A needle style fuel gauge is always visible on the dash and a low fuel warning light illuminates when there is around four litres remaining. This part of the instrumentation works well enough but unfortunately the raked angle of the cluster housing means that once in a riding position it is nearly impossible for someone of my average 5’10” height to read the LCD panel that displays the odometer.

Changing gears through the five speed gearbox is great compared to most cruisers but is still no snick-snick sportsbike box. It does work quite well as long as you remain positive with your foot. Looking at the changes of direction and numerous linkages the shifter has to go through to actually make it to the shift fork it really is a wonder that it works as well as it does.

The build quality of the Street Rod does seem to be quite good. I had my example regularly banging its 8,800rpm rev-limiter and the only thing that vibrated loose was a mirror but that’s nothing unusual as I’ve had this happen on plenty of Japanese naked bikes that have a similar locking nut system and my Street Rod was the only one of the assembled troupe to rattle anything loose. Likewise no drips of anything were to be seen underneath any of the bikes no matter how spirited the strop had just been. The fan on my bike did come on quite regularly but I think this could be a sign that the thermostat switches the fan on much earlier than on most Japanese machinery as the bike never seemed to get hot and bothered.

The machine I rode was fitted with the optional screen and I never experienced any problems with buffeting at all, while another rider of similar height did complain of buffeting from the screen so I can only put that down to the fact that he must have been sitting a little different to me.

While on the subject of sitting I must say the Street Rod certainly felt more comfortable to the bum than I remember the V-Rod being. I’m not sure if they have changed the seat all that much from the original model or it is the superior control that the improved rear suspension provides but I certainly had no problems this time around and didn’t have the problems with the lip leading up to the pillion perch poking me in the back like I experienced on the earlier model. I don’t think big days in the saddle will pose any serious problems to most riders.

The seat height is considerably taller than the original V-Rod though and those much shorter than around 5’8” might struggle a little with car park maneuvering chores. The pillion pad is not a place for anyone that you wish to remain on friendly terms with.

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