Why are Harleys cool?

[Markg1]

The Vrod is definitely the "black sheep" of the Harley line up. I guess you can tell that I have a certain taste when it comes to bikes. As far as overheating or failure, Harley is very reliable from what I hear. How about a picture of your ride?

I think the VROD would look alot better without the radiator infront of the engine. So in other words, if they were air cooled. Other than that they're very sexy. Radiator just seems out of place. Thanks for the comment on my bike yours looks awesome too.

Thanks! I love all the chrome on my vrod. The 240 rear tire and the 125 hp. But what I like most is the tight tolerance on the engine and that can only be accomplished with a water cooled engine! If the wasn't water cooled it wouldn't be in my garage! But one thing we can both agree on is that Harley's are cool!

[bikerguy]

I think all bikes are cool if it has 2 wheels and wind in your face its great.

[totalmotorcycle]

I think all bikes are cool if it has 2 wheels and wind in your face its great.

Perfectly said as well. I don't think it matters if you are riding a 50cc scooter or a full blown Harley-Davidson, it's all freedom of the open road baby, ya.

[Markg1]

The weather is getting nice out here NM and bikers were out in full swing today. I was in my truck (wishing I was on my bike) when I noticed a road king and another harley pull up beside me. I looked down to check out the bikes and noticed their engines vibrating like crazy! I mean the engines on those bikes must have been moving a good inch or two in either direction. My vrod runs as smooth as silk which is one of the reasons I like the machine, but all that vibration has to wear on the rider. Is all that vibration cool or just part of the feel of a Harley?

[Wrider]

It's a part of the feel of the Harley. Modern Twin Cams come with a balancer on it that a lot of guys take off to get more of the vibration into the bike.

[Gummiente]

Modern Twin Cams come with a balancer on it that a lot of guys take off to get more of the vibration into the bike.

Wrong and wrong. Only the Softail models have the "B" motor with counterbalancer, because their motors are bolted to the frame. The rest of the models, including the Sportsters now, are rubber mounted with no counterbalancer - which is why they shake so much at idle, but smooth out once the bike is in motion. I have never heard of anyone taking the counterbalancer out of a "B" motor, but if they do it's a stupid thing to do.

[totalmotorcycle]

The weather is getting nice out here NM and bikers were out in full swing today. I was in my truck (wishing I was on my bike) when I noticed a road king and another harley pull up beside me. I looked down to check out the bikes and noticed their engines vibrating like crazy! I mean the engines on those bikes must have been moving a good inch or two in either direction. My vrod runs as smooth as silk which is one of the reasons I like the machine, but all that vibration has to wear on the rider. Is all that vibration cool or just part of the feel of a Harley?

I can confirm with Gummiente that the engines don't shake nearly as much when the Harley is in motion vs at a stop, in fact they are pretty smooth but with enough to know you are still on a H-D. Like you Markg1 I am surprised how much they do shake (a lot) at a stop and some H-D models (like the Dyan Wide Glide) you really feel it in the handlebars (they moved at the bar ends something like 1/2" up and down) while other models, like the Street Glide moved very little.

Part of the experience I guess. But I am very glad H-D rubber mounted the engines. I still wouldn't mind a small counter-balancer in there but the vibs were never too intrusive, even at a stop (well, I guess if I was sitting in rush hour traffic on the Wide Glide it would get tiring...)

Mike

[waterbuffalo750]

It's a part of the feel of the Harley. Modern Twin Cams come with a balancer on it that a lot of guys take off to get more of the vibration into the bike.

I know a lot of Harley guys. I've never seen anyone remove the counter-balancer... Not even sure if it can be done to be honest....

[waterbuffalo750]

Part of the experience I guess. But I am very glad H-D rubber mounted the engines. I still wouldn't mind a small counter-balancer in there but the vibs were never too intrusive, even at a stop (well, I guess if I was sitting in rush hour traffic on the Wide Glide it would get tiring...)

My bike has the Evo motor, which is before they started counter-balancing them. And it's a Softail, which is not rubber mounted. I love it. When I ride new bikes, I'm always glad to get back on mine.

[Wrider]

Modern Twin Cams come with a balancer on it that a lot of guys take off to get more of the vibration into the bike.

Wrong and wrong. Only the Softail models have the "B" motor with counterbalancer, because their motors are bolted to the frame. The rest of the models, including the Sportsters now, are rubber mounted with no counterbalancer - which is why they shake so much at idle, but smooth out once the bike is in motion. I have never heard of anyone taking the counterbalancer out of a "B" motor, but if they do it's a stupid thing to do.

Sorry about that, I thought they were all counterbalanced. But yes I have known guys to take them out just to get more vibration. Nuts if you ask me, especially with how badly it'll tear up the mechanical parts, but hey to each their own.