Comments on: A Beautiful Hoax: 2013 Harley-Davidson FXDX (News)

By: Reinhart

Reinhart — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 21:41:42 +0000

Buell failed because it was a cross between a paint shaker and a Sportster. Sure, I was intrigued by the idea of riding a Buell when they first came out…that was until I actually rode one! If Buell was Harley’s answer to building a successful sportbike, then they need to study the market a little closer. They seem to be too concerned with distancing their current customers with a full-on sportbike, who for the most part don’t give a rat’s hiney about sportbikes. Now that Willie G. is gone there is a chance that they might build a clean sheet sportbike without valanced fenders and handlebar tassels.

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By: Fred M.

Fred M. — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 20:38:06 +0000

It’s only a 500cc advantage if they both have the same redline. What matters is how much air you can pump through the engine in a given amount of time. A 250cc engine and a 500cc engine of equal efficiency will make exactly the same horsepower if the 250cc engine has twice as high a redline.

The reason why V-Twins are permitted larger displacements is because their piston speeds are higher due to a longer stroke, making for a lower redline.

Different engine configurations and types make different amounts of horsepower per cc of displacement. You can’t expect a V-twin of 600cc displacement to make anywhere near the horsepower of an I4 with that displacement. And a V8 of 600cc displacement would make a lot more horsepower than the I4, again because the RPM limits could be a lot higher.

Even extending beyond the theoretical, there are issues with cylinder filling, valve sizes, usable camshaft profiles, flame fronts, etc. that all vary with cylinder displacement. Expecting displacement to be an accurate predictor of horsepower on wildly different engine designs is just silly.

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By: Doc

Doc — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 23:25:59 +0000

SJ, you are absolutely right. And not only that, how much hi-tech does a person need to be happy? You’re a pretty sorry individual if your tech meter has to be pegged 100% 24/7. Harley riders used to say, “If I have to explain it to you, you wouldn’t understand”. Some people on here just don’t get it.

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By: metric 3

metric 3 — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 23:14:52 +0000

I like to report ideas and comments I don’t agree with! And make up stories about how fast my bike is….. and if anyone disagrees I’ll report YOU! Right Steve?

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By: falcodoug

falcodoug — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:11:03 +0000

Why?

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By: ride2live

ride2live — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:40:11 +0000

Define perfomance! We all have different perspectives of the word. After 25 years of riding and riding all types and styles of bikes, I come to the conclusion Horsepower does not make performance. One my bikes is a 36 horsepower DRZ supermoto, anyone who doesn’t think it is a performance machine should come on down and try to keep up (no straight aways please )! My friend has a Fatboy that he rails with the best of the sportbike guys, I always thought imagine if that bike had a real suspension and brakes. I think these guys have hit it on the head. I’m not a cruiser guy but if I was I would seriously consider a bike like this, for around $14K.

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By: SJ-Steve

SJ-Steve — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:10:52 +0000

I am fine with people’s opinions paul246. But opinions are formed from emotion, not fact. Once the facts are known, opinions often change…mine do. I find that I can keep some of my emotion-based opinions… but these opinions often have nothing to do with the facts & are therefore meaningless.
I prefer understanding my requirements & then determining what will satisfy my needs rather than getting on the emotion-driven rollercoaster fueled by clashing opinions…. once that occurs, there is no room left for facts.

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By: SJ-Steve

SJ-Steve — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:31:31 +0000

I agree brinskee that it might be nice to have an American motorcycle manufacturer design, build & sell a hi-po Superbike…but I doubt it will be Harley…at least any time soon. There’s always Victory…they could do it but that might go against their business model which seems to be to build a Harley “alternative”.
It’s clear that H-D does not want to get into buidling & selling sportbikes hence the axing of Buell. I didn’t like that & don’t agree but that’s what they did & last time I looked, I really don’t have any business experience at that level to comment otherwise. But I will say this…. there are a number of posters here who repeatedly bash Harley for building what they build & then the same people bash them some more for not building what they don’t build (sportbikes)… but I’m betting that NONE of them bought a Buell when they had the chance to show their support of H-D & Buell but they all complain now.
If an American made superbike is in such high demand, one would think that Motus would have built that instead of what they built, right? If not Motus, someone else. Too bad King Kenny doesn’t re-start KRR & rather than focus strictly on racebikes, they build a line of American-made-designed sportbikes…
…I’m waiting for the KTM 350 Duke to break cover… I think that bike will be a “blast” to ride…. no Buell pun intended!

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By: team222

team222 — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:03:59 +0000

Be careful for what you wish……the Japanese have had no success with large twins to compete with Ducati and they have had 30 years to figure it out

By: team222

team222 — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 07:59:07 +0000

Harley Davidson does not make performance bikes because they have failed at every attempt to do this.

Bottom line is they simply do not have the engineering to build one, management skills oversee production and marketing or dealers/sales people that can actually sell a world class sport bike

Look no further than Buell….Harley buys the company, promises a new motor and years later when this motor is finally available and Buell winning races…….Harley decision…..pull the plug.

Then there was the famous NASCAR designed engine AMA roadracer……another Harley performance bike failure

The wonderful V3……Harley funded development …..150 hp and torque at 150 was the result. Did they pursue this…..ofcourse not!

Not only is engineering a performance bike beyond Harleys capability…..they can not even buy an established and historical performance manufacturer to get to success…….MV Agusta

My view is all of us should be happy Harley can not build a world class performance bike…..if by some miracle they got this far Harley management would certainly take action to take turn success into yet another failure.

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