The one on the right is a ‘16 or ‘17 model. The dash got an update in ‘18.

 

I've got a March 2019 model with the updates like throttle by wire and therefore numerous ride modes. It has the dash on the left of your photo. The dash on the right is from an older bike as Bram has stated. There are a number of updates and differences between the two and if you spend some time looking around the site there are plenty of posts which will help you. Best of luck with your search and spend some time on the site doing research so you don't get ripped off. 😬

 

yes - my advice would be to go for the 2019 model bike (with the pic showing a blue display). The engine ride modes made the bike much much nicer to ride than my previous 2016 bike (also possible to fit the MCCruise system from Australia to the later bike)
Mike

 

As Bram said the one on the right is NOT a 2019, it is pre-2018. If someone is telling you otherwise they are wrong..

 

We have number plates with the year of registration on them so there is a slight possibility that it is a 2017 model year but it was first registered in 2019 so if someone says it is a 2019 bike they are half telling the truth.

 

I recently saw a video of a dude who acquired and uncrated an '82 Honda Ascot 500. New in-box and definitely a half-truth.

BTW: The bike started - no problem. Brake fluid and related bits, and some rubber needed replacement. (or course other fluids were renewed)

 

Watched that as well, SRC guy I think.

 

Bikes and Beards channel, right?

 

If interested, this is a fun read ...

Still In The Factory Crate: A 1982 Honda FT500 Ascot

This 1982 Honda FT500 Ascot that has remained in its factory crate since it was delivered to Northline Motorcycles of Houston, Texas. The bike never sold

silodrome.com

 

BTW I don't think that the 16 - 18 models are in any way inferior to later models and they are fine bikes. If you plump for one of those then I'm sure that you will enjoy it. I suppose it will depend on the price. It goes without saying that you don't want to be paying 2019 prices for an older model bike and it's always good to approach the seller with the right knowledge when they start spinning bullshxt.

 

... and of course, the flick:

 

Tell him to get his gloves sorted out and do his sleeves up...he'll get a big wasp up there... 😬

 

I bought a new 1005 Harley VRod in spring of 2007. Sold it when I bought the 2019 Africa Twin. I put 100,007 miles on it. Anyway, it was a 2005, built in 2004, tires were already old! But from the perspective of local motor vehicles it was a 2005.

 

I rode this yesterday on Vancouver Island, Canada:

It is a 2003 Harley Davidson 100th Anniversary VRod that I resurrected from a two year slumber that was forgotten.

Soft tires, weak battery, two year-old fuel etc. - she fired up on the first attempt at 4C on the old gasoline. Likely the old gas was high octane and preserved.

Heavy bike, good lookin', good sounding with Screamin Eagle ends and it ran well, the Porsche lump was smoother than expected. Gearbox was incredibly smooth (no heavy clunk!), clutch hydraulic. A gobb of torque for the most part.

It was an entertaining ride.

 

Thanks for that @Kenschein.

Many times vehicles manufactured in the latter half of the previous year are current year models. Many departments of motorized vehicles will leverage the VIN to extract the model year.

Welcome to the Forum!

 

Very nice looking V Rod, and an anniversary edition as well. Sometimes I regret selling mine. I was having trouble getting replacement parts because the model had been discontinued for so long, But it still ran just like it did when it was new. Mine was stock, except for lighter weight spoke alloy wheels. I liked the stock wheels, but the bike handled a lot better with less unsprung weight from the heavy disc wheels. But as you know, the bike was not designed for handling capability as much straight line acceleration. Ken

 

The VRod seems like a boutique bike, but it feels substantial, yes. I can see why you miss it.

For everyday use, it see seems unwieldly.

 

Too much rake in the front makes it a handful at low speeds. But having said that, in100,000 miles I got used to it. On I-10 doing 80MPH passing a semi you have almost 100 MPH pretty soon. Fun that way. Draws a crowd too. I’m still getting used to the Africa Twin - opposites in many ways. But I have 5000 miles on my 2019 AT and haven’t dropped it yet. Famous last words…