Harley-Davidson introduced the V-Rod for the 2002 model year as a major break from its traditional cruiser formula. It was the company’s first production motorcycle built around the liquid-cooled Revolution engine, and it arrived as part of the VRSC family with a radically different silhouette, a drag-influenced stance, and a more performance-oriented identity than the rest of the lineup. The model quickly became one of Harley-Davidson’s most distinctive modern motorcycles, both for its styling and for the way it broadened the brand’s appeal beyond classic air-cooled V-twins.
A 100th Anniversary edition appeared for 2003, tying the new power cruiser to Harley-Davidson’s centennial celebrations, but the underlying V-Rod nameplate itself continued on for many years rather than becoming a one-off commemorative model. Over time, the family expanded into related variants such as the Night Rod Special and the V-Rod Muscle, each building on the same basic theme while giving the platform a more aggressive, custom-inspired character.
The V-Rod remained in production through the 2017 model year, after which Harley-Davidson ended the nameplate. That gave the motorcycle a 16-model-year run and left it with a lasting reputation as one of the company’s most unconventional and enthusiast-loved factory performance cruisers.