Discontinuing the VROD???
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 714
Likes: 120
Implying that the above picture was a Vrod, when it ain't.
As far as Harley dominating the Prostock class, read the NHRA rule book. I race and have a NHRA competition license and know very well what is actually going on.
It clearly says that all parts on these bikes must be available for purchase from the general public (like the Buell/S&S and Sukuki bikes, which a competitor can purchase).
The Vance & Hines Harley bikes are one off bikes and motors not available for sale. In other words, no one else can build or buy these so called "Harley" bikes and compete-a clear violation of the rules.
How do they get away with this? $$$-they sponsor the class, and heavily influence the rules in their favor.
The golden rule-those with the gold, make the rules.
http://www.dragbike.com/george-bryce...n-in-nhra-psm/
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 14,228
Likes: 63,967
From: Other Side of the Tracks
MY point is, Harley can't let the V-Rod die without cutting their own throat in the NHRA class.
Off topic:
As for the other brands in the Pro classes, there's not a lot of "stock" parts on them either.
Speed = $$$$
How fast will your wallet let you go?
BTDT
Off topic:
As for the other brands in the Pro classes, there's not a lot of "stock" parts on them either.
Speed = $$$$
How fast will your wallet let you go?
BTDT
Last edited by ShovelEd; Oct 28, 2016 at 06:41 PM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 714
Likes: 120
They race a one off bike and simply use the Harley Davidson brand name as a sponsor for the Vance & Hines team bike. Not a single Harley part on that bike.
The Vrod will die off and the Harley sponsored Prostock bike will continue to race. The Harley brand has lots of models, and their sponsorship of the Vance & Hines race bike is simply promoting their brand.
As far as all the bikes not having any "stock" parts on them-agree, but at least the S&S/Buell and Suzuki stuff can be bought by a deep pocketed competitor, where the so called "Harley" Prostock bike stuff is not for sale-a clear violation of the rules.
http://www.starracing.com/vdrag.php
Novice
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
From: Central Ca
The wait is the problem...
OK here is the comment that there are 5 families lighter than the dressers. HA! How many of them are less than 600 pounds? Look my "other bike" a Yamaha FZ1 1000cc naked weighs 430 pounds just over 1/2 the weight of the Road King. The price was 10K out the door. The point is that staying competitive in the market made a good bike for a good price with all the features needed. Harley has had it its own way in their segment so long that they have not been forced to progress. If anything they are proud of being retrograde. The 108 is exactly why they are what they are. It may have new cylinder heads but otherwise it's another HD throwback. (long sigh) I was hoping Buell could bring HD into the 20th century. That way they would only be 20 years behind. I want to buy a modern bike built here. It can be done, look up the Britten, built by one guy in New Zealand. It is even a V-twin. Come on HD do something different, and BETTER.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 12,499
Likes: 7,511
From: Edmond, OK
Originally Posted by cliff-FLHRC
OK here is the comment that there are 5 families lighter than the dressers. HA! How many of them are less than 600 pounds? Look my "other bike" a Yamaha FZ1 1000cc naked weighs 430 pounds just over 1/2 the weight of the Road King. The price was 10K out the door. The point is that staying competitive in the market made a good bike for a good price with all the features needed. Harley has had it its own way in their segment so long that they have not been forced to progress. If anything they are proud of being retrograde. The 108 is exactly why they are what they are. It may have new cylinder heads but otherwise it's another HD throwback. (long sigh) I was hoping Buell could bring HD into the 20th century. That way they would only be 20 years behind. I want to buy a modern bike built here. It can be done, look up the Britten, built by one guy in New Zealand. It is even a V-twin. Come on HD do something different, and BETTER.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 37
Likes: 5
From: Texas
OK here is the comment that there are 5 families lighter than the dressers. HA! How many of them are less than 600 pounds? Look my "other bike" a Yamaha FZ1 1000cc naked weighs 430 pounds just over 1/2 the weight of the Road King. The price was 10K out the door. The point is that staying competitive in the market made a good bike for a good price with all the features needed. Harley has had it its own way in their segment so long that they have not been forced to progress. If anything they are proud of being retrograde. The 108 is exactly why they are what they are. It may have new cylinder heads but otherwise it's another HD throwback. (long sigh) I was hoping Buell could bring HD into the 20th century. That way they would only be 20 years behind. I want to buy a modern bike built here. It can be done, look up the Britten, built by one guy in New Zealand. It is even a V-twin. Come on HD do something different, and BETTER.
Ever ridden in a big American car on a long road trip? I way more prefer them to a quicker, lighter shoe box on wheels.
I guess it depends on what you are doing with your motorcycle. Don't like what H-D puts out?... buy something else. If enough people agree then H-D will adapt. If not, H-D will continue to sell the public what it wants.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,158
Likes: 68
From: Martinsburg, WV
So....... you're saying that H-D should build bikes that are super lightweight and that would be better somehow?
Ever ridden in a big American car on a long road trip? I way more prefer them to a quicker, lighter shoe box on wheels.
I guess it depends on what you are doing with your motorcycle. Don't like what H-D puts out?... buy something else. If enough people agree then H-D will adapt. If not, H-D will continue to sell the public what it wants.
Ever ridden in a big American car on a long road trip? I way more prefer them to a quicker, lighter shoe box on wheels.
I guess it depends on what you are doing with your motorcycle. Don't like what H-D puts out?... buy something else. If enough people agree then H-D will adapt. If not, H-D will continue to sell the public what it wants.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,902
Likes: 29,882
From: PNW
http://www.cycleworld.com/2015/03/16...orcycle-review
If you tossed the Voyager into that mix it would compare well against that too. And that's just in the numbers game, which hardly speaks to the best attributes of the bike. Fit, finish, and feel. Imo, the other bikes do not compare.
Don't get me wrong - I would love to see a lighter faster touring rig from Harley. Just as long as it retained the basic layout of the current bikes.
They are moving in that direction with the M8. Not exactly hitting the reset like some wish for. But it sets the stage for more HP. Hopefully the next chassis will shed some weight. we'll see.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 342
From: Tyler, TX
I love all the information in this thread 
My comment is HD started out on the cutting edge of development. But like all established businesses they have stagnated. They can stay on cruise control because they have a core customer base that will buy anything shinny HD puts out. They need to get back in the game of developing new technologies!
My comment is HD started out on the cutting edge of development. But like all established businesses they have stagnated. They can stay on cruise control because they have a core customer base that will buy anything shinny HD puts out. They need to get back in the game of developing new technologies!