678 mm)
Ground Clearance 4.8 in. (122 mm)
Rake (steering head) 34°
Fork Angle 34°
Trail 5.6 in. (142 mm)
Wheelbase 67.0 in. (1702 mm)

Tires (Michelin® Scorcher® “11” front and rear):
- Front – Scorcher® “11” 120/70ZR-19 60W
- Rear – Scorcher® “11” 240/40R-18 79V
Fuel Capacity 5.0 gal. (18.9 L) (warning light at approximately 0.5 gal.)
Oil Capacity (w/filter) 5.0 qts. (4.7 L)
Coolant Capacity 2.5 qts. (2.4 L)

Weight:
- As Shipped 637 lbs. (289.0 kg)
- In Running Order 670 lbs. (304.0 kg)
- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 1075 lbs. (488.0 kg)
- Gross Axle Weight Rating
- Front 377 lbs. (171.0 kg)
- Rear 698 lbs. (317.0 kg)

Engine
Engine Liquid-cooled, Revolution®, 60° V-Twin
Valves Overhead cam, 4 valves per cylinder, solid tappet with shim-under-bucket lash adjustment
Bore x Stroke 4.134 in. x 2.835 in. (105 mm x 72 mm)
Displacement 76.28 cu. in. (1250 cc)
Compression Ratio 11.5:1
Fuel System3 Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)
Air Cleaner Down draft intake
Lubrication System Wet-sump, integrated with powertrain crankcase

Drivetrain
Primary Drive Gear, 117/64 ratio
Final Drive Belt, 72/28 ratio
Clutch 9-plate, wet, A&S (Assist & Slip)
Transmission 5-speed
Gear Ratios (overall): U.S.
- 1st 11.752
- 2nd 7.898
- 3rd 6.322
- 4th 5.459
- 5th 4.899

Chassis
Frame Steel perimeter upper frame with hydroformed main rails and bolt-on lower frame rails; MIG welded Swingarm Polished, one-piece cast aluminum with black powder-coat finish
Front Forks 43 mm Inverted
Rear Shocks Preload adjustable
Wheels4: Black Split 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum with Orange Pinstripe
- Front 19 in. x 3 in. (483 mm x 76 mm)
- Rear 18 in. x 8 in. (457 mm x 203 mm)

Brakes:
- Caliper Type 4-piston front and rear
- Rotor Type (diameter x width): Patented, one-piece floating rotor (front), uniform expansion rotor (rear)
- Front (dual) 11.81 in. x .2 in. (300 mm x 5.1 mm)
- Rear 11.81 in. x .28 in. (300 mm x 7.1 mm)
- Anti-lock Braking System: Available

Suspension Travel:
- Front 4 in. (102 mm)
- Rear 2.9 in. (74 mm)

Performance
Engine Torque5 (per J1349):
- North America 85 ft. lbs. @ 7000 RPM (115 Nm @ 7000 RPM)
Lean Angle (per J1168):
- Right 32°
- Left 32°

Fuel Economy6 (EPA urban/highway test) 37 mpg (6.3 L/100 km)
COLOR OPTIONS
Solids
- Vivid Black
- Black Denim
- Sedona Orange

U.S. MSRP
Vivid Black $15,299
Solids $15,609
Electric
Battery (per Battery Council International Rating)
Sealed, maintenance-free, 12V, 19-amp/hour, 270 cca
Charging Three-Phase, 38-amp system (439W @ 13V, 2000 rpm, 489W max power @ 13V)
Starting 0.08 kW electric with direct drive starter motor engagement
Lights (as per country regulation):
- Headlamp (quartz halogen) 55-watt low beam, 60-watt high beam
- Tail/Stop Lights 8W/28W reflector optics
- Turn Signal Lights 28W self-canceling
- Indicator Lamps: High beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals, engine diagnostics, security system7 (optional), coolant
temperature, low fuel warnings

Warranty
Warranty8 24 months (unlimited mileage)
Service Interval9 First 1000 miles (1600 km), every 5000 miles (8000 km) thereafter

1 Vehicles depicted may differ from vehicles manufactured and delivered. Specifications and prices listed may differ from specifications and prices of vehicles manufactured and delivered. All product descriptions (including depictions, specifications, dimensions, measurements, ratings and competitive comparisons) are based on available information at the time of publication. Although such descriptions are believed correct, errors and changes can occur and complete accuracy cannot be guaranteed. Harley-Davidson may make changes at any time to prices and specifications, and may change or discontinue models, without notice and without incurring any obligation. Attention: Vehicles in the configurations shown and many of the accessories described in this catalog may not be available for sale or use in some locations. Please check with your dealer for complete product details and
the latest information. All models feature 6-speed transmission (V-Rod® models and Sportster® models are 5-speed) and carbon fiber belt final drive; multi-plate clutch with diaphragm spring in oil bath; and 2-year unlimited mileage warranty.
2 Measurement reflects 180 lb. (81.7 kg) operator weight.
3 Recommended 91 octane or higher fuel (R+M)/2.
4 Standard and optional wheels may vary by country and region.
5 Values shown are nominal. Performance may vary by country and region.
6 The combined fuel economy numbers were derived using a combination of estimated city and highway values. Fuel economy estimates are derived from US EPA exhaust emission certification data on a sample motorcycle from the corresponding family under ideal laboratory conditions. Your actual fuel economy will vary depending on your personal riding habits, road and driving conditions, vehicle condition and maintenance, tire pressure, vehicle configuration (parts and accessories), and vehicle loading (cargo, rider and passenger weight). Break-in mileage may vary.
7 North America security system includes immobilizer; outside North America the security system includes immobilizer and siren.
8 See motorcycle owner’s manual for complete details.
9 Inspections of certain systems and components are required at 2500 mile (4000 km) intervals. See Owner’s Manual for full details.

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2012 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special - Canadian Specifications/Technical Details
Canada MSRP Price: Vivid Black $16,789, Color Option $17,129, Security Package (Security and ABS) $1,310 CDN
Dimensions
Length: 2,440 mm
Seat Height, Laden: 650 mm
Seat Height, Unladen: 675 mm
Ground Clearance: 115 mm
Rake (steering head) (deg): 34
Trail: 142 mm
Wheelbase: 1,705 mm
Tires, Front Specification: 120/70ZR-19 60W
Tires, Rear Specification: 240/40R-18 79V
Fuel Capacity 3: 18.9 l
Oil Capacity (w/filter): 4.7 l
Weight, As Shipped: 289 kg
Weight, In Running Order: 302 kg
Luggage Capacity -Volume: N/A
Luggage Capacity -Weight: N/A

Engine
Engine 1: Liquid-cooled, Revolution®, 60° V-Twin
Bore: 105 mm
Stroke: 72 mm
Displacement: 1,247 cc
Compression Ratio: 11.5:1
Fuel System: Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)

Drivetrain
Primary Drive: Gear, 117/64 ratio
Gear Ratios (overall) 1st: 11.752
Gear Ratios (overall) 2nd: 7.897
Gear Ratios (overall) 3rd: 6.322
Gear Ratios (overall) 4th: 5.459
Gear Ratios (overall) 5th: 4.889
Gear Ratios (overall) 6th: N/A

Chassis
Exhaust: Straight-shot exhaust with brushed finish dual mufflers; black end caps and exhaust shield
Wheels, Optional Style Type: N/A
Wheels, Front Type: Black, Split 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum w/ Orange Pinstripe
Wheels, Rear Type: Black, Split 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum w/ Orange Pinstripe
Brakes, Caliper Type: 4-piston front and rear
Parking Brake: N/A

Performance
Engine Torque Testing Method: J1349
Engine Torque 2: 113 Nm
Engine Torque (rpm): 6,750
Lean Angle, Right (deg.): 32
Lean Angle, Left (deg.): 32
Fuel Economy: Combined City/Hwy: 6.3 l/100 km

Electric
Lights (as per country regulation), Indicator LampsHigh beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals, engine diagnostics, security system (optional), coolant temperature, low fuel warnings

Gauges
Electronic speedometer with odometer, time-of-day clock on odometer, dual tripmeter, fuel gauge with low fuel warning light and countdown feature, low oil pressure indicator light, engine diagnostics readout, LED indicator lights, tachometer

1: Measurement reflects 180 lb. (81.7 kg) operator weight.
2: Recommended 91 octane or higher fuel (R+M)/2.
3: Values shown are nominal. Performance may vary by country and region.
4: Standard and optional fuel systems may vary by country.
5: Estimated from fuel economy tests on a sample motorcycle from the corresponding family conducted by Harley-Davidson under ideal laboratory conditions. Not all motorcycle models undergo fuel economy testing. Fuel economy and mileage may vary among motorcycle models within a family. Your mileage may vary depending on your personal riding habits, weather conditions, trip length, vehicle condition and vehicle configuration and other conditions. Break-in mileage may vary.
6: Standard and optional wheels may vary by country and region.
7: North America security system includes immobilizer; outside North America the security system includes immobilizer and siren.
8: See motorcycle owner's manual for complete details.