Porsche Harley connection?

[tanmanbgoh]

After 5 months of my first Porsche,I'm convinced the love of driving a Porsche is similair to driving a Harley..(only safer) The sound, the control, the power,are very close..PS. I've never driven a Harley...lol...Do you agree?

[CCM911]

Absolutely not. The Harley is a slow, poorly handling machine based on older technology. On the other hand, your Porsche is a fast, well handling machine based on older technology.

I was out riding this past Saturday with four Harleys. I was on my Suzuki GS1100, which is 28years old. My old bike positively SMOKED every one of the Harley's. And one Harley 883 was "hopped up" to a 1200. On the straights, passing was just a flick of the wrist away, and as for corners, I am still trying to figure out why someone would ever ride a Harley. It was kinda embarassing, really.

You Porsche is more akin to a BMW Sport Tourer as for a motorcycle comparison.

[GaryR]

Well, I use Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W50 in my race car so there is a connection for me!

[wayner]

I'd say most harleys are in the 356 era. Uncorking a V-rod is exotic,running it up to the rev limiter and especially banging a series of downshifts hard in the braking zone.

It is still no GSXR, but then a 911 isn't a Nissan Skyline either (it is better)

As for similarities. I'd agree that the 911 and Harleys have character.

[Tippy]

Yes, they are both pinnacles of car and motorcycle experiences.

[Divedeep]

They have a joint venture somewhere in the US.

The purpose of the JV is sound engineering - not a surprise, ey?

Bikers are a pain in the mointains!

[balleta]

All three of them, Porsches, Harleys and Jeeps are icons in their respective categories. They have their strengths and weaknesses. Some of their technologies could be seen as outdated or have been superseded BUT they are the real thing. All others are copies, maybe very good ones but still copies...

[ronster]

Originally Posted by tanmanbgoh

After 5 months of my first Porsche,I'm convinced the love of driving a Porsche is similair to driving a Harley..(only safer) The sound, the control, the power,are very close..PS. I've never driven a Harley...lol...Do you agree?

Porsche designed the V-Rod.

[Quicksilver]

Harley? My brother-in-law owned the worlds largest motorcycle salvage yard until he closed it down a couple years ago. They had no Harley parts. None...

To quote him: "No air compressor motors!!!"

[Vincent Hill]

Originally Posted by CCM911

Absolutely not. The Harley is a slow, poorly handling machine based on older technology. On the other hand, your Porsche is a fast, well handling machine based on older technology.

I was out riding this past Saturday with four Harleys. I was on my Suzuki GS1100, which is 28years old. My old bike positively SMOKED every one of the Harley's. And one Harley 883 was "hopped up" to a 1200. On the straights, passing was just a flick of the wrist away, and as for corners, I am still trying to figure out why someone would ever ride a Harley. It was kinda embarassing, really.

You Porsche is more akin to a BMW Sport Tourer as for a motorcycle comparison.

What He said!! We call then Hardley Ablesons. I will add a few things, they were both Air Cooled and now have Water Cooled Models that make more power. Porsche did design an engine for them and the Basis of the engine is in the V-Rod other than that, A Harley or more like owing a Caddilac. Soft Sprung, wollows in a turn.

The answer why someone would \own and ride a Harley?? Several friends do have them and for good reason. (To keep their licenses) the "Know" it is too dangerous to go fast or even Think about taking a turn fast so for them, that want to ride 2 wheels and not speed a harley makes good sense!

The real closes connection is Eric Buell, he was an Engineer at Harley and built a motorcycle that could handle, Stop and Accelerate. Eventually he realized that the only limitation was the engine so he designed one and had Rotax make it for him and Harley seeing that they actually had a real sport bike in the line up closed his doors he now does not even have the rights to use his own name to make motorcycles!

[djbrand1]

Originally Posted by ronster

Porsche designed the V-Rod.

Porsche was their consultant for the engine design.

[Josh D]

Originally Posted by balleta

All three of them, Porsches, Harleys and Jeeps are icons in their respective categories. They have their strengths and weaknesses. Some of their technologies could be seen as outdated or have been superseded BUT they are the real thing. All others are copies, maybe very good ones but still copies...

Couldn't agree more! All three had revolutionary designs in there respective beginnings that allowed them long production runs with only continuous improvements or changes to meet safety/emissions, or marketing.

I love the fact that both my '80 SC and my '95 YJ can easily be traced back to the designs of the model.

And just the other day I recieved a wave from a 996 Turbo driver while in my SC! I'm used to that in my Jeep, but was pleasantly surprised to get a wave from a fellow P-car owner!

[MikeD930]

Originally Posted by Vincent Hill

trimmed....
The real closes connection is Eric Buell, he was an Engineer at Harley and built a motorcycle that could handle, Stop and Accelerate. Eventually he realized that the only limitation was the engine so he designed one and had Rotax make it for him and Harley seeing that they actually had a real sport bike in the line up closed his doors he now does not even have the rights to use his own name to make motorcycles!

Wow...I did not know that! What a bummer for Eric Buell. Too bad he sold his name. I rode my brother's original Buell years ago (he still owns it) and boy did it handle and stop well for a Harley! If I have to own a Harley then the earlier version of Buell would be it.

[fritzgator]

I've got a 71 FLH and an 83 SC. the similarities i find are aircooled, very mechanical sounds, the FL has solid lifters/flat tappets like the 911. My particular bike is no dog, it ain't rice fast, but neither is my 27 YO 911.the car is mainly stock but for MK exhaust,custom curved dizzy by Barry and a stratton ducktail. The Harley on the other hand is fully modded from full engine(84 C.I. up from a stock 74) to dual PM brakes on front and sngl rear.
More importantly they both bring a huge f'in smile whenever i'm on/in them both.
I think that a BMW boxer bike would be more of apples to apples comparison, which is why i want one, to complete my aircooled trilogy.

[glewis80SC]

I love driving my SC and I love riding my Harley they are both iconic. My bike is a Road King made for cruising not for screaming down the highway or around corners its a different mentality when I ride. If I want to go fast around corners I drive the car, too bad about Buell a buddy has one and its a great bike.

[fluque]

I heard this recently and LOL’d

A Harley Davidson is the most efficient way to turn gasoline into noise without the undesirable by-product of horsepower.

[wayner]

Compared to other vehicles, both of these require a different level of skill to operate without crashing or damaging things.

[jsveb]

I have had both. Porsches and a HD. My HD was an old rigid frame with a 58 pan/shovel engine. I loved it. It was nothing but a big piece of iron. The drive quality was horrible, the brakes nonexistent, but I still think it was an awesome bike. I have also had sports bikes. I really like those too. Prefer v-twins.

I think I understand what you are saying. In my opinion these are the type of vehicles you take for a spin for no particular purpose, except for enjoying the ride.

[crustychief]

I have a 79 SC and a 2003 FLHRI Road King. I love them both. I rode my Harley to Virginia for a Navy "C" school I was ordered to attend. during that three months I toured up and down the East coast, then I rode it back to San Diego. It cost about $200. in fuel to go the whole way across the USA.

[HawgRyder]

With more than 40 years of riding Harleys under my belt...I have been challenged to races on more than one occasion by "rice burners"...LOL.
My answer is always the same....you..me..on these bikes...right here...20 years from today...for $10,000...OK?
Of course they blanch at the thought...for what ricer is still running in 20 years?
And there is the truth...you can go fast for a short time...or cruise for life....your choice...LOL.
Bob