Beyond the V-Rod: Harley's Next Revolution?

BEYOND THE V-ROD: HARLEY'S NEXT REVOLUTION?

ROUNDUP

HARLEY-DAVIDSON LET the cat half out of the bag at last summer's V-Rod press introduction: The Rod, attendees were told, would be the first of a family of Revolution-engined motorcycles. That’s nice to know, but an impressive veil of secrecy has kept details of the next “Revo” Harley a mystery.

Where there is a secret, however, there is usually speculation. The accompanying sketch paints a picture of a HarleyDavidson equivalent to a

Ducati Monster S4, a Revolution-powered streetfighter that corresponds with rumors from Milwaukee.

The frame is basically the big-tube structure of the VRod. Harley (with Porsche’s assistance) may have been willing to engineer all-new engine and chassis platforms for the V-Rod, but now it will most likely use current components. Expect the next Revolution bike to share many parts and almost all of its tooling with the V-Rod. None of the sketch-

es we’ve seen, however, show machines with the V-Rod’s raked-out front end.

Beginning with the earlier Dyna chassis, Harley designed its frame-manufacturing lines to readily incorporate changes in head angle. In addition, 4 degrees of the V-Rod’s apparent 38 degrees of rake come from offset triple-clamps. It’s reasonable to believe the second member of the Revolution family will have its head angle pulled back to a more normal geometry.

Be prepared for a new ma-

chine that will be sportier than the V-Rod. Harley, having consolidated its cruiser territory, is aiming to invade traditionally Japanese turf, particularly in the European market. Accordingly, a Monster-like streetfighter makes terrific sense. This type of machine has proven appeal on both sides of the Atlantic, and can be readily derived from the V-Rod. We should find out for sure at Harley’s 100th anniversary dealer show in July.

Steve Anderson