For me, a bike that has a good power and torque curve between 2000-6000 rpm without any dips is a well mannered street bike for me. I do not like any midrange sag because of a poor exhaust choice.

 

You’re absolutely right. I guess most are probably stock or stage one bikes. I don’t mean to sound like it’s always about racing. I really enjoy riding. And like sight seeing. I get annoyed with the power band thing. Harleys are not hurt a bit cruising at 3500 rpm. We just think they are… but that’s the safest you can run a motor. It’s when it’s oiling is at peak performance, greater harmony in the engine. Less stress on rods and crank. I for many many years fought and argued that it wasn’t about peak numbers.. that what’s important Is the highest average torque 3000-5500.

And one day the industry radicle flipped upside down and went too far the other direction.. instead of peak numbers and 6k plus rpm everybody went to 1500 rpm and only cared about power way way down low.

In the Shovel/Evo world the sweet spot was cams that lifted a little past what your heads could flow all at something between 260 and 270 duration… those were the 100/100rwhp streetable motors that did it all. Fewer compromises..

 

If you read back through the last couple pages what becomes apparent isn’t so much component or mechanical choices as much as long term lifestyles, age brackets and big one riding styles. Rains you come from completely different background and viewpoint on things than the usual is this type discussion. Yes we all are long time riders but the three things I mentioned shaped our choices on products and expectations on the end game.

Old long time Harley guys are never going to see the what and why the rocket rider crew does and wants and visa versa, that’s very much the old apples and oranges debate. I still argue that today with recent to Harley guys coming in off imports with the M8’s throwing serious coin at ever bigger engine builds they can’t ride anywhere near its potential stock and blowing them up in 12,000 miles and starting all over again.

We the riders have evolved and have expectations well past where the current Vtwin design was ever meant to provide. Upside is shovel and evo platforms have proven adaptable and versatile enough to go well beyond the original design parameters but there’s practical limits and longevity issues as those limits get pushed. It’s the price you pay to play.

Lot of the debates and comments in this thread reflect all the above, you like the outer edge and your riding habits and mechanical choices reflect that. Bulk of long time Harley people rarely if ever even see that edge much less play there regular and our habits and choices reflect that. In here you got few serious gear heads who like to play, don’t mean we aren’t practical about it. 😁

 

Always the reasonable gentleman.

 

Redshift & leinweber cams are bit noisy for my tastes, noise=things getting hammered in my book. And that’s my build it practical and reliable side coming out again. Can’t help it, habit formed back when things were a bit more primitive on the parts and support side of this lifestyle was few and far between when **** went sideways.

 

Little do you know Age has more to do with that than manners.

 

As a 6'6" 275lb youngster of 67, I can say that I do know how to downshift. I do occasionally ride two up. I do have a couple of motors for my Evo dresser that are 96" and 113" and I am able to haul ***** and make a lot of miles on it.

I'm not looking to race a 700lb dresser or my RK for that matter. Building a nice motor that puts out close to 90 ponies or better should be all you would need for just about any scenario outside of the drag strip. My semi stock 80" in the 98 RK will run 75-80 on the freeway and that works pretty good for me.

Griz

 

I do have to agree that today's M8's big motors 150-160 even 180 lb of torque????? I mean come on when's it going to end..?? And can you really use that on the street....

 

Reading your comments at 6’ 5” 245lbs of 54 owning a 98 RK with a 113”, I understand your meaning, while lacking the good sense and maturity at the throttle of even the RK two up. I leave the 22nd of October for a 1200 mile trip with three additional couples and another rider… but with this group there will be trickery on all parts afoot. Even on the big bike I’ll hear sneaky attempts of my contemporaries to gently drop back a gear from those around me so that they can unexpectantly try to blast past me. None of em can be aloud to ever defeat the old man. These 30 something light as twig couples on their triumphs can never be given that satisfaction. My previously semi stock 80” 98 RK was not enough for this crowd even when I wasn’t two up. It’s the way of it for this merry band everywhere everytime.

No. Crotch Rockets going… so the Softail can rest at home.

 

Yes,,, we’d be fools not to.