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  • The Engine 1
  • The Engine 2
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The Harley Engine - Part One

There are many kinds of motorcycles today, mostly from Japanese manufacturers like Yamaha, Kawasaki, and Honda. However, nearly everyone would agree that none of them boast the characteristics, name recognition, tradition, or mystique of the Harley Davidson motorcycles. So what makes a Harley so unique?

The Haley engine:

• Until 2001, Harley-Davidson only produced the two-cylinder V-twin design with a 45 degree angle between the cylinders.
• The engines are air-cooled
• The engines have overhead valves that are activated by camshafts in the crankcase.
• Oil comes from a dry sump lubrication system.
• Harley engines have a long stroke. This means that the engines are low-revving and have lots of torque. Redline is typically in the 5,000 RPM range.
• Harley engines have a single-pin crankshaft, giving these engines a unique sound.

Come 2001, Harley Davidson surprised everyone. A new engine called the Revolution engine was introduced, to be used in the upcoming 2002 VSRC. The Revolution is still a V-twin but it has a 60-degree V, is water-cooled, has 4 overhead camshafts and is high-revving (9,000 RPM redline).

Further than the engine, Harley Davidson motorcycles have a particular look and feel. These large Harleys engines means large bikes. The largest Harleys weigh almost a thousand pounds (453.6 kilograms) and often include retro styling.