Counter Balanced "B" Engine
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 288
Likes: 2
From: Sweet Home Alabama!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
Bored to death, hence this thread.
Was thinking last nite about how Harley has different approach to minimizing engine vibration between its three main platforms. The Dyna and Touring are all rubber-mounted to the frame designs. They use the "A" engines. For the Softail models, the engine is mounted directly to the frame and the engine is counter-balanced to reduce vibration, giving us the "B" motor.
My question is why doesnt Harley counter-balance ALL the engines? Wouldnt a counter-balanced engine be even more smoother in a rubber-mounted frame?
I am not an engineer, I am just bored.
Was thinking last nite about how Harley has different approach to minimizing engine vibration between its three main platforms. The Dyna and Touring are all rubber-mounted to the frame designs. They use the "A" engines. For the Softail models, the engine is mounted directly to the frame and the engine is counter-balanced to reduce vibration, giving us the "B" motor.
My question is why doesnt Harley counter-balance ALL the engines? Wouldnt a counter-balanced engine be even more smoother in a rubber-mounted frame?
I am not an engineer, I am just bored.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 515
Likes: 3
From: Tipp City Ohio
I ride in a reclined position in the seat and feel like I'm part of the bike.
The Street Glide gives me the same sort of feeling but anything else just I feel like I'm sitting on top of the bike in a disconnected sort of way.
I've ridden the balanced engine and rubber mounted engine bikes but they can have my EVO when they pry it from my cold dead hands
My 08 Heritage isn't completly smooth, about 55-60 mph and under it is, but on the highway there is quite a lot of vibrations going on in the seat and floorboards. I rented a Road King and they are much smoother on the highway, but as some have said it feels like you are sitting on top of it as opposed to "in it".
If I traded up for a touring bike it would probably be a Road King with a different seat and bars. I also think the gearing is better on the newer touring bikes that help lower the rpms and makes it smoother. Sometimes I feel like I need another gear with my softail. But that's just me
If I traded up for a touring bike it would probably be a Road King with a different seat and bars. I also think the gearing is better on the newer touring bikes that help lower the rpms and makes it smoother. Sometimes I feel like I need another gear with my softail. But that's just me
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,202
Likes: 5
From: Hudson Valley, NY
I think it's pretty funny that guys riding bikes with full suspension and the motor mounted on rubber to reduce vibration are talking about shake, tooth gritting, and knocking the counter balanced motor like they're riding a hardtail panhead or something.
You're not, your bike is rubber mounted with full cushy suspension and probably a big fat old seat.
You're not, your bike is rubber mounted with full cushy suspension and probably a big fat old seat.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 3
From: West New york, NJ
Yup. Real men don't need suspension. We just go back to our caves and scratch picture on wall. Anyone who still rides a hardtail is just kidding themselves. Your not proving anything other than ignorance so you can say your cool.
