Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special (VRSCDX 1250) — OEM Fluid, Tire Pressure & Maintenance Specs
1,247cc Liquid-Cooled 60° V-Twin DOHC Porsche-Co-Engineered Revolution · Source: Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special (VRSCDX 1250) (2008–2017) Official Owner’s Manual Maintenance Specifications
According to the Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special (VRSCDX 1250) (2008–2017) Official Owner’s Manual Maintenance Specifications, the 2008–2017 Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special (VRSCDX 1250) (chassis VRSCDX) requires 4.3 L (4.54 US qt) of SAE 20W-50 (JASO MA2, Screamin’ Eagle SYN3 15W-50 Full Synthetic) engine oil for a drain-only change and 4.7 L (4.97 US qt) with filter service (HD 63793-01K / HF174C). Standard solo cold tire pressure is 248 kPa / 2.48 bar / 36 PSI front (120/70ZR19 60W) and 290 kPa / 2.90 bar / 42 PSI rear (240/40R18 79V), paired with 2× HD 10R12A / NGK DCPR8E spark plug(s) and a YTX14-BS / HD 65948-00B battery.
Drain only: 4.3 L (4.54 US qt)
R 290 kPa (2.90 bar)
Est. Range: ~287 km (178 mi)
1. Engine Lubrication, Filter & Clutch Specifications
| Clutch Architecture | Wet Multi-Plate Manual Clutch NEVER use JASO MB |
|---|---|
| Recommended Viscosity & Grade | SAE 20W-50 · JASO MA2 · Screamin’ Eagle SYN3 15W-50 Full Synthetic |
| Oil Volume (Drain / With Filter / Overhaul) |
• Drain only: 4.3 L (4.54 US qt) • With filter/strainer: 4.7 L (4.97 US qt) • Complete dry overhaul: 5 L (5.28 US qt) |
| OEM Oil Filter Code & Type | HD 63793-01K / HF174C |
| Correct Oil Level Check Method | At full operating temperature resting ON THE SIDESTAND (Jiffy Stand); thread dipstick in to read |
| Oil Drain Bolt Torque | 25 N·m (18.4 lb-ft / 2.55 kgf·m) — Use fresh crush washer |
2. Cold Tire Pressures, Wheels, Ignition & Drivetrain
| Front / Rear OEM Tire Sizes | Front: 120/70ZR19 60W · Rear: 240/40R18 79V (Tubeless) |
|---|---|
| Cold Tire Pressure — Solo Riding |
Front: 248 kPa / 2.48 bar / 36 PSI Rear: 290 kPa / 2.90 bar / 42 PSI |
| Cold Tire Pressure — 2-Up / Loaded Touring |
Front: 248 kPa / 2.48 bar / 36 PSI Rear: 290 kPa / 2.90 bar / 42 PSI |
| OEM Spark Plug & Quantity | HD 10R12A / NGK DCPR8E × 2 (Gap: 0.8–0.9 mm) |
| OEM Battery Code & Rating | YTX14-BS / HD 65948-00B (12V 12.0Ah MF AGM) |
| Final Drive Maintenance | Carbon/Aramid Reinforced Secondary Belt — Inspect belt deflection and pulley debris |
| Brake Fluid & Coolant | DOT 4 · OAT ethylene-glycol coolant for aluminum radiators (50:50 premix) |
3. Ergonomics, Range & Scheduled Service Intervals
| Displacement · Max Power · Peak Torque | 1247 cc · 122 hp @ 8,250 rpm · 115 N·m (84.8 lb-ft) @ 7,000 rpm |
|---|---|
| Seat Height & Wet Curb Weight | 675 mm (26.6 in) · 302 kg (666 lbs) |
| Fuel Tank & Est. Real-World Range | 18.9 L (5.0 US gal) · ~15.2 km/L → ~287 km (178 mi) |
| OEM Scheduled Maintenance Intervals |
• First Break-In: 1,600 km • Engine Oil / Filter: 8,000 km / 8,000 km • Air Filter / Spark Plug: 24,000 km / 32,000 km • Valve Clearance Check: 24,000 km |
4. Generation Cutoffs & Real-World Wrenching Gotchas
Model-Year & Chassis Generation Notes
Expanded to 1,247cc with a slipper clutch and 18.9 L under-seat tank in 2008, then updated in 2012 with an inverted fork and revised ergonomics through its 2017 finale.
Oil & Clutch Mechanical Engineering Note
Unlike 3-Hole air-cooled Big Twins, the unitized Revolution V-twin shares 4.7 L of SAE 20W-50 JASO MA2 across engine, slipper clutch, and 5-speed gearbox via V-Rod filter HF174C.
Garage Wrenching Gotchas
- The top ”tank” shell is actually an airbox/battery cover while the real 18.9 L fuel cell sits under the hinged rider seat; unplug the gauge harness carefully when lifting the airbox lid.
- Because the Porsche-engineered DOHC heads use shim-under-bucket tappets rather than hydraulic pushrods, inspect valve clearances every 24,000 km.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What oil volume, JASO grade, and oil filter code does the Harley-Davidson V-Rod Night Rod Special (VRSCDX 1250) (2008–2017) require?
Because its wet multi-plate clutch shares engine oil with the gearbox, run SAE 20W-50 (JASO MA2) at 4.3 L (4.54 US qt) drain-only and 4.7 L (4.97 US qt) with filter (HD 63793-01K / HF174C).
How do you accurately check the oil level on the V-Rod Night Rod Special (VRSCDX 1250), and what are its service intervals?
Bring the engine to full operating temperature and check the Full Hot mark with the motorcycle resting on its sidestand (Jiffy Stand) on level pavement—measuring upright leads to crankcase overfill and breather blow-by. Torque the drain plug to 25 N·m with a new crush washer. Factory oil change intervals are every 8,000 km, with valve clearance inspection every 24,000 km.
What are the cold tire pressures, puncture repair type, seat height, and range of the V-Rod Night Rod Special (VRSCDX 1250)?
Fitted with 120/70ZR19 60W front and 240/40R18 79V rear tubeless rims (compatible with roadside plug kits), set cold tire pressures to 36 / 42 PSI (248/290 kPa) solo or 36 / 42 PSI loaded. Seat height is 675 mm (26.6 in) at 302 kg wet weight, delivering ~287 km per 18.9 L tank.