Took a Supposedly 200+HP Harley Nightrod

[Orange4]

Was on the ferry last night after a ride to a local island. Ended up beside a good guy with a Modified Nightrod. Good lookin' bike. Had a good conversation about riding and bikes. He also owns some Kawi sport bikes. Asked him about his bike. He claimed it had been modified by the PO to make 212 hp and he had taken lots of unsuspecting sportbikes. I was surprised but not knowing much about Harleys, I took his claim at face value.

So we unloaded and ended up at the first stop light. Without a word, we both knew it was on. With an even start and a soft launch, I took him easily through second gear even though I short shifted.

I backed off after hitting 75 because I don't want to have my bike impounded and go to jail so he probably thinks he won but we all know better. Good times.

[DiverRay]

There is a reason the NHRA allows V-twins 2,000cc against inline 4 1,000cc on the strip. It's the ONLY way to make the race close.....

[Orange4]

I'm maybe $1600 into my bike, max. Dude paid $16000 for his. I like that math.

[HalfCentury]

The V-Rod horsepower is the kind you use to tow an 18-wheeler. Does not necessarily translate into acceleration needed for the drag strip.

If the Night Rod owner beat sport bikes, the sport bike owners were probably not skilled.

[Radioguylogs]

Really

122->212 hp would quite any upgrade. No April fool's joke?

[Orange4]

This happened yesterday evening so if he was fooling he was early.

Yeah. The VR1000 superbike only had 150hp. I'm beginning to think the guy just was either full-o-bull and/or is mechanically illiterate.

The VROD, according to what I read on the internet, LOL, should actually beat the XS11 in the 1/4. Maybe those spaghetti pipes are pushing my XS11 into 225hp territory

[BA80]

Chrome farkles do not translate to horse power.

[aquamantx]

The largest HP I saw on line for a HD was 317. S&S bottom end custom cams and heads with a super charger. Basically a harley frame with a transplant.

[Orange4]

Chrome farkles do not translate to horse power.

They do translate into High Profits tho.

[jetmechmarty]

The HD can be fast on the launch. It doesn't surprise me to see one take an inline four at the start. They can't hang in there for the quarter mile, unless we're talking purpose built dragsters.

https://youtu.be/vjFeC7g6_40

https://youtu.be/uNygpSJPLL0

[tomcos67]

They do translate into High Profits tho.

Our xs'es R fast,high rpm.running bikes.Look at the red line. It baffels me .I know I have never really pushed my bike.!Cripe I hit 5000rpm And shift that was pushing it in 3rd.Anyway good read this thread.

[BA80]

The launch is all the rider with the 4. The clutch needs to be slipped or you'll kill or almost kill the engine.

The HP is in the RPMs and if they drop, you drop.

[BA80]

Our xs'es R fast,high rpm.running bikes.Look at the red line. It baffels me .I know I have never really pushed my bike.!Cripe I hit 5000rpm And shift that was pushing it in 3rd.Anyway good read this thread.

Ha ha ha ha ha..........my tach doesn't go high enough for how hard I've pushed mine. Pretty sure I've hit 10K more than once.

[tomcos67]

Ha ha ha ha ha..........my tach doesn't go high enough for how hard I've pushed mine. Pretty sure I've hit 10K more than once.

Yeah.! That's because you can fix your bike if engine blows.!!!!.I am a carpet guy.!LOL.

[Orange4]

The launch is all the rider with the 4. The clutch needs to be slipped or you'll kill or almost kill the engine.

I shifted under seven grand and I still beat him. I used to drag race when I was a young-un. Had a bored/stroked, lightened VW bug. I used to eat 5L Mustangs for lunch but big blocks would catch me near the end by a few lengths. Nothing beat me off the line so I gave a lot of those big block guys heart attacks. I just realized rear engine cars launch like motorcycles with all the weight transfer to the rear wheels. Must have remembered some of the good stuff last night.