Porsche + Harley

targa6911s · targa6911s's Garage

Did any of you knows something about this ?

http://www.terra.com.mx/Automovil/articulo/073408/

Ed

Joeaksa · 05-30-2002, 12:34 PM

Porsche does design work for many companies, Harley among them. They do so much design work that they opened a office here in America, believe its in the LA area...

Joe

rickeolis · 05-30-2002, 12:55 PM

Yeah, Harley is keeping low keyed about the fact that they didn't engineer the engine on the new V-Rod. Thier newest catalogue shows a lot about the bike, but not one mention about Porsche.

Several bike magazines on the other hand have lots of interviews from P-guys in the LA area who helped design it...

Doug Zielke · 05-30-2002, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rickeolis
Yeah, Harley is keeping low keyed about the fact that they didn't engineer the engine on the new V-Rod.

Not correct.

The bulk of V-Rod engine design (and the rest of the bike) came from in-house engineers employed by H-D.
Porsche's main involvement was to develop the 4-valve cylinder heads, something unique in the history of H-D motors.

In a V-Rod documentary video (produced by H-D for their dealers), the Porsche connection is clearly and specifically mentioned.

echocanyons · echocanyons's Garage

I remember an issue in a science type mag(I forget the name) awhile back that mentioned that Porsche was engineering the brakes as well as the cyl heads in the new HD.

At least they went to the best

Kelly

LR993TT · 05-30-2002, 01:46 PM

The whole V-Rod story was on the Discovery channel earlier this year with little mention of Porsche.

Les

BlueSkyJaunte · 05-30-2002, 02:14 PM

I was under the impression (read it somewhere, not sure where) that the TC88 mill was Porsche-engineered as well.

Who better to design an aircooled engine that meets today's emissions restrictions?

Doug Zielke · 05-30-2002, 02:27 PM

True (blue).
Porsche has been an engineering consultant to H-D for about 10 years. I don't know how much P-content is in the "Twinkie", but it is a very sweet motor.

BlueSkyJaunte · 05-30-2002, 04:32 PM

Doug,

If you think the TC88 is nice, you should take a ride on a Victory. The 2000+ motor is really nice, and the 2002 motor kicks butt!

They aren't very pretty, though. The kindest description I can come up with is "industrial-looking".

Doug Zielke · 05-30-2002, 05:41 PM

Industrial-looking?
Yeah, that's what I too thought of the Vic's lump.
Sort of reminds me of the old DeVilbiss air compressor I used to have in the shop.

jpachard · 05-30-2002, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doug Zielke

Not correct.

The bulk of V-Rod engine design (and the rest of the bike) came from in-house engineers employed by H-D.

Isn't that an oxymoron

H-D engineers!! Up until recently they refused to put a baffle around the oil pickup so the engine would suck air when you went around a corner too hard....I had a friend have this happen to him and he blew his motor on a 3 month old bike. He had to take H-D to court in order to get them to aknowledge their own warrantee!!! Not Good. It's really too bad there are no other American motorcycle companies to give Harley some competition. After all, they fired Eric Buell a while ago for his "forward thinking" ideas only to buy him out once he became a threat....

Sorry for the rant

James

Sean Hamilton · Sean Hamilton's Garage

Industrial architecture, the appearance of petro-chemical plant or something that should be perched vertical on a NASA launch pad.
Still, I like it - nads-out, different.

Speedster94 · 05-31-2002, 12:47 PM

It is very common that Porsche works for other Companies not
only in Design . The 500 E Mercedes(1992) is build by Porsche as is the Audi Avant Revo (1990), the Drive unit for the Yamaha XS 750 (1978) , the evolution Motor HD (1986) .........
Harald

boyo · 05-31-2002, 01:38 PM

Likewise, the US Boxster is built by Valmet in Finland...

-Boyo

BlueSkyJaunte · 05-31-2002, 02:15 PM

HD:

Evo, designed by Porsche
TC88, designed by Porsche
VMAX OOPS! I mean V-ROD, designed by Porsche

It's the all-American motorcycle!!!!

Frankly, though, I'll get a new XB9R if they turn out to be good for more than 1000 miles before they fall apart. Mr. Buell is where it's at.

Doug Zielke · 05-31-2002, 02:23 PM

Blue,
The XB9R (aka, Firebolt) is likely to be the last kick-at-the-can for the Buell Motor Co.
If it flops (as in the ridiculous "Blast"), the Directors of the Mothership are going to cut Eric loose.
I'm anxiously awaiting my demo of the new Firebolt.

rickeolis · 05-31-2002, 03:10 PM

Last year, I decided to buy a toy. It was either going to be a new bike or a used 911.
I picked up the newest H-D catalogue and talked to the guys at the shop. Neither the catalogue, nor the salesmen used the word Porsche when I was asking about the V-Rod.
After having test driven a couple Sportster 1200S's, and an 883S, I decided to go for the Porsche. My old 1978 Honda 750 was MUCH faster and easier to ride.
The price of a V-Rod could get me a used 930!