Peter-Michael Keppler, Harley-Davidson’s affable Fireblade-riding head of product planning, describes the Eureka moment behind the new V-Rod Muscle succinctly enough. "Whose idea was it? Mine," he says, smiling the smile of a man who’s persuaded his employers to build what is essentially his dream cruiser.
Over recent years Keppler’s been busy sustaining the revolutionary spirit that saw the creation eight years ago of the original V-Rod, working to build Harley Davidsons that younger, sportier riders aspire to own. Bikes like the Muscle and the moody, all-black Night Rod Special.
"My big things are appealing to younger consumers and introducing European influences," explains Keppler. "The Night Rod Special's been a huge success for us but its shapes are quite feminine; it's slim with flowing lines. I wanted to do a fat power cruiser; a bike with beefier, chunkier shapes. Our lead designer and I both like fighter jets and the F-22 Raptor, with its angular surfaces, was an inspiration."
Ultimately the new V-Rod Muscle is a styling exercise, a new frock on old (albeit mildly evolved) bones but when the result’s as striking as the Muscle any scepticism is short-lived. Where the V Rod and Night Rod Special are slim and pebble-smooth shapes, the new Muscle is a broad-shouldered and very masculine riposte to the equally brutish Suzuki M1800R and Yamaha V-Max. And Keppler’s creative drive, not to mention his ability to keep the moneymen on-side, has resulted in some pretty trick touches, from the rear lights (a slim, gently curving strip of LEDs under the rear mudguard) through the satin-finish, side-cut exhausts to the front indicators, strips of clear LEDs embedded in the mirror stems.
Peter-Michael Keppler, Harley-Davidson’s affable Fireblade-riding head of product planning, describes the Eureka moment behind the new V-Rod Muscle succinctly enough. "Whose idea was it? Mine," he says, smiling the smile of a man who’s persuaded his employers to build what is essentially his dream cruiser.
Over recent years Keppler’s been busy sustaining the revolutionary spirit that saw the creation eight years ago of the original V-Rod, working to build Harley Davidsons that younger, sportier riders aspire to own. Bikes like the Muscle and the moody, all-black Night Rod Special.
"My big things are appealing to younger consumers and introducing European influences," explains Keppler. "The Night Rod Special's been a huge success for us but its shapes are quite feminine; it's slim with flowing lines. I wanted to do a fat power cruiser; a bike with beefier, chunkier shapes. Our lead designer and I both like fighter jets and the F-22 Raptor, with its angular surfaces, was an inspiration."
Ultimately the new V-Rod Muscle is a styling exercise, a new frock on old (albeit mildly evolved) bones but when the result’s as striking as the Muscle any scepticism is short-lived. Where the V Rod and Night Rod Special are slim and pebble-smooth shapes, the new Muscle is a broad-shouldered and very masculine riposte to the equally brutish Suzuki M1800R and Yamaha V-Max. And Keppler’s creative drive, not to mention his ability to keep the moneymen on-side, has resulted in some pretty trick touches, from the rear lights (a slim, gently curving strip of LEDs under the rear mudguard) through the satin-finish, side-cut exhausts to the front indicators, strips of clear LEDs embedded in the mirror stems.
Price: £12,330
Front suspension: USD telescopic forks
Rear suspension: Twin shocks, adjustable preload
Front brake: 300mm discs, four-piston calipers
Rear brake: 300mm disc, four-piston calipers
Wet weight: 307kg
Seat height: 640mm
Fuel capacity: 18.9 litres
Colours: Black, Red, Silver
Engine: Liquid-cooled, 8-valve, 1246cc V-twin
Power: 123bhp @ 8,000rpm
Torque: 85ft.lb @ 6500rpm
Top speed: 135mph (est)
