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2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle Overview
Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle is a custom / cruiser motorcycle. Power comes from a V2, four-stroke engine, a compression ratio of 11.5:1. Bore and stroke come in at 105 x 72 mm. On the performance side, it delivers 115 Nm @ 6500 Revolutions of torque. On the road, the 2016 V-Rod Muscle tips the scales at 307.1 kg, carries an 18.93-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 705 mm and spans a 1,700 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 26.2 kg heavier than the average custom / cruiser motorcycle in our database. The full 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle spec sheet below covers every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes.
2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle compared with other bikes in the Custom / cruiser category
We checked the recorded figures for the 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle against up to 1316 bikes in the Custom / cruiser category in our database, counting each model once at the model year nearest to this one.
- Only 368 of the other 1004 bikes in the Custom / cruiser category have a heavier wet weight than the 307.1 kg of the V-Rod Muscle.
- With 705 mm, the V-Rod Muscle has the joint 485th tallest seat height of 1316 bikes in the Custom / cruiser category.
- Narrowing the field to the 522 models within five model years of it, the wet weight of 307.1 kg is heavier than that of 295 of the other 521.
Versus the 2015 model
Compared with the 2015 model, peak torque dropped from 116.6 Nm to 115 Nm (-1.6 Nm) and seat height rose from 650 mm to 705 mm (+55 mm). Wet weight is unchanged.
2016 V-Rod Muscle - Pros & Cons
Strengths
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🔧
Fuel injection: Fuel injection means consistent cold starts and clean throttle response without the fussiness of a carbureted setup.
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🛑
Strong front braking: Stopping power up front is strong thanks to the double disc setup, with plenty of room to upgrade further with braided lines.
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🛡️
ABS fitted: ABS comes fitted from the factory - one less thing to worry about in a sudden stop on a slippery surface.
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📏
Accessible seat height: A 705 mm seat height keeps this manageable for most riders, which helps confidence at parking-lot speeds.
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⛽
Large fuel range: An 18.93-litre tank means fewer stops on longer rides - a genuine plus for touring or a lengthy daily commute.
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⚙️
Low-maintenance final drive: Running a belt final drive cuts out the regular chain cleaning and tensioning that most bikes need.
Considerations
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ℹ️
Age-related wear: Nothing specific stands out as a weak point on the V-Rod Muscle - the usual used-bike checks (service history, consumables, tyres) apply.
Wear Points & Servicing Notes
Fuelling & injector care
The fuel injection on the V-Rod Muscle needs little beyond good fuel and periodic use of an injector-cleaner additive - no jetting or float-bowl maintenance to worry about.
Brake disc and pad wear
Braking up front comes from double disc with ABS and 4-piston - solid stopping power, with disc and pad wear best checked on the same schedule as tyre changes.
Suspension condition on used examples
The V-Rod Muscle's suspension runs Telescopic fork at the front. The rear uses Twin shocks. Fork-seal condition and rear linkage play are the two things worth checking before buying used.
Final drive maintenance
The V-Rod Muscle runs belt final drive: no lubrication or frequent adjustment like a chain, though belt tension and wear are worth a periodic look.
Handling the weight at a standstill
307.1 kg puts the V-Rod Muscle toward the heavier end of its class. It's most noticeable at walking pace; once underway the mass settles into the handling rather than fighting it.
V-Rod Muscle - Buying & Maintenance Guide
What to check before buying
Before handing over money for a used 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle, cover the fundamentals: service book and oil change history, chain and sprocket wear, and any sign of oil weeping around the casings. Cold-starting it yourself tells you a lot - a healthy V-Rod Muscle should catch quickly and settle into a smooth idle.
Oil and filter changes
Nothing protects a V-Rod Muscle's engine like disciplined oil changes - stay on the manufacturer's schedule (roughly every 6,000 km or annually). The sump holds 4.70 litres, so budget for that volume of quality motorcycle-specific engine oil. Match the viscosity grade to what the owner's manual specifies, not what's cheapest.
Fuel system care
Fuel injection on the V-Rod Muscle needs little attention beyond decent fuel and an occasional system-cleaner additive. Anything left standing for three months or more should have its fuel drained and replaced before it varnishes the injectors.
2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle - Frequently Asked Questions
What engine does the 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle have?
The 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle is powered by a V2, four-stroke engine.
How much does the 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle weigh?
The 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle weighs 307.1 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.
How much torque does the 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle produce?
The 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle produces 115 Nm @ 6500 Revolutions of torque.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle?
The 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle has an 18.93-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 315-378 km between stops.
Is the 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle suitable for shorter riders?
The 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle has a seat height of 705 mm. This is a comfortable, accessible height for most riders.
What brakes does the 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle have?
The 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle uses double disc with ABS and 4-piston at the front and single disc with ABS and 2-piston at the rear.
What tyre sizes does the 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle use?
The 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle runs 120/70-ZR19 front and 240/40-R18 rear tyres. A good selection of sport, touring and all-weather rubber is available in these sizes.
How much oil does the 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle take?
The 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle takes 4.70 litres of engine oil at a full oil and filter change. Always verify against the dipstick or sight glass after filling.
Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle Spec Evolution
The Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle was produced across 5 model years (2013-2017). The table below highlights the key specifications that changed across the production run - useful whether you are comparing years or tracking down a specific variant.
| Specification |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
| Engine Detail |
Liquid-cooled, Revolution®, 60° V-Twin |
Liquid-cooled, Revolution®, 60° V-Twin |
Liquid-cooled, Revolution®, 60° V-Twin |
Liquid-cooled, Revolution®, 60° V-Twin |
Revolution®, 60° V-Twin |
| Seat Height |
650 mm / 25.6 in. |
650 mm / 25.6 in. |
650 mm / 25.6 in. |
705 mm / 27.8 in. |
705 mm / 27.8 in. |
| Ground Clearance (mm) |
122 mm |
122 mm |
122 mm |
105 mm |
105 mm |
| Ground Clearance (in.) |
4.8 inches |
4.8 inches |
4.8 inches |
4.1 inches |
4.1 inches |
| CO2 |
147.6 CO |
147.6 CO |
146.2 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission) |
146.2 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission) |
146.2 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission) |
| Comments |
Amphibian. |
Lithium Iron Phosphate 48V/20Ah battery, 16.8 kg. Range 60 km. Recharging time: 4 hours. Made in Taiwan. |
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| Wheelbase |
1,702 mm / 67.0 in. |
1,702 mm / 67.0 in. |
1,702 mm / 67.0 in. |
1,700 mm / 66.9 in. |
1,700 mm / 66.9 in. |
| Brakes - Front |
Single disc. 4-piston |
Single disc. 4-piston |
Double disc. ABS. 4-piston |
Double disc. ABS. 4-piston |
Double disc. ABS. 4-piston |
Key Specifications
Torque
115.00 Nm (11.7 kgf-m or 84.8 ft.lbs) @ 6500 Revolutions
Weight
307.1 kg / 677.0 lbs
Fuel Capacity
18.93 litres / 5.00 gallons
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Full 2016 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle Specifications
Colours
Vivid Black, Velocity Red Sunglo, Crushed Ice Pearl, Black Denim, Billet Silver
Ground Clearance (in.)
4.1 inches
Ground Clearance (mm)
105 mm
Seat Height
705 mm / 27.8 in.
Wheelbase
1,700 mm / 66.9 in.
Length
2,410 mm / 94.9 in.
Oil Capacity (l)
4.70 litres
Oil Capacity (Quarts)
0.31 quarts
Dry Weight
292.1 kg / 644.0 lbs
Fuel Capacity
18.93 litres / 5.00 gallons
Wet Weight
307.1 kg / 677.0 lbs
Bore x Stroke (in,)
4.1 x 2.8 inches
Bore x Stroke (mm)
105.0 x 72.0 mm
CO2
146.2 CO2 g/km. (CO2 - Carbon dioxide emission)
Engine Type
V2, four-stroke
Engine Detail
Liquid-cooled, Revolution®, 60° V-Twin
Fuel System
Injection. Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection
Compression Ratio
11.5:1
Engine Lubrication
Dry sump
Exhaust
Satin chrome, dual side exhaust system with turnouts
Fuel Consumption
6.30 litres/100 km (15.9 km/l or 37.34 mpg)
Starter
Electric
Clutch
Multi-plate with diaphragm spring in oil bath
Final Drive
Belt
Gearbox
6-speed
Primary Drive
Gear, 117/64 ratio primary drive
Suspension - Front
Telescopic fork
Suspension - Rear
Twin shocks
Rake
34.0°
Trail
142 mm / 5.6 in.
Instrumentation
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
Lighting system
High beam, neutral, low oil pressure, turn signals, engine diagnostics, security system (optional), coolant temperature, low fuel warnings
Brakes - Front
Double disc. ABS. 4-piston
Brakes - Rear
Single disc. ABS. 2-piston
Tyres - Front
120/70-ZR19
Tyres - Rear
240/40-R18
Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced
technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis.
Spot an error? Let us know.
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