Harley's bigger engine...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 9,384
Likes: 1,776
From: Central Texas
I'm only asking a question, but it seams like every body knows a metric can out run a harley all day long,
but what about real torque as in pulling power. Just suppose that you weigh 225 lbs and you could strap
down 3, 94 lbs bags of cement on a stock 88 road king and equip a like CC sports bike with the same
507 lbs who would win the race going up a long steep hill?
but what about real torque as in pulling power. Just suppose that you weigh 225 lbs and you could strap
down 3, 94 lbs bags of cement on a stock 88 road king and equip a like CC sports bike with the same
507 lbs who would win the race going up a long steep hill?
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,136
Likes: 51,475
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
I'm only asking a question, but it seams like every body knows a metric can out run a harley all day long,
but what about real torque as in pulling power. Just suppose that you weigh 225 lbs and you could strap
down 3, 94 lbs bags of cement on a stock 88 road king and equip a like CC sports bike with the same
507 lbs who would win the race going up a long steep hill?
but what about real torque as in pulling power. Just suppose that you weigh 225 lbs and you could strap
down 3, 94 lbs bags of cement on a stock 88 road king and equip a like CC sports bike with the same
507 lbs who would win the race going up a long steep hill?
Rocket motors have shot glass sized pistons moving about 2 inches on a crank that might run 12-15 lbs so they can turn on to 10,000rpm or more making HP. No comparison , it's like comparing a John deere tractor to jag V-12.
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Mar 1, 2015 at 06:27 PM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,479
Likes: 638
From: Up North
Not really sure what the point of going 120cid would be. There's enough torque there already. Most people complain about the lack of horsepower and to efficiently get that you would need a wider bore and shorter stroke. A different firing order wouldn't hurt either.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
93" is as big as you want to get with a shovel and still keep it civil and have decent longevity, They run bigger but the life span drops exponentially with every inch you go.
There's a break even point on harley motors 88 to 96 inch is the sweet spot for them and I don't give a damn what the fanboys are saying once you go over 103" on them you start loosing ground mechanically. Lot's of basic geometry and math don't lie just look at the issues the newer 103's and up are having with heat, crankshafts and a few other major components going tit's up regular
There's a break even point on harley motors 88 to 96 inch is the sweet spot for them and I don't give a damn what the fanboys are saying once you go over 103" on them you start loosing ground mechanically. Lot's of basic geometry and math don't lie just look at the issues the newer 103's and up are having with heat, crankshafts and a few other major components going tit's up regular
I agree. Diminishing returns, efficiency and thermodynamics aren't on your side as the V-twin OHV air-cooled pushrod engines increase in volume.
That said, there are 200+ hp stock motorcycles available today. I've ridden a 165+ hp bike and it was fun as all hell. Oh yeah, passing power was amazing. Sometimes being able to pass quickly is important.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 714
Likes: 120
A bored bigger cubed VRod type motor with maybe a different, stronger torque profile or a motor as you mentioned would work.
They could copy my S&S motor profile with 4.375 bore x 4.187 stroke that fits in any stock HD chassis and it would be a game changer.
I guess they won't though as was said most guys don't use or need the big power and the MOCO knows that.
90% of the guys are into stereos, heaters, comfy seats, cool paint, and bling.
For most guys, if they even care about performance, they are happy with a stage one upgrade with a cool pipe.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 68
From: Martinsburg, WV
I'm only asking a question, but it seams like every body knows a metric can out run a harley all day long,
but what about real torque as in pulling power. Just suppose that you weigh 225 lbs and you could strap
down 3, 94 lbs bags of cement on a stock 88 road king and equip a like CC sports bike with the same
507 lbs who would win the race going up a long steep hill?
but what about real torque as in pulling power. Just suppose that you weigh 225 lbs and you could strap
down 3, 94 lbs bags of cement on a stock 88 road king and equip a like CC sports bike with the same
507 lbs who would win the race going up a long steep hill?
Well the 1300cc Ducati panigale has 205hp and over 100ft/lbs of tq., so that's superior to a HD in HP and torque with less of an engine size. It's definitely going to be faster in your scenario.
The 2015 R1 is looking to have over 175hp and 100 ft/lbs of tq with an even smaller 1000cc motor.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
These mind games never end it's always my over the pond bike has more hp and half the weight. SOOOOOOOOOOOO who cares most all the people I know who own a Harley never had any kind of comparison in mind when they bought their machines. They just want to own a Harley Davidson motorcycle. Some of us need the bigger engines not for bragging but for the shear excitement of getting from A to B on one of the all time coolest best sounding motorcycles ever built.
All those that feel they need an over the pond machine good for you ride around me anytime you want then go brag to your buddies how you spanked a Harley with your little engine. We certainly read about it enough in the forums.
Finally I like so many others have never had a bad thing to say about any over the pond machine other than I will never own one. The reason is because of the low hp. high tq. two cylinder American beasts available.
All those that feel they need an over the pond machine good for you ride around me anytime you want then go brag to your buddies how you spanked a Harley with your little engine. We certainly read about it enough in the forums.
Finally I like so many others have never had a bad thing to say about any over the pond machine other than I will never own one. The reason is because of the low hp. high tq. two cylinder American beasts available.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 25
From: St George, UT
I'll admit I traded up to my 07 96 c.i. for the power. The 88/five speed was inadequate pulling some grades two up against a head wind coming down canyon around here. Now that I have the 96", I'm totally okay with the power it produces. I have found that when I need extra oomph shifting down a gear usually gives me all I need. I've hit 90 mph in 4th gear one time getting around two semi's on a two lane road with a motorhome coming at me. Tons of acceleration there.
I've ridden the 103" on factory demo days and while it is a bit peppier, I'm still very happy with the 96". The 88" just plain sucked.
I've ridden the 103" on factory demo days and while it is a bit peppier, I'm still very happy with the 96". The 88" just plain sucked.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 11,630
Likes: 990
From: NC
My question is aside bragging rights and getting ever hotter ball cooker motors as they get bigger why does the new bikes need an ever bigger engine ? Speed limits are set in this country and nobody is pulling a mobile home with one.
Honestly aside throttle blippers at bike nights who actually uses a big motor to half it's potential as it is ?
Honestly aside throttle blippers at bike nights who actually uses a big motor to half it's potential as it is ?
in about 2 seconds. So, who needs more CI than we have now?!!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
The 120ST (street) is out now under full HD warranty and one can order it on a 15 Touring bike. It puts out 106 hp at the rear wheel which is a strong step up from the 103HO.
As soon as the 14 and earlier EPA certification is done it can be purchased for replacing in touring frames.
Want more just throw in a 120R.
As far as the comment about the 110 being the worst motor HD ever made. They only had one minor problem with the rear head gasket on the first production runs and was corrected long ago. I have an 11 RGC Ultra CVO with 32K on the clock and it has been faultless all the way. I got the 12 RGC CVO because HD made it the most potent EPA compliant engine to date with 122 ft. lbs. of torque at the crank when the others even the current wet heads are 115 at the crank. I have 9K miles on it. Several magazines like Cycle World did comparison test between the FB6 Gold Wing with 1832cc water cooled 6 cylinders against the push rod air cooled twin 2012 Road Glide CVO. The Honda beat the CVO Road Glide by 0.2 tenths of a second in the 1/4. 12.2 to 12.4 .
With somewhere around 114 mph for the Honda and 112 mph for the HD.
Both topped out at 126 mph. What bike did the editor take the next day for a ride? The CVO HD of course.
That was a hell of a showing for the HD 110 in it's EPA strangled configuration.
I can have any bike that I want. But I have zero interest in a thing like the Hyabusa or Z14. With that in mind I am having a 13 Street Bob set up for drag racing with the 120R and all parts from intake, tune and exhaust are strictly for go fast on the strip. If it isn't fast enough it will get boosted.
Oh! hasn't any one heard of the new 143 inch monster with 160 hp from S&S? Or Kendal Johnson's 300 hp bagger build? Since the beginning of time man's aspirational needs has always went for bigger, taller, faster. It will never end.
As soon as the 14 and earlier EPA certification is done it can be purchased for replacing in touring frames.
Want more just throw in a 120R.
As far as the comment about the 110 being the worst motor HD ever made. They only had one minor problem with the rear head gasket on the first production runs and was corrected long ago. I have an 11 RGC Ultra CVO with 32K on the clock and it has been faultless all the way. I got the 12 RGC CVO because HD made it the most potent EPA compliant engine to date with 122 ft. lbs. of torque at the crank when the others even the current wet heads are 115 at the crank. I have 9K miles on it. Several magazines like Cycle World did comparison test between the FB6 Gold Wing with 1832cc water cooled 6 cylinders against the push rod air cooled twin 2012 Road Glide CVO. The Honda beat the CVO Road Glide by 0.2 tenths of a second in the 1/4. 12.2 to 12.4 .
With somewhere around 114 mph for the Honda and 112 mph for the HD.
Both topped out at 126 mph. What bike did the editor take the next day for a ride? The CVO HD of course.
That was a hell of a showing for the HD 110 in it's EPA strangled configuration.
I can have any bike that I want. But I have zero interest in a thing like the Hyabusa or Z14. With that in mind I am having a 13 Street Bob set up for drag racing with the 120R and all parts from intake, tune and exhaust are strictly for go fast on the strip. If it isn't fast enough it will get boosted.
Oh! hasn't any one heard of the new 143 inch monster with 160 hp from S&S? Or Kendal Johnson's 300 hp bagger build? Since the beginning of time man's aspirational needs has always went for bigger, taller, faster. It will never end.
Last edited by lh4x4; Mar 3, 2015 at 07:22 PM.