You could look it up...basically a modular liquid cooled motor.

each module had 2 cylinders, and modules could be 'stacked' to give a 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder version.

the only part of the Nova that made it into production was the fairing used on the FXRP/T


there are all kinds of engineering experiments- the WWII era XA which essentially copied the BMW basic design, 2 opposed cylinders, shaft drive.

the first versions of EFI provided less power, mpg and more emissions than the carbed version...and cost the owner more at time of purchase and heartache when the thing went wrong.

I waited until the 09 for them to sort it out. the current efi is pretty good


Evo vs TC.

The Evo is a good motor, the first TC was hamstrung by poor head design (but screaming eagle would sell you heads for $600).

The advantages of the twin cam are

Better materials and machining.

The cases are stronger and the motor covers are just covers, not supporting cams.

2 cams make for better geometry ( however the timing/drive systems have been questionable)

a more rigid drivetrain gives better handling.


I still have my 1988 FXRP and love it. I had a 1995 FLHTC and sold it after buying the 09. The 09 has better handling, better brakes ( abs) better electrics, and good useable power...equal mpg to the '95.



mike

 

HOG was an enormous home run for HD.

I know that the "real bikers" hate the "Harley boutique culture" that surrounds the brand these days ("Motorclothes"? Seriously?), but the fact is that culture is one of the key reasons why the MOCO is as strong as it is, has the brand recognition and brand loyalty that it has, and why Sturgis is expected to draw one million visitors next year.

How many of that one million will be HOG members? How many will be riding Suzukis?

How many of the 500,000 bikes at Rolling Thunder 2013 were HOG members? How many were riding BMW's?

How many of the 350,000 Run For The Wall are HOG members? How many riders were on Honda's?

How many other motorcycle brands would kill to have the culture, membership, loyalty, and participation that HOG has? Every single one.

One of the key drivers behind that culture is the Harley Owners Group. If not for HOG, Harley's market share would not be what it is today. Guaranteed.

 

1) Hydra
2)Electra
3)EVO

I'm not crediting HOG for keeping the company in business but it WAS an excellent marketing gimmick that people are still buying into today.

 

Agreed with your best, but I love my Buell! The worst things as far as they were concerned was:

1. the MoCo stole the inhouse designed Buell motor for the V-Rod,
2. the silly chumps imported a new replacement engine, when most of the rest of the bike was also imported, and then the exchange rate went all wrong!

 

But, excellent marketing DOES help keep a company in business. It's enormously important.

No, you can't sell crap and stay in business very long, but "word of mouth" isn't enough for global companies that face huge competitive pressures from other companies that are very, very good at marketing.

 

Thanks for explaining the Nova...clearly, many/most Harley riders haven't been around Harleys long enough to remember them, AND/OR really don't care enough about the marque, other than it's 'bad ***', to dig a little into the history of the company and it's products. Appreciate you clarifying that to the gentleman.


You make real good points about the Twinky, probably one of the things that has made my lighten my dislike of the engine is the improved valve train geometry...nothing you could do to the Evo could improve that, I think. For my kind of riding, it doesn't make a lot of difference, nor does the cover supporting the cam matter much to me, but those ARE good points, and thanks for bringing them up.


From this, and many other posts, it's evident that you really know your stuff, sir!

 

Indeed, gimmick.

 

maybe not.

for the first 10 years of HOG demand far outstripped production...remember that 1990 had TWO YEAR wait lists for new bikes...and total production in those years was about 25,000 units. By about 1995 we had 40,000 units ( all models).

HD was smart to develop HOG and there were/are some useful benefits- for instance my "life membership" cost me about $135 in the early 90's.

back then it was common for dealers to give a 10% discount, I got my insurance through them and also roadside. HOG also had a reward program for info on stolen bikes.

and some magazines.

I'm a loner and hate groups- other really like a "pre-fab family" and for them it gives them a way to get out and riding. some of these involved HOG people are great ambassadors and rack up alot of smilin' miles.

I don;t think that HOG is a huge innovation, but it's not a bummer.

new owners get to try it for free, those who don;t need it don't have to join up

mike

 

The #1 positive "change" was definitely made by the marketing department. Be that HOG, overall styling, specific tech/style decisions (Softtail "suspension", anyone?) or dealer management, purists will abhor to admit that it was marketing and marketing-driven advertising that salvaged a lost cause.

Bless the engineers for putting the money where the mouth was, but it's the mouth that made the difference. Mouth + money-backed engineering x sense of style = success.

I'm not enough of a fanboi, nor have I enough experience with Harleys, to call out a major misstep/waste of time/energy/capital. But that also makes me objective enough to see that a superior product did not pull their *** out of the fire. Marketing did.

 

I have to agree here. I own a TC and I would have to say the worst is definitely the Cam Chain tensioners.
My next Bonus Check is going towards an EVO.