2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special Specifications

Name: 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special
Brand: Harley-Davidson

Naked bike • Specs last verified 13 July 2026

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2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special Overview

For 2013, Harley-Davidson offers the V-Rod Night Rod Special as a naked bike motorcycle with 1250.08 cc on tap. The 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special is built around a V2, four-stroke engine running Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) valve actuation, a compression ratio of 11.5:1. Internally, bore and stroke are 105 x 72 mm. Out on the road, the V-Rod Night Rod Special delivers 112.95 Nm @ 6750 of torque. Flat out, it's quoted at 45 km/h. In everyday use, the 2013 V-Rod Night Rod Special tips the scales at 302.1 kg, carries a 18.93-litre fuel tank, offers a seat height of 650 mm and spans a 1,702 mm wheelbase. That's roughly 93.6 kg heavier than the average naked bike motorcycle in our database. Every technical detail, from suspension travel to tyre sizes, is covered in the full 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special spec sheet below.

2013 V-Rod Night Rod Special - Pros & Cons

Strengths

Fuel injection: No choke, no jetting, no altitude compensation to think about - fuel injection just works across a wider range of conditions than carburetion.
Accessible seat height: At just 650 mm, flat-footing at a stop is easy for most riders - a genuine confidence builder for less experienced owners.
Large fuel range: With a 18.93-litre tank, this isn't a bike you'll be stopping for fuel every hour - a real asset on longer trips.
Low-maintenance final drive: Belt final drive is about as close to maintenance-free as motorcycle drivetrains get.

Considerations

Age-related wear: No particular mechanical concern flags for the V-Rod Night Rod Special - condition on any used example comes down to how well it's been looked after.

Wear Points & Servicing Notes

Fuelling & injector care

Fuelling on the V-Rod Night Rod Special comes from fuel injection. Cold starts and throttle response stay consistent across altitude and temperature, the main practical edge over a carbureted equivalent.

Valve clearance checks

Valve clearances on Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC)-equipped engines like the V-Rod Night Rod Special's drift slowly with mileage rather than failing suddenly - sticking to the service interval keeps it a non-issue.

Brake disc and pad wear

Single disc. 4-piston up front provides the primary stopping power; inspect disc thickness and pad wear at each tyre change to catch scoring before it becomes a rotor replacement.

Suspension condition on used examples

Suspension duties are handled by Independent coil springs and hydraulic dampers up front and Independent coil springs and hydraulic dampers at the rear. Weeping fork seals aren't a dealbreaker on a used bike, but they're a fair basis for negotiating price.

Final drive maintenance

Belt final drive keeps day-to-day maintenance minimal on the V-Rod Night Rod Special - just periodic tension and wear checks rather than the regular cleaning a chain demands.

Handling the weight at a standstill

The V-Rod Night Rod Special's 302.1 kg kerb weight is worth factoring into how you handle it at a standstill - parking-lot manoeuvres need a bit more deliberate technique than on a lighter machine.

V-Rod Night Rod Special - Buying & Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying

A pre-purchase check on the 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special should cover the same ground every time: service history, chain and sprocket condition, and any oil seepage around the casings. Start it from cold if you can - a well-kept V-Rod Night Rod Special settles to a smooth idle within seconds.

Oil and filter changes

Oil changes are the cheapest insurance you can buy for a V-Rod Night Rod Special's engine - keep to the manufacturer's interval rather than stretching it. The sump holds 4.70 litres, so budget for that volume of quality motorcycle-specific engine oil. Use the viscosity grade the manual specifies, not whatever's on sale.

Fuel system care

Injector systems like the V-Rod Night Rod Special's hold up well with basic care - decent fuel, an occasional cleaner additive, and draining old fuel before any layup longer than three months.

Valve clearance service

There's no reliable seat-of-the-pants way to tell if a V-Rod Night Rod Special's valve clearances are in spec - a light top-end tick is the only real warning sign, and by then some wear has already happened. Service records are the only proof.

2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special - Frequently Asked Questions

What engine does the 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special have?

The 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special uses a V2, four-stroke engine with 1250.08 cc of displacement.

What is the top speed of the 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special?

The 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special has a factory-quoted top speed of 45 km/h. Real-world speeds vary depending on rider weight, conditions and state of tune.

How much does the 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special weigh?

The 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special weighs 302.1 kg. This is the manufacturer's wet figure.

How much power does the 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special make?

The 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special produces 112.95 Nm @ 6750 of torque.

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special?

The 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special has a 18.93-litre fuel tank. At around 5-6 litres per 100 km, that is roughly 315-378 km between stops.

Is the 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special suitable for shorter riders?

The 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special has a seat height of 650 mm. This is a comfortable, accessible height for most riders.

What brakes does the 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special have?

The 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special uses Single disc. 4-piston at the front and Single disc. 2-piston at the rear.

How much oil does the 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special take?

The 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special 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 Night Rod Special Spec Evolution

The Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special was produced across 3 model years (2013-2015). 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
Dry Weight	288.9 kg / 637.0 lbs	288.9 kg / 637.0 lbs	289 kg / 637.1 lbs
Seat Height	650 mm / 25.6 in.	650 mm / 25.6 in.	675 mm / 26.6 in.
Ground Clearance (mm)	122 mm	122 mm	115 mm
Ground Clearance (in.)	4.8 inches	4.8 inches	4.5 inches
CO2	147.6 CO	147.6 CO	147.6 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.	-
Brakes - Front	Single disc. 4-piston	Single disc. 4-piston	Double disc. ABS. 4-piston
Suspension - Front	Independent coil springs and hydraulic dampers	Dual Hydraulic Shock Absorber	Inverted fork

Key Specifications

Engine

V2, four-stroke

Power

Not published by manufacturer

Torque

112.95 Nm (11.5 kgf-m or 83.3 ft.lbs) @ 6750

Top Speed

45.0 km/h / 28.0 mph

Weight

302.1 kg / 666.0 lbs

Fuel Capacity

18.93 litres / 5.00 gallons

Full 2013 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special Specifications

Comments Amphibian.

Colours Black Denim, Vivid Black, Ember Red Sunglo

Ground Clearance (mm) 122 mm

Ground Clearance (in.) 4.8 inches

Seat Height 650 mm / 25.6 in.

Wheelbase 1,702 mm / 67.0 in.

Height 1,400 mm / 55.1 in.

Length 2,365 mm / 93.1 in.

Width 1,600 mm / 63.0 in.

Oil Capacity (Quarts) 0.31 quarts

Oil Capacity (l) 4.70 litres

Dry Weight 288.9 kg / 637.0 lbs

Fuel Capacity 18.93 litres / 5.00 gallons

Wet Weight 302.1 kg / 666.0 lbs

Top Speed 45.0 km/h / 28.0 mph

Max Torque 112.95 Nm (11.5 kgf-m or 83.3 ft.lbs) @ 6750

Fuel Control Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC)

Engine Type V2, four-stroke

Displacement (ci) 76.28 cubic inches

Displacement (cc) 1250.08 cc

CO2 147.6 CO

Bore x Stroke (mm) 105.0 x 72.0 mm

Bore x Stroke (in,) 4.1 x 2.8 inches

Engine Detail Liquid-cooled, Revolution®, 60° V-Twin

Fuel System Injection. Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI)

Compression Ratio 11.5:1

Exhaust Straight-shot exhaust with brushed finish dual mufflers; black end caps and exhaust shield

Fuel Consumption 6.36 litres/100 km (15.7 km/l or 36.98 mpg)

Starter Electric

Valve System 4

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 Independent coil springs and hydraulic dampers

Suspension - Rear Independent coil springs and hydraulic dampers

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 Single disc. 4-piston

Brakes - Rear Single disc. 2-piston

Rims Black, Split 5-Spoke Cast Aluminum w/ Orange Pinstripe

Specifications are compiled from manufacturer documentation and cross-referenced technical sources, and corrected on an ongoing basis. Spot an error? Let us know.