This nameplate debuted for the 2007 model year as the darker, more aggressively styled member of Harley-Davidson’s Revolution-engined VRSC family. It took the basic V-Rod formula and pushed it further toward a drag-inspired custom look, with a blacked-out presentation, stretched stance, and a more performance-oriented image than the standard V-Rod variants. The model was aimed at riders who wanted Harley-Davidson styling filtered through a modern, liquid-cooled power-cruiser concept rather than the company’s traditional big-twin cruiser template.
In the early years, the nameplate sat alongside other VRSC models and became one of the best-known versions of the line because of its distinctive streetfighter/drag-bike attitude. Harley-Davidson continued to refine the bike over time, but the overall character remained consistent: low, long, and visually aggressive, with the Night Rod Special serving as the premium, most extroverted version of the Night Rod concept. A 10th-anniversary edition appeared for the 2012 model year, marking an important milestone in the model’s run.
Production continued through the 2017 model year, after which the VRSC/V-Rod family was phased out. As a result, this was a single continuous production run with no separate revival. The model remains significant among Harley-Davidson enthusiasts as one of the company’s most unconventional modern cruisers, combining a Porsche-developed Revolution engine lineage, drag-inspired styling, and a performance-first identity that set it apart from the rest of the lineup.