Did anyone catch the H-D episode on speed today. A couple on tour got to stop by the H-D test track in Arizona. Said the y test bikes up to 120 mph! Downhill, no doubt. They also have a new Idle something or other that stops firing the rear cylinder when coming to a complete stop. The rear cylinder then acts as an air pump to cool the exhaust while at a stop light. WTF!! Bet that really smooths out the idle.
Quote from: RMartin on May 10, 2009, 03:43:04 PMBet that really smooths out the idle.
Actually it probably does... [laugh]
Years ago I had an old John Deer model B tractor and it wasn't smoother when just one cylinder was firing. lol So instead of chug...chug..............chug...chug it will be chug............chug...........chug...........chug. What will those Harley engineers think of next. After watching that show I'm convinced more than ever that H-D technology is about 40 years behind everyone else, even John Deere.
I don't know, the Harley touring models are pretty good at what they were intended to do. It's just that no one on a Ducati forum is likely to want to do what they're good at. Their feature list is as long as BMW's with ABS, TPS, Cruise Control, stereo, heated whatnots and all that good stuff. Cutting the spark from the rear cylinder counters one of the problems their customers complained about, so good for them to fix it. Not too bad for those who want that sort of thing.
Quote from: RMartin on May 10, 2009, 03:43:04 PM
Did anyone catch the H-D episode on speed today. A couple on tour got to stop by the H-D test track in Arizona. Said the y test bikes up to 120 mph! Downhill, no doubt.
Maybe they drop them out of a plane. You know what they say, "A 120 mph Harley is like a 140 mph 620..."
Sorry, I was fixated on Natalie Jackson the whole time. Chicks that can ride = [drink]
Quote from: superjohn on May 10, 2009, 05:07:20 PM
Cutting the spark from the rear cylinder counters one of the problems their customers complained about, so good for them to fix it. Not too bad for those who want that sort of thing.
What problem out of curiosity?
It's purpose is to cool the engine at idle.
Quote from: yuu on May 10, 2009, 06:33:42 PM
What problem out of curiosity?
Based on what I've read, it's to keep the rear cylinder cool in conditions such as a hot day in a parade or heavy traffic. The engines are running terribly lean to meet emissions, and the rear cylinder gets awfully toasty if there's not enough airflow.
My favorite "Bagger".
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/chiflado/DSC06594.jpg (http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/chiflado/DSC06594.jpg)
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/chiflado/DSC06590.jpg (http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa91/chiflado/DSC06590.jpg)
Those HD must be good bikes, everybody has one.
I rode over to Rio Vista yesterday and I seen at least a thousand of them.
Just like dog poop, there everywhere.
MV is on Discovery HD Theater tonight!
Something I AM interested in watching. (The BMW episode was a let down. Even my wife dogged the look of every bike they showed).
It cracks me up when people rag on H-D's for not being very fast. Look at one...does it appear to be designed to be speedy. If it was a 1098 that only went 120 then laugh away. Making it see odd that they don't test a FatBoy at 150 is silly. It's a 700 lb machine that makes 60 or 70 HP. News Flash...It's not going to be fast.
Harley also has a lot of very up to date technology. They just use it on a push rod engine and generally hide it to keep the bikes looking like they are from the 40's.
Were all motorcyclists...cant we all just get along!! ;D
I don't think anyone rags on Harleys for not being fast, the problem is that most Harley riders THink they're fast. This is based on my own personal experience here in the midwest. Most Harley riders also like NASCAR and wrestling. ;D Sorry, I forget that here are a few H-D riders out there that actually know something about other bikes.
I try..........but in Milwaukee, it's nothing but attitude, rudeness, elitism, exhausts that are way too loud, riding wasted, pissing in public, really, after you've seen as much as I have, you just automatically look at a Harley rider and think.....DIRTBAG IDIOT!
Quote from: blue tiger on May 13, 2009, 10:54:54 PM
It cracks me up when people rag on H-D's for not being very fast. Look at one...does it appear to be designed to be speedy. If it was a 1098 that only went 120 then laugh away. Making it see odd that they don't test a FatBoy at 150 is silly. It's a 700 lb machine that makes 60 or 70 HP. News Flash...It's not going to be fast.
Harley also has a lot of very up to date technology. They just use it on a push rod engine and generally hide it to keep the bikes looking like they are from the 40's.
Were all motorcyclists...cant we all just get along!! ;D