The VFR1200 was such a let down. I originally thought it would be a nice stepping stone up from my VFR800 Interceptor and instead it was just... the gas mileage got worse AND they shrank the tank? Somehow they made it sound lame? The price is what?? Etc.
HD seems to be finally thumbing their nose at the guys who only accept bikes like the various Glides and whatever. The Pan American actually seems kind of not bad.
In reply to pres589 (djronnebaum) :
The new engine is pretty cool.
I think emissions laws are forcing them to innovate. Moto Guzzi is experiencing the same thing. Their new V100 Mandello is pretty impressive.
Yamaha had a 1300cc V4 in their Royal Star Venture series in mid 90s until 2000s. Shaft drive, water cooled, higher RPM range than the H-D motors of the time and very reliable from what I recall.
In reply to wawazat :
In general it seems like the cruiser bikes are detuned. Flatter torque curve, lower peak, but missing that legendary sportbike top end.
In reply to ShawnG :
That V100 Mandello looks nice! And agreed on emissions. Air cooled bikes are going to be more and more rare save for maybe the really small stuff like what happened with cars over the years.
I'm sure it would be more difficult than it sounds, but on the parts front it actually might not be that bad. Off the top of my head, it seems like you might be able to get away with just a custom intermediate shaft that fits in as the 'nose' for one crankshaft and the tail for the other, and a custom intermediate housing to connect the two crank cases. However, the narrow angle V-twins have considerable imbalance, mostly primary but also some secondary. Having the crank throws aligned would double it. Giving the crank throws a 180 degree separation would still result in a significant primary rocking couple with still doubled secondary.
Since a 90 degree V-twin can be fully primary balanced with relatively small secondary imbalance, my thoughts for a V4 generally go to a 90 degree bank angle.
Other ways to build a DIY V4 could include 'bending' an H4 or cutting a V8 in half.
https://www.museumofamericanspeed.com/v4wilson.html
Personally, I'm partial to the idea of an LS based DIY V-twin or V4.
In reply to Kreb (Forum Supporter) :
I don't know about detuned as much as designed for low RPM torque required to get those 700-1000 pound monsters in motion.
Suzuki Cavalcade or Yamaha Voyager would be cheap, but parts might be a problem.
pres589 (djronnebaum) said:The VFR1200 was such a let down. I originally thought it would be a nice stepping stone up from my VFR800 Interceptor and instead it was just... the gas mileage got worse AND they shrank the tank? Somehow they made it sound lame? The price is what?? Etc.
Supposedly, most of these issues are solved by flashing a euro tune on the bike. A solid power bump, linear torque application in the lower gears, reduced exhaust valve usage, and basically turns it nasty. I still have an engine at the house for when/if I ever get a car light enough again. My main gripe was that all the rest of them I ever laid eyes on were DCT models.
So......what would the hive say was "light enough" for a car to use a bike engine? Example....I saw a Renault LeCar for sale the other day. That's a 1500 or 1600 pound car to start with and makes less power than any of the bike engines mentioned here. It would be hilarious to pull up beside some of the local Harley owners at a light with a little French car making that typical "potato...potato" Harley sound.
Edit: There is a guy in the greater Detroit area with a Harley powered Crosley station wagon. He told me it scoots along rather well.
In reply to DeadSkunk (Warren) :
Kinda depends on the power level. Look at Robbie and F-Dat, he's doing pretty good with 100HP in a car that's ~775lbs or so without driver. 0.12HP/lb. For comparison, the new Corvette is about 0.14HP/lb and the new Supra is about 0.099HP/lb.
You might be looking for a liter bike, unless you're really lowering the weight.
Most shaft drive bike engines spin the shaft the wrong way for cars.
pres589 (djronnebaum) said:I never hear about people playing with the Honda ST1100 and ST1300 engines. Besides not having reverse they seem like they should be good fun to play with. And they're already shaft drive.
Yamaha VMax should also work pretty well in a car, they're pretty torquey by the numbers. They always seemed kind of bonkers.
The ST engine is what I really wanted for my opel build. Shaft drive right in the center so the engine can be centered in the bay and it spins the correct direction. I couldn't find any donors in challenge budget though.
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