I wished that rear meat of a tire was as cooperative, though-there's simply no easy way to convince an 11-inch-wide mass of rubber to turn on a dime. Still, I'll give Travert props-the bike didn't squat under acceleration, and the front end remained composed under hard braking. At 80 mph the engine was still pulling, though the V-Rex's Revolution mill has a different tune than the stock Rod.
Amazingly, the bike doesn't beat you up too much, and the swoopy air dam on the front actually allows reasonable speeds with little pressure on your chest. The single rear damper out back feels more compliant than any radical custom has a right to be, and there's little harsh feedback in the hollow aluminum handlebar when you hit potholes at speed.
What we initially thought was just an impressive re-creation of an artist's rendering has turned out to be rideable, too. In fact Reynolds says, "It's so unique, most cops think it's illegal." As if to prove his point we found ourselves being pulled over by Palos Verdes' Finest just a few minutes into our ride. And over the next week Reynolds was stopped by no fewer than three different law enforcement agencies. Hey, fellas, you can have one of your own. It is for sale...MC
Travertson V-Rex
MSRP: $39,990
Standard Colors: Red, black
Engine
Type: Liquid-cooled, 60-degree, 1250cc V-twin
Bore x stroke: 105 x 72mm
Valve train: DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Compression ratio: 11.3:1
Fuel System: EFI, 53mm throttle bodies
Transmission/final drive: 5-speed/ belt drive
Chassis
Front suspension: Travertson front end, preload adjustable
Rear suspension: EMC damper, air adjustable
Front wheel/tire: 18 x 3.0 in. 140/70-18 Metzeler Marathon
Rear wheel/tire: 16 x 5.0 in. 280/35-18 Metzeler Marathon
Front brake: 300mm floating rotor, 6-piston caliper
Rear brake: 300mm floating disc, 2-piston caliper
Wheelbase: 79.2 in.
Rake/trail: 41 degrees/3.0 in.
Weight: 682 lb. (wet)
Fuel capacity: 4.5 gal.
Seat height: 25.3 in.
Performance
Horsepower (claimed): 120
Torque (claimed): 74 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm