Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special - 2011 Specifications and Reviews
The 2011 Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special is a liquid-cooled V-Twin cruiser designed for riders seeking aggressive styling and modern performance. Its 1250cc Revolution engine delivers strong torque through a five-speed transmission, offering a distinctive power character that balances classic cruiser heritage with contemporary technology. Best known for its muscular appearance and responsive handling, it appeals to experienced riders wanting a contemporary custom ride.
General information | |
| Category | Custom / cruiser |
| Year | 2011 |
| Model | Harley-Davidson VRSCDX Night Rod Special |
| | |
Engine and Transmission Specifications | |
| Exhaust system | Brushed, straight-shot exhaust with dual mufflers, |
| Driveline | Primary Drive: Gear, 117/64 ratio. Final Drive: Belt, 72/28 ratio |
| Clutch | 9-plate, wet, Assist and Slip |
| Transmission type,final drive | Belt |
| Gearbox | 5-speed |
| Cooling system | Liquid |
| Lubrication system | Wet-sump, integrated with powertrain crankcase |
| Fuel system | Injection. Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Bore x stroke | 105.0 x 72.0 mm (4.1 x 2.8 inches) |
| Compression | 11.5:1 |
| Torque | 115.00 Nm (11.7 kgf-m or 84.8 ft.lbs) @ 7000 |
| Engine details | Liquid-cooled, Revolution, 60° V-Twin. Overhead cam, 4 valves per cylinder, solid tappet with shim-under-bucket lash adjustment. |
| Engine type | V2, four-stroke |
| Capacity: | 1250.00 ccm (76.28 cubic inches) |
Brakes, suspension, Frame and wheels | |
| Wheels | Black, Slotted Disc Cast Aluminum |
| Rear brakes diameter | 300 mm (11.8 inches) |
| Rear brakes | Single disc. 4-piston. Uniform expansion rotor. |
| Front brakes diameter | 300 mm (11.8 inches) |
| Front brakes | Double disc. 4-piston. Patented, one-piece floating rotor. |
| Rear tyre dimensions | 240/40-R18 |
| Front tyre dimensions | 120/70-ZR19 |
| Rear suspension travel | 102 mm (4.0 inches) |
| Rear suspension | Preload adjustable |
| Front suspension travel | 102 mm (4.0 inches) |
| Front suspension | Wide, 49mm custom fork |
| Trail | 114 mm (4.5 inches) |
| Rake (fork angle) | 34.0° |
| Frame type | Steel perimeter upper frame with hydroformed main rails and bolt-on lower frame rails; MIG welded |
| | |
Physical measures and capacities | |
| Oil capacity | 4.40 litres (0.29 quarts) |
| Fuel capacity | 18.90 litres (4.99 gallons) |
| Wheelbase | 1,715 mm (67.5 inches) |
| Ground clearance | 140 mm (5.5 inches) |
| Overall length | 2,460 mm (96.9 inches) |
| Seat height | 690 mm (27.2 inches) If adjustable, lowest setting. |
| Dry weight | 293.0 kg (646.0 pounds) |
Other specs | |
| Maintenance | Find parts, fluids, filters, maintenance tools and service items on eBay |
| Color options | Brilliant Silver Pearl/Black Racing Stripe with Ghost Flames, Chrome Yellow/Black Racing Stripe with Ghost Flames, Sedona Orange/Black Racing Stripe with Ghost Flames, Black Denim/Sedona Orange Racing Stripe |
| Factory warranty | 24 months |
| Electrical | Sealed, maintenance-free, 12V, 19-amp/hour, 270 cca battery. Charging: Three-Phase, 38-amp system |
| Light | 55-watt low beam, 60-watt high beam |
| Instruments | Electronic speedometer with odometer, time-of-day clock on odometer, dual tripmeter, fuel gauge with low fuel warning light and countdown feature, low oil pressure indicator light, engine diagnostics readout, LED indicator lights, tachometer |
| Starter | Electric |
Performance Profile & Rider Fit
Best For
Rider Profile
| Best For | This power cruiser suits riders with some prior experience who want to handle a torquey, heavy V-twin confidently at low speed and in traffic. |
| Purpose | It's built for muscular straight-line thrills and boulevard presence rather than corner-carving or long-distance touring. |
| Rider Fit | The low 650mm seat height makes it approachable for shorter riders, though the substantial 300+ kg wet weight demands care when maneuvering at a standstill. |
| Character | It has a raw, drag-bike-inspired attitude with strong low-end torque, a low-slung stance, and aggressive styling that rewards throttle confidence. |
| Not Ideal For | It's not a good fit for riders seeking off-road capability, upright touring comfort, or nimble flickable handling in tight corners. |
Character map is an editorial estimate based on this bike's specifications, not a lab-tested measurement.
⚠ Safety Recalls (1)
Harley-Davidson Motor Company (Harley-Davidson) is recalling all 2008-2011 Touring, CVO Touring and VSRC motorcycles equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), including Road King (FLHR), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHP), Road King Police (EFI) (FLHPE), Electra Glide Standard Police (EFI) (FLHTP), Electra Glide Classic (EFI) (FLHTC), Electra Glide Ultra Classic (EFI) (FLHTCU) and Street Glide (EFI) (FLHX), 2008 VROD (VRSCAWA), CVO Road King 4 (FLHRSE4), Night Rod (VRSCDA), CVO Ultra Classic 3 (FLHTCUSE3), Night Rod Special (VRSCDXA), 2008-2010 Road King Classic (EFI) (FLHRC), 2008-2009 Road Glide (EFI) (FLTR) and Electra Glide Standard (EFI) (FLHT), 2009-2010 V-Rod (VRSCAW), 2009 CVO Ultra Classic (FLHTCUSE4) and CVO Road Glide 3 (FLTRSE3), 2009-2011 Night Rod Special (VRSCDX) and V-Rod Muscle (VRSCF), 2010 CVO Ultra Classic 5 (FLHTCUSE5) and CVO Street Glide (FLHXSE), 2010-2011 Electra Glide Ultra Limited (FLHTK) and Road Glide Custom (FLTRX), 2011 Road Glide Ultra 103 (FLTRU103), Street Glide 103 (FLHX103), Road King Classic 103 (FLHRC103), CVO Ultra Classic 6 (FLHTCUSE6), CVO Road Glide Ultra (FLTRUSE), Road Glide Custom 103 (FLTRX103), and CVO Street Glide 2 (FLHXSE2) motorcycles. Deposits may form on components within the brake system if the DOT 4 brake fluid is not replaced for a prolonged period of time beyond the 2-year maintenance schedule specified in the OwnerÂ’s Manual.
Risk: These deposits may cause a valve within the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit to stick, reducing braking ability and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Harley-Davidson will notify owners, and dealers will flush the entire brake system with new Platinum Label DOT 4 brake fluid, free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2018. Owners may contact Harley-Davidson customer service at 1-800-258-2464. Harley-Davidson's number for this recall is 0171.
Source: NHTSA. View all Harley-Davidson recalls →
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