In our Sunday Run series we’ve been showing you a few very significant motorcycles from Harley-Davidson, and there are plenty more to come! Here’s today’s bike, a great one for a Sunday Run but there’s no way you’ll ever find one on the highways!
New release models from the Motor Company can be very surprising, but perhaps the biggest shock we’ve seen came with the release of a nine-second drag bike – not street-legal anywhere in the world - the 2006 Harley-Davidson VRXSE Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod Destroyer.
The V-Rod based Destroyer was a 170-odd horsepower, professional-level drag racing motorcycle designed exclusively for competition by Harley-Davidson Custom Vehicle Operations [CVO] and available to racers world-wide through Harley-Davidson dealers.
You’ve seen our local Destroyer in-store here at V-Twins, it’s been successfully raced by our very own Ian Carrett for many years. Head in-store to check it out if you haven't or get the detailed history report from the man himself!
From 2006, these beasts set the drag racing world on fire! In the USA and Canada, specific classes were introduced for them, here in Australia they took on all comers in Modified Bike, and in New Zealand they have dominated Competition Bike Class. Just a few months ago, we learned of two brand-new Destroyers which had just been un-crated for the first time… 20 years after they were built… remember they’re 2006 bikes!
Only 646 vehicles were produced, with 625 offered in dealer showrooms globally. And they’re pretty much unbreakable, with many examples still winning today!
Destroyers put out about 165/170HP at 9,700RPM, and will regularly run in the 9.30-9.40 second quarter-mile ET range, at about 145-150mph (235-250kmh). A part of their longevity and success is because the Destroyer can’t be considered a tweaked V-Rod road bike, every part was perfected for the strip by Harley’s Factory race engineers. Anyone inspecting a Destroyer cannot help but be impressed by the impeccable design, casting, and machining of every custom piece on the motorcycle.
Its 1300cc Revolution engine had a longer-stroke crankshaft and increased bore, high compression forged pistons and 14:1 compression, larger valves in CNC ported heads, larger throttle bodies, dyno tuned velocity stacks, and high lift cams. Race-only drivetrain changes included a lightened flywheel, multi-stage lock-up clutch, electric-over-pneumatic shifter, chain final drive, three-piece, 2-into-1 ceramic-coated exhaust system, and programmable two-step shift light.
They were also Factory-fitted with data-gathering sensors and an on-board computer, with the info easily downloadable into a laptop.
Chassis modifications include a custom swingarm and rear-axle adjusters, solid rear struts and a wheelie bar with side panels. A friction-type steering damper is standard, and, of course, drag slicks are standard. For the rider, the cockpit includes a mini instrument panel, the shift light, forward race-position risers and a drag handlebar, handlebar controls designed for drag racing (the compressed-air quick shifter works off the left indicator switch), and include an emergency shut-off tether. Rear-set foot-pegs and a brake lever are positioned on the swingarm. The race seat features a high-rise back cushion.
We’ll finish today with a quick word of warning. If you’re in the pits and a Destroyer is being warmed-up with throttle blipping… our word of warning is “earplugs”. The Harley-Davidson VRXSE Screamin’ Eagle V-Rod Destroyer can hurt you close-up, folks.
But when you’re trackside, just soak up the sound of the V-Twin at nearly 10,000 RPM, and be amazed at the starts! Like fired from a gun.