HP Sauce??

**matthewt** · 17th March 2004, 11:39

Originally Posted by White trash

A V-Rod makes 115hp and my wifes boarder shut his R6 down at 240kph because he couldnt get passed the V-rod on Sunday.

So what this is saying is that after 30 years of being pissed over by nearly every jap bike made Harley finally built (with a little help from the Germans) a bike that can keep up with jap bike nearly half it's engine size. Well done Harley !! The vrod is 1136cc from memory so how would it go against a R1/gsxr1000 or maybe a zx12 ?? I'm not a harley-hater as such I just think they are so far behind the times it's not funny. Although you can't fault their marketing team.

What makes me laugh is that they had to get help from Porsche for the motor and frame. Isn't that admitting they can't build a new motor with modern technology by themselves. And why ask the German's ?? Why not one of the big US car companies. I know the'd never ask a jap company for help but didn't the Germans do more damage to US troops than the Japs, aside from having their pants pulled well and truely down at Pearl Habour of course.

**riffer** · 17th March 2004, 11:49

Actually Matthew, Harley Davidson aren't the only company to enlist Porsche's help in motor and suspension design.

Fuji Heavy Industries also went to Porsche for the suspension and motor work for their Subaru GT-B and B4 Blitzen range.

**bungbung** · 17th March 2004, 12:05

Not to mention Isuzu getting help from Lotus for the suspension/handling package for their 'bighorn' (giggling)

Wait, wait (I'll read the post properly). Sorry, this doesn't apply then.

Why Porsche? It sounds much more exotic than "handling by (Ford/GM)"

**speedpro** · 17th March 2004, 12:20

plus there was probably a spare 959 going for the guy that made the decision

**White trash** · 17th March 2004, 12:34

Originally Posted by matthewt

So what this is saying is that after 30 years of being pissed over by nearly every jap bike made Harley finally built (with a little help from the Germans) a bike that can keep up with jap bike nearly half it's engine size. Well done Harley !! The vrod is 1136cc from memory so how would it go against a R1/gsxr1000 or maybe a zx12 ?? I'm not a harley-hater as such I just think they are so far behind the times it's not funny. Although you can't fault their marketing team.

What makes me laugh is that they had to get help from Porsche for the motor and frame. Isn't that admitting they can't build a new motor with modern technology by themselves. And why ask the German's ?? Why not one of the big US car companies. I know the'd never ask a jap company for help but didn't the Germans do more damage to US troops than the Japs, aside from having their pants pulled well and truely down at Pearl Habour of course.

Harley developed the chasis alone. They even developed a new method of bending the frame to suit the VRSCA shape. The engine was originally the VR1000 Superbike engine. Designed and built entirley by Harley's racing dept. It was further develloped to road tune by Porsche because HD realised they had very little experience with that style of engine. Smart move for any company to recognise that!

The engine was redevelloped over and over untill it would last 500 hours at full load full noise on an engine dyno. I have not heard of a SINGLE mechanical failure from a VRSC engine. I have personally abused the shit out of a V-Rod, far more than I ever would the Gixxer (and that doesn't get an easy time) and can honestly say I have never ridden a stronger feeling bike.

Anyone who doubts it, feel free to take one for a hoon. They are that good!

**matthewt** · 17th March 2004, 15:20

Originally Posted by celticno6

Actually Matthew, Harley Davidson aren't the only company to enlist Porsche's help in motor and suspension design.

I can understand why (I've seen the Porsche factory/museum) but it strikes me as weird that since Harley are so pro-USA they would ask for help from overseas.

**Two Smoker** · 17th March 2004, 15:29

Originally Posted by matthewt

I can understand why (I've seen the Porsche factory/museum) but it strikes me as weird that since Harley are so pro-USA they would ask for help from overseas.

Probably they finally realised that the USA is crap.......

**matthewt** · 17th March 2004, 15:31

Originally Posted by White trash

The engine was redevelloped over and over untill it would last 500 hours at full load full noise on an engine dyno.

yer I heard they were originally only going to do 200 hours on the dyno until they realised you'd be riding one

Originally Posted by White trash

I have not heard of a SINGLE mechanical failure from a VRSC engine. I have personally abused the shit out of a V-Rod, far more than I ever would the Gixxer (and that doesn't get an easy time) and can honestly say I have never ridden a stronger feeling bike.

Anyone who doubts it, feel free to take one for a hoon. They are that good!

Maybe I should talk my friend into one. He's a previous superkart champ and likes his speed so imagine my surprise when he told me he was thinking of getting a Harley. I said "You know most will feel like they are standing still after your superkart and don't handle/brake that well either!!" He was like "Yer I know but it's a Harley". Sounds like the vrod might be right up his alley.

How do the rest of Harley owners feel about them ?? ie, poor cousin or proud that it actually performs ??

**White trash** · 17th March 2004, 15:55

Originally Posted by matthewt

yer I heard they were originally only going to do 200 hours on the dyno until they realised you'd be riding one

Maybe I should talk my friend into one. He's a previous superkart champ and likes his speed so imagine my surprise when he told me he was thinking of getting a Harley. I said "You know most will feel like they are standing still after your superkart and don't handle/brake that well either!!" He was like "Yer I know but it's a Harley". Sounds like the vrod might be right up his alley.

How do the rest of Harley owners feel about them ?? ie, poor cousin or proud that it actually performs ??

Bit of a mixed bag. Some love it, some wont touch it. The V-rod has been hugely popular in NZ but then we're horsepower junkies. Can't get rid of them in the States.

People need to realise that HD built this bike to attract a market which would not normally look twice at a Hardly. This has been succesfull.

It's got four to many valves and a horrible new invention called Overhead Camshafts or something which puts alot, not all, but alot of purists off.

If I ever get my act together I will attend a drag meeting on one to show how quick they really are. I'm not afraid of anything over an eighth on it 'till the Triumphs released.

Please, please, PLEASE HD! Build a VRSC Cafe racer! I'll be the first to trade the Suzi!

**White trash** · 17th March 2004, 16:18

Doesn't happen often but I just had an idea.

Matthew, let me know beforehand next time you're going to meet us in Lower Hutt on a Thurs. If it's a nice night, I'll bring the Harley and toss you the keys.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it in a quiet, don't tell your mates sort of way!

**merv** · 17th March 2004, 19:38

Originally Posted by White trash

Bit of a mixed bag. Some love it, some wont touch it. The V-rod has been hugely popular in NZ but then we're horsepower junkies. Can't get rid of them in the States.

People need to realise that HD built this bike to attract a market which would not normally look twice at a Hardly. This has been succesfull.

It's got four to many valves and a horrible new invention called Overhead Camshafts or something which puts alot, not all, but alot of purists off.

Don't forget its water cooled too which I think was the guts of the matter as they were building a bike to meet modern noise and emission specs. From what I thought I knew it is an entirely different engine than that used in the VR1000 which was a Harley creation while I thought the V-Rod is all Porsche. Have you seen the size of that lump of aluminium. No Jap creation looks that large for the same cc size. May mean it will last or it just may mean its a waste of weight.

**matthewt** · 17th March 2004, 22:40

Originally Posted by White trash

Matthew, let me know beforehand next time you're going to meet us in Lower Hutt on a Thurs. If it's a nice night, I'll bring the Harley and toss you the keys.

OK OK if I must

Actually if I really got my act together I should turn up at Wgtn M/C around 6pm and we could swap bikes.

You know if I liked the vrod I would even defend it in public. Although I'd probably want to try a FLSXWHATTHEFUCK as a comparison.