Harley-Davidson isn't the first motorcycle company that comes to mind when you think of fast bikes. Although they have produced some quick performance bikes over the years, most Harleys on the road are big cruisers meant for comfort over speed.

The company's V-Rod is certainly an exception, reaching a factory rated top speed of 144mph, making it Harley-Davidson's fastest street-legal production motorcycle.

However, Harley produced an even more powerful version of the V-Rod, often overlooked by fans. The Harley-Davidson VRXSE Screamin' Eagle V-Rod Destroyer was a limited production, non-street legal drag racing bike that took everything from the normal V-Rod and cranked it up to eleven.

The Revolution V-twin engine was worked over to make big power by utilizing a longer-stroke crankshaft and bored out block, high compression forged pistons, big valves, bigger throttle bodies, high lift cams, and more. These extensive upgrades resulted in an absolute beast of a drag bike. It produced over 170 horsepower and managed to get through the quarter-mile in under nine seconds.

The combination of presence and raw power makes the Harley Davidson V-Rod an intimidating foe for any sportbike.

RELATED: 10 Motorcycles That Prove Harley-Davidson Is The King Of Cruiser Bikes

The Harley-Davidson VRXSE Screamin' Eagle V-Rod Destroyer

Harley Davidson Screamin' Eagle V-Rod Destroyer with wheelie bar
Mecum

Released in 2006, the V-Rod Destroyer was the fastest accelerating Harley at the time. Getting from zero to sixty in about three and a half seconds, it's still a competitive drag racing bike today.

While most Harleys are made for comfortable cruises on a Sunday afternoon, the Destroyer comes from the factory ready for a weekend of dominating the dragstrip. Harley-Davidson's Custom Vehicle Operations team (CVO) was in charge of the project, turning the V-Rod into a proper drag bike. Though it might look a lot like a normal V-Rod, the Destroyer has extensive modifications to nearly every part of the bike. From a special race-programmed ECM to the dyno-tuned velocity stacks, it is a serious threat out on the drag strip. The bike even comes with a wheelie bar, perhaps as a warning to riders to respect the power of the Destroyer.

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A Future Of Fast Harleys

Harley Davidson Screamin' Eagle V-Rod Destroyer
Via: brianshd.com

With the release of Harley Davidson's new Livewire, the company has set its sights making a modern EV sportbike. Though Harley is known primarily for their antiquated pushrod V-twins, the Livewire is completely electric, giving it instant torque and a very quick three second 0 to 60 time. That kind of acceleration can give even the mighty Destroyer a run for its money, at least for the first few seconds of a race.

With EV technology advancing at a faster rate than ever, it won't be long until electric motorcycles are a serious competitor to the sportbike market. But for those who want a brutally fast V-twin combustion engine under them, the V-Rod Destroyer is the bike for you.

NEXT: Harley Davidson LiveWire: Costs, Facts, And Figures