2006 Harley-Davidson Night Rod Motorcycle reviews

I have been riding BIG V-twins for the past few years. 1600cc, 2053cc Vulcans and a Pro Street 1600cc Roadstar. The local dealer here took a trade and got an 06 Night Rod. When I first rode the bike I was in awe at how the bike just kept pulling. Well after a ride I had to have the bike. I have put about 300 miles on the bike. It has 1600 miles on it now. I've got to say this thing flat runs. NO, it's no sport bike but it's still a thrill to wind it out. I'm used to lots of torque but the way this bike pulls right on through a 100mph is something else. I think my arms are an inch longer from holding on. This bike ROCKS and ANYONE will enjoy the bike. Some kind of ENGINE on the Night Rod for sure. Show less

I finally found somewhat of a fix for the 2006 Night Rod's small fuel tank problem. As I said in the past, you can get about 120 miles out of the 2006 Night Rod if you are careful. However, there are times when you have gone 80 miles and the next station is 50 miles up the road. So I went to REI and they have a liter size thermos style fuel tank for camp stoves. The tank is specifically designed for fuel and seals well. I got one and filled it with fuel and put it in the saddle bags. So far I have not needed it, but it gave me an extra liter of fuel in case I do screw up and go too long. The 2007 Night Rod corrected this problem but the tanks are not interchangeable. A sharp after-market supplier might try to find a way to make a replacment tank, but for now the REI camping fuel bottle works great for gasoline. Does not leak and does not smell up the saddle bags, but stays there in case you need it. Show less

I've had my Night Rod for a year and just turned 10,000 miles. I just replaced the tires with Metzlers which are supposed to ride and handle better plus last longer - we'll see. I ride with a club usually 3 times a week so that is why I've put so many miles on in a relatively short time. I get many compliments on the bike and am very happy with everything about it except the small fuel tank which has been corrected in the 2007 model (but is not interchangable). The bike has a great combination of power, speed, and handling that no other Harley has except the Street Rod, but the Street Rod doesn't have the highway pegs which I use much of the time. I do use the mid-controls for hilly and curvey roads and like having the two options of foot placement. I've been getting about 42-44 mpg and the farthest I've gone on a tank has been 130 miles. All-in-all, I can't think of another bike that could replace my Night Rod and I've had many bikes over the years including a Goldwing and a custom chopper. Show less

I have ridden my Honda Magna for years and I love it. But I have watched the V-Rods since the day they came out. I wanted to trade, but I wanted to see some reviews first. I don't like learning the hard way. This is the V-Rod to have. It has the easy to use clutch and brakes with real gripper brakes. They way out-perform my Honda. The trans is smooth and quiet, I thought my Magna was good, but this Night Rod is the smoothest I have seen. Makes the other Harleys seem like a tractor to shift. No clunk, no jerk, just smooth shifting. The seat is very comfortable but I would like front control. But these are fine. It has the front pegs to do the highway cruise. It is a good ride, not as soft as a big Harley highway model, but very nice. I can ride it longer than the Magna without getting a back problem. But I would not want to take it on a 1000 mile trip. 200 or 300 would be fine, or 1,00 with frequent stops every 100 miles or so. You have to stop every 120 miles for gas anyway. This is the biggest problem with this bike. Power is great and is twice my Magna, but very easy to use and very friendly. My Magna is built for 10,000 RPM, but the Magna transmission sucks big time. You can use every other gear and do fine and the engine is reving too high at 70 MPG. The Night Rod has very nice transmission spacing and allows you to use all the gears and to cruise at low RPM on the highway at 75 MPH. The lowness of the Night Rod keeps the wind from pushing you like the earlier V-Rods and wheels have gaps in them to allow the air to pass thorugh. So this helps on side winds. I love my Magna and it is great, but it will not be ridden at all anymore. The Night Rod is about as perfect a bike as I can find. I am glad I waited until Harley got it right and fixed the height off the ground problems, the squeeky brakes, the hard clutch handle, and the weaker brakes. It all seems very good now. It may be a bit too much power for the entry level guy or gal, but after a few 1000 miles on something else, you will move up to this one and be very happy. First timers, go by a Magna or something cheap and get the feel of a strong low cruiser, and save your money until you can plunk down the $$ and walk out with a Night Rod. Some dealers will go low if you get a hungry sales person in Nov - Feb and bring in payment. It worked for me. Show less

Here was my dilemma: I wanted something fast, sleek and appealing to the eyes that was still American made. On the other hand I didn't want to ride something that everyone else on two wheels had. Where do you go? Victory? Great looking bikes but very limited dealer network with a still unknown resale record. Harley-Davidson? V-Rod? Yea, seemed like a logical choice. Now that I've made the plunge there's been no looking back. My Night Rod grows on me more each time I saddle up. I really enjoy the looks and comments but more importantly I really enjoy the SCAT this bike has. Do the math. One horse for each five pounds. Maybe it's not as quick as a V-Max but it's plenty quick for me. At six foot two inches I'm not the shortest rider but the bike fits like a glove. The mid mounted controls take a little getting use to but the addition of the factory pegs gives plenty of latitude and a cruiser feel out on the open road. On the If I could change anything list here are my gripes: 1) the fuel tank is a bit small. 2) If you don't let the engine warm up before ridding you'll suffer bucking at low RPM. 3) The seat is only good for solo riding or for taking someone along who you really don't like. All in all, it's a great cruiser and I'm looking forward to many warm sunny days to come. Show less

I have been living in Tokyo Japan for a little more than a year. Two weeks ago early June, I bought new 2006 Hi Gloss VRSCD Night Rod from the local dealer in Shibuya. It took sometime for both of us to understand each other, the sales man and me. Luckily my wife was there, she speaks the local language much better than the I. Once they realized I was a serious buyer, we began ordering accessories, shirts, Jackets and other items... Whoo Hoo! A week later, I showed up with a hand full of cash and we had a motorcycle. My previous Harley was a 1993 FLSTC Heritage softail. There are noticable differences in these motorcycles... I am very impressed with the power and handling of this Motorcycle. It calls you to ride... AWESOME MACHINE!!! Show less