You’ve seen the posts. They’re spreading across social media and popping up on clickbait websites like wildfire: “Harley-Davidson V-Rod Launched!”, “1250cc Muscle Bike for just ₹1.25 Lakh!”, “120HP Beast is Back!”
As an automotive journalist and technology expert with over a decade in this industry, my inbox has been flooded with one simple question: “Is this real?”
Let’s not bury the lede. I’m here to give you the clear, expert, and authoritative answer.
No. It is not real. Not even close.
The rumor of a new Harley-Davidson V-Rod launching in 2025 for ₹1.25 Lakh is 100% false. It is a digital fantasy, a viral myth built on half-truths and a complete misunderstanding of the automotive market.
But as an expert, I’m not just here to say “it’s fake.” I’m here to show you why it’s fake, where this rumor came from, and what the real numbers are. This is a classic case of “if it sounds too good to be true, it absolutely is.” Let’s dissect this legend, piece by impossible piece.
Part 1: The Legend We Want to Believe
To understand why this rumor is so powerful, you have to understand the bike. The Harley-Davidson V-Rod was not just another cruiser. It was, and remains, a legend.
- A Joint Venture with Porsche: Launched in 2001, the V-Rod was a radical departure for Harley. Its heart was the “Revolution” engine, a 1130cc (later 1250cc) liquid-cooled V-Twin co-developed with Porsche. This was a high-revving, DOHC, race-inspired engine in a brand known for air-cooled, low-rpm “potato-potato” rumble.
- The Muscle Bike King: This is where the rumor’s “1250cc, 120HP, 115Nm Torque” figures come from. They are correct… for the original bike. The final V-Rod “Night Rod Special” produced around 122 HP and 115 Nm of torque. It was a drag-strip-inspired muscle machine that looked and sounded like nothing else.
- The Discontinuation: Harley-Davidson officially discontinued the entire V-Rod lineup in 2017. It was a victim of stricter emissions standards (like Euro 4) and a company-wide shift in strategy.
This rumor is so appealing because the V-Rod was a beloved, futuristic bike that left a 120-horsepower-sized hole in the market. People want it to come back. And the scammers promoting this fantasy know it.
Part 2: The ₹1.25 Lakh Price: A Mathematical Impossibility
This is the most laughable part of the entire rumor, and the easiest to debunk with cold, hard facts. Let’s do a “back-of-the-envelope” cost analysis as an industry expert.
A price of ₹1.25 Lakh (approx. $1,500 USD) is not just “a good deal.” It is a financial and manufacturing impossibility.
- The Engine Alone is Worth More: A 1250cc, liquid-cooled, 120HP V-Twin engine is a complex piece of high-performance engineering. The raw materials, R&D, casting, and assembly for just the engine would cost a manufacturer multiples of that price.
- India’s Smallest Harley: The most affordable, smallest-displacement new bike Harley-Davidson sells in India is the Harley-Davidson X440. It has a 440cc single-cylinder engine and its starting ex-showroom price is ₹2.39 Lakh.
- The Math: The rumor claims a 1250cc, V-Twin, 120HP bike is being sold for half the price of a 440cc, single-cylinder, 27HP bike. It’s like a five-star restaurant advertising a full-course steak dinner for 10 rupees.
- The 125cc Commuter Comparison: In today’s market, a high-end 125cc scooter like a Suzuki Avenis or TVS Ntorq 125 XT costs nearly ₹1 Lakh. This rumor is claiming a 1250cc Harley-Davidson for the price of a 125cc scooter.
Expert Verdict on Price: The ₹1.25 Lakh price is not a “discount.” It’s a fantasy number designed to be clickbait. The original V-Rod, when it was discontinued in 2017, cost over ₹21 Lakh.
Part 3: The “Launch” and the “Revolution” Engine
The rumor states the V-Rod has “launched.” A quick check of the official Harley-Davidson global or Indian newsrooms reveals… nothing. A launch of this magnitude would be the biggest motorcycle news of the decade, not something whispered on spammy blogs.
But let’s play along. What if Harley did bring back the V-Rod?
It wouldn’t use the old Revolution engine. It would use the new 1250cc engine: the Revolution Max.
This is the brilliant, 150HP liquid-cooled V-Twin that currently powers two of Harley’s most modern bikes:
- The Pan America 1250 (Adventure Bike)
- The Sportster S (Modern Cruiser)
This is where the logic really crumbles for the rumor-mongers. The Harley-Davidson Sportster S is a 1250cc, 121HP, liquid-cooled muscle cruiser. It is already the spiritual successor to the V-Rod.
And its price? The ex-showroom price for the Sportster S is ₹18.05 Lakh.
So, if Harley-Davidson did “launch” a new V-Rod with its current 1250cc engine, it would be priced at ₹18-20 Lakh, not ₹1.25 Lakh.
Part 4: What You Can Actually Get (An Expert’s Advice)
As an expert, my job isn’t just to tear down a rumor but to guide you to the truth. So, let’s talk about what’s real.
If you have ₹1.25 Lakh…
You cannot buy a Harley, but you can buy one of several excellent, high-quality commuter bikes.
- Bajaj Pulsar N160
- TVS Apache RTR 160 4V
- Honda SP 125
These are fantastic, reliable machines for their price point.
If you want the cheapest real Harley-Davidson…
Your journey starts with the Harley-Davidson X440 at ₹2.39 Lakh (ex-showroom). It’s a fun, single-cylinder roadster co-developed for the Indian market and is a great entry point into the brand.
If you want a real V-Rod…
This is the only way. You must enter the used market. The V-Rod is a cult classic, and its value is high.
- Expected Price: Be prepared to spend anywhere from ₹15 Lakh to ₹25 Lakh for a well-maintained 2015-2017 V-Rod “Night Rod Special.”
- Expert Warning: Buying a 7+ year old, high-performance, discontinued bike is for experts only. You must verify its service history and get it inspected. Parts for the Revolution engine can be rare and expensive.
My Final Verdict
The “Harley-Davidson V-Rod for ₹1.25 Lakh” story is a complete and total fabrication. It is a scam, a piece of clickbait, and a digital ghost story.
As a 10+ year veteran of this industry, I see these rumors pop up all the time. They are designed to prey on the excitement of enthusiasts. The formula is simple: take a legendary, discontinued product (the V-Rod), attach its original, impressive specs (1250cc, 120HP), and pin it to an impossible, eye-popping price (₹1.25 Lakh).
My expert advice is simple: Always be skeptical. If a deal on a car or motorcycle looks too good to be true, it is. Always check the official manufacturer’s website.
The V-Rod was a legend because it was an expensive, high-performance, and exclusive machine. It was never, and will never be, a budget-friendly commuter. Don’t let a fantasy ruin your perception of a real-world legend, and more importantly, don’t let it scam you out of your hard-earned money.
