| Author | Message | ||
     Banawi |
While so far the specs for the engine on the 1125 look good it is surprising to me that they did not choose the V-Rod engine. This would seem to do several things. 1. Keep it in the HD family. 2. Make it easier for service from the existing dealer network; that is they already service this engine. 3. With Buell's usual tweeking I suspect that the horsepower could be on par with the Rotax engine. 4. HD could better utilize some of their expensive tooling on the V-Rod engine which I suspect has been disappointing from a sales perspective. Maybe some of the readers have an idea as to why HD did what they did. | ||
| Bertotti |
I would venture a guess that it was in part a marketing decision. Appealing to a different / wider demographic with a proven motor in this segment. Using the vrod wouldn't have had as much sway on a lot of potential buyers. Just my guess. Another thought would be that adding the vrod as an option in a couple years could prove to be a good choice to prove it runs on par or better with the rotax. Providing of course that it does. (Message edited by Bertotti on August 29, 2007) | ||
| Lorazepam |
My guess is size of the two motors, I am guessing the rotax is smaller, and allows for a smaller platform. I am also guessing that the rotax is more efficient, and more ponies can be squeezed out of it down the road. The traditional look of the Vrod power plant makes for a lot of wasted space, but was needed to try to please current harley owners. | ||
| Chrisb |
The V-ROD motor is too big and heavy. Its 1980's design thats fine for cruiser but not suited for the 1125. I'll take the Rotax anyday. You can have the VR brick. | ||
| Kc69xlch |
the v-rod based pro stock harleys seem to be able to get some nice power from 'em. | ||
| Chief |
the v-rod based pro stock harleys seem to be able to get some nice power from 'em. Well thats great but it's not exactly what the 1125 is designed for. All that weight would be a bear to flip through the corners of a road course. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
The Rotax was spec'd to accomplish definite Buell criteria. Buell would have had to spec a bike to V-Rod engine constraints. That is a huge difference. | ||
| Kc69xlch |
how much does a v-rod engine and tranny combo weigh compared to the rotax version? does anyone know the facts? or is this strictly speculation? | ||
| Kc69xlch |
i think they should have used this guy's engine http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2007/04/17/leonh ardt-410-cubic-inch-v-twin-motorcycle/ | ||
| Chief |
Ugh when will people learn that having the most horse power is not the answer to everything.  | ||
| Rocketsprink |
the v-rod engine WAS supposed to go in a Buell. that's a fact. Erik didn't want it so H-D made up some bullshit show for t.v on the development of the v-rod. the motor is too big for anything other than a cruiser. | ||
| Kc69xlch |
ugh... when will people learn that differing opinions are what make the world go around. lighten up chief! and besides the v-rod motor ain't that damn big. not a huge fan of the v-rod or anything i just like the controversy. | ||
| José_quiñones |
from the Erik Buell interview over at roadracerx.com: People at Harley must have asked, “Why can’t you use the V-Rod motor?” That story was over a long time ago. The V-Rod motor actually started out as a Buell motor. Then we started running a parallel program, ‘cause Harley needed a water-cooled motor. We were managing these parallel programs that started to get further and further apart. Harley eventually said, “We can’t do both motors,” and Buell didn’t have the money to do one for ourselves. But the V-Rod is a much bigger, heavier motor that was built to go in a big bike, which is why the two projects eventually got separated, to the point that they didn’t share any parts. | ||
| Chief |
ugh when will people stop throwing around the "different opinions make the world go round" line when someone has a opinion different than theirs. I don't care if you want to make a 600hp motor powered by elephant farts, do what you want. But I thought the point of the 1125 was to go fast through the corners and that lump in the v-rod is not particularly well suited for that. Not that I have anything against that motor because it does it's job well it's just not the best for the job. Kinda along the same lines as why Formula one cars don't use 500ci 8000hp nitromethane burning dragster motors, it is not the best engine for the job. | ||
| Kc69xlch |
the sportster engine wasn't considered good enough for a sportbike platform, until buell proved everyone wrong. by the way chief... sounds like someone didn't get laid last night... or last week... or last year...  | ||
| Bearly |
No no, that would be me | ||
| Chief |
Why is that, because I don't have the same opinion as yours? Don't "different opinions make the world go round"  | ||
| Kc69xlch |
no because you talk as though your opinion is the only valid one. and all you can say about it is ugh.  | ||
| Chief |
ugh of course my opinion is the only valid one after all it is the only right one.  Besides that this is the Internet and everyones opinion is the right one. | ||
| Kc69xlch |
now you have finally said something i can agree with  | ||
| Windrider |
This topic always seems to pop up. The answer is simple. Just go into an HD dealer with your tape measure and measure up the dimensions of the VRod mill. Then walk on over to the Buell section (sadly, usually somewhere in the back), and with your tape in hand go "fit" the VRod mill into any Buell frame. Good luck. During the Ulyssess launch online chat there was an exchange between Dan, a Buell Ulysses design engineer and an online questioner that answered this question perfectly: "jazzman: Dan, so you are the rocket scientist on the team... Can you figure out how to get a vrsc engine on a Buell? Dan: That's easy. You drain the water out of it, take it apart, and it should fit neatly into the saddle bags and top box of a Ulysses. Careful - that will exceed the weight rating of the box and bags though..... " Bottom line: The VRod mill is too big and heavy to fit into a Buell frame. The new Helicon motor fits like a glove. Good job Buell !! |
