2009 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle

In this first edition of the V-Rod Muscle, Harley-Davidson designers borrowed some styling cues from the muscle cars of the ’60s/ abd ’70s in order to give it a much more aggressive appearance. The changes from the standard V-Rod start with the screened-in air scoops jutting out from the faux fuel tank, replacing the former louvers. Above those is a new, intricately cast, 1-inch-diameter handlebar that ties together the inverted fork, headlight and mirrors to give the bike a very clean-looking front end. Below is a new satin-finished, dual-side exhaust with turned out tips, recalling an old Corvette.