Before I changed my cams, the only way to get to my bikes then top speed was to drop it down to 5th gear to allow the revs to hit about 5400. If I upshifted to 6th, the bike wasn't as fast. Torque is the pressure, horsepower is the amount of work being done, the higher the horsepower, the faster the acceleration. The V Rod only has around 65 lb ft of torque, but it's the muliplier of torque times rpm and the higher horsepower that causes the higher acceleration. At low revs, the horsepower (and torque) isn't as great on that smaller powerplant to move a heavy touring bike properly. The potential of the twin cam to make horsepower and perform extremely well while still retaining high reliablility has been proven over and over again. It has it's limitations, but with the right combination does very well.

 

why would anyone run a push rod v-twin that hard? I just don't get it!

 

I just put on Rinehart TD's today, went for a ride and passed a car going up a pretty steep grade. That was the first time I've ever experienced the compression "dump" after riding this bike hard for 2 years.

As far as being told how to ride my bike by the nannies in this forum - BLO ME!

 

What do the push rods have to do with how hard to push a motor?

Push rod V8's have been to 11,000 rpms well back into the 80's, the push rods donr care how fast they move!

 

All dyno charts cross HP and torque lines at 5252rpm. I don't have the formula at hand but it's based on the James Watt's calculation.

 

From Donny Petersons Unauthorized Technical Guide-"Torque is the twisting force that keeps the motorcycle moving. Therefore, torque is all about acceleration.
Horsepower is the effort required to keep the bike moving. Therefore, horsepower determines speed."

Ryanl- It appears your chart has been removed.

 

Thanks. Given the choose of exhaust, air cleaner, good tune, cams, and big bore, or exhaust, air cleaner, good tune, cams, and flowed heads, I'll take the flowed heads over the big bore.
That said combine exhaust, air cleaner, good tune, cams, flowed heads, and big bore, now we're talk big power.

 

With the right combination, yes. Lots of guys dumped money into their builds and have a narrow power range, or very low #'s. In most cases its still better than stock, but why limit yourself? Givent the choice between a motor that stops producing power at 3-4000rpm and one that carries it right out the back door which would you choose... And if you had it, would you use it? Why do I rev my bike up near and to redline?

1) because I can
2) it puts a smile on my face

I dont do it everytime I accelerate, but when i do it is definately not in vain.....
An even better question then why would someone rev their bike so far in the rpm range, is why do so many people ride around lugging their motors? I mean 6th gear at 50.... really?

 

You are on the mark as to gear selection. I started riding Harley's back in the shovel head days. If you didn't shift and ride at 2000 to 2500 rpm you vibrated your self to death. With the new primary, trans, and final gearing, 6th gear is like an overdrive. I don't use 6th until 110k+ (70mph), and that's only if I'm on the flats. Most new owners of twin cams are, as you, say lugging their bikes.

 

+1..........I don't get it either.