Author Topic: SOHC'S ARE SMOOTH, BUT WHY DO THE HARLEYS SHAKE SO MUCH? (Read 29928 times)

754 · « **Reply #100 on:** November 03, 2009, 06:39:53 PM »

Well if you had a tiny bit of insecurity about what you believed in, then it might make one more prone to bashing something you..did not like/never tried/ think is inferior/ cant afford/ never spent time around/ never worked on/know your own ride can get its ass kicked by it/ just dont get why anyone would own one...etc..etc..

Joe · « **Reply #101 on:** November 03, 2009, 07:03:38 PM »

I want a Harley....and a few more hondas.....and a triumph.......maybe a bimota too

seaweb11 · « **Reply #102 on:** November 03, 2009, 07:05:40 PM »

Quote from: Jerry Rxman Griffin on November 02, 2009, 10:28:13 PM

OK guys, everyone seems to have forgotten the topic. Get over your hatred and pettiness. My Harley is a better bike than my Honda. And my twin cam counter balanced Harley engine that Porsche helped engineer doesn't shake that much. At least not like the older engines. I have no problem with it and I rather enjoy the feel. Simple but true observations. I invite anyone to take it for a ride should we meet up but it seems very few of our guys meet anywhere except on this site.

A bike doesn't make a rider! An #$%* is an #$%*. Bottom line.

Yes, I own a really nice Harley. It's my second one since 2001. The first one took a head-on collision with a van and I'm still here. Thats a testament to the sturdiness of it. Though I own a nice Harley, this site is the only biker group I frequent. Why? Because of my love of my 750 which I purchased new in 1975. Bottom line! If I want to keep my Honda on the road I MUST know it inside and out and I do. If something were to happen to my Harley, which it never has/had on either bike, it would go to the dealer to get repaired no matter how old it may get. That won't happen with an older Honda! A Harley is a Harley. Honda is Honda but they attempt to fit almost any niche. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention I also own a 1991 Honda Acura Legend which I also bought new, a 2005 Honda Acura RL and a 2006 Honda Pilot. I am a little biased towards Honda.

I've thought about a nice road bike but Honda has had nothing that interested me. The Gold Wing is one of the best bikes on the road without a doubt. I just don't want to ride a monster, not yet anyway. I don't want another Harley as I already have one I won't get rid of. A BMW would be the leading contender, at least until I see the new VFR1200F.

Bottom line boys, don't complain about what you don't have, never had, or can't get. Enjoy what you have but always strive to do better.

Hope to see you on the road no matter what you ride. Keep your eyes and your minds open.

Oh yeah, the subject. The newer Harleys with the twin cam B engine shake very little and the V-Rod (a completely Porsche designed engine) seems to have solved the problem too but even better.

Having ridden with Gerry for days on end this past summer I can say a few truth's about his HD

#1 He always looks more fresh when he gets off after 3 hours than I do.
#2 Except for the real twistys he can out run me all day.
#3 When it gets windy he does #$%* off without me
#4 I never rode his bike "although he did offer". On the Hwy I didn't want to know how easy it could be.
#5 My bike sputters quite a bit at 8000 ft. His didn't.
#6 Late at night in the rain, he was dry and warm compared to me.
#7 It never broke down.
#8 He did have a hard time finding it in parking lots from time to time.

#9 Finding a new light along the way wasn't that hard. "semi truck tire explosion"

#10 When ever we came out to our bikes.................there was always a crowd standing around mine

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #103 on:** November 03, 2009, 08:28:44 PM »

Quote from: 333 on November 03, 2009, 03:40:45 PM

Jerry, One more correction from me. Porsche never helped design anything that has Harley's name on it. Total urban legend. I might think the exact response would be something like "We don't need any help from no Nazi's. We can beat the Nipps on our own".

I usually do not talk out of my ass. Simple search provided this info.

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/26/automobiles/a-harley-takes-an-engine-from-porsche.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

http://www.bing.com/search?q=harley+88b+engine+porsche&src=IE-SearchBox&FORM=IE8SRC

And I agree with all points made by Seaweb. I had/have just another Harley but a nice one.

seaweb11 · « **Reply #104 on:** November 03, 2009, 08:34:52 PM »

What that's it!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's all you can come up with after I back you up in a Bar Brawl?

Well then #$%* you and that noisy piece of #$%* bike of yours

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #105 on:** November 03, 2009, 08:37:11 PM »

Hey, bite me

Where we riding next year? Besides, my scoot isn't noisy if you're in front of me

Magpie · « **Reply #106 on:** November 03, 2009, 08:38:03 PM »

Now Derek - don't hold back. Tell us what you really think! I like the part about the crowds around YOUR bike best.
Chhers,
Cliff.

dilbone · « **Reply #107 on:** November 04, 2009, 12:41:32 PM »

I've only been a metric guy since my first bike...2 hondas and 2 suzukis...

I couldn't stand the "harley mistique" it just seemed like marketing mumbo jumbo...and the attitude of many of the riders themselves was something I didn't want to be a part of...

then my buddy sells me his late father's 2001 xlh1200 sportster...

Wow, it's a great bike. Of course now even among Harley enthusiasts I have hear about it being a "chick" bike but It'll put you back in the seat pretty fast. It has low end torque like I've never experienced on a bike.

Now don't get me wrong I'm not all crazy for Harley now...I don't own a single piece of Harley clothing and will not become what I dislike about the rude followers of the hype...but I like what I've experienced so far being a harley owner and look forward to having this bike for a long time.

That hasn't stopped me from getting back on the 1975 CB550 and lighting it up at 8 or 9k on the tac...

Each bike has things it does very well...and I'm enjoying both worlds.

Deltarider · « **Reply #108 on:** November 04, 2009, 12:53:42 PM »

Somehow I have this idea that those who choose a Harley secretly fear riding.

JRK5892 · « **Reply #109 on:** November 04, 2009, 01:00:37 PM »

ha ha ha on the harley sites, metrics are bashed,
on the metric sites, harleys are bashed...

i own a few of each! where does that leave me?! confused i guess... either way, if it has wheels and a motor, i will tear it down, build it to how i want it, and ride the piss out of it... i dont care what it is

andy750 · « **Reply #110 on:** November 04, 2009, 01:40:04 PM »

Quote from: Deltarider on November 04, 2009, 12:53:42 PM

Somehow I have this idea that those who choose a Harley secretly fear riding.

Sorry but this has to be the stupidest thing I have heard in this whole thread. I hope its tongue in cheek and even then its poor....

The most travelled Motorcycle in the world is...a Harley......there are plenty of guys doing long distance on a Harley...Jerry is one of them. Dont say stupid things to get a flame war going...you of all people should know better. $:-\$

Inigo Montoya · « **Reply #111 on:** November 04, 2009, 01:55:41 PM »

When I was a kid I probably put more miles on in a year than any harley can last through in a lifetime!!

kos · « **Reply #112 on:** November 04, 2009, 02:06:32 PM »

Most travelled m/c in the world is a davidson...?

The most used, travelled, ridden vehicle in the history of MAN is the step thru Honda. Get out out a history book and do some reading! The VW Beatle was the most mass produced, engine powered vehicle until their demise and now the most used motor powered vehicle ever is the original style.....Step Thru Honda. Used by their owners every day, just to survive.

It's used by people in the Pacific Rim portion of our planet...

KOS

Raul CB750K1 · « **Reply #113 on:** November 04, 2009, 02:32:47 PM »

Popcorn anyone?

andy750 · « **Reply #114 on:** November 04, 2009, 02:44:49 PM »

Quote from: kos on November 04, 2009, 02:06:32 PM

Most travelled m/c in the world is a davidson...?

You got the wrong idea...I wasnt talking genre but more about specific examples....I was thinking of this couple....

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/forwood/

And I quote...

"In October 2008 This Harley-Davidson motorcycle , carrying our luggage , became the first and only vehicle to have been ridden in every internationally recognised country of the world (see definiton below). Since then we have continued travelling, visiting places we previously missed or returning to places we enjoyed. Our motorcycle was purchased new in 1994 and has now been ridden over 550,000 km. "

Hard not to be impressed isnt it?

nobody · « **Reply #115 on:** November 04, 2009, 02:59:43 PM »

I would love to have enough money to go on an adventure like that... So jealous.

Simpson · « **Reply #116 on:** November 04, 2009, 03:40:08 PM »

I'm still waiting for someone to dispute my thoery that Harley Davidson key to success hinges on the fact that it accomodates the fashionably concerned extra large crowd. I challenged my girl friend while riding 2up Saturday to find one skinny guy. Don't recall her finding even one and there are tons of Harley's in my town. Next time you guys go riding pay watch for them. Pound for pound there is definitely a overwheleming majority HD riders in the US. Notice I'm not bashing the bike, just remarking on observations of the riders.

Also note, I added a smiley face which means it's in good nature.

Bunch of fat belts

Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er · « **Reply #117 on:** November 04, 2009, 03:50:04 PM »

Last time I stepped on the scale (yesterday) it said 156 lb. The extra torque does come in handy for hauling those "large" loads we often see.

But it comes in more handy for hauling my light ass QUICKLY.

BobbyR · « **Reply #118 on:** November 04, 2009, 04:37:19 PM »

As they say in Texas Hold Em let.s go all in. WHat is the best kind of Oil to use in a Harley. Does the big twin have a different requirement than the inline four?

1974CB750rider · « **Reply #119 on:** November 04, 2009, 04:39:10 PM »

I don't know a lot about Harleys but I do know most if not all are twins(correct me if I'm wrong). I just sold an old 1970 model CB450 Twin and it ran great but dambed if it didn't sound alot like a HD with the pipes it had on it.

Simpson · « **Reply #120 on:** November 04, 2009, 05:22:43 PM »

Quote from: BobbyR on November 04, 2009, 04:37:19 PM

As they say in Texas Hold Em let.s go all in. WHat is the best kind of Oil to use in a Harley. Does the big twin have a different requirement than the inline four?

vegetable oil?

1974CB750rider · « **Reply #121 on:** November 04, 2009, 05:46:05 PM »

Crisco oil and dyna beads for harleys

333 · « **Reply #122 on:** November 04, 2009, 07:07:33 PM »

Jerry, I don't want to argue this Porsche point too much, but none of those links were HD. And while I don't have any links to back up what I have said on this, I do believe HD over your links.

It was during the first year of production of the V Rod, so I don't remember whether it was Speed or Discovery, but it was an in depth story on the design phase and testing of the model, with whoever getting full access inside HD. Good show, actually. I watched it a couple times. It showed how they designed out a couple problems regarding cooling without having it look like a metric cruiser. They showed testing the bikes on 100 degree days with the bikes sitting still in stalls(to restrict air flow) to really try to punish the engine. They had extensive footage of road testing disguised bikes. The hour was full of interviews with Harley designers and testers. None of them talked with a German accent. Not a single mention of Porsche.

Now to be fair, maybe Harley wasn't ready to admit the Porsche connection at that time. Who knows what is fact or fiction? Well, Harley does. What do they have to say about it?

dilbone · « **Reply #123 on:** November 04, 2009, 07:33:15 PM »

Here's a story for you...this lady puts over 126,000 miles on an '05 883 and the engine give out on her...HD finds out about her story and pays for a rebuild since she is such a loyal supporter of the brand...pretty cool...

read about her whole trip out west(with plenty of awesome pics) or just the part I mentioned using the links below:
motor rebuild:
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showpost.php?p=2255427&postcount=40
whole trip:
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/showthread.php?t=640823

Skonnie Boy · « **Reply #124 on:** November 04, 2009, 07:57:56 PM »

Quote from: Magpie on November 02, 2009, 02:54:59 PM

From my experience, most of the CRUSTY HD riders either had a Honda SOHC4, knew someone that did or wanted one badly. I hear these comments all the time at the bike/car shows. It's the young, new HD riders that can be a pain in the ass. Gives new meaning to the term bad-ass.
Cliff.

This is so true. I've been riding cross country for more than a month, and I've yet to hear anything nasty from anyone wearing a shirt with eagles or a HD crest. The conversation always starts with, "I used to have one of those back in...." And it always ends with "take care, stay safe". What you ride is as much an emotional thing as a practical thing. And a lot of people remember their first bike being an sohc of whatever size. And hey, I get waves from most of the HD riders I pass.

'Course, it might be hard to tell what I'm riding before its too late, but still.

Off topic, but just wanted to pointlessly chime in.

News:

Author Topic: SOHC'S ARE SMOOTH, BUT WHY DO THE HARLEYS SHAKE SO MUCH? (Read 29928 times)

JRK5892