1
2
3
4
5
6
tuna55 wrote:I do like harleys, in theory. but yes, they have certainly taken a turn towards the goth kids side (drink you coffee Stan, you can't be a noncomformist if you don't drink your coffee).
I have to drink coffee? Huh?
I don't even own a bike.
Salanis wrote:As I recall V-twins sound like crap because they're not a full engine, only 2/7 of one. Basically, the original design is a surplus aircraft radial that got cut down to 2 cylinders to fit on a bike. It maintained the original firing sequence that worked with 7 cylinders, but not with only two...
Hmmm, possible, but most of the radial designs I have seen use a master rod that run the other rods off that master rod (so only the master rod has a bearing on the crank). The Harley setup looks more like the "blade and fork" design used by the opposing cylinder in a large inline aircraft engines (Merlin, Allison). I think they used it (not a good design for strength, a major week point in air racing engines) to try and keep the engine as short as possible.
It looks to me like the Harley design is a "single cylinder plus one" design. Basically tacking on another cylinder to a single with minimal changes. It might be a good design decision if you are trying to keep the engine very thin, but the insane width of Harley engines seems to contradict that.
What I don't understand is why they left the cylinder firing at 45 deg apart. I mean, I can understand it way back in the early 1900's, and I can see why they haven't changed it in the last 30 years (it's the reason why a lot of people bought them). But at some point in between they had to say to themselves "hey, why don't we deal with this obviously less then ideal setup"?
aircooled wrote:But at some point in between they had to say to themselves "hey, why don't we deal with this obviously less then ideal setup"?
Well...yeah. It's called a Vrod. Great motor in, from what I've heard, a really good bike.
Xceler8x wrote:Well...yeah. It's called a Vrod. Great motor in, from what I've heard, is a really good bike.
Oh, yah, good point, and it only took them 98 YEARS to make the change!!!!
One wonders what they will come up with in 2099... any guesses.... mufflers? (I kid, I kid)
aircooled wrote:Oh, yah, good point, and it only took them 98 YEARS to make the change!!!!
One wonders what they will come up with in 2099... any guesses.... mufflers? (I kid, I kid)
lol..It did take awhile.
But that porsche designed mill and high tech frame do some wonders. If they'd lower the price I'd bet it'd fly out the door.
I can't verify this, but I heard about this one dude who heard that Harley reduced all V-rods to $5K and he sold his kidney to get the money and then he went to the dealer and found out it wasn't Harleys, but a Buell. A stinkin' Buell. And they didn't even have any left in black. And the tassle grips are not recommended since they get sucked into the rads.
Cotton wrote:For a board full of Miata owners you guys sure do like your stereotypes.
A little late to the party, but Cotton said what I was thinking. I am SHOCKED at how quickly so many of you are to start handing out Haterade about a huge group of people and products (millions of H-Ds have been sold) based on some negative stereotypes. If you want to hate on loud pipes, hate on loud pipes. If you want to hate on engine revvers, people who like to dress up in matching clothes, mob mentality, air cooling, etc. go for it. However, I think it's a bit over the top to hate H-D riders as a group because of the negative stereotypes you've got stuck in your head. I can draw associations between all of the above things with other groups that you would all pipe up to defend, but I won't waste my time.
Wow...I'm a little embarrassed, since this forum is one of my internet homes and I've forwarded a LOT of people to the GRM forum through the Fiero project. Some of those people even know me through H-D affiliation...SHOCK...HORROR. Just...wow. It looks like this South Park episode brought out the GRM dark side.
Bryce
TucoRamirez wrote:... sucked into the rads.
Buells are still air-cooled. At least the real, non-Austrian ones are.
Xceler8x wrote: Well...yeah. It's called a Vrod. Great motor in, from what I've heard, a really good bike.
Big problem for pirate-bikers... radiator = not a Harley.
Big problem for me (5'7")... too darn long and heavy.
Build a Dyna replacement around that motor and I'll buy one when my Sportster kicks the bucket.
CrackMonkey wrote:TucoRamirez wrote:... sucked into the rads.
Buells are still air-cooled. At least the real, non-Austrian ones are.
I had to think for a second to remember what those big pods were for.
Blah, blah blah.....H-D riders are all useless asshats......
I wonder why they donate more to charity, and good causes than any other group out there. Wonder why whenever anyone local has a bad stretch of luck or a sick kid these guys are out there organizing a "ride" to raise money for their friends. Yeah, they must all be pricks.
and all Honda enthusiasts are attitude laden riceboys with sideways hats
all Miata owners are gay
all Camaro owners have mullets
all Forester owners are lesbians
and all message board geeks are losers who live with their moms
although those guys on "custom" choppers really do get under my skin......some of them at least.
Nashco wrote:...I am SHOCKED at how quickly so many of you are to start handing out Haterade about a huge group of people and products (millions of H-Ds have been sold) based on some negative stereotypes. If you want to hate on loud pipes, hate on loud pipes....
You are entirely correct, it's not the Harley I (we) hate, it's really the a-hole (fag) riding it. But take a quick survey, (it might depend on were you are) and you will likely find a lot (I highly suspect a large majority) of Harleys have at least a loud exhaust and a good number have an open exhaust. It may technically be a stereotype, but not a very egregious one.
The open exhaust especially make a huge impression on people. I cannot even think of ANY other vehicle that I have seen on the street running with an open exhaust. Add to the fact that there seems to be a general refusal to enforce sound laws, it makes for a lot of frustration.
Yes, quiet Harley riders do get screwed in this, but realistically, there are not a lot of them that would be disappointed by moving over to another brand if they don't like the stereotype. Hell, a lot of people are riding Harleys because of the stereotype. You like big cruisers, there are many other options (and a lot cheaper). You want to buy American, then you might be out of luck, or you will just have to deal with the stereotype a lot of other a-holes (fags) have created.
that about sums it up.
CrackMonkey wrote:Big problem for me (5'7")... too darn long and heavy.
Build a Dyna replacement around that motor and I'll buy one when my Sportster kicks the bucket.
Really? My 5'2" tall wife has had no problem riding a V-rod or a fat boy. She probably could handle my neighbors bagger, but she has no interest in trying.
I drive a 2nd gen F-body.
Don't bitch to me about stereotypes.
Shawn
At least we can all agree to hate democrats.
Rusnak_322 wrote:CrackMonkey wrote: Big problem for me (5'7")... too darn long and heavy.Really? My 5'2" tall wife has had no problem riding a V-rod or a fat boy.
It wasn't that I couldn't ride one, I just feel way to stretched out on one. Maybe the one I test-fit had lower/shorter bars than stock? Either way, I strongly prefer mid-controls and a "standard" body position.
poopshovel wrote:Dirt bikers will tell you the greenie weenie Dimmycrats make good traction.At least we can all agree to hate democrats.
So they aren't COMPLETELY useless.
In reply to CrackMonkey:
I rented a V-rod (maybe a street rod?) that had the pegs under the seat and a little taller seat. it was a lot of fun in the hill country in Texas.
poopshovel wrote:At least we can all agree to hate politicians.
Fixed.
Yes, we can.
I think this thread has run its course...time to let it die.
Just my $0.02.
Interesting non-HD bashing or praising note. I have a friend, late 20's, who bought a new HD.
He was saying HD has had to really think hard about their marketing plan because their traditional demographic is drying up. Our generation is not too enamored with the HD brand. We didn't grow up looking up at them as being the coolest, fastest, or best bikes.
The older generation buying Harleys are actually some of the most likely to get killed on their bikes too. Since these are guys who maybe rode a bike 20 years ago, and now have money to go out and buy a fancier, heavier, more powerful bike than they ever rode, and they don't have the skills anymore. They then think they're hot stuff and buy a peanutshell, steel toed boots, and leather vest and use the bike to cruise to the bars a couple miles away, where they drive back at night after a couple of drinks that might be okay to have if you were in a family sedan.
So, HD now needs to attract younger people who will be able to continue to buy their products into the future.
Their lower level bikes are now actually getting better than their flagship models, because the entry level ones are being marketed to younger folks who want sleek stylings, quality speeds, and real helmets.
JetMech wrote:I think this thread has run its course...time to let it die.
Just my $0.02.
[troll]
Then why did you post in it and bring it back to the top?
[/troll]
Shawn
EastCoastMojo wrote:Their like Bob Costas parenthesisMmmmmm...assless chaps.....
Normally I'd agree that stereotypes suck, but H.D. riders seem to try and live up to them.
