Thread: Getting power out of a harley

Originally Posted by Ftx325

I haven't had the pleasure of seeing or riding the newer bikes as I am not mechanicing anymore. But if the opportunity arises I certainly would like to... but it's the 1200 trumpy thruxton that gives me the biggest goosebumps and next bike for me if I return to ownership of a bike. I think with the top fairing fitted that they are gorgeous to look at and enough power to be a bit exciting to ride should the mood take you.


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Ooohhh yeeaaahh !!!!

That looks as good as the Honda GB400 of years gone by...love that look. (I know others looked like that before the Honda, but our neighbour had the honda and that is what started my interest in classic bike styling....Up until then I was all about the plastic aero japanese fast 4s .....

Yum! Instantly reminds me of my 1972 Norton Commando 750. Beautiful looking bike and was one sweet handler. But had a lot in common with a jet turbine engine, in that it appeared to be lubed with a total loss oil system!!!

And for those of you who have never been blessed owning a non counter-balanced bike, it had this cute knack of walking across the lounge on its centerstand when at idle (yes, my flatmates and I used to keep our Norton, two triumph bonneyvilles and one Laverda in our flat lounge. Were highly floggable way back then. More so now I imagine.

Originally Posted by Ftx325

they make a 650 version now.. might be worth looking into @outlander...


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Another beautiful machine...

That model really is a fine looking motorbike.

Originally Posted by Ftx325

I haven't had the pleasure of seeing or riding the newer bikes as I am not mechanicing anymore. But if the opportunity arises I certainly would like to... but it's the 1200 trumpy thruxton that gives me the biggest goosebumps and next bike for me if I return to ownership of a bike. I think with the top fairing fitted that they are gorgeous to look at and enough power to be a bit exciting to ride should the mood take you.


Attachment 151160

Ooohhh yeeaaahh !!!!

Complete with fake Amal carbs :O._Injection is the way forward though.

Yep ... they have gone to great lengths to make the injector body look like an old carb to complete the look. good spotting @outlander ... i'm impressed... most don't notice or wouldn't no the difference.
Kudo's to triumph too I reckon for doing what is really probably completely uneccessary and probably also a lot of extra work in design and manufacture to try and keep the bike a bit more traditional looking

Cheers for the info Finnwolf

Thanks Tim, I would be commuting to work on it which is about 30km on 100km/h roads. I'm definitely not keen on getting monstered by cars up ya arse. I do like the price on them and the lighter weight. My Bandit is a 1250 so very heavy but more power than you need. Before I bought it I tried the 650 but had to ring it's tits off to get up to speed and the motor sounded like it was revving pretty high at 100km/h.
I've got a DR200 which I have ridden on the road, but it's a bit small for commuting on. I was thinking of making it road legal but don't think it would fit the bill as a commuter. I can afford to get a Royal Enfield and keep the Bandit but I've already got a few toys I hardly use and the servicing and rego/wof are a pain in the arse to keep up to date.
Ah first world problems aye

Originally Posted by timattalon

If you are highway hauling, the Himalayan is not for you. 90km max is realistic, possibly closer to 80 for extended periods. Redline should see it reach 120 but I have never even tried that with mine. It feels better at slower speeds. More like its comfortable rather than working. In all honesty for the dodgy roads (or tracks(?)) they are built for speed is not really an issue. They handle terrain well and run on the smell of an oily rag. The 15 litre tank will get me over 350km comfortably. The newer one may even be better at both speed and economy with the shift to Fuel injection. Very practical. I use mine as my daily to get to and from work as I have a nearly 40km commute, most of it on 80km roads making it well suited for it. And at $7500 brand new they are not an expensive bike. Mine has the fancy trekker panniers and a givi topbox just to finish the ensemble off...


@rugerman what size bandit do you have? I was thinking about something like that in the stable next to the Virago and the RE. That or the V Strom though I was preferring to stay under 600cc.
@Finnwolf I found mine pretty good from Chch to Blenheim recently. Timewise it was a longer trip as I sat mostly around 80km letting stuff past as soon as I could. You can also get an after market touring seat, along with a myriad of other bits and bobs for them. And most of it is pretty good value. The Panniers were on the dear side but they are Givi Trekker side boxes fitted with RE racks for RE which is why they are dearer, but ironically Givi trekkers are dearer still......

how to add horsepower to a harley

I noticed on my RE 650 GT test ride the revs at 100kph was on the 4,000rpm mark, higher than I was used to after Harleys!

Originally Posted by rugerman

Cheers for the info Finnwolf

Thanks Tim, I would be commuting to work on it which is about 30km on 100km/h roads. I'm definitely not keen on getting monstered by cars up ya arse. I do like the price on them and the lighter weight. My Bandit is a 1250 so very heavy but more power than you need. Before I bought it I tried the 650 but had to ring it's tits off to get up to speed and the motor sounded like it was revving pretty high at 100km/h.
I've got a DR200 which I have ridden on the road, but it's a bit small for commuting on. I was thinking of making it road legal but don't think it would fit the bill as a commuter. I can afford to get a Royal Enfield and keep the Bandit but I've already got a few toys I hardly use and the servicing and rego/wof are a pain in the arse to keep up to date.
Ah first world problems aye

@rugerman Yeah, I hear ya, the Himalayan is not made for long runs on well made roads. It is made for long runs on low quality roads and tracks- that it does better than anything I have ridden before. It could be worth looking at the DR650 currently going out at just $700 more than the Himalayan. None of the classy looks of the RE but would do what you are doing....The Benelli TRX looks the biz and is a 500cc twin but is a different look altogether..

Originally Posted by berg243

thats low on my wifes 320 its just under 7000rpm at a genuine 100km/h 110 on the speedo.

My old GSXR250 had an idle of around 3000rpm, 100 was around 9000 rpm but never fear redline was at 16500rom....It sounded fantastic four a 4 cylinder. You sounded like you were speeding when you were sitting at the lights....



I wish I could find one again....The new ones are singles and for the last 25 years they have been twins...speak about taking the fun away.. BUT to give Suzuki credit where it is due, the GSXR250 was $5995 new in 1990-1991 and the GSX250 in 2020 now is priced at $5000 new. Dropped from 4 moths wages in '91 to a little over 1 months wages now. Pretty fair really.

Originally Posted by timattalon

@rugerman Yeah, I hear ya, the Himalayan is not made for long runs on well made roads. It is made for long runs on low quality roads and tracks- that it does better than anything I have ridden before. It could be worth looking at the DR650 currently going out at just $700 more than the Himalayan. None of the classy looks of the RE but would do what you are doing....The Benelli TRX looks the biz and is a 500cc twin but is a different look altogether..

It would be difficult to fault the old rock steady and moderately priced DR650. Parts are plentiful in many countries and they can run on molasses/paraffin if so required. I'm sure the suspension would be an improvement on the Himalayan too.

Originally Posted by timattalon

My old GSXR250 had an idle of around 3000rpm, 100 was around 9000 rpm but never fear redline was at 16500rom....It sounded fantastic four a 4 cylinder. You sounded like you were speeding when you were sitting at the lights....

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.

That explains the lack of power on Harleys - they don’t rev enough!

Originally Posted by Finnwolf

I noticed on my RE 650 GT test ride the revs at 100kph was on the 4,000rpm mark, higher than I was used to after Harleys!

What dose your average Harley rev to?

Originally Posted by Shearer

What dose your average Harley rev to?

I THINK the rev limiter comes in at 6,500rpm. (Going on memory here)

Also from memory 100kph came in at 2,850rpm.

RE Interceptor has about 46hp? That's ok for an old school 650 twin - similar to the trumpys of 50s-60s eg a Triumph Trophy. Top speed for RE suggested to be about 105-110mph or around 170-175ks - again similar. That's definitely enough to have a very enjoyable road cruise experience. Might go look at one...

I personally do not want a 300kph bike for road use. Track yes, road no. Worked in a hospital many moons ago before university and the accident damage you see is pretty terrible. No thanks. Good to keep it sensible and safe..