Would you buy a V-4 Harley?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,777
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
And who does two better? Harley must be doing something right since each engine model is able to run approx 15 years before the need to change it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 9,239
Likes: 3,261
From: west Michigan
Which Harleys have you owned, and what is/was wrong with the engines?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,926
Likes: 1,443
From: Krautland
But things do change in life, wanted or not.
I dont know how the young generation is in the US now, but in Europe young people are not that much interested anymore in 2 wheel or 4 wheel vehicles as part of hobby or simply enjoying, only as the thing which brings them from A to B.
Change of interest in other things in life which seem to be more important to them.
The motorcycle and automobil industry plus the aftermarket industry is steady selling less
Car models had a running time between 5 and 7 years, now every 2 years you have at least a facelift and gabs between model lines are closed with sub models, that even sale personal cant follow up.
Coming back to Harley, i try to translate a german saying:
Who comes last, will be punished by life
But hey, Harley is not making the bucks on the bikes anyway, its the merchandise.
Last edited by Norley; Mar 29, 2018 at 05:52 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 5,280
Likes: 3,411
From: Idaho Panhandle
The future is unwritten. They have a new COO.
I can evaluate a new Harley on its own merits. V-Twin, V-4, 4-inline.
I want low end torque. The ability to pass uphill when I deem it is safe and the acceleration to match my desire. Shocks and suspension good enough for two up North American touring. No buffeting without having to add lowers, uppers, curved windscreens, fangs, etc.
I'd like a bike that fits, out the door. No handlebar swap required. Cars have adjustable seats, steering wheels. I don't need our want power options, just the ability to adjust it.
Sometimes, I think the Harley designers just look at what parts are available, and tell the engineers to make them fit. We know in Harley's long history, they use up parts first, sometimes cross models, but they get used up before making them new.
I had my first BT, a '47 Knuckle in 1963 and every engine V-twin Harley made except the panhead. Each has been better than the previous. I changed as well. I have also owned lots of other brands over the years, loved some of them, but they did lack staying power.
I will look seriously at any new Harley touring bike. I'm not against anything, well maybe Honda, but not much else.
No plastic fenders. Easy to use electronics. Fun and powerful to ride.
The world has changed and so must I. I'm getting ready to buy a new ((to mr) touring bike so I can leave my current one in NM. I'd like to see innovation and still honor my roots.
I can evaluate a new Harley on its own merits. V-Twin, V-4, 4-inline.
I want low end torque. The ability to pass uphill when I deem it is safe and the acceleration to match my desire. Shocks and suspension good enough for two up North American touring. No buffeting without having to add lowers, uppers, curved windscreens, fangs, etc.
I'd like a bike that fits, out the door. No handlebar swap required. Cars have adjustable seats, steering wheels. I don't need our want power options, just the ability to adjust it.
Sometimes, I think the Harley designers just look at what parts are available, and tell the engineers to make them fit. We know in Harley's long history, they use up parts first, sometimes cross models, but they get used up before making them new.
I had my first BT, a '47 Knuckle in 1963 and every engine V-twin Harley made except the panhead. Each has been better than the previous. I changed as well. I have also owned lots of other brands over the years, loved some of them, but they did lack staying power.
I will look seriously at any new Harley touring bike. I'm not against anything, well maybe Honda, but not much else.
No plastic fenders. Easy to use electronics. Fun and powerful to ride.
The world has changed and so must I. I'm getting ready to buy a new ((to mr) touring bike so I can leave my current one in NM. I'd like to see innovation and still honor my roots.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 16,125
Likes: 24
From: Linden New Jersey
Younger riders might not realize it, But Harley did infact build a V-4 at the same time they but the Evolution motor. The V-4 was called the Nova project, but the Evolution won out in the board room and the Nova never saw the light of day. Last year while taking a tour of the HD Museum, we also took a guided tour in a building across the street from the museum. Up on one of the floors with all the bikes Harley kept thru the years I spotted 2 Nova motors sitting on the floor in a locked chain link section. So who knows, there just might be a surprise..........
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