The Porsche/Harley Connection

[JohnnieA]

As we all know, Porsche helped to design HD's new V-Rod engine, and has provided engineering services to the company in the past. Both companies have similar histories - the air cooled engines, great history, once viewed as outdated technology adored by diehards, almost lost it all in the 80's, but rebounded. Now have somewhat alienated their most faithful customers to produce a watered down product for the masses. etc... Well I thought this news story was interesting - seems like HD's taking other advice from Porsche

Harley Black Flags Factory Superbike Racing Program

Milwaukee, WI - Harley-Davidson announced the Company has chosen to end its factory VR 1000 Superbike racing program and retire from the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) Superbike series after the final round of the 2001 season at Virginia International Raceway on September 28-30. "Our development team took a hard look at rebuilding the program this year, and what it would take to bring the VR 1000 to a competitive level and replace it with a new design. Harley-Davidson has determined the resources required to do that are simply too costly to pursue given our other business priorities," said Baker. The VR 1000 Superbike racing program helped Harley-Davidson develop and refine technologies such as liquid-cooling and electronic fuel injection. The program also led to the development Harley-Davidson's first production liquid-cooled motorcycle, the VRSCA V-Rod, which was introduced this summer. Despite memorable performances in the 8-year history...

Click here to read the entire story




[This message has been edited by JohnnieA (edited 09-04-2001).]

[motion]

Yeah, they were in the dark ages with their superbike. That thing hasn't changed since they debuted it several years ago. About time to pull the plug. At least Porsche had success.

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-Richard
'84 Carrera Cabriolet
'74 911 Widebody 3.6 Project

[Mike Feinstein]

Intresting comparison. Looks like a case of Monkey see, monkey do!

I owned a number of HD's in the past. Sold my last one (93 FLSTC), about 6 years ago. I sold it to a lawyer who came to pick it up wearing about $3000 worth of brand new HD leather and a fake pony-tail that was sewed into his HD hat!!! Not sure if it was funny or sad to see him remove the hat and pony-tail to put on his shiney new helmet (with a few carefully applied shiney new stickers).

I had gotten plain tired of riding with a**holes like him in organized rides with the HOG chapter. Somehow, cellphones, trophy girlfriends, fake pony-tails, fake tatoos, clip-on earrings, etc., aint what it's about. These guys would plunk down $30K of stock option $ and buy the whole program. . .and never learn how to ride. It was scary, to say the least. I don't miss it.

Have you visited an HD dealership lately? 80% of the square footage is clothes and fake earrings. I think I know where he got that pony-tail too!!!

Uh oh...(SUV, no more Le Mans, Automatic Boxsters) . . .this isn't going to happen with my P-car too, is it?



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Mike
94 C2 cab

[island911]

Yep, Yuppies on Harley's . . . I've been seeing that since, well, the word "Yuppy."

I've seen gangs of kids on mopeds looking tougher than these guys *think* they look.

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'81 Platinum Metalic SC COUPE

[BlueSkyJaunte]

The difference is that up till now (with this Suburban Uh-tack Vehicle) Porsche has always been about performance in all of their vehicles.

Harley stopped sometime in the early half of this century.

I guess you could call the Cayenne the Fatboy of the Porsche line.

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blue
'81 SC Targa

[pwd72s]

"Harley stopped sometime in the early half of this century" Blue, you mean the 20th Century? Sweat it not, I make the same goof...and here we are in the 2nd half of 2001...

[Kmatts]

Being a Ducati guy, I'm not exactly upset by Harley leaving racing. However, It's a little sad seeing them through in the towel. I mean, at least they were trying something new, besides the "typical" Harley.
It's too bad really. I'll probably feel differently the next time another Harley rider gives me the finger on the road.

[poorb0yw]

havent seen any yuppies on crotch-rockets yet.. maybe thats the only real way to go now.

[Doug Zielke]

As someone who has competed and followed motorcycle racing for over 30 years, I was sad (but not surprised) that the VR1000 never made the podium.

I spoke with riders Pascal Picotte and Chris Carr on several occasions about the team effort and the bike itself. Their off-the-cuff remarks hinted at a lot of internal bickering between the team, and H-D management. The end result was a lack of team moral, and a non-existent development program.

H-D will continue in dirt track and drag racing. That's good, but I for one will miss the VR1000 Superbike team.



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'81 SC Coupe (aka: "Blue Bomber")
Canada West Region PCA
The Blue Bomber's Website

[cegerer]

Actually, I wasn't aware of the Porsche - HD connection. Maybe that's why HD riders always seem to check out my car?! In any case, HD haven't given up completely on superbikes. They are producing a special 100HP Michael Schumacher Edition limited to one for each of his F1 victories (currently 52). MSRP: US$70,000. The ultimate yuppie bike!




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1971 911T - 2.5L Big Bore