I'm not a Harley fan, but I've always liked the looks and the story of the Harley V-Rod bikes.
So today I stopped in to my local Harley dealer and they let me test drive a '14 V-Rod Muscle model.
All I can say is... WOW! It was awesome! I loved it loved it loved it! The sound, the vibrations, the power, the seating position, the styling, the big fat rear tire, the way the brake light is under the curve of the fender... I liked how it handled, it felt pretty flickable for a big heavy cruiser, I liked seeing the front tire out in front of me.
I want one.
About $16,500. I'm starting a fund that you can donate to.
(http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af341/BILLYMINDER/13-hd-v-rod-muscle-bs_zpsdba6d624.jpg)
I like them too.
I haven't ridden this model, but I did get a ride on the early '02 model and was pleasantly surprised with the top end pull.
However, the VRod handling and specifically the lack of ground clearance was not my cup of tea.
Although my thoughts at the time were positive. Good for HD for looking ahead and teaming with Porsche to develop a (more) modern engine. Now if they would only give the bike some better handling it would stand a chance against Yamaha's mighty Vmax.
I remember thinking back then that it will only be a matter of time until HD corrects the suspension design. I mean come on, who makes a bike in the 21st century with a rear wheel travel of 2.5 inches?
Last I checked, the Vmax is still the bike to beat in the power cruiser category.
The lovely howl of that V4 when the secondaries open, is music. The Vmax is no slouch, it hooks up and goes...
I think the first Vrods only had 2.5 inches of rear suspension travel, but it was redesigned a couple years later and now has 4 inches.
I don't know if I mentioned this earlier, but I really, really liked it!
.
I like the V-Rods too. Buddy of mine has a 07 and its awesome. The local dealer just set up a Street 750 and 500 for demo rides, weather permitting I'm going to check those out this week. My son in law has a 86 V-Max that hasnt run in 10 years. we're gonna bring her back to life this winter... another project, this makes 4 this winter. at least I wont be bored. :good2: Charley.
Biggest complaint I ever heard was the size of the fuel tank, always thirsty and could not go to far! Small peanuts for what its designed for! Bike in question was the first generation of v rod. Harley purist don't take to kindly to them. I would love to test ride one to feel the V in the rod. :bye2:
For many years over 50% of Harleys sold internationally were VRods. They don't seem to hold their value in this country as well as standard Harleys though. Dave
Quote from: TexasDave on October 05, 2014, 11:20:35 AM
For many years over 50% of Harleys sold internationally were VRods. They don't seem to hold their value in this country as well as standard Harleys though. Dave
From time to time I see one for what I call a pretty reasonable price. But my knowledge of them is limited to what I see in the pictures. Visually I like them.
George
Quote from: TexasDave on October 05, 2014, 11:20:35 AM
For many years over 50% of Harleys sold internationally were VRods. They don't seem to hold their value in this country as well as standard Harleys though. Dave
All the used Vrods I see here for sale in the Front Range are holding their value pretty well.
Where do you see them cheaper? I'll fly out and drove one home!
Quote from: gumby302ho on October 05, 2014, 10:51:09 AM
Biggest complaint I ever heard was the size of the fuel tank, always thirsty and could not go to far! Small peanuts for what its designed for! Bike in question was the first generation of v rod. Harley purist don't take to kindly to them. I would love to test ride one to feel the V in the rod. :bye2:
The newer Vrods have 5 gallon tanks, I'm not sure what year they started to.
My buddy has a night rod (all black). Had intake, exhaust, and tuner put on. With a dyno tune. Wow what a difference over stock.
Rolling along about 20-25 twist the throttle and spin the tire off. :yahoo:
Too bad the only time that will happen is when I ride it. He will never use it.
He had it done for looks and sound of the exhaust. The shop he had put the exhaust on wouldn't do it if he didn't do the rest.
Glad they did. :biggrin:
Quote from: Bminder on October 04, 2014, 04:29:52 PM
I'm not a Harley fan, but I've always liked the looks and the story of the Harley V-Rod bikes.
So today I stopped in to my local Harley dealer and they let me test drive a '14 V-Rod Muscle model.
All I can say is... WOW! It was awesome! I loved it loved it loved it! The sound, the vibrations, the power, the seating position, the styling, the big fat rear tire, the way the brake light is under the curve of the fender... I liked how it handled, it felt pretty flickable for a big heavy cruiser, I liked seeing the front tire out in front of me.
I want one.
About $16,500. I'm starting a fund that you can donate to.
(http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af341/BILLYMINDER/13-hd-v-rod-muscle-bs_zpsdba6d624.jpg)
u should check out the Honda rune:-).... talk about some real muscle... to bad they quit making them though:-(
.
I would love a Rune, but it would Rune my bank account.
.
(http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af341/BILLYMINDER/Rune_zps42bec096.jpg)
Hey, Bminder, did you like the V-Rod??? :unknown:
I'm anti-leather-pirate for the most part, but the V-Rod I like! (Finally, something not stuck in the 1950's!)
It looks like lots of fun, Porsche design and not obese and all; but life's too short, it won't make the cut in the time available vs. everything else I'd like to get my mitts on. :empathy2:
Now, if you had a KTM 990 Adventure.... :hi:
Quote from: airheadPete on October 05, 2014, 10:45:47 PM
Hey, Bminder, did you like the V-Rod??? :unknown:
Yes, I loved it. Would you like to contribute to my Vrod fund?
Quote from: Pat Conlon on October 04, 2014, 06:11:53 PM
I like them too.
I haven't ridden this model, but I did get a ride on the early '02 model and was pleasantly surprised with the top end pull.
However, the VRod handling and specifically the lack of ground clearance was not my cup of tea.
Although my thoughts at the time were positive. Good for HD for looking ahead and teaming with Porsche to develop a (more) modern engine. Now if they would only give the bike some better handling it would stand a chance against Yamaha's mighty Vmax.
I remember thinking back then that it will only be a matter of time until HD corrects the suspension design. I mean come on, who makes a bike in the 21st century with a rear wheel travel of 2.5 inches?
Last I checked, the Vmax is still the bike to beat in the power cruiser category.
The lovely howl of that V4 when the secondaries open, is music. The Vmax is no slouch, it hooks up and goes...
And Yamaha (Star) has lowered the price of the VMax, it's basically the same as the Harley Muscle and you get so much more of everything.
I've ridden the 2nd Generation VMax twice, and it's got power that must be experienced, and it handled far better than it had any right too.
How many Harley's do you see - and how many VMax's?
If you want to be one of the herd, the choice is obvious.
Harley is offering incredible financing right now, I think they are running scared of what Indian is going to do to sales.
And Harley resale value is far from where it was, but buy what your heart tells you too, not your wallet.....
Quote from: airheadPete on October 05, 2014, 10:45:47 PM
Hey, Bminder, did you like the V-Rod??? :unknown:
I'm anti-leather-pirate for the most part, but the V-Rod I like! (Finally, something not stuck in the 1950's!)
It looks like lots of fun, Porsche design and not obese and all; but life's too short, it won't make the cut in the time available vs. everything else I'd like to get my mitts on. :empathy2:
Now, if you had a KTM 990 Adventure.... :hi:
Hey Pete, Engelhart Motor/Sports has a 2011 KTM Adventure 990 LC8 with167 mi. Asking price is $11,990. they're located in Madison WI. shes a beauty! Look em up online or if you want more info (ph. num..ect) let me know... I want one too...not this year though ! Cheers! Charley.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-no/P1000353.JPG)
[img width=690 height=517]https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-
Quote from: Pat Conlon on October 04, 2014, 06:11:53 PM
I like them too.
I haven't ridden this model, but I did get a ride on the early '02 model and was pleasantly surprised with the top end pull.
However, the VRod handling and specifically the lack of ground clearance was not my cup of tea.
Although my thoughts at the time were positive. Good for HD for looking ahead and teaming with Porsche to develop a (more) modern engine. Now if they would only give the bike some better handling it would stand a chance against Yamaha's mighty Vmax.
I remember thinking back then that it will only be a matter of time until HD corrects the suspension design. I mean come on, who makes a bike in the 21st century with a rear wheel travel of 2.5 inches?
Last I checked, the Vmax is still the bike to beat in the power cruiser category.
The lovely howl of that V4 when the secondaries open, is music. The Vmax is no slouch, it hooks up and goes...
See if you can get Ducati Newport to give you a ride on a Diavel, take it over the Ortega and back.
I rented and rode a Street Rod through WY, ID, OR, WA, BC, AB for 600 miles. I really did like all that low-end torque. We passed many hundreds of cars, easily, easier than if we were on were on in-line fours, seems to me. I enjoyed the bike, ground clearance was an issue when pushed about as hard as I could push it only, so it was fine for 95% of my riding. I guess that means I was not crazy-aggressive with the thing. Your riding style, level of aggressiveness may vary. So I had a foot pedal start to vibrate loose in AB so I saw a Harley Dealer and pulled in, asking if they'd tighten it up -all they needed was a simple [metric] allen key. The mechanic actually told me he had NO metric tools and could not help me!
To that point, be aware, if you're serious about buying one, that you *may* have service issues -or perhaps my experience was isolated? This was 6 or 7 years ago...
Dan
Quote from: Pat Conlon on October 04, 2014, 06:11:53 PM
Last I checked, the Vmax is still the bike to beat in the power cruiser category.
The lovely howl of that V4 when the secondaries open, is music. The Vmax is no slouch, it hooks up and goes...
I am going to look at a 1985 V-Max this weekend that a Co-worker owns and does not ride.
I may have an addition to the garage Saturday afternoon.
Fred
Quote from: Dan Filetti on October 07, 2014, 10:01:32 AM
So I had a foot pedal start to vibrate loose in AB so I saw a Harley Dealer and pulled in, asking if they'd tighten it up -all they needed was a simple [metric] allen key. The mechanic actually told me he had NO metric tools and could not help me!
To that point, be aware, if you're serious about buying one, that you *may* have service issues -or perhaps my experience was isolated? This was 6 or 7 years ago...
Dan
How crazy is that, that a Canadian mechanic would not have a set of metric allen wrenches!
There are folks in the HD community who poo poo the Vrod. They don't believe it's a true Harley.
This caused a division in the ranks. Harley answered with a multimillion dollar campaign to get the NHRA pro stock rules changed, enlist the help of Doug Vance and made the "Vrod" brand name snyomous with 1/4 mile track dominance.
I am careful to say that it's the Vrod brand name, not the actual Vrod bike. There is nothing remotely similar between the production Vrod bike and the billet motor Vrod pro stock bike.
It was a win-win-win.... A win for Harley, a win for NHRA, they needed the Harley fans to fill the stands and cheer on their beloved brand name, and a win for Budweiser who needed the concession sales.
Regardless...I like the Vrod, is that USD's I see? Hmmmm
Quote from: Pat Conlon on October 07, 2014, 01:19:22 PM
Regardless...I like the Vrod, is that USD's I see? Hmmmm
How can you look at that rear end and not fall in love!
(http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af341/BILLYMINDER/2009-Harley-Davidson-VRSC-VRSCFV-RodMusclea-2_zps3a849b88.jpg)
(http://pictures.topspeed.com/IMG/crop/201309/14-hd-v-rod-muscle-2_600x0w.jpg)
Yep, she's a beauty....but still only a 5 speed?
Quote from: Pat Conlon on October 07, 2014, 03:38:58 PM
Yep, she's a beauty....but still only a 5 speed?
Pat! Do you talk to your wife that way?? :rofl:
Quote from: Bminder on October 07, 2014, 02:47:01 PM
Quote from: Pat Conlon on October 07, 2014, 01:19:22 PM
Regardless...I like the Vrod, is that USD's I see? Hmmmm
How can you look at that rear end and not fall in love!
(http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af341/BILLYMINDER/2009-Harley-Davidson-VRSC-VRSCFV-RodMusclea-2_zps3a849b88.jpg)
Yeah, but it's still a "Harley" and the image/lifestyle that's associated with that name, wasn't that long ago there was a thread on here bagging Harley's, or more so their riders, so if anyone buys one, be prepared to become one.
I've always liked the look of the Vrod...the fact that it's shuned by the H-D community is a good thing. Overhead cams and liquid cooling scaring them off? Yeah...just what I thought. If I was shopping for a metric cruiser, I'd probably at least consider this ride.
Does anyone know exactly what the connection with Porsche and the V-rod engine is, other than both being internal combustion engines.
It is indeed an odd collaboration between between a company producing one if the best engineered automotive products in the world and one making the worst. Why would they sully their reputation and image by associating with a manufacturer of agricultural grade machinery mocked by pretty much everyone except its customers.
There is nothing about Harley or their image that I can see Porsche wanting to be associated with.
Anyone know?
Just curious.
Noel
Quote from: ribbert on October 08, 2014, 07:38:45 AM
Does anyone know exactly what the connection with Porsche and the V-rod engine is, other than both being internal combustion engines.
Noel
I pulled this from Wikipedia
The Harley-Davidson VRSC (V-Twin Racing Street Custom) family of cruiser motorcycles was introduced in 2001 in a single model called the V-Rod. The V-Rod was developed by Harley-Davidson to compete against Japanese and American muscle bikes. The "V-Rod" made use of the Revolution engine, developed jointly with
Porsche that, for the first time in Harley public production history, features overhead cams and liquid cooling. The V-Rod is visually distinct from other Harley-Davidson motorcycles. It can be easily identified by the 60-degree V-twin engine, the radiator and the hydroformed frame members that support the round-topped air cleaner cover. A distinct difference between the V-Rod and all other Harley production motorcycles is the location of the fuel tank. The fuel tank on the V-Rod is located underneath the seat, placing the rider on top of it, rather than the usual frontal placement. The "tank" in this case is simple dressing, hiding the frame. Loosely based on the VR-1000 superbike, it continues to be a platform around which Harley-Davidson builds drag-racing competition machines. All VRSC models are produced at Harley-Davidson's Vehicle and Powertrain Operations facility in Kansas City, Missouri.
Fred
Quote from: Bminder on October 07, 2014, 02:47:01 PM
How can you look at that rear end and not fall in love!
(http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af341/BILLYMINDER/2009-Harley-Davidson-VRSC-VRSCFV-RodMusclea-2_zps3a849b88.jpg)
Easy, it looks so much better from the RHS, it shows the twin
s overhead..........something or others.... where was I?
(http://www.ricks-motorcycles.com/images/V-Rod/V-RodStart.jpg)
Noel
Thanks Fred, but that just acknowledges the association with Porsche without explaining why or to what extent.
Noel
Or there's the Leggo-Rod, complete with rubber band drive if you want to stand out from the crowd.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ca/V_Rod_-_Flickr_-_Stradablog.jpg)
Noel
Quote from: Bminder on October 07, 2014, 10:52:12 AM
Quote from: Dan Filetti on October 07, 2014, 10:01:32 AM
So I had a foot pedal start to vibrate loose in AB so I saw a Harley Dealer and pulled in, asking if they'd tighten it up -all they needed was a simple [metric] allen key. The mechanic actually told me he had NO metric tools and could not help me!
To that point, be aware, if you're serious about buying one, that you *may* have service issues -or perhaps my experience was isolated? This was 6 or 7 years ago...
Dan
How crazy is that, that a Canadian mechanic would not have a set of metric allen wrenches!
A Canadian [Harley Only] mechanic... As I recall, he told me he wouldn't even work on "them damn Buells" quite the purist it seems.
Cheers,
Dan
Quote from: ribbert on October 08, 2014, 07:59:50 AM
Thanks Fred, but that just acknowledges the association with Porsche without explaining why or to what extent.
Noel
Looky here, some college kid did a paper on why Harley and Porsche would collaborate!
http://run.unl.pt/bitstream/10362/11613/1/Alves_2013.pdf (http://run.unl.pt/bitstream/10362/11613/1/Alves_2013.pdf)
Billy
If you are ever in Kansas City, near the airport, the Harley plant offers free tours, and they're great.
Home of the VRod
Pay a little and get a VIP tour
http://www.harley-davidson.com/content/h-d/en_US/home/events/factory-tours/kanascitymo.html (http://www.harley-davidson.com/content/h-d/en_US/home/events/factory-tours/kanascitymo.html)
I rode today, the FJ sure is a great motorcycle.
I test drove an 09 Vrod today... sigh.
Quote from: Klavdy on October 07, 2014, 01:04:54 AM
See if you can get Ducati Newport to give you a ride on a Diavel, take it over the Ortega and back.
I took part in a Ducati "Desmo Ride" back in May...............One of the bikes I got to try out was a 2014 Diavel Carbon...........
Super Fun bike! It was even fun in the twistys..Decent handling.......If you are looking at Power Cruisers, this should be given consideration.......165 horsepower, and gobs of instant torque!
That was a fun day! :good2:
(http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/firehawk068/Motorcycle%20rides/Ducati%20Demo%20Ride%2005-19-14/IMG_2150_zps347cb52b.jpg) (http://s859.photobucket.com/user/firehawk068/media/Motorcycle%20rides/Ducati%20Demo%20Ride%2005-19-14/IMG_2150_zps347cb52b.jpg.html)
(http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab154/firehawk068/Motorcycle%20rides/Ducati%20Demo%20Ride%2005-19-14/IMG_2154_zps3e12add0.jpg) (http://s859.photobucket.com/user/firehawk068/media/Motorcycle%20rides/Ducati%20Demo%20Ride%2005-19-14/IMG_2154_zps3e12add0.jpg.html)
Quote from: Bminder on October 08, 2014, 11:19:46 AM
Quote from: ribbert on October 08, 2014, 07:59:50 AM
Thanks Fred, but that just acknowledges the association with Porsche without explaining why or to what extent.
Noel
Looky here, some college kid did a paper on why Harley and Porsche would collaborate!
http://run.unl.pt/bitstream/10362/11613/1/Alves_2013.pdf (http://run.unl.pt/bitstream/10362/11613/1/Alves_2013.pdf)
Billy
We are witnessing the decline of a nation here. Stand and observe:
"As a result, the major conclusion was that the drivers of that alliance indeed agreed with the general theories on the matter. Factors as venturing on new segments of the market or having access to unique resources worked in favor of this partnership, as Harley's new engine and motorcycle proved to be a global success."
How-the-fuck-about 'To develop an engine and motorcycle that appealed to non-neanderthals, Haley realized that they needed technical expertise they did not have in house'?
College pukes, SMDH... my only solace is this kid will eventually get a job, and they'll smack him down for unclear, wordy, nonsense. -That is, unless of course he goes into academia, in which case, they'll probably give him a damn medal...
Dan
The R&D boys at Harley thought "water jacket" was something used in torturing prisoners, "fuel injection", well, that's banging crank, and "overhead ca[n]m", that was beer on the top shelf of the fridge...
Dan
Quote from: ribbert on October 08, 2014, 07:57:09 AM
Quote from: Bminder on October 07, 2014, 02:47:01 PM
How can you look at that rear end and not fall in love!
(http://i1022.photobucket.com/albums/af341/BILLYMINDER/2009-Harley-Davidson-VRSC-VRSCFV-RodMusclea-2_zps3a849b88.jpg)
Easy, it looks so much better from the RHS, it shows the twins overhead..........something or others.... where was I?
(http://www.ricks-motorcycles.com/images/V-Rod/V-RodStart.jpg)
.
Noel
Now that's what I call a nice rear end.
John
I'd rather be poked in the eye with a sharp stick than have to work on or pay the cost to have a Ducati maintained.
I've been snubbed by enough Ducati owners to swear I'd never own one.
Ducati owners seem to be the other extreme of Harley Owners.
Me, I'm a boring middle of the road errrrr.......
Quote from: Dan Filetti on October 09, 2014, 01:40:22 AM
Quote from: Bminder on October 08, 2014, 11:19:46 AM
Quote from: ribbert on October 08, 2014, 07:59:50 AM
Thanks Fred, but that just acknowledges the association with Porsche without explaining why or to what extent.
Noel
Looky here, some college kid did a paper on why Harley and Porsche would collaborate!
http://run.unl.pt/bitstream/10362/11613/1/Alves_2013.pdf (http://run.unl.pt/bitstream/10362/11613/1/Alves_2013.pdf)
Billy
We are witnessing the decline of a nation here. Stand and observe:
"As a result, the major conclusion was that the drivers of that alliance indeed agreed with the general theories on the matter. Factors as venturing on new segments of the market or having access to unique resources worked in favor of this partnership, as Harley's new engine and motorcycle proved to be a global success."
How-the-fuck-about 'To develop an engine and motorcycle that appealed to non-neanderthals, Haley realized that they needed technical expertise they did not have in house'?
College pukes, SMDH... my only solace is this kid will eventually get a job, and they'll smack him down for unclear, wordy, nonsense. -That is, unless of course he goes into academia, in which case, they'll probably give him a damn medal...
Dan
That's all good and well Dan, and it's obvious what was in it for Harley, but I still don't get why Porsche would want to be associated with
them.
They hardly need an image boost and even if they did HD is not the place to find it, quite the opposite I would have thought.
Can you believe we've been talking about Harley's now for 3 or 4 days. Unless someone comes up with an interesting topic in the next 24 hours I'm going to post a trip report tomorrow night, you have been warned.
Noel
Noel-
I have yet to see Porsche out there touting that they have a great relationship with Harley. I think, plain and simple, it was Harley (actually Eric Buel -see below) that approached Porsche (with loads of cash made from selling meaningless baubles to Harley owners), to build a modern day, liquid cooled, fuel injected, overhead cam, motor. I believe, someone correct me if I'm wrong, the rest of the design and development of the V-Rod, to include the chassis etc. was done in by Harley. That is, it was a simple outsourced, pay to play, 'build-me-a-modern-motor-please-oh-great-ones-who-have-been-doing-it-for-years'? That was my take on it when it first happened.
Oh, and as I understand it, it was Eric Buel that originally approached Porsche and got the ball/ design/ development rolling. From what I have read, it was not until well after that relationship was established and motor design was well underway that Harley, realizing that one of their 'insignificant upstarts' was about to blow their doors off with engine performance, that Harley stepped in and claimed ownership... Shortly thereafter, the V-Rod concept was birthed....
Dan
Quote from: aviationfred on October 07, 2014, 10:26:24 AM
I am going to look at a 1985 V-Max this weekend that a Co-worker owns and does not ride.
I may have an addition to the garage Saturday afternoon.
Fred
Fred, here's a 2001 for $5,700 near Philadelphia... FYI
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/4705735604.html (http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/mcy/4705735604.html)
Dan
Noel and Dan,
From the quick perusal of the kid's paper, I thought I read that Porsche collaborated on the motor as a way to get more exposure in the US to a different market of people, or something to that effect.
On another note,
Last night a couple in my church let me ride their Harleys. He has an 03 Road King that's got some engine mods, nothing crazy, and she has an 01 something or other, I forgot. Same motor as his bike but stock.
I really didn't care for either bike. They only wanted to go in a straight line, the handle bars had a scary amount of flex... just wasn't impressed at all.
They felt very different from the 2 Vrods I've ridden. The Vrods actually felt and handled more like my FJ than they did the 'regular' Harleys.
Quote from: ribbert on October 09, 2014, 07:08:56 AM
Quote from: Dan Filetti on October 09, 2014, 01:40:22 AM
Quote from: Bminder on October 08, 2014, 11:19:46 AM
Quote from: ribbert on October 08, 2014, 07:59:50 AM
Thanks Fred, but that just acknowledges the association with Porsche without explaining why or to what extent.
Noel
Looky here, some college kid did a paper on why Harley and Porsche would collaborate!
http://run.unl.pt/bitstream/10362/11613/1/Alves_2013.pdf (http://run.unl.pt/bitstream/10362/11613/1/Alves_2013.pdf)
Billy
We are witnessing the decline of a nation here. Stand and observe:
"As a result, the major conclusion was that the drivers of that alliance indeed agreed with the general theories on the matter. Factors as venturing on new segments of the market or having access to unique resources worked in favor of this partnership, as Harley's new engine and motorcycle proved to be a global success."
How-the-fuck-about 'To develop an engine and motorcycle that appealed to non-neanderthals, Haley realized that they needed technical expertise they did not have in house'?
College pukes, SMDH... my only solace is this kid will eventually get a job, and they'll smack him down for unclear, wordy, nonsense. -That is, unless of course he goes into academia, in which case, they'll probably give him a damn medal...
Dan
That's all good and well Dan, and it's obvious what was in it for Harley, but I still don't get why Porsche would want to be associated with them.
They hardly need an image boost and even if they did HD is not the place to find it, quite the opposite I would have thought.
Can you believe we've been talking about Harley's now for 3 or 4 days. Unless someone comes up with an interesting topic in the next 24 hours I'm going to post a trip report tomorrow night, you have been warned.
Noel
That`s easy Peasey Noel.
Posh had tried everything else to understand the American Way. The French are well known for successfully designing stuff outside the square. (except for thumping triangles!)
But have you seen the way they handle Sheep?
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/7/630_09_10_14_11_13_08.jpeg)
They simply have no idea!
Their brilliant marketing department had all but given up when they found this efficient way to infiltrate the minds of America`s greatest marketing jargonaut.
This project was simply a great opportunity to analyse their failure. When you can`t create what the customer wants, next best step is to change his mind.
(But first, one has to know that mind.) ...In this case I would call that a serious, almost impossible challenge...... but demonstrably, (if you can recognise the thin edge of the wedge) they appear to be making progress!
(Brilliant Basteds, but I hate them. I have refused to buy anything French since the time they tested a nuclear bomb in our beautiful pacific.)
BTW....my mate Jimmy2 rides a Diavel. He`s modified tha suspension and tweaked the motor. He doesn`t like ta stand around cause he is ugly. ....they are perfectly matched! :bye2:
I just can't stop thinking of the "Pinks" episode where a guy on a 83 Suzuki GS 1100 beat the V-Rod. Bwah hah hah.
Quote from: ribbert on October 08, 2014, 07:38:45 AM
Does anyone know exactly what the connection with Porsche and the V-rod engine is, other than both being internal combustion engines.
It is indeed an odd collaboration between between a company producing one if the best engineered automotive products in the world and one making the worst. Why would they sully their reputation and image by associating with a manufacturer of agricultural grade machinery mocked by pretty much everyone except its customers.
There is nothing about Harley or their image that I can see Porsche wanting to be associated with.
Anyone know?
Just curious.
Noel
Noel. I worked for Porsche for several years and grabbed as many legal souvenirs as possible. They put out a prodigious amount of detailed technical info about their cars as well as numerous items from their design and development groups. I always loved their early cars, especially their 4 cam engines for the 356 and 904. I know I'm going to get eaten alive when I say this but my understanding is that they produced the first engine to produce 100 bhp per litre with their 2 litre 4 cam engine for their race cars in the 1960's. They detuned the engine for the street to around 180 hp for the 356 Carrera 2. They were a bitch to work on but ate must of the contemporary racing iron for lunch. The engines were art. If you can find one today they are five or six figure pieces.
Porsche has collaborated with several strange bed partners of the years. Remember the 500 E MB. The engines were hand built by Porsche. Hell of a car. Long time racing competitors. The following is a quote taken from Porsche Engineering Magazine in 2003, the magazine that describes the whole VRod project:
"Porsche is the only car manufacturer
to make its extensive engineering
knowledge available to international
customers from various sectors.
In conjunction with its domestic and foreign subsidiaries, the Porsche
Engineering Group provides expertise
on a global scale in the fields of
automotive engineering and transport
under the Porsche Engineering
banner.In so doing Porsche Engineering
has access to the resources of
more than 3,000 engineers from
construction, prototype, production
planning, procurement, logistics
and production divisions."
One of the crazy things that I remember when Porsche introduced the Vrod, is that one of the engineering requirements for the engine was to produce an engine that could idle or move at a parade pace for one hour straight without overheating.
Getting to the point here, there is a three page write up on the Vrod in the magazine mentioned above. Happy to send it to you via email if you have an interest.
Rick
Quote
Does anyone know exactly what the connection with Porsche and the V-rod engine is, other than both being internal combustion engines.
I owned a 1983 944 Porsche and will never buy anything Porsche or German again.
Owned that car for over a decade, got to know every nut and bolt on it, and learned quite a bit about Porsche and German engineering.
The VRod was possibly the only Harley I wanted - but with the Porsche connection, well -
Makes it easy to say no.
Just say no.
:negative:
Quote from: motohorseman on October 10, 2014, 04:51:32 AM
Quote
Does anyone know exactly what the connection with Porsche and the V-rod engine is, other than both being internal combustion engines.
I owned a 1983 944 Porsche and will never buy anything Porsche or German again.
Owned that car for over a decade, got to know every nut and bolt on it, and learned quite a bit about Porsche and German engineering.
The VRod was possibly the only Harley I wanted - but with the Porsche connection, well -
Makes it easy to say no.
Just say no.
:negative:
That's a shame. If it was such a dog, why did you persevere with it for 10 years?
As a mechanic I like and appreciate Porsche engineering, like working on them and love driving them. The 924, 944 and 914 may not have been their finest moment and many manufacturers are guilty of building shitty cars to expand their market. The 924's weren't flash but a 944 turbo was not a bad car at all.
Although Porsche remains all about the 911, the Boxter and Cayenne are excellent cars, particularly the Boxter, it's way better value than a 911.
Whatever your experience (you didn't actually mention anything specific), I don't think it's fair to bundle up all Porsches and anything German and bag it, and to dismiss a V-Rod on the basis of it's connection is a bit of a stretch. I think you'd be on your own holding that opinion.
Hang on, isn't this a motorbike forum? ah.... OK, FJ's are better than Porches.
Noel
Thanks Rick, that is really interesting. I was expecting more of a one-off decision by a previous employee type scenario rather than a general practice of information sharing. Bit of an anti climax.
Thanks for the info, love the stats and the history.
Noel