How to save Harley Davidison
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From: tomorrow on 14 Jul 2010 13:26 On Jul 14, 12:58 pm, Mark Olson <ols...(a)tiny.invalid> wrote: > tomor...(a)erols.com wrote: > > On Jul 13, 11:26 pm, High Plains Thumper <h...(a)invalid.invalid> wrote: > > >> Actually, I'd like to see Harley put the water cooled V-Rod engine into > >> a cruiser. I know it would break the mould of oil cooled offerings at > >> the loss of the potato - potato - potato sound. But I feel that it is > >> inevitable that such should happen. Besides, the newer generation has a > >> slightly different view of what type motorcycle turns them on. It will > >> be appeasing that generation that will keep the H-D company in business > >> and profitable. > > > I think we'll see a liquid-cooled dohc 4v/cyl Harley V-twin touring > > bike in the next year or three. > > Based on, or similar to the V-rod engine? I suspect that it will be larger displacement, with the torque curve optimized for low-rpm grunt, and with, ultimately, less horsepower than the VRod, but more torque. I think it will use VRod architecture, but not actually be "based on" the VRod. Mind you, this is pure conjecture, but it's my personal best guess.
From: Mark Olson on 14 Jul 2010 13:40 tomorrow(a)erols.com wrote: > On Jul 14, 12:58 pm, Mark Olson <ols...(a)tiny.invalid> wrote: >> tomor...(a)erols.com wrote: >>> On Jul 13, 11:26 pm, High Plains Thumper <h...(a)invalid.invalid> wrote: >>>> Actually, I'd like to see Harley put the water cooled V-Rod engine into >>>> a cruiser. I know it would break the mould of oil cooled offerings at >>>> the loss of the potato - potato - potato sound. But I feel that it is >>>> inevitable that such should happen. Besides, the newer generation has a >>>> slightly different view of what type motorcycle turns them on. It will >>>> be appeasing that generation that will keep the H-D company in business >>>> and profitable. >>> I think we'll see a liquid-cooled dohc 4v/cyl Harley V-twin touring >>> bike in the next year or three. >> Based on, or similar to the V-rod engine? > > I suspect that it will be larger displacement, with the torque curve > optimized for low-rpm grunt, and with, ultimately, less horsepower > than the VRod, but more torque. > > I think it will use VRod architecture, but not actually be "based on" > the VRod. > > Mind you, this is pure conjecture, but it's my personal best guess. The one thing about the V-rod engine that made a lasting impression on me was the bulk. I know H-D buyers like things big, but I still have hope that someday there will be an American made bike that appeals to me.
From: tomorrow on 14 Jul 2010 13:44 On Jul 14, 1:40 pm, Mark Olson <ols...(a)tiny.invalid> wrote: > tomor...(a)erols.com wrote: > > On Jul 14, 12:58 pm, Mark Olson <ols...(a)tiny.invalid> wrote: > >> tomor...(a)erols.com wrote: > >>> On Jul 13, 11:26 pm, High Plains Thumper <h...(a)invalid.invalid> wrote: > >>>> Actually, I'd like to see Harley put the water cooled V-Rod engine into > >>>> a cruiser. I know it would break the mould of oil cooled offerings at > >>>> the loss of the potato - potato - potato sound. But I feel that it is > >>>> inevitable that such should happen. Besides, the newer generation has a > >>>> slightly different view of what type motorcycle turns them on. It will > >>>> be appeasing that generation that will keep the H-D company in business > >>>> and profitable. > >>> I think we'll see a liquid-cooled dohc 4v/cyl Harley V-twin touring > >>> bike in the next year or three. > >> Based on, or similar to the V-rod engine? > > > I suspect that it will be larger displacement, with the torque curve > > optimized for low-rpm grunt, and with, ultimately, less horsepower > > than the VRod, but more torque. > > > I think it will use VRod architecture, but not actually be "based on" > > the VRod. > > > Mind you, this is pure conjecture, but it's my personal best guess. > > The one thing about the V-rod engine that made a lasting impression > on me was the bulk. I know H-D buyers like things big, but I still > have hope that someday there will be an American made bike that > appeals to me. Yeh; I think the engine is ugly as sin, and as a bonus, I think the VRod family is the ugliset group of motorcycles that Harley has ever produced. But then, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and so obviously some people like them. I guess I'm just glad that I reached the point where the touring Harleys fit my needs better than any other bike on the market, so I could buy an American motorcycle for the same reason I've bought all my other bikes!
From: Mark Olson on 14 Jul 2010 13:50 tomorrow(a)erols.com wrote: > I guess I'm just glad that I reached the point where the touring > Harleys fit my needs better than any other bike on the market, so I > could buy an American motorcycle for the same reason I've bought all > my other bikes! Maybe if I got a lobotomy I could join you! Just kidding. Different strokes, etc. I don't dislike Harleys, they just don't resonate with me, much. Although I did see a brand new FLHX all in black while I was in Torrington WY that I really liked...
From: The Older Gentleman on 14 Jul 2010 14:25
tomorrow(a)erols.com <tomorrowaterolsdotcom(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > And how do you say all that and yet ignore the Chinese government's > intrusion, manipulation, and totalitarian control of their currency's > exchange value, the flow of capital, the lack of adherence to > international worker safety standards, industrial pollution standards, > etc, etc.? > > There is a lot more than one form of trade interference, as you must > be well aware. The manipulation of exchange control is certainly a valid point. For the rest: <shrug> It's always the way when someone makes something cheaper than you do. When they make it *better* as well - then you cam yammer all you like. There's one thing to consider, of course, which is as such countries get wealthier and more sophisticated, so their costs go up. Japan certainly doesn't do it on a bowl of rice a day: not any more. -- BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F Triumph Street Triple Suzuki TS250ER GN250 Damn, back to six bikes! Try Googling before asking a damn silly question. chateau dot murray at idnet dot com |